Nonprofit Corporation Celebrates Diversity, Sponsors National Rural Development Conference.

News Editors/Real Estate Writers

National Rural Development Conference,

Sharing Our Gifts: Celebrating Our Diversity

PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 19, 2004

You are invited to a very special evening with Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC)--an evening filled with fabulous entertainment, food and merriment that will be held in conjunction with RCAC's 2004 National Rural Development Conference, Sharing Our Gifts: Celebrating Our Diversity.

The event begins Monday evening, March 22, at 5 p.m. with a reception at the Hilton Portland & Executive Tower Hotel, followed by multi-cultural performances across the street at the beautifully restored Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, formerly the 1928 Paramount Theatre, and home to the Oregon Symphony. This is Portland's Broadway!

During the extravaganza you will witness an unforgettable night of inspiration. Four extraordinary music and dance groups are performing, representing, Asian, Latin America, Native American and Polynesian cultures. Each culture's story will be performed through music and dance. Their individual stories will be woven together by the nationally acclaimed, very talented and engaging storyteller, Joel ben Izzy. Performers include the Mariachi Jalisco, Portland Taiko, Yaaw Tei Yi Dancers, and Kleo & Co. Polynesian Revue Inc. (Descriptions of the performers are attached.)

The evening will end with a celebration of RCAC's 25th anniversary. Don't miss this incredible opportunity to experience the magic of this performance.

Sharing Our Gifts Celebrating Our Diversity runs March 22 - 25 in Portland, Oregon at the Hilton Portland & Executive Tower Hotel. The conference will feature more than 90 different workshops, totaling more than 280 hours of training, networking and sharing successful strategies for rural community development. Professional storytellers and successful community leaders also will be on hand to share their stories from the rural frontier.

For more information, contact Julia Helmreich at 916/447-9832 ext. 108

Performer Descriptions

Joel Ben Izzy

Joel Ben Izzy has spent 20 years traveling the globe, gathering and telling stories. His tales have been collected in six award-winning CDs, and he has just published his memoir, The Beggar King and the Secret of Happiness, which recounts the amazing, true story that began when he was told by doctors that he would never be able to speak again. Since the miraculous return of his voice, Joel has worked with business and nonprofit organizations around the world, helping people who do good work to deliver their messages more effectively through the power of story.

Portland Taiko

The sounds of Portland Taiko echo Japanese tradition derived from centuries-old religious ceremonies, court music, and community folk festivals. Portland Taiko's music is both a celebration of Asian American culture and catalyst for bringing people together. By combining traditional and modern compositions and choreography, Portland Taiko takes Asian American music into unexplored territory with its innovative and provocative creations.

Yaaw Tei Yi Dancers

A traditional Tlingit dance group, the dancers provide an opportunity for others to learn, appreciate and promote traditional Tlingit/Haida songs and dance. Southeast Alaska Native dance and songs have great antiquity; the Yaaw Tei Yi Dancers honor their ancestry.

Kaleo & Co. Polynesian Revue Inc.

An authentic Hawaiian-Polynesian music and dance troupe, this professional native dance troupe, will give us a dynamic performance bringing the south pacific islands to life! Kaleo & Co. Polynesian Revue perform songs and dances of the South Pacific: Tahitian, Samoan, New Zealand, and Hawaii modern hula's and ancient chants.

Mariachi Jalisco

A festival for your senses. Enjoy the lively music of Mariachi Jalisco and the colorful Ballet Folklorico dancers, as we kick off our evening of entertainment.