International Festival

×

Expand

Martin Jenich

Dancers at the 2020 International Festival.

Dancers at the 2020 International Festival.

The International Fest is a good example of an event that would probably have an admission fee in other cities, but in Madison is free. Although the fest has a global food component (Saturday only) in the Overture lobby and a global marketplace both days, the heart of it is music and dance performances from local groups representing cultures the world over. Attendees can roam the various performance spaces all day with pretty much no down time to catch Django Reinhardt-inspired Romany jazz from LuLu Quintet, klezmer from Yid Vicious, bagpipes from Madison Pipes & Drums, traditional poetry songs (kwv txhiaj) with musical instruments from Hmong Institute's Heritage Club…and that’s just dipping a toe in. More than 30 music or dance presentations are scheduled. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday; full schedule at overture.org.

media release: International Festival returns to Overture Center with two days full of performances, food and more! The annual festival will take place on Saturday, June 29 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, June 30 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Together, we will celebrate the rich cultural heritage and diversity of our community with free performances throughout Overture by artists who call Dane County home, tasty cuisines, stunning arts and crafts from around the world, and information from many local organizations and businesses with global connections. More than 30 cultures will be represented with more than 30 FREE performances. 

Guests may participate in person at Overture or online for select livestreamed performances via Overture’s Facebook page.

SATURDAY PERFORMANCES – 10:15 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Main Lobby: Zhong Yi Kung Fu Association - Traditional Sar Ping style of Lion Dance with live music 10:15 am, LuLu Quintet - Sparkling French/Romany "hot club" jazz inspired by Django Reinhardt 10:45 am, Cris & Ann Plata - South Texas and Mexican border music; Conjunto and Norteño noon, Yid Vicious - Festive blend of traditional & contemporary Klezmer music 1:20 pm, Son Del Atlantico - Colombian fusion band 2:50 pm

Overture Hall: Madison Chinese Culture Association - Promoting Chinese culture and supporting our community 11 am, DanzTrad Traditional Mexican Dance - Promoting Mexican culture and traditions through dance noon, Beni Daiko - Madison-based Japanese Taiko drumming 1 pm, Madison Pipes & Drums - Madison-based bagpipe band 2 pm, Boliviamanta Dance WI - Bolivian Carnival style dances, performed by first and second generation Bolivians 3 pm, Raizes do Brasil - Capoeira - a martial art that fuses self-defense, dance, music and acrobatics 4:15 pm

Rotunda Stage: Madison Männerchor - Wisconsin's oldest German chorus, performing German & English songs 10:45 am, Hmong Institute's Heritage Club - Traditional poetry songs (kwv txhiaj) with musical instruments 11:45 am, Charlene Adzima and Andreas Transø - A kid-friendly introduction to Irish traditional music 12:45 pm, Kikeh Mato Afro-Pop - Guinean Pop music featuring traditional & contemporary instruments 2 pm, Last Gaspe - Canadian, Irish and American fiddle music that swings 3:15 pm, Karmic Flower Dance Co. 4:15 pm

Capitol Theater: Limanya Drum & Dance Ensemble - Traditional drumming and dancing from Guinea, West Africa 10:45 am, Breckenridge School of Highland Dance - Watch the swirling kilts and vibrant tartans of Scotland 11:45 am, Meenakshi Ganesan and The Kalaanjali Dance Company - Bharatanatyam - classical Indian dance more than 3,000 years old 12:45 pm, Žaibas Lithuanian Dancers - Sharing, preserving and promoting Lithuanian heritage through dance 1:45 pm, Mad Craic Irish Dance - All-adult dance troupe performing both modern & old style Irish dances 2:45 pm, Tania Tandias Flamenco & Spanish Dance - Fiery flamenco dances from southern Spain 4 pm

The Playhouse: Tri Bratovchedki - A cappella songs in the rhythms, harmonies & languages of Eastern Europe 11 am, Okami Taiko - Eisa - a dynamic festival dance from Okinawa, Japan noon, Guitar House of Madison - Spanish guitar music performed by Gabor Szarvas & friends 1 pm, Sadira Middle Eastern Dance - Raqs Sharki - the joyful, classical women's dance of the Middle East 2 pm, Atimevu - Traditional music from Ghana 3 pm, Sergio El Vacilon - Cuban son guajira, Cha Cha Cha, Mambo, solo guitar & vocals 4:15 pm

SUNDAY PERFORMANCES – 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Main Lobby: Zhong Yi Kung Fu Association - Traditional Sar Ping style of Lion Dance with live music 1 pm, Madison Chinese Culture Association - Promoting Chinese culture and supporting our community 1:45 pm, LuLu Quintet - Sparkling French/Romany "hot club" jazz inspired by Django Reinhardt 2:45 pm, Beni Daiko - Madison-based Japanese Taiko drumming 3:30

INTERNATIONAL MARKET (Saturday and Sunday) AND FOOD VENDORS (Saturday only)

• Akarim African Enterprise
• Friendship Force- WI-Madison
• Friends of Ukraine
• German School of Madison
• Greenbush Heritage Foundation
• Hope Institute of Uganda
• Inti Fair Trade
• Italian Workmen's Club – Madison
• Jakarta Café
• MACCO
• Madame Chu Delicacies
• Made In Mexico, LLC
• Madison Arcatao Sister City Project (MASCP)
• Madison Kanifing Sister City
• Madison-Camaguey Sister City Association
• Madison-Rafah Sister City Project
• M & J Jamaican Kitch'n
• Nazka’s Handmade
• Nepali American Friendship Association
• Otavalo Art
• Palestine Partners
• Polish Heritage Club of Wisconsin
• Rolling Pin Bake Shop
• Spinning Handiworks (Formerly Known as Yackack)
• The Sam's Elegant Team
• UW-Madison International Reach: Cross-Cultural Speakers Program
• Warda Bayda Artisans
• WESLI - Wisconsin ESL Institute

Performers and vendors are subject to change; for an up-to-date list, please visit overture.org.

International Festival 2024 is funded by Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison and Madison Community Foundation.