Madison, Wis. (Feb. 5, 2025) — The International Festival returns to Overture Center for an exciting day full of cultural performances, food and more. The annual festival will take place on Saturday, March 8 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Celebrating the rich cultural heritage within our community and enjoying nearly 30 FREE performances throughout Overture by artists who call Dane County home. Indulge in cuisines from around the world, browse stunning arts and crafts available for purchase, and learn about the many local businesses with global connections. More than 20 cultures will be represented.
Guests may participate in person at Overture or online for select livestreamed performances via Overture’s Facebook page.
PERFORMANCES – 10:15 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Atimevu – Traditional music from Ghana
Beni Daiko – Madison-based Japanese Taiko drumming
Breckenridge School of Highland Dance – Watch the swirling kilts and vibrant tartans of Scotland
Charanga Agozá – Cuban charanga-style dance music
Cris & Ann Plata – South Texas and Mexican border music: conjunto and norteño
Guitar House of Madison – Spanish guitar music with rhythm, passion & fire featuring Gabor Szarvas & friends
Hmong Institute’s Heritage Club – Traditional poetry songs (kwv txhiaj) with musical instruments
Last Gaspe – Canadian, Irish and American fiddle music that swings
Limanya Drum & Dance Ensemble – Traditional drumming and dancing from Guinea, West Africa
LuLu Quintet – Sparkling French/Romany “hot club” jazz inspired by Django Reinhardt
Mad Craic Irish Dance – All-adult dance troupe performing both modern and old-style Irish dances
Madison Chinese Culture Association – Promoting Chinese culture and supporting our community
Madison Männerchor – Wisconsin’s oldest German chorus, performing German and English songs
Madison Pipes & Drums – Scottish bagpipe band that promotes Celtic heritage through music
Meenakshi Ganesan & the Kalaanjali Dance Company – Bharatanatyam – classical Indian dance more than 3,000 years old
Mona Augustin – World beat love & social justice songs
Raizes do Brasil – Capoiera – an Afro-Brazilian art form that fuses self-defense, dance, music and acrobatics
Rebulu Group – Classic Cuban conjunto music
Sadira Middle Eastern Dance – Raqs Sharki – the joyful, classical women’s dance of the Middle East
Sergio El Vacilon – Cuban Son Guajira, Cha Cha Cha, Mambo, solo guitar and vocals
Son Del Atlantico – Colombian fusion band
Swapna Srinivasan-Mukula – Bharatanatyam dancer, teacher and performer
Tania Tandias Flamenco & Spanish Dance – Fiery flamenco dances from Southern Spain
UW Russian Folk Orchestra – Russian/Eastern European music played on authentic instruments
Yid Vicious – Festive blend of traditional and contemporary Klezmer music
Žaibas Lithuanian Dancers – Sharing, preserving and promoting Lithuanian heritage through dance
Zhong Yi Kung Fu Association – Traditional Sar Ping style of Lion Dance with live music
SPECIAL ACTIVITIES
Little Eagle Arts Foundation (LEAF) (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.): Hands-on activities by various LEAF artists:
Molli Pauliot – natural fiber weavings
Lightning New Rider – natural fiber weavings
Glory of the Morning: Claire Maisells and Joy Maisells – hand crafted items all Native American made
Blue Bear Studios: Chris Sweet and Chrissy Shegonee – paintings, totes and mugs
Sky Woman Beadwork – Sayokla Kindness
Lillian WhiteEagle – traditional beadwork on everyday items and Ho-Chunk dancer regalia
Kimberly Crowley – basketry
Earth Jewelry by Leah: Leah Winneshiek – gemstone and beadwork mixed media
Little Eagle Arts Foundation – beadwork art making activity
UW-Madison International Reach (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.): Explore new cultures with student ambassadors
INTERNATIONAL MARKET & FOOD VENDORS
Aidanm Sweet Isintu Foundation
Akarim African Enterprise
Café Costa Rica
Friendship Force of Wisconsin-Madison
Friends of Ukraine – Madison, Inc.
Greenbush Heritage Foundation
Hope Institute of Uganda
Inti Fair Trade
Italian Workmen’s Club – Madison
Jakarta Cafe
Madame Chu Delicacies
Madison Arcatao Sister City Project (MASCP)
Madison Area Chinese Community Organization
Madison-Camaguey Sister City Association
Madison-Freiburg Sister City Committee
Madison-Obihiro Sister Cities, Inc.
Madison-Rafah Sister City Project
Madison-Tepatitlán Sister Cities
Madison-Vilnius Sister Cities, Inc.
Mundo Esperanza Inc.
M&J Jamaican Kitch’n
Nazka’s Handmade
Nepali American Friendship Association
Otavalo Art
Polish Heritage Club of Madison-Wisconsin
Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Wisconsin-Madison
Spinning Handiworks
The Hmong Institute
The Rolling Pin Bake Shop
Verona Area International School
International Festival 2025 is funded by Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison.
