LOUISVILLE, Ky., – WorldFest, one of the region’s largest international festivals, will span the Labor Day weekend for its 13th year, with four days of international food, music, dance and culture on Louisville’s Belvedere, downtown.
Exciting international music will come from more than 70 bands and performers while more than 30 food vendors and nearly 150 booths provide a global sampling of cuisine and culture.
Headliner music acts will include PALO!, Funkadesi, Tee Dee Young, Cosa Seria, Cocek! Brass Band,the Ark Band, The Ton Drum Circle and Azucar Tumbao. Many local and regional world music performers will offer a wide variety of music and dance styles and beats.
Admission to WorldFest is free all four days.
Hours are:
Friday, Sept. 4, Saturday, Sept. 5, and Sunday, Sept. 6
11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 7
11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
“Cities that embrace and encourage their international citizens and cultures will thrive, have a stronger quality of life and attract new growth and jobs,” Mayor Greg Fischer said. “WorldFest is a great event for exploring and celebrating Louisville’s many faces and cultures and it has become a Labor Day weekend destination for locals and visitors alike.” In addition to music, food and dancing, other highlights include:
- The Global Village is a kaleidoscope of Louisville’s culture where you can interact with representatives of more than 20 nations. All nine of the Sister Cities will be represented again this year alongside a special new exhibit of the seven Celtic nations and food demonstrations. Thanks to Dell Courtney and her for organizing and enhancing the Global Village.
- The Passport to the World gives children a hands-on global experience without leaving home.
- The WorldFest Hospitality Tent which will be open to the public throughout WorldFest.
- The Stella Artois Biergarten will be open by the Overlook Stage.
WorldFest features the largest collection of international and ethnic restaurants, vendors and exhibitors at a single event in Kentucky.
Three stages of globe-trotting music and dance entertainment will have continuous performances ranging from African drumming to reggae to Indian, Celtic, Arabic, Latin, Caribbean music and more.
The festival includes a colorful Parade of Cultures at noon on Saturday and a naturalization ceremony Friday at 1 p.m., where over 200 immigrants will become full U.S. citizens.
WorldFest was honored in 2010 when Louisville was named the top city in North America for festivals and events by the International Festival and Events Association. In 2011, it was named a Top Ten Fall Festival by the Kentucky Travel Industry Association.
WorldFest is presented by ValuMarket.
Signature Silver Sponsors: Kentucky Lottery, Passport Health Plan and Stella Artois.
Supporting Bronze Sponsors: Anthem Medicaid, Ford and CareSource.
Contributing Sponsors: BB&T, Bellarmine University, D. D. Williamson, and Louisville It’s Possible Here.
Signature Media Sponsors: Al Dia, WLKY, Outfront Media and WFPK. For more information about WorldFest, visitwww.worldfestlouisville.com
IF YOU GO: WorldFest is Friday, Saturday, Sunday andMonday of Labor Day weekend. Sept. 4-6 hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sept. 7 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the Belvedere, at Fifth and Main Streets. Admission is free with international food, spirits, beer and crafts available for purchase. Parking is available on nearby streets, and is free after 6 p.m. and all daySunday. Several parking garages and lots are also nearby.Naturalization Ceremony Friday, Aug. 29, 1 p.m., Muhammad Ali Center
Parade of Cultures Saturday, Aug. 30, 12 p.m. Parade begins near Metro Hall at 5th & Jefferson streets to 5th Street, then goes north on 5th to WorldFest on the Belvedere, ending at the Main Stage on the West Lawn.
WorldFest Schedule 2015
FOUNTAIN STAGE
DATE: Friday, Sept. 4, 2015
11:45 am – 1:00 pm Desperado Steel Band
5:00 pm – 5:45 pm Paula Yarobrough
6:00 pm – 6:30 pm Acoiris Latino
6:30 pm – 7:15 pm Nachale Bollywood Dance (East Indian Dance)
7:15 pm – 8:00 pm PMA – ‘Positive Mental Attitude’ (Reggae)
8:15 pm – 9:00 pm Big Poppa Stampley & Voodoo Gumbo (Americana)
9:30 pm – 11:00 pm The Ark Band
Date: Saturday, Sept. 5, 2015
12:00 pm – 1:45 pm PARADE OF CULTURES
1:00 pm – 1:30 pm Chinese Dance with Cheryl Pan (Chinese Dance)
1:30 pm – 2:00 pm Imani Dance Company
2:00 pm – 2:30 pm Newcomer Academy
2:30 pm – 3:15 pm Liam’s Fancy
3:15 pm – 4:00 pm Halau Hula
4:00 pm – 4:45 pm The Athenians
4:45 pm – 5:30 pm Native American Dance
5:30 pm – 6:15 pm Shakira
6:30 pm – 6:45 pm Smitha Paily Dancers
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm River City Drum Corps
8:00 pm – 9:00 pm Dick Sisto & the Latin All Stars (Latin Jazz)
9:30 pm – 11:00 pm Azucar Tumbao
DATE: Sunday, Sept. 6, 2015
12:30 pm – 1:15 pm Misha Feigin
1:30 pm – 2:00 pm Flamenco Talk (Spanish Dance)
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Derby Boys Irish Band
3:15 pm – 4:00 pm McClanahan School of Irish Dance (Irish Dance)
4:15 pm – 5:15 pm Guilderoy Byrne
5:30 pm – 6:15 pm Galen Abdur – Razzo
6:30 pm – 7:30 pm Lost Tribe Louisville
7:45 pm – 9:00 pm Appalatin
9:30 pm -11:00 pm Tee Dee Young
DATE: Monday, Sept. 7, 2015
1:00 pm – 1:30 pm ArtsReach Dance Ensemble (African American Dance)
1:30 pm – 2:00 pm Louisville Argentine Tango Society (Argentine Dance)
2:15 pm – 3:00 pm Korean Pop Dance Team (Korean Pop Dance)
3:15 pm – 4:00 pm The Juggernauts
4:15 pm – 6:00 pm Drum Circle – The Ton Drum (Group Drumming)
MAIN STAGE
DATE: Friday, Sept. 4, 2015
11:45 am – 1:00 pm The Zydewinders
5:00 pm – 5:30 pm Al Hamsa Belly Dance & Friends (Mideastern Dance)
5:30 pm – 6:15 pm Asly Toro
6:30 pm – 7:15 pm Swing 39
7:30 pm – 8:15 pm Across the Jordan
8:30 pm – 9: 15 pm USK
9:30 pm – 11:00 pm Cosa Seria
DATE: Saturday, Sept. 5, 2015
11:00 am – 11:30 am Angleterre Morris Dancers (English Dance Form)
1:00 pm – 1:45 pm Louisville Pipe Band
2:00 pm – 2: 30 pm Louisville Lion Dance Team (Vietnamese)
2:30 pm – 3:00 pm Gio “El Futuro”
3:15 pm – 3:45 pm Ruric Amari
3:45 pm – 4:15 pm Pati Kele
4:15 pm – 4:45 pm Belize Dance Intermix
5:00 pm – 5:45 pm Batuque Trio
6:00 pm – 6:30 pm Flamenco Louisville (Spanish Dance)
6:45 pm – 7:30 pm Salsa Rhythms Band
7:45 pm – 9:00 pm Afrophysicists
9:30 pm – 11:00 pm – PALO!
DATE: Sunday, Sept. 6, 2015
1:00 pm – 1:45 pm – T.R.U.T.H, Studios
1:45 pm – 2:30 pm Guru Vandana Arts Academy (East Indian Dance)
2:45 pm – 3:30 pm TWAA-The West African Art of Dance (African dance)
3:45 pm – 4:30 pm Ut Gret
4:45 pm – 5:30 pm Keltricity
5:45 pm – 6:45 pm – Squeeze-bot
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm Alma Gitana
8:15 pm – 900 pm Liberation Prophecy
9:30 pm – 11:00 pm Funkadesi
DATE: Monday, Sept. 7, 2015
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Gypsies of the Nile
2:15 pm – 3:00 pm Yaya Diallo and FOLI DOUMA (West African music)
3:15 pm – 4:00 pm The Misty Mountain String Band (American Folk music)
4:30 pm – 6:00 pm Cocek! Brass Band