International Festival

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Overture brings the world to Madison for this festival celebrating cultures from all over the globe. It starts at 10 am with the haunting sounds of 12-foot-long Swiss Alphorns and a traditional Ho-Chunk welcome. Throughout the day and in every nook and cranny you’ll find food, costumes, music and dance: Middle Eastern dancing, Chinese lion dance, Brazilian capoeira, Irish stepping, Indian classical dance, Spanish guitar, Eastern European a cappella music, Sufi stories, and so much more. Plus you can participate in language lessons and a community mandala project.

Schedule:

Overture Hall Lobby, Level I: 10:30 AM-10:37 AM Swiss Alphorns, For over 30 years, the traditional 12-foot long alphorns have opened the festival. 10:37 AM-10:55 AM Opening Ceremony & Ho-Chunk Welcome; 10:55 AM-11:15 AM Zhong Yi Kung Fu Association, Traditional Chinese lion dance performed in the Sar Ping style of the art. 11:30 AM-12:10 PM Yid Vicious, Klezmer dance tunes for all ages. 12:40 PM-1:20 PM Cris Plata Trio, Tex-Mex music of South Texas and Northern Mexico with European influence. 1:50 PM-2:30 PM Charanga Agoza, Dance oriented ensemble plays tropical charanga music from Cuba and Puerto Rico.

Wisconsin Studio, Level III: 11:30 AM-11:55 AM Madison Männerchor, The oldest German mens chorus in Wisconsin, singing songs in German and English. 12:20 PM-12:45 PM Kioja Step Team, KEE-O-JAH/ KIOJA in Swahili means Miracle, a youth high school drill team.1:05 PM-1:45 PM Madison Pipes and Drums, Scottish bagpipe band. 2:15 PM-2:45 PM Ali Jamnia, Take a magic carpet ride into Sufi stories from Persian literature. 3:15 PM-4:00 PM Last Gaspe, Canadian, Irish and American fiddle music that swings.

Capitol Theater, Level I: 11:30 AM-12:10 PM Mt. Zion Gospel Choir, Songs from one of Madison's best gospel choirs. 12:45 PM-1:25 PM Atimevu Drum and Dance Group, Traditional music from Ghana, West Africa. 2:00 PM-2:25 PM DanzTrad, A fusion of culture, music and traditions of Mexico through dance. 2:45 PM-3:10 PM Tania Tandias Flamenco & Spanish Dance, Fiery flamenco dances from Spain! 3:30 PM-3:55 PM Zaibas Lithuanian Dancers, Folk dances illustrating Lithuanian wedding traditions in full national costume. 4:25 PM-4:50 PM Boliviamanta Dance WI, Sharing diverse Bolivian dance and music.

Overture Hall, Level I: 11:30 AM-12:15 PM UW Russian Folk Orchestra, Russian and Eastern European folk music performed on authentic instruments.12:55 PM-1:40 PM Wisconsin Tibetan Association, Glimpse the rich, unique and colorful culture of the forbidden land "Tibet." 2:10 PM-2:35 PM Meenakshi Ganesan & The Kalaanjali Dance Co., Guru Meenakshi & the Kalaanjali dancers present ancient classical Indian dance. 3:05 PM-3:45 PM LuLu Quintet, Sparkling French "Gypsy" jazz inspired by Django Reinhardt. 3:15 PM-3:40 PM Madison Chinese Cultural Association, Promoting Chinese culture and traditions through music and dance. 4:15 PM-5:00PM The Handphibians, Samba drumming from Brazilian Carnival. 4:20 PM-5:00 PM Tani Diakite and the Afrofunkstars, Funk-blues fusion inspired by the music of Mali featuring traditional instruments.

Rotunda Stage, Lower Level: 11:30 AM-12:15 PM Bí Dána, Celtic Traditional Music. 12:45 PM-1:15 PM Sergio Rico Vacilon, Soulful Cuban guajira son. 1:35 PM-2:00 PMSadira Middle Eastern Dance, Yoyous, beautiful women's dance from the Arab Middle East. 2:20 PM-3:05 PM Goongoo Peas, Interactive music from the Caribbean and the African Diaspora. 3:35 PM-4:15 PMTaiwan Puppet Troupe, Founded in 1997 to promote Taiwan and Taiwanese culture.

Promenade Lounge, Level II: 11:30 AM-1:15 PM International Reach UW-Madison, Drop-in language lessons. 2:00 PM-3:30 PM International Reach UW-Madison, Drop-in language lessons.

Promenade Hall, Level II: 12:00 PM-12:25 PM Mad Craic Irish Dance, Modern and old style Irish dance for your enjoyment. 12:50 PM-1:15 PM Raízes do Brasil Capoeira Madison, Afro-Brazilian martial art/dance of Capoeira. 1:45 PM-2:30 PM Red and Black, Spanish guitar music. 3:00 PM-3:25 PM Limanya Drum & Dance Ensemble, Traditional music and dance from Guinea. 3:45 PM-4:10 PM Mesoghios Greek Dance Troupe, Dances set to Greek music of the Aegean islands. 4:30 PM-5:00 PM Tri Bratovchedki, A cappella songs in the beautiful rhythms and harmonies of Eastern Europe.

Information, craft & food vendors: Akarim African Enterprise; Amigos de las Americas; Buraka; Café Costa Rica; Friendship Force of Wisconsin-Madison; Haiti Allies; Henna tattoos by Celebration Art Studio; Hope Institute of Uganda; Hurling Club of Madison & Madison Gaelic Football Club; Inti Fair Trade; Italian Workmen’s Club; Khaniqah Nimatullahi/ Sufi Service Committee; Legacy House Imports; La Joe Bla LLC; Madame Chu; Madison Ainaro Sister City / East Timor  Action Network; Madison Arcatao Sister City Project; Madison Area Chinese Community Organization; Madison-Camaguey Sister City Association; Madison-Freiburg Sister City Committee; Madison Friends of International Students; Madison-Kanifing Sister City; Madison-Mantova Sister City Committee/Greenbush Heritage Foundation; Madison-Obihiro Sister Cities Inc.; Madison-Rafah Sister City Project; Madison Russian School; Madison-Tepatitlán Sister Cities ;Madison-Vilnius Sister Cities Inc.; Nazkas Handmade; Nepali American Friendship Association; Otavalo; Polish Heritage Club of Madison; Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Wisconsin-Madison; Rolling Pin Bake Shop; Spice Yatra; Taste of Jamerica; Terra Experience; Ubuntu Trade; Wisconsin Lions International Youth Camp & Exchange Program; Yachak