Explore thirty cultures from around the world at the World Arts Celebration on Saturday, May 20, from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. around the fountain at City Center at Oyster Point (735 Town Center Drive).  International food vendors, free children’s activities, cultural exhibits, and three stages full of non-stop entertainment will make for an evening of fun for the whole family.

Visit exhibits from Taiwan, Africa, Germany, China, Japan, France, Mali, Egypt, West Indian Islands, Ukraine, Vietnam, Polynesia, Poland, America, and Cambodia.  Free children’s activities include face painting, henna designs, and international “make and take” crafts. Families can take photos with props representing a variety of countries from around the world.  Free sombreros, Chinese Yo Yos, Tiki sunglasses and animal berets will be given away while supplies last.  Vendors will sell artwork and crafts from Ghana, Peru, Mexico, Germany, and America.

Folkdance, music, and martial arts performances will fill three stages.  The World Stage features Scottish
Bagpipers at 4:00 p.m., Atumpan African Dance at 4:15 p.m., the Panamanian Folkloric Group of Hampton Roads at 5:00 p.m., the Peninsula Chinese American Association (Tai-chi Team, Youth and Adult Folk Dance) at 5:35 p.m., the Hampton Roads Korean Dance Ensemble at 6:10 p.m., the Ohana Arts Hula at 6:40 p.m., and the headlining performance of Sharon Clark with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra Big Band at 7:00 p.m.  Sharon Clark is an international touring soloist who has headlined the Duke Ellington Jazz Festival, the Cape May Jazz Festival, and the Savannah Music Festival.  She will perform “A Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald” as part of Newport News’ year-long Ella Fitzgerald Centennial Celebration. 

The Discovery Stage will feature David Gussman (French Accordion) at 4:25 p.m., Enosis – Hellenic Youth Dancers of Hampton Roads at 5:00 p.m., Micha’s Polish Folk Dancers at 5:35 p.m., and the Rhythm of Ireland Irish Dancers at 6:35 p.m.  The Gazebo Stage will feature the Rhythm Project Steel Drummers at 4:00 p.m., Brave Chanteys with Heely Interactive Sea Chanteys at 4:45 p.m., Atumpan The Talking Drum Folklore at 5:15 p.m., and Drum Your Dream at 6:00 p.m.  Strolling performers will include a Roman living statue, a stilt walker, a Cirque troupe, the Jow Ga Kung Fu Association’s Dragon & Lion Dance (4:00 p.m. and 6:45 p.m.), the Peninsula Women’s Association Drum Team (4:20 p.m.), and David Gussman (French Accordion, 5:15 p.m.).

International food vendors will sell food representing Italy (Over the Moon Pizza, Made 4 U Italian Ice, Taste Unlimited, Travinia), Brazil (Tucano’s Brazilian Grill), Puerto Rico (El Coqui Puerto Rican Cuisine), and the Caribbean Islands (MP Island Café). 

The World Arts Celebration is presented by the City of Newport News, Newport News Sister Cities, and the Virginia Arts Festival.  Admission and parking are free.    For additional information, call 757-926-1400.  Updates and announcements (including weather-related announcements) will be posted on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/NewportNewsFestivals and Twitter @nnfestivals.