Canton Festival Celebrates Cultural Diversity

Celebrate the diversity of the Canton community through music, song, dance and drama from around the world when Canton's International Festival returns to The
Village Theater at Cherry Hill on Saturday, Nov. 16.

The cultural and educational festival, which will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., offers participants entertainment and experiences celebrating diverse customs and traditions.

Featured dance performances will represent various cultures and countries, including: India, Polynesia, Tahiti, New Zealand, Ireland, China, the Middle East and the United States.

Attendees can enjoy Choral performances by the New Century Chinese School and the Plymouth Canton Chinese Learning Center, and smaller group/solo performances by the Yangtze Melody Group, Spanish songs by Julzie Gravel, and Chinese Songs by Canton Chinese Choir.

Youth from New Hope Church will once again delight audiences with a performance by their Praise Dancers, Mimes of Ministry, and Steppers of Soul. Anuj Patel, student of Manjula Lall, will also perform on the Sitar. Also included in the lineup are performances by: The Tim O'Hare School of Traditional Irish Dance and the Hoaloha Hula Dance Company with the Motor City Ukes.  In addition, Indian Classical and Folk Dances will be performed by students of Sailaja Pullela, Parul Shah, and Chinmayee Kulkarni.

New to the festival this year are Chinese Dance Groups Bin Wu, Cajun Du
Nord, and Little Chinese Angels.

Numerous cultural exhibits will be featured in our lobby and cultural items from around the world will be available for purchase during the event. Enjoy an International Sweets Table, where favorite International desserts from Metro Area Bakeries will be available.

Bring the whole family and travel the globe through music, dance and more. Tickets cost $2 at the door. This event is presented by the all volunteer Multicultural Committee of the Canton Commission for Culture, Arts and Heritage and sponsored in part by a grant from Community Financial "Summer of Sharing" program.

For more information about the Canton International Festival, call 734-394-5308 or visit www.cantonvillagetheater.org.