With the International Festival, you won't have to travel far to get a little culture

June 18, 2:33 PMBoulder Cultural Events ExaminerShoshana Fanizza

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Mexican Folk Dance - Photo courtesy of VAC

This weekend, get ready for an international dance wave to hit Boulder when folk dances from countries around the world are performed in colorful national costumes. The Village Arts Coalition (VAC) International Festival is taking place at the Pearl Street Mall (in front of the Courthouse), on Saturday, June 20^th from 10 am – 8 pm and on Sunday, June 21^st from 10 am – 5:30 pm.

                                Enjoyed by thousands of people every year, the VAC International Festival is a two day event featuring a vast array of dance and music performances from around the world, such as belly dancing, Mexican folk dancing, and salsa as well as International and American dance. Their venue includes live as well as recorded music to accompany performances. A variety of music performances and vocal music enhances the entertainment.

In addition to watching the performances, the public is also invited to learn a few steps and participate in some of the dances. This is a quick, easy and fun way to immerse your family in another culture without having to step outside of Boulder. People of all ages are welcome to dance.

 The event is surrounded by vendors selling international wares, such as art, hand made crafts and food. A display of flags from around the world and bulletin boards showing photographs of international dance events adds to the exciting and colorful atmosphere of a summer afternoon in Boulder.

Romanian Folk Dance - Photo Courtesy of VAC

 Since the VAC knows that after viewing the performances on Saturday everyone will want to dance, on Saturday evening the BARBELLFISH, a Balkan band will play for the public and there will be open dancing from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.

“This year VAC is celebrating it's 25th Annual International Festival,” says Hermine Higgins, event manager for the festival, “Traditional dances from all over the world will be performed non-stop during this two day event. It is a great way for families and people of all ages to learn about culture and folk dance, and best of all it is free!”

Native American Dance - Photo courtesy of VAC

 Performance Schedule - Saturday, June 20

10:00 Joseph Snowhawk Salsa - Rueda
10:30 Colorado Morris –Trad English Dance
11:00 Hamsa Arts –Middle Eastern & belly dance
11:30 Watch Your Step! Vintage Vignettes
12:00 Boulder Swing Dance
12:30 Kutandara Youth – African Music
1:00 Hora Romaneasca –Romanian Folk
1:30 SalsAmigos – Salsa
2:00 Calico and Boots
2:30 Rocky Mountain Polynesians
3:00 Street Side Studios – Hip Hop
3:30 One World Folk Dancers
4:00 Grupo Folclorico Nueva Alianza – Mexican
4:30 John Chu – International Folk
5:00 Storm Mountain Folk Dancers
5:15 Planina – Songs of Eastern Europe
5:45 Storm Mountain Folk Dancers
6:00 to 8:00 BARBELFISH – Balkan folk
Open Dance for Public

 Performance Schedule -  Sunday, June 21

10:00 A Place to B Studio –Taiko & Tribal Fusion
10:30 Zumba – Latin fitness
11:00 Shivanjali Academy for Indian Classical Dance
11:30 Rafi’ah and Bellydance
12:00 Tango Colorado
12:30 McTeggart Irish Dancers
1:00 Boulder Spelemannslag – Scandinavian Music
1:30 Sahara Silk Road Belly Dancers
2:00 Boulder Israeli Dance
2:30 CFOOTMAD
3:00 Halau Hula O Na Mauna Komohana
3:30 Scottish Country Dancers of Colorado
4:00 Beledi Dance Caravan, Middle Eastern
4:30 Corazon Flamenco
5:00 Boulder Bateria, Brazilian

For more information about the Village Arts Coalition and the International Festival, please visit their web site at: www.villageartscoalition.org.

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Shoshana Fanizza is the founder of Audience Development Specialists.  For writings specifically about audience development, please visit the Audience Development Blog.