Explore over twenty cultures from around the world at the World Arts Celebration on Saturday, July 16, from 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. around the City Center at Oyster Point Fountain Plaza (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, and Italy. Free children’s activities include henna body art (India) and face painting (Australia and France). Craft activities include making Aboriginal boomerangs (Australia), Faberge eggs (Russia), carnival masks and carnival headdresses (Brazil), and collar necklaces (Africa). Families can take photos with props representing a variety of countries from around the world. Folkdance, music, martial arts, and storytelling performances will fill three stages. The World Stage features Panamanian Folkloric Group of Hampton Roads at 4:00 p.m., Atumpan African Dance at 4:30 p.m., the Peninsula Chinese American Association (Tai-chi Team, Youth and Adult Folk Dance) at 5:00 p.m, Tumbao Salsero (Latin America) at 5:30 p.m., and headliner Red Baraat from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Red Baraat is an eight-piece band from Brooklyn, New York. Conceived by dhol player Sunny Jain, the group has drawn worldwide praise for its singular sound — a merging of hard driving North Indian Bhangra with elements of go-go, rock and jazz.
International food vendors will sell food representing Jamaica (Down to the Bone Mobile Restaurant), Italy (Made 4 U Italian Ice and Two Nations Eats), Latin Asian Cuisine (Karnage Asada), Greece (Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church), Brazil (Tucano’s Brazilian Grill), and France (Monique’s Crepes).
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. Free sombreros, paper parasols, and Chinese fans will be given away while supplies last.