MONDAY, APRIL 24, 1999

Event's new additions

By John Putman

On-line Forty-Niner

One of Southern California's most popular festivals, Cal State Long Beach's Kaleidoscope presents an exciting forum to learn about the campus with the community at large.

"Falling within our 50th anniversary celebration makes this a very special Kaleidoscope," CSULB President Robert Maxson said. "It will give our university another opportunity to invite the community to visit our campus and take part in an extremely popular event."

"Every year Kaleidoscope gets better and better," Event Director Lee Vail said. "It seems more people are more involved than ever before. It's become a true community event."

The first Kaleidoscope was held May 4, 1985. To expand on the event's popularity, organizers are introducing a number of new activities for this year's festival, including:

· The International Cabaret and World Stage, featuring international foods and entertainment

· The African Marketplace, showcasing ethnic foods, arts and crafts and the Marketplace Stage

· The building of a mini-garden and Koi pond in the Japanese Gardens

· family art workshops at the University Art Museum

· The Mobile Science Museum and natural science exhibits

· The Kaleiodo-Carnival, with game booths for children of all ages.

Fourteen years ago, the inaugural festival featured sports events, concerts, international food, fine arts exhibits and academic open houses.

Kaleidoscope evolved from an idea by then-CSULB President Steve Horn. Organizers of the first festival sought to generate involvement between CSULB and the Long Beach community, and establish a sense of identity and tradition for the campus.

The celebration was then known as the Spring Festival. It was renamed Kaleidoscope when student Natalie Roesch won a campuswide contest. She thought of the name "because it kind of portrays colorful parts that make up one event."