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Rides and revelry await at Christ the King event

New to the four-day festival is Divine Diversity Day, a cultural trip around the world right on the church grounds.

By ERIKA VIDAL
Published April 21, 2006

This year, organizers have spiced up the tradition by adding Divine Diversity Day, a free event on April 30. Guests can celebrate and experience different cultures through musical and dance performances from groups such as Oasis Flamenco, Kuumba Dancers and Drummers, and Acropolis Musicians and Belly Dancer.Jenny Turanchik, one of three co-chairing the event, came up with the idea for Divine Diversity Day. Her inspiration was a spring roll. Last year, a woman asked her if she could make spring rolls for the carnival. They were so popular, Turanchik said, that she decided to incorporate that kind of cultural diversity in an even bigger way this year.

"Christ the King Parish seems so homogenized,'' said Turanchik, and by bringing other cultures into this, she hopes everyone will see "what Tampa has to offer, appreciate it and look for it more.''

The annual spaghetti dinner runs from 4 to 7 p.m. April 30. Tickets are $7 for adults or $5 for children.

The theme of this year's talent show is "A History of Rock and Roll,'' featuring parish members performing numbers by Elvis, the Beatles and others. The show begins at 7 p.m. April 28.

The pig roast will begin at 6:30 p.m. April 29 with yellow rice, black beans, salad and Cuban bread. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for children.

Last year the carnival raised about $70,000, which organizers hope to exceed this year. Proceeds will support the school and parish.

Erika Vidal can be reached at (813) 226-3339 or evidal@sptimes.com.

[Last modified April 20, 2006, 08:28:24]