This year’s Cultural Crossroads festival celebrating the community’s cultural riches will take place from 5-9 p.m. Friday, March 9; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, March 10 and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, March 11 at Crossroads Bellevue, NE 8th at 156th Ave. NE.
The festival, produced by Crossroads Bellevue and VL Cultural Productions, features some of the area’s best ethnic entertainment on two stages, an international bazaar and exhibits. The event has been the single-most popular event in the Crossroads annual calendar of events. Admission is free.
The multi-cultural celebration will feature a world of entertainment with over 30 cultural and ethnic music and dance performances. Performances include: Bulgarian Voices of Seattle Women’s Choir; Datina Folk Ensemble – Folk Dances & Songs of Romania; Enzian Schuhplattler – German Bavarian Schuhplattler & Folkdances; Joyas Mestizas – Mexican Folkloric Dance; Juliana & PAVA – Ancient Russian Folk Songs; Leela Kathak – North Indian Classical Kathak Dance; Mahonyera Mbira Ensemble – Spiritual Mbira Music of the Shona People of Zimbabwe; Melelani Hula Studio – Traditional and Modern Hawaiian Hula Dancing; Urvasi Dance Company – Odissi Classical Dance and more.
Friday night enjoy the music of Seine City Sextet beginning at 5:30 p.m., performing music of Paris from the 1940s and ‘50s and from 7-8:45 p.m. dance to the music of Rouge & Noir Tango Orchestra. Saturday, 5:30-6:30, join us for Family Friendly Cultural Crossroads where everyone can enjoy and learn International dances with Vela Luka Croatian Dance Ensemble. At 6:15 begin a musical journey through India commencing with Bollywood Dance and Fashion Show of exquisite traditional dance of India, followed by Indian Classical Music by Sangeet Moksha and concluding with Geetanjali Tamil Band – Youth Band Performs Tamil Songs.
Visit the Cultural Crossroads Marketplace where cultural sales booths feature imported and hand-crafted gifts from around the world. And don’t miss the red carpet photo area where you can take your photo on the red carpet at Cultural Crossroads.
The event will include thought provoking and creative activities for children this year, including “Folk Art for Kids,” a coloring activity.
For more information, visit www.velaluka.org/vl-cultural-productions.
