Travel the World No Passport Required The International Festival Returns Live to downtown Madison

The 42nd annual International Festival brings the rich, diverse cultures of Madison and beyond all under one roof for this one day event. Over 32 nations represented, home-grown talent, musicians and dance troupes take visitors around the world in a non-stop, colorful panoply of traditional costumes in motion and classic instruments drumming and strumming. All this pomp and circumstance is free, and it happens for one day only, this Saturday March 19th at Madison's Overture Center.
Sample world cuisines, learn about far away cultures, traditions and languages and peruse the international marketplace for that perfect vacation/non-vacation keepsake.

After a one year hiatus from the Overture Center, 2021 the International Festival was strictly virtual, this year visitors can be up close and personal with their backyard, global community, though the event will be streamed live on the event's Facebook page. Some of the highlights include main staple returnees of the International Festival like Mai Zong Vue and Mason Her, performing traditional Hmong music, or Mesoghios Dance Troupe, performing traditional Greek dances from the island of Crete in authentic, antique costumes.  Also returning is Bolviamanta, a Bolivian dance troupe founded in 2006 by Cecilia Miranda who not only is the director but makes the traditional Bolivian costumes worn by the dancers. There is also Atimevu Drum and Dance Ensemblethat performs the traditional music and dances of Ghana. The Meenakshi Ganesan and the Kalaanjali Dance Company, Classical Indian will be performing classical Indian dance from Southern Music in traditional costumes and bells on their feet. That is just a sampling of the performances you can see at the all-ages International Festival this Saturday from 10am - 5pm. 

And in between scheduled performances you can stop by the several vendors selling finely handmade wears from around the world like olive oil from Palestine or carved wooden drums from West African nations. Then of course there are the food vendors, smell of fresh ingredients wafting in the air as you traverse the multi-level, airy lobby of Overture Hall.

Please note, we will be limiting capacity of the building. All in attendance will need to follow Overture’s 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).

The Overture Hall is located at 201 State Street in downtown Madison hope to see you there! Have a good and safe weekend.