International Festival

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Monika Ford for Overture Center

Tania Tandias Flamenco & Spanish Dance on stage at Overture Center.

Tania Tandias Flamenco & Spanish Dance

Enjoy music, dance and other performances from around the world at the International Festival, Overture Center’s annual celebration of the diversity of Madison’s arts scene. More than 30 ensembles will perform, ranging from Chinese lion dance by Zhong Yi Kung Fu Association to Cuban music by Rebulú to the German choral group Madison Männerchor. Hands-on art activities and a food and vendor market make for a full day. Find a performance schedule and more info at overture.org.

media release: International Festival is less than two weeks away! This annual festival returns to Overture Center for an exciting day full of cultural performances, food and more. Join us on Saturday, March 7 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to celebrate the rich cultural heritage within our community and enjoy more than 30 FREE performances throughout Overture by artists who call Dane County home. Indulge in cuisines from around the world, browse stunning arts and crafts available for purchase and learn about the many local businesses with global connections. 

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

PERFORMANCES – 10:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Atimevu - Traditional music from Ghana 

Beni Daiko - Japanese Taiko drumming 

Breckenridge School of Highland Dance - Watch the swirling kilts and vibrant tartans of Scotland 

Charanga Agozá – Cuban dance music in the charanga tradition  

Cris & Ann Plata - Mexican/American and Northern Mexican border music with European influences 

Guitar House of Madison - Spanish guitar music with rhythm, fire and passion 

Hmong Institute's Heritage Club – a fashion show featuring customs of South East Asian and Nepalese women 

Last Gaspe - Canadian, Irish and American fiddle music  

NEW! Lochanside - Traditional and modern Scottish music and Scottish renditions of today's hits 

LuLu Quintet - Sparkling French/Romany "hot club" jazz inspired by Django Reinhardt 

NEW! Madison Area Argentine Tango - Social tango dancers of all levels 

Mad Craic Irish Dance – Irish dance in modern and old styles 

Madison Chinese Culture Association - Promoting Chinese culture and supporting our community 

Madison Männerchor - Wisconsin's oldest German chorus performing German and English songs 

Madison Pipes & Drums - Scottish bagpipe band that promotes Celtic heritage through music 

Meenakshi Ganesan & the Kalaanjali Dance Company - Bharatanatyam classical Indian dance  

Mona Augustin – Award-winning Haitian American musician, composer and artist 

NEW! Mukala - Classical, semi classical and folk dance with creative flair 

Raizes do Brasil  - martial art that fuses self-defense, dance, music and acrobatics 

Rebulu Group – Classic Cuban conjunto music 

Sadira Middle Eastern Dance - Raqs Sharki: joyful, classical women's dance of the Middle East 

Sergio El Vacilon - Cuban son guajira, cha cha cha, mambo, solo guitar and vocals 

SNV Dance School – Bharatanatyam Indian dance 

Son Del Atlantico - Latin fusion band that plays Colombian music fused with other Caribbean rhythms 

Tania Tandias Flamenco & Spanish Dance - Fiery dances from Spain 

The Nepali Nach – Maruni dance, one of the oldest and most vibrant folk dances of Nepal 

Tri Bratovchedki - A cappella songs in the rhythms, harmonies and languages of Eastern Europe 

UW Russian Folk Orchestra – Russian/Eastern European music performed on authentic folk instruments 

Yid Vicious - Festive blend of traditional and contemporary Klezmer music 

Zhong Yi Kung Fu Association - Traditional Lion Dance performed with drums, gongs and cymbals 

SPECIAL ACTIVITIES 

Little Eagle Arts Foundation (LEAF) (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.): Hands-on activities, demonstrations and art for sale by various LEAF artists 

Molli Pauliot (Ho-Chunk Nation of WI) – natural fiber weavings 

Lightning New Rider (Ho-Chunk Nation of WI/Oneida Nation of WI) - natural fiber weavings 

Glory of the Morning: Claire Maisells (Ho-Chunk Nation of WI) – Native American made arts and crafts 

Blue Bear Studios: Christopher Sweet and Chrissy Shegonee (Ho-Chunk Nation of WI/White Earth Ojibwe) – paintings, mugs and totes 

Lillian WhiteEagle (Ho-Chunk Nation of WI) – traditional beadwork and Ho-Chunk dancer regalia 

Earth Jewelry by Leah: Leah Winneshiek (Ho-Chunk Nation of WI) – gemstone and mixed media beadwork 

Kristen Klingman (Lac Vieux Desert) - birch bark baskets, earrings and hand drums 

Little Eagle Arts Foundation (LEAF) – free friendship bracelet and black ash sculpture activities 

UW-Madison International Reach (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.): Explore new cultures with student ambassadors  

Quartz Passport to Health Hub (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.): Visit the Quartz hub for a series of engaging activities for the whole family and complete your Passport to Health 

FOOD VENDORS 

Afghan Kabul Cuisine 

Café Costa Rica 

Italian Workmen's Club - Madison  

Jakarta Cafe 

Madame Chu Delicacies 

Rolling Pin Bake Shop 

The Sam's Elegant Team 

INTERNATIONAL MARKET 

Akarim African Enterprise 

Chi World & Health LLC 

Council on International Educational Exchange 

Friendship Force of Wisconsin-Madison 

Friends of Ukraine – Madison, Inc. 

German School of Madison 

Hope Institute of Uganda 

Inti Fair Trade 

Madison Arcatao Sister City Project (MASCP) 

Madison Area Chinese Community Organization 

Madison-Camaguey Sister City Association 

Madison Cusco Sister City Alliance 

Madison-Freiburg Sister City Committee 

Madison Kanifing Sister City 

Madison Mantova Sister City 

Madison-Obihiro Sister Cities, Inc. 

Madison-Rafah Sister City Project 

Madison-Tepatitlán Sister Cities 

Nazka’s Handmade 

Nepali American Friendship Association 

Otavalo Art 

PAMANA (Philippine-American Association of Madison and Neighboring Areas) 

Polish Heritage Club of Madison-Wisconsin 

Spinning Handiworks 

Thai Village Inc. 

Visit overture.org/if for up-to-date listings of performers and vendors. 

International Festival 2026 is presented in partnership with Quartz. 

OVERTURE CENTER FOR THE ARTS in Madison, Wis., is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization that features seven state-of-the-art performance spaces and five galleries where national and international touring artists, nine resident companies and hundreds of local artists engage people in more than 500,000 educational and artistic experiences each year. Overture’s mission is to support and elevate our community’s creative culture, economy and quality of life through the arts. overture.org