Festival Showcases World Culture
Quatro Na Bossa, a band from Richmond, VA. that plays Brazilian music, performs at lats year's International Festival.
"Explore, Educate, Entertain, Eat." is the slogan behind this year's International Festival that is taking place this Saturday, Sept. 30. The festival's theme is "Wearable Art From Around the World."
Part of the entertainment includes various musical performances from noon until 6 p.m., ranging from Caribbean to Appalachian to Kurdish music. The "Eat" portion of the slogan is handled by various local restaurants, which provide food from exotic locales including Vietnam and Greece. "Exploration" can happen anytime at the artisan tables that include arts and crafts that come in a variety of shapes and sizes and from a variety of countries. Some of the crafts this year will include jewelry, cards, knitting, woodcarvings, photography, and paintings. "Education" takes place in the "Activities for Everyone" area, which features a multi-cultural book fair, a short film festival, and ethnic dress displays. The activities include ten different art projects for children to adults to participate in.
The Harrisonburg International Festival is a chance for artisans, businesses, volunteers, and community members to join together to celebrate the diversity of Harrisonburg and the surrounding area. The festival provides an opportunity for attendees to learn and experience aspects of cultures they may never encounter in their daily lives. When asked about her involvement in the festival, Vaunda Brown, festival organizer, commented, "Our city slogan is ‘The Friendly City' and I want to make that a reality to all members of the community as our festival provides a friendly forum that fosters understanding and respect for the many cultures that have made the valley their new home."
Community members are invited to participate in an International Fashion Show by modeling a fashion from their native country or favorite culture. The show runs from 12:30 to 5 and will feature a variety of countries and styles. Also as part of the wearable art theme, "Cultural Clothing Experience" will allow attendees to try on pieces from the festival's cultural clothing collection.
In an attempt to expand the festival's appeal, Friday from 6 to 8 pm features the first Friday Fest. This event is similar to the International Festival but on a smaller scale that should appeal to young adults in high school, youth groups, and local colleges. This prelude to the International Fest will include an open mike poetry slam, in which attendees have the opportunity to demonstrate their poetry mastery, a drum circle that is open to anyone who wants to participate, soccer and volleyball, and a variety of interactive arts and crafts opportunities. There will also be live music from Iron Lion, a local Reggae band.
Approximately 50 EMU students are assisting in the event this year in a variety of capacities. Some are helping with the film festival, which will be showing "Second Home," an EMU student produced documentary about the local Kurdish community, and "Sharing our Story," produced by the Harrisonburg Unitarian Universalists Church. Other EMU volunteers participate in the setup, clean up, and greeting components of the festival. Melody Pannell, EMU's director of Multicultural Services, is organizing EMU student volunteers to assist with crafts for the Friday fest. This event is an excellent chance for first-year students to earn credit toward their first year seminar class; but requirements aside, it's also a great opportunity for anyone to learn about this diverse city in which EMU is located.
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