Believing in Culture Week, an annual event geared toward promoting cultural awareness, begins today with its traditional activities.

The group not only will hold its annual events but also will feature a few new events for students. New events include the BIC potluck in Stevenson’s New Orleans Room and a trip to Chicago to visit Chinatown. All activities on campus are free. A bus ticket to Chinatown costs $5.

The potluck will feature various food dishes from restaurants around the DeKalb area, including Molly’s Kitchen, 1022 W. Lincoln Highway and The Grand China Buffet, 2350 Sycamore Road.

“We all sat down and brainstormed in June, came up with some ideas and then we ran with them,” said BIC Vice President Abdul Habeeb. “This week will have some great events for students, especially the potluck and the Chinatown trip, which are things that have not been done in our organization before.”

Other activities during the week are giveaways within the residence halls, an open mic night, free bowling at the Huskie Den and a “Freaky Friday” event of pumpkin painting and costume contests sponsored by BIC and NIU’s chapter of National Residence Hall Honorary, a group of residence hall student leaders.

“For Wednesday’s open mic night, you can come and show off your talent with anything like some poetry or dance,” BIC President Natia Stubblefield said. “Homecoming King Kiarri Andrews is the emcee for the evening, so there will be some good times.”

Students who would like to perform during open mic night need to make reservations with BIC by e-mail at [email protected].

BIC Week will end Saturday with a bus trip to Chicago’s Chinatown.

“We are going to take a walking tour of Chinatown to find out about its history,” Stubblefield said.

After the tour, students will dine in a banquet hall and then be allowed to shop until the bus leaves.

“That is what these student organizations are about, providing programs for the halls, and we are glad we could represent that for BIC week,” said Daniel Chou, BIC public relations officer.

BIC Week

Monday: “It’s A Small World After All” potluck, 5 to 7 p.m. in Stevenson’s New Orleans Room

Tuesday: BIC Giveaways in residence hall lobbies all day

Wednesday: Club BIC Open Mic Night,

7 to 9 p.m. in the New Orleans Room; [email protected] for details

Thursday: BIC Bowl, 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. in the Holmes Student Center Huskie Den

Friday: “Freaky Friday,” 7 to 10 p.m. in the New Orleans Room

Saturday: Chillin’ in Chinatown tickets, $5; [email protected] for details