Kicking off with film and food, the Ethnic Cultural Center and Ethnic Cultural Theatre aim to ease student transitions by inviting more in

What do Dawg Daze, soul food and a 20th century film about the homecoming of a large African American family have to do with being a freshman? Everything.

This year, for the first time, the Ethnic Cultural Center (ECC) will take part in the Dawg Daze festivities by hosting the screening of the 1991 film Daughters of the Dust Tomorrow at 2 p.m.

Lydia Fort, artistic coordinator for GSA at UW's Ethnic Cultural Theatre (ECT), saw the film for the first time when she was in college," she said. "I was so moved by this film. I had a really profound experience and I don't know how many people have seen it, but I wanted to share the experience with other people."

The film, by director Julie Dash, is about a family that leaves their home in the Gula Islands and travels to America to start a new life. Fort relates the plight of the main characters to that of many freshmen coming to campus and leaving their homes for the first time.

"The movie has a lot to do with new beginnings, and it's not easy," explained Fort. "There's turmoil, excitement, maybe fear involved."

"New beginnings can be scary but they can also be really special because it's a big opportunity and you have no idea how it can all turn out. There's a lot of hope in this way, so I feel freshmen can relate to this movie because they're going through a very similar experience," said Fort.

After the film, students will get the chance to try some down-home Southern food like collard greens, fried catfish and corn bread cooked by a local woman known as Miss Helen, who Fort said is very popular in the soul-food community.

"At the end of the film, the characters have a huge meal to celebrate and we also wanted to celebrate with the students by having a big meal, and letting students talk and get to know each other and kick off a great year at the ECC," said Fort.

This is the first time the ECC and ECT have been involved in Dawg Daze activities, and Fort said she hopes that by having more events open to the public, the ECC will be demystified.

"I was excited because Dawg Daze is full of energy of people starting out their college careers, and wanted to be a part of that," Fort said. "Sometimes when people leave their homes they're looking for a place to feel accepted, and I think for many people the ECC and ECT can be that place."

Another new program the ECT is initiating this year is a monthly screenplay reading series in which students will read published plays in the theater and have a discussion afterwards on anything from film to culture to the college experience.

The ECT also has a unique internship available to students who wish to have their screenplays preformed on stage. The deadline for applications is this fall, and by spring, students will see their plays put in full production.

Fort hopes to encourage freshmen to visit the ECC and ECT if they've never been there before to find groups and activities they can be a part of.

"If anyone has any interest in the arts, it doesn't matter what level or what their interest is that they come and explore their interest at the ECC," Fort said. "We're really hoping to be able to provide a wide variety of events from music to plays to film so that everyone can really feel at home," said Fort.

Fort said she doesn't know how many students to expect for The Daughters of the Dust screening, but she hopes more students will be drawn to the ECC and ECT with the help of these new programs.

"My goal is that 60 people come next week, and at the end of the year when we have our last send off the whole place will be packed, and every seat will be filled," said Fort. "That's what we're looking for," Fort said.