Celebrate Kingston’s diverse community at the Intercultural Arts Festival
The City of Kingston invites residents and visitors alike to the Intercultural Arts Festival, which will take place on Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022, between 11:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., at Confederation Basin.
According to a release from the City, this free, family-friendly event is a celebration of the community’s diverse and inclusive culture which includes food, music and art. Previously led by the Kingston Immigration Partnership, the Intercultural Arts Festival was on hiatus for two years due to the pandemic and the City said they are “thrilled” to bring it back.
“This festival is a highlight for locals and tourists alike. It is an opportunity to celebrate Kingston’s inclusive culture and is a great opportunity for everyone to come together and appreciate the incredible talent and people in our city,” said Muhammad Ahsan, Manager of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at the City.
The Intercultural Arts Festival is free to attend, and the City said that everyone is encouraged to “bring their sunscreen and appetite to sample the amazing cuisine vendors will be selling!”
Schedule of events
According to the release, festival attractions will run throughout the day and include a wide variety of performances and workshops, including:
Performances
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Opening ceremony speeches by Grandmother Kathy Brant, Chief Dave Mowat of Alderville First Nation, Mayor Bryan Paterson, and Sunita Gupta
- Haudenosaunee drumming by Crystal Loft and Mandy Smart
- Thiruvathirakali Dance by Kingston Malayali Association
1:15 – 2:30 p.m.
- Fusion drumming by Yessica Rivera Belsham & Group
- Nepali dance by Kingston Nepali community
- Scottish Pipe Band by Rob Roy Pipe Band and Highland Dancers
3 – 4:15 p.m.
- Francophone musical concert by Norbert Lepage
- Bharatanatyam dance by Anupama Krishnadas Nambisan
- Chinese dance by Tessie Caiwei Chen
- Goan/Portuguese dance by Kingston Goan Community
- Fashion show by Pakistan Canada Association
4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
- Indian Fusion dance by Association of Indian graduate students at Queen’s University
- Lion dance by Tallack Martial Arts
- Belly dance by Paromita Kar
- Rwandan musical concert by Empress Nyiringango
- Drag show by Rowena Whey
- Indigenous closing by Grandmother Kathy Brant
Workshops
- 12 -1 p.m. South Asian Art of Henna
- 1:15- 2:15 p.m. Chinese calligraphy
- 3 – 4 p.m. Drag makeup master class
- 4:15 – 5:15 p.m. Fusion drumming circle
- 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. Israeli dance
Ontario Street from Clarence to Brock Street will be closed to vehicular traffic for this event.