Kultrun World Music Festival brings outdoor dance party to Kitchener
3rd annual event brings music, arts and culture to Victoria Park
The third annual Kultrun World Music Festival is taking over downtown Kitchener with a giant dance party this weekend.
Victoria Park will host a variety of influences from around the world for residents to see, hear and experience.
Isabel Cisterna is the artistic director of Neruda Arts, which is the organization behind the family-friendly festival.
"I think this is going to be the best Kultrun world music festival to date," she told CBC Radio's The Morning Edition host Craig Norris.
The festivities kick off Friday night with young singer Elida Almeida of Cape Verde headlining the gala at TheMuseum at 8 p.m. Tickets for the gala are $30 in advance or $35 at the door. Prices are reduced for seniors and students.
Not just music
Cisterna said 2016 marks the first time bands from Venezuela and Benin will make an appearance, along with musical acts from Finland, Chile, Germany and Israel, plus others. Some of the musical flavours include Latin jazz, Moroccan gospel and Québécois sounds.
And if music isn't your thing, the festival has more to offer.
"What's really great about Kultrun is that right from the beginning, it wasn't just music," Cisterna said. "You can also come and enjoy some of the interactive activities."
From learning about calligraphy to watching people paint murals and make costumes, the festival is bringing a diverse range of cultures to Kitchener.
Aside from Friday's gala, the event is free to attend this weekend. The festival runs from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.