International Festival

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Sri Jasti

Kalaanjali Indian Dance Company performers.

The International Fest is back in person with more than 30 music and dance performances throughout the O.C., global arts and crafts for sale and plenty of food. A new performer this year is Son del Atlantico, an Afro-Colombian band that plays cumbia, porro and other Latin styles fused with funk, rock and reggae. We also have it on good authority that Spice Yatra will be serving Indian dishes. Song and dance performances are free; food is not. Find a list of performers below, and more information at overture.org.

press release: International Festival returns live at Overture Center on Saturday, March 19, 10 a.m. to 5 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 and stunning arts and crafts from around the world, and information from many local organizations and businesses with global connections.

More than 31 countries will be represented with 30-plus artists and 15 craft/arts and food vendors.

Guests may participate in person at Overture or online for select livestreamed performances via Overture’s Facebook page. In addition, many area schools are expected to join the festival from their classrooms the week of March 14 to learn about global cultures through online videos and study guides.

As a health and safety precaution, building capacity will be limited for the event. All who enter the building must follow our COVID-19 health and safety policies, which include (for ages 5 and over) showing proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test with a photo ID (children without a photo ID must be accompanied by a guardian) and wearing a face mask (ages 2 and over). For full details, visit overture.org/health.   

PERFORMERS/CULTURE

Atimevu, Ghana; Black Star Drum Line w/Dynamic Badgerettes, African American Culture; Boliviamanta, Bolivia; Breckenridge School of Highland Dance, Scotland; Charanga Agozá, Latinx/Cuba; Cris Plata Trio, Mexican/American with European influences; DanzTrad, Mexico/Mexican; Beni Daiko, Japan; Last Gaspe (VIRTUAL),  Ireland/Canada/New England; Leslie Damaso with Mr. Chair (VIRTUAL), Filipino American; Limanya Drum & Dance Ensemble, Guinea, West Africa; LuLu Quintet, French and Romany; Mad Craic Irish Dance, Ireland; Madison Chinese Culture Association, Chinese; Madison Japanese Taiko group Beni Daiko, Japan; Madison Männerchor, German; Madison Pipes and Drums, Scottish; Mai Zong Vue and Mason Her, Hmong music; Meenakshi Ganesan and the Kalaanjali Dance Company, Classical Indian Dance; Mesoghios Dance Troupe, Greek; Raízes do Brasil Capoeira Madison (VIRTUAL), Afro-Brazilian; Sadira Middle Eastern dance, Middle East/Egypt; Sergio, Cuba; Tania Tandias Flamenco & Spanish Dance, Spain; The Handphibians, Afro-Brazilian; The Taiwan Puppet Troupe, Taiwanese; Tri Bratovchedki, Balkan/Eastern European; UW Russian Folk Orchestra, Russia & Eastern Europe; Yid Vicious, Yiddish; Zhong Yi Kung Fu Association, Chinese; Žaibas Lithuanian Dancers, Lithuanian; Wisconsin Dells Singers & Dance Troupe, Native American; Madison Vilnius Sister Cities Inc., Lithuania; Inti Fair Trade, Ecuadorian.

INTERNATIONAL MARKET/ CULTURE

Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of WI - Madison, various developing countries; Knitting for Peace, Syria and Iraq; Madison-Rafah Sister City Project, Palestinian; Palestine Partners, Palestine; Hope Institute of Uganda, Ugandan; Hope Institute of Uganda Dba Jinja Fair Trade Gift Shop, Uganda; Madison Arcatao Sister City Project, El Salvador; Otavalo, Ecuador; Madison-Mantova Sister Cities, Italy; Madame Chu Delicacies, Southeast Asian - Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia; Madison Area Chinese Community Organization, Chinese; AKARIM AFRICAN ENTERPRISE, GHANAIAN.

INTERNATIONAL CAFÉ/CULTURE

Toast, Israeli; Italian Workmen's Club, Italian; Spice Yatra, Indian; Rolling Pin Bake Shop, Russian

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES

• Promenade Hall, Level II: 10 AM – 4:30 PM| Mark your cultural heritage and current home on the magnetic maps.
• Promenade Lounge, Level II: 11:30 AM – 5 PM | Explore new cultures with student ambassadors from UW-Madison International Reach.

International Festival 2022 is sponsored by the Arts Access Fund, a component of the Madison Community Foundation, Dane Arts and Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison. Overture is grateful for this community support that helps make these experiences possible.