Evanston Hosts Ethnic Arts Festival July 20 - 21

By Chi-an Chang and Hannah Lutz

Take a two-day trip around the world this weekend during the Evanston Ethnic Arts Festival, which will be held from noon to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, according to a press release.

The event will be held at Dawes Park, at Sheridan Road and Church Street.

“The Ethnic Arts Festival is unique among festivals within city because of all cultural diversity it brings," said festival assistant Kay Harlow.

The park will be transformed into a colorful global village with the lagoon and fountains surrounded by flags of more than 100 nations and 125 artists vendors representing the heritage and traditions from more than 80 countries across the world.

"It's a great way for people to experience different cultures," said Cultural Arts/Arts Council
Director Jeff Cory. "We hope it will bring people together and encourage a vibrant and cohesive community for Evanston."

Performance Schedule

Saturday on the Central Stage

• Guitarra Azul - with sounds of North Africa and the Mediterranean
• Magic Carpet - with music of the Middle East, India and Africa
• Isle of Klezbos - a fun-loving powerhouse featuring all-gal Klezmer
• Matuto - think Appalachia-gone-Afro-Brazilian

Sunday on the Central Stage

• The Barefoot Hawaiian - with dance and music from Hawaii, Tahiti and Polynesia
• Bollywood Groove - featuring Indian Bollywood and Bhangra music
• Las Bom Pleneras - featuring all-female Puerto Rican Bomba and Plena
• Ras Kwame Bediao - with reggae music
• Occidental Brothers Dance Band - with international-classic and West African dance music

Family Stage

Entertainment will include performances by Irish Music School of Chicago, Mexican Folkloric Dance Company, Indonesian Performing Arts Chicago,Kuumba Lynx Performance Ensemble, the Phillippine American Cultural Foundation, Chicago DanzTheatre and S.O.U.L. Creations, as well as performances in Indian music and dance by Kalapriya and Korean music and dance by Il Kwa Nori.

Childrens’ Activities

Art activities for children include origami, face painting, papel picado, Morocan clay drums, maraca-making, tie-dye, Mehndi, and Lithuanian folk motifs. Ethnic cuisine ranges from Jamaican jerk chicken to tilapia tacos and gyros, tamales and crab rangoons to gelato and smoothies. Vegetarian options will be available.

Free Parking

Free parking is available at the Northwestern University lot, three blocks north of Dawes Park. Free shuttle buses will transport festival-goers between the parking lot and Dawes Park.

For more information, please call 311 or 847-448-8260 or visit www.cityofevanston.org/ethnic.

Editor's note: This story has been edited on July 19 to include additional information.