International Festival

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It’s the 39th year of Madison’s International Festival. Fittingly, this year’s festival will feature 39 performing artists and groups from Dane County. The fest will begin with the longstanding tradition of the Swiss alphorns playing in the lobby and other performances move through the world: African funk, Taiwanese puppetry, a gospel choir, and traditional dances from around the world. Plan for a whole day of soaking up the diverse cultures and traditions represented in Dane County. With more than 45 food and fair trade vendors. Free and open to the public.

press release: Join Overture Center for the Arts’ International Festival 2020 on Saturday, Feb. 29, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., a free event celebrating the rich cultural heritage within our community, featuring more than 30 performances throughout Overture by artists who call Dane County home. Indulge in cuisines from around the world, purchase stunning arts and crafts and learn about the many local businesses with global connections.

After International Festival, Sweet Honey in the Rock takes the stage at 8 p.m. in Overture Hall. Tickets are $28-69. This internationally acclaimed, award-winning, all-female African American a cappella group was founded on the missions of empowerment, education and entertainment. The ensemble of Carol Maillard, Louise Robinson, Nitanju Bolade Casel and Aisha Kahlil inspire in their performances of spirituals, gospel and more—and remain a relevant force in music today.

INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL 2020

International Festival features artists, information, food and performances representing 50+ cultures.

Performance schedule:

Overture Hall Lobby, Level I: 10:30 AM Swiss Alphorns, 10:40 AM Wisconsin Dells Singers,10:50 AM Zhong Yi Kung Fu Association, 11:20 AM Yid Vicious, 11:30 AM UW Russian Folk Orchestra, 12:25 PM Cris Plata Trio,1:30 PM LuLu Quintet, 2:35 PM Charanga Agoza, 3:45 PM Kinfolk

Rotunda Stage, Lower Level: 11:15 AM Bí Dána, 12:20 PM Goongoo Peas, 1:25 PM Kioja Drill Team, 2:10 PM Sadira Middle Eastern Dance, 3:00 PM Taiwan Puppet Troupe of UW Madison, 4:10 PM Tani Diakite and the Afrofunkstars

Capitol Theater, Level I: 11:30 AM Mt Zion Gospel Choir, 12:40 PM Wisconsin Tibetan Association, 1:20 PM Boliviamanta Dance Wisconsin, 2:10 PM Atimevu, 3:15 PM Meenakshi Ganesan & The Kalaanjali Dance Co., 3:55 PM Zaibas Lithuanian Dancers, 4:35 PM DanzTrad

Promenade Hall, Level II: 11:40 AM     Mad Craic Irish Dance, 12:25 PM Sergio Rico Vacilon, 1:15 PM HLCEP Students & Mai Zong Vue, 2:00 PM Red & Black, 3:10 PM Limanya Drum & Dance Ensemble, 3:55 PM Leslie Damaso, 4:45 PM Mesoghios Greek Dance Troupe

Wisconsin Studio, Level III: 12:00 PM Madison Männerchor, 12:45 PM Beni Daiko, 1:35  PM Madison Pipes and Drums, 2:30 PM Raízes do Brasil Capoeira Madison, 3:20 PM Last Gaspe, 4:30 PM Tri Bratovchedki

Overture Hall, Level I: 12:50 PM Madison Chinese Culture Association, 1:35 PM Tania Tandias Flamenco & Spanish Dance

INTERNATIONAL CAFÉ | Overture Hall Lobby, Level I: Buraka, Café Costa Rica, Catering a Fresco, Italian Workmen’s Club, Jakarta Café, Jamerica Restaurant, La Joe Bla, Madame Chu, Polish Heritage Club of Madison, Rolling Pin Bake Shop, Spice Yatra

INTERNATIONAL MARKET | Rotunda Lobby, Level I | Promenade Terrace and Lobby, Level II: Akarim African Enterprise, Amigos de las Americas, Ayusa, Chi World & Health, Fair Anita, Friendship Force of Wisconsin-Madison, Henna and Face painting by Celebration Art Studio, Hope Institute of Uganda, Hurling and Football Club of Madison, IFA, LLC, International Division - UW Madison, International Reach - UW Madison, Inti Fair Trade, Madison Arcatao Sister City Project, Madison Area Chinese Community Organization, Madison Friends of International Students, Madison Russian School, Madison-Bahir Dar Sister City Project, Madison-Camaguey Sister City Association, Madison-Freiburg Sister City Committee, Madison-Kanifing Sister City, Madison-Mantova Sister City/Greenbush Heritage Foundation, Madison-Obihiro Sister Cities Inc., Madison-Rafah Sister City Project, Madison-Tepatitlán Sister Cities Committee, Madison-Vilnius Sister Cities Inc., Madre Yerba LLC, Nazkas Handmade, Nepali American Friendship Association, Ombeni African Safaris, Otavalo Native Art, Polish Heritage Club, Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Wisconsin-Madison, Sons of Norway, Terra Experience, The Hmong Institute, Wisconsin ESL Institute, Wisconsin Lions International Youth Camp & Exchange Program, Working Capital for Community Needs, Yachack

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES

Rotunda Lobby, Level I 10 AM – 5 PM| Mark your cultural heritage and current home on the magnetic maps.

Promenade Lounge, Level II 11:30 AM – 2 PM | Explore new cultures with student ambassadors from UW-Madison International Reach; 2:30 PM – 5 PM | Try out a new language with students from the Wisconsin ESL Institute.

Upper Lobby, Level III 10 AM – 4:30 PM | Contribute to our community mandala, presented by Sarvodaya USA, dedicated to building a world of communities based on non-violence, service and cooperation.

Madison Central Library 11:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 1:30 PM, 2:30 PM | Children’s Cultural Story Readings: come to the Central Library Children's Area to experience stories old and new from around the globe; 11 AM – 4:30 PM | Share Your Story with Zines! Drop by The Bubbler to draw with Artist-in-Residence Alanna Stapleton. Learn about DIY zine culture and how making zines is a fun and accessible way to tell the unique story of your cultural heritage.

International Festival 2020 is sponsored by the Arts Access Fund, a component of the Madison Community Foundation, Dane Arts and Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison.

Follow @OvertureCenter on Facebook to catch a livestream of select performances!

Ticketed show:

Celebrating their 45th anniversary tour, Sweet Honey In the Rock remains the preeminent musical collective rooted in African American history and culture. Kinetic, unique and connected, this internationally renowned, Grammy-nominated female a cappella vocal quartet performs positive, socially conscious message music which takes an activist stance toward making the world a better place to live. Their latest album, “#LoveInEvolution,” is infused with energy and innovation, meshing finely honed a cappella, world and gospel with touches of hip hop, jazz and R&B. Stay after the Sweet Honey in the Rock show for a brief, informal Q&A in the theater with the artists.