World of Talent Takes the Stage at Adult School

His T-shirt said California. His blue jeans were fashionably worn. And his sneakers resembled those of the typical American youth.

But when Majdi Zebian took the stage Thursday at the Conejo Valley Adult School’s annual International Fair--slicing the air with a saber and somersaulting across the stage--he danced as if he were back home entertaining newlyweds at a traditional Lebanese wedding.

Before moving from Lebanon to the Conejo Valley just two weeks ago, the 24-year-old was a member of a dance troupe that performed at weddings.

But the lack of traditional wardrobe didn’t stop him from joining other festively dressed foreign students from 26 countries who took part in the event to showcase their culture.

As students in the school’s English as a second language program and newcomers to the United States, the group spends much of its time in class learning the ways of Americans.

“This is our way of returning the favor so we can become aware of their culture,” said Twyla Cook, a school spokeswoman.

Culture from around the globe was on display. There was Brazilian samba, Chinese opera, Swiss accordion music and Egyptian song.

Dressed in a long brown robe, Kukulpana Sudhamma opened the fair with a Buddhist chant used in Sri Lanka to bless a new home.

Sudhamma is a former monk well-known in his village for breaking with the tenets of his faith--which discourages violence--to practice karate on an entrepreneur who stubbornly tried to open a bar against the wishes of the community. He learned the martial art before becoming a monk.

Now living with a friend in Thousand Oaks, he said most Americans are unfamiliar with his way of life. “I say ‘monk’ and they don’t know it,” he said. “This is very important so people can see other cultures and learn.”

Other students said the event helps keep them from being homesick.

Dressed in a bright pink dress worn by Korean women to celebrate the New Year, 23-year-old Joanne Shin said she missed her parents and her native cuisine.

Next to dance, the students used food as the primary expression of their cultures. Tables laden with exotic dishes filled the small auditorium.

The adult school’s students stopped by between classes to sample the menu.

Her plate heaped with chile rellenos and Thai spring rolls, Mary Rezai of Camarillo said the entertainment aroused her interest, but the food kept it. “It’s interesting,” she said. “But I’m here for the food.”

Not to be outdone, English instructors decided to set up their own booth, complete with strawberry shortcake, hot dogs and chocolate chip cookies.

But, with a plate of Iranian saffron rice pudding in hand, instructor Ganne Wilmanns said they weren’t having much luck pushing American cuisine to the multiethnic crowd.

“We don’t have many takers,” she said.