2010 International Festival

Now in its 29th year, International Festival weaves a rich tapestry of performances, crafts and foods with sounds, smells and flavors as colorful as the vibrant costumes that adorn the performers. We give full-throated voice to languages, cultures and people from around the world, even as all the performers currently call Dane County home. For this one day, Local Goes Global!

For more information on International Festival, click below:

World Bazaar Craft Vendors | International Cafe | Hands-on Activities 

2010 Performance Schedule

All performances are free except:

Sones de Mexico
4 PM | Capitol Theater

Chicago’s premier Mexican folk musicians return to the Capitol Theater to headline this year's International Festival. Sones de México bring what the Chicago Reader calls “a dazzling array of Mexican folk-music forms with a preservationist’s care, bursting with energy.” They sold out their show here last time they performed, so get your tickets while they last!

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Promenade Hall | Level II 

 
12:15 PM    Roots of Brazil – Capoeira Madison     
     Traditional Afro-Brazilian dances and cultural arts
1:00 PM     Last Gaspè     
     Swinging Canadian, Irish and American fiddling
2:05 PM     Atimevu Drum and Dance Ensemble     
     Music with handmade instruments from West Africa   
3:05 PM     Next of Kin     
     A capella soul, R & B and gospel quartet
4:10 PM     Tri Bratovchedki Singers     
     Acappella songs from Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania and Slovakia

Playhouse | Lower Level

11:30 AM     Tania Tandias
    Flamenco & Spanish dance
12:25 PM     Trio An Blas       
     “An Blas” means “taste” or “flavor” and that’s what this Celtic trio provides
1:25 PM     Sadira & the Riad Dance Company
    Traditional and contemporary dances from the Middle East
2:10 PM     Kripa Baskaran & Natyarpana Dance
     Colorful classical and folk dances of India
2:55 PM     Mesoghios Dance Troupe     
     Traditional Greek dances from the Black Sea area
3:35 PM     Navan
     Traditional singers perform in the six native tongues of the British Isles

Capitol Theater | Level I

11:45 AM     Gaelic Fusion Dance Company 
     Mixing traditional Scottish Dance with creative, modern movements
12:35 PM sp;    UW Russian Folk Orchestra   
     Russian and Eastern European folk music on authentic instruments 
1:45 PM      Žaibas Lithuanian Dancers  
     Lithuanian folk dances
2:35 PM     Madison Chinese Cultural Association 
     Spectacular Chinese costumes and dance 
4:00 PM     Sones de Mexico 
     Ticketed performance - $12 general admission tickets here or 608.258.4141. See details below.

Overture Hall Lobby | Level I (CUNA Mutual Group Stage)

11 AM     Swiss Alphorns  
     12-foot Alphorns
11:10 AM     Zhong Yi Kung Fu Association  
     Traditional Chinese Lion Dance 
11:25 AM     Yid Vicious 
     Rich traditions of Yiddish dance music with new musical ideas 
12:30 PM     Sergio  
     Unique blend of son and Cuban boleros
1:20 PM     Cris and Ann Plata 
     Mexican roots music
2:20 PM     Turner Collins 
     Themes from the Celtic nations, interpreted on the Irish harp
3:45 PM     Charanga Agoza 
     Traditional ensemble of Cuban dance music  
4:55 PM     Cajun Strangers   
     Cajun dance music to end the day

Rotunda Stage | Lower Level

11:25 AM     Madison Maennerchor 
     Wisconsin’s oldest German men’s choir 
12:05 PM     Wouli   
     Music, storytelling and dance of the African diaspora
1:00 PM      KIOJA Drill Team   
     All-girl step/drill team from Madison East High, promoting positive self-image and academic achievement
1:45 PM     Sergei Belkin 
     Traditional folk songs  from around the world on the accordion  
2:40 PM     Tani Diakite Mali Music   
     Traditional West African Mali music

Wisconsin Studio | Level III

12:25 PM     Taiwan Puppet Troupe  
     Traditional Taiwanese “Glove Puppetry”
1:15 PM     Anthony Bukoski  
     Reading from short story collection North of the Port, following a family of Polish émigrés on their journey to belong in American culture
2:05 PM     Quinteto Yzafa   
     Live tango group specializing in traditional Argentine tango
3:40 PM     Veseliyka 
     Madison’s own Balkan music ensemble playing music of Bulgaria and its neighbors on traditional folk instruments

International Festival is an Overture Friends presentation. This project is funded in part by grants from the Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission with additional funds from the American Girl's Fund for Children, The Evjue Foundation, Inc., the charitable arm of The Capital Times, and the Overture Foundation, as well as grants from the Madison Arts Commission and from the Wisconsin Arts Board, with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional funding provided by CUNA Mutual Group and contributions to the Ovation Fund. Learn how you can be part of supporting Overture’s community and education programs by clicking here.