Up & Coming Weekly

10 UCW SEPTEMBER 23-29, 2009 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM One of the most beautiful things about Fayetteville is her people. With so many cultures represented in one population, not only are the faces of the citizens in this town diverse, unique and precious, so are the ideas, traditions and customs that they bring with them from the corners of the world. This weekend at the 31st Annual International Folk Festival, the citizens of Fayetteville are invited to bask in the glory of her diversity. Talk about a great stay-cation. For an entire weekend, the folks of Fayetteville will be able to circle the globe without even leaving town. With Fourth Friday preceding the kick-off of the International Folk Festival, exhibits in local galleries and businesses will already be in place for the celebration. Saturday and Sunday will be a flurry of colorful costumes, dancing, music and food as well as other demonstrations and cultural opportunities. This is the first year that the event will last for two days, but honestly, with everything going on it just might take that long to really see everything. "Of course the Parade of Nations is just spectacular and unlike any parade that you see," said Fayetteville Arts Council of Fayetteville/ Cumberland County Director of Development/Marketing Margo Jarvis. "Because of all the color and the culture and floats and costumes, it is just amazing." The parade officially begins the celebration and starts at 11 a.m. on Sat. on Hay Street. From noon until 6 p.m. enjoy the many flavors of the world at the International Cafe on the promenade of Festival Park. With five of the seven continents represented, there will be something for everyone, whether it is an old favorite you are seeking or the chance to further refine your palette by trying something new. Don't forget the music and dancing. There will be several stages running simultaneously throughout the celebration. "Check out all the entertainment on those different stages," said Jarvis. "Each stage has something different. You might get to see a sitar player on one stage or see a group from the Greek community dancing traditional dances on another stage — so it is really a good time." There will be vendors representing several cultures as well selling items ranging from photography, basketry and paintings to beads, jewelry and metal fabrication. The younger ones will have their own place to experience the world on a kid friendly level. The stage at the Blue Marble Kids Area will feature performances throughout the weekend. Jarvis noted that the entertainers in this area are interactive teaching artists who involve the audience in their performances. Hands-on activities including make-and-take crafts will be a part of this section, too. While the festival opens with the spectacular parade, and offers impressive displays and performances through out the weekend, Jarvis promises that the finale is going to be just as fabulous and worth staying for. "Sunday a new development is that at 4 p.m. on the international stage, which is the large stage in Festival Park, Tropic Culture is going to be playing and we are going to have a big dance party in the park to kind of culminate the festival." The other stages are going to go down and all the focus will be on the international stage. "Tropic Culture is a wonderful group of young, energetic, excellent musicians," said Jarvis. "They play a mix of latin music and dance music and all kinds of great things. It is going to be really fun to have a big dance party with everyone in the park." Admission is free. The festivities start at 11 a.m. on Sat. with the parade and end at 6 p.m. Come back on Sun. at noon and stay until 6 p.m. Stephanie Crider, Staff Writer, COMMENTS? 484-6200 ext. 222 or or email stephanie@upandcomingweekly.com 31st International Folk Festival Celebrates the Culture and Heart of the Community by STEPHANIE CRIDER " FAYETTEVILLE 1 866 942 7762 PLANNED PARENTHOOD We plan to be great parents some day. 'Til then we're using birth control." FAYETTEVILLE 1 - 866 - 942 - 7762 www.plannedparenthood.org/centralnc PLANNED PARENTHOOD Planning is Power. A performance by Tropic Culture will conclude the event with a dance party in Festival Park.

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