Global Fest Will Celebrate Culture And Community

Inaugural Event Coming September 15

Photos provided by Global Fest

The first annual Global Fest makes its inaugural debut Saturday, September 15. A celebration of culture and community, the daylong event shares traditions and honors heritage through food, music, art and play. The festival will take place from noon to 10 pm at 4550 Central Avenue. Admission is free and open to the public.

With dozens of cultures represented, Global Fest guests can experience everything from Chinese Shadow Puppet Shows to Aboriginal Dot Painting. For international flavor, food trucks will include Indian, Italian, Asian cuisine, along with Mark LaFay, owner of Old Major Market, representing the USA. A special 21 and older beer and wine garden will be available, offering Wee Mac Scottish Ale and other fresh local beers from Sun King Brewery.

“We truly want people to celebrate our world and learn more about it in the process,” says Anne Luther-Sander, co-chair of Global Fest.

During the day, Iibada Dance Company will take the Global Stage, along with Hernly Family Karate, The Irish Dancers of Indianapolis and CITYOGA School of Yoga and Health. Brave Youth Society, led by Denise Warnsby, will unveil a new piece specially created for the fest. At 5 pm, Grupo Bembe takes the stage performing a fusion of Latin music, including Salsa, Plena and Merengue. Sweet Poison Victim, an Afro-pop band and local favorite, will close the night with music that blends the sounds of Ghana, Nigeria, Congo, the Caribbean, Columbia, Mexico, Brazil and Western pop. Monon Construction Group is the presenting sponsor, with additional support from Luther Consulting and many Midtown businesses. 

With art being an expression of culture, up to 20 globally-inspired artisans will be displaying their work. William Denton Ray, the in-house designer for Sun King Brewery, created the Global Festival logo and draws inspiration from Egyptian, African and Indian cultures.

Sponsored by Under The Sun Discount Market, the Global Kids area will offer every child a Passport to Fun, where they can earn stamps to win prizes. Activities will include global games led by Playworks, Italian bocce ball, Swiss Sack Gumpen (potato sack races) and flag face painting.

“We are more than just citizens of our neighborhoods, Indianapolis, Indiana and the U.S. We are citizens of the world. Global Fest celebrates just that,” says Chris Collier, principal of Center for Inquiry 70, the Indianapolis Public School magnet that benefits from the event.

For more information, visit globalfestindy.org or contact Anne Luther-Sander at 317-413-6481 or globalfestindy@gmail.com.

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