GLOBAL FEST CELEBRATES CULTURE AND COMMUNITY

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA — The first annual Global Fest makes its inaugural debut Saturday, September 15, 2018. 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, Venezuelan, and Asian cuisine, along with Mark LaFay, owner of Old Major Market , representing the USA with his legendary BBQ. A special 21+ wine and beer 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,” said Anne Luther-Sander, co-chair of Global Fest.

Kicking off at noon on the Global Stage, Brave Youth Society , led by Denise Warnsby, will debut One World, One Dream . Throughout the day, attendees can learn about different cultures with family classes from CITYOGA School of Yoga and Health and Hernly Family Karate , along with performances by the Iibada Dance Company , the Irish Dancers of Indianapolis, and Center for Inquiry 70 students.

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. Highlights include Latino-inspired wood carvings by Carlos Sosa , Bali-inspired jewelry and clothing by Sue Wagman , and Japanese ink paintings by Yoshimi Fuqua. William Denton Ray , the inhouse 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 zone will open up at noon with a giant piñata smash, designed by Chilean papier-mâché artist Vanessa Monfreda . Every child will receive a Passport to Fun, where they can earn stamps to win prizes. Activities will include Swiss Sack Gumpen (potato sack races), Italian bocce ball, henna painting, and American favorites like bounce houses and popcorn. Pedal and Park will provide secure parking for bikes and strollers, and an air-conditioned room will be available for nursing mothers.

“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,” said Chris Collier, principal of Center for Inquiry 70 , the Indianapolis Public School magnet that benefits from the event and the $1000 raffle, presented by the PTSA. For more information, visit www.globalfestindy.org or contact Anne Luther-Sander at (317) 413- 6481 or [email protected]

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About Global Fest Indy Global Fest is an annual festival celebrating cultures and community with food, art, music and play. It will take place September 15, 2018 from noon – 10 pm at 4550 Central Avenue. All proceeds to benefit Center for Inquiry 70. www.globalfestindy.org About Center For Inquiry 70 Center for Inquiry 70, a K-8 Indianapolis Public School magnet, follows the International Baccalaureate Organization model that promotes intercultural understanding and respect . For more information, visit https://www.myips.org/domain/10293 .