SUNY Orange hosted an evening on Thai culture on Nov. 4

Middletown —The Thai Classical Dance Association of New York will perform “The Dance of Benediction” and “The Fon Pootai Dance,” under the direction of Charuayporn Savasatit, at 7:45 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 4, on the first floor of the George F. Shepard Student Center. The classical dances are being presented as part of “An Evening in Thailand,” a program that includes two PowerPoint slide presentations and food by well-known cook Nim Ferstand, a Thai native currently residing in Orange County. The goal of the Dance Association is to conserve and exhibit the cherished customs of Thai culture. Susan Slater-Tanner, art and art history instructor at SUNY Orange, will present “A Visual Appetizer,” a PowerPoint presentation on the Thai Culture at 6 p.m. The narrated presentation will give an overview of Thai customs and religions. Dinner will follow at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $16 and reservations are required. Following the dinner, The Thai Classical Dance Association of New York will perform. Lee Hunter, Ed.D., sociology professor at SUNY Orange, will present “Architectural and Archeological Perspectives on Thailand,” a PowerPoint slideshow, between the performance of the two dances. There is no charge for the dance performance or Professor Hunter’s presentation. Tickets for the dinner are available at the Student Life Counter on the second floor of the George F. Shepard Student Center from 9 a.m. to 7:45 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday. In addition, tickets may be reserved by calling 845-341-4055 or 845-341-4370. This program is a Lyceum event presented by Cultural Affairs, in cooperation with the International Studies Program at SUNY Orange. Sara M. Morrison is sponsoring the dance performance. Questions may be directed to 845-341-4891 or cultural@sunyorange.edu.