The Intercultural Arts Festival, showcasing a wide array of cultural expressions from the Kingston region, is set to take place September 17, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Confederation Basin.
On the mainstage, a diverse range of arts and cultural performances will take place. Notably, Tocani, a contemporary fusion ensemble rooted in South American heritage and based in Toronto, will headline the festival. Their performance will encompass costume, music, dance, poetry, and theatre. Also featured are francophone folk/pop singer-songwriter Pierre-Hervé Goulet, Parul Gupta’s Kathak dance, and the Kings Don Taiko drummers.
Workshops sponsored by Empire Life will be available, including a drag make-up tutorial by Kingston Pride and dance workshops spanning Bachata, Aztec, and West African dance styles.
“Empire Life is proud to participate in celebrating arts and culture in Kingston. We stand alongside other supporters of the Intercultural Arts Festival in promoting an inclusive community that values diverse experiences and backgrounds,” said a representative from Empire Life.
A variety of international cuisines will be offered by vendors such as Q-Bite (Indian Fusion), Jerkebago (Caribbean), Los Gringos (Mexican), Dr. Shawarma (Egyptian), and B’s Bike Bites. The International Pavilion will feature multicultural arts, crafts, and food.
The festival will incorporate the September 17 edition of the Katarokwi Indigenous Art and Food Market, a weekly event held in Springer Market Square from June 4 to September 24. The market is coordinated by RIEL Cultural Consulting with support from Tourism Kingston and the City of Kingston. The festival will kick off with the presentation of Kingston’s Civic Awards by Mayor Bryan Paterson. The winners of the 2023 Civic Awards were announced on July 6.
Accessibility features include provisions for mobility issues and devices at Confederation Park and Springer Market Square. A sensory-reduced zone will cater to those with sensory overload or sensitivity. ASL Interpretation will be available for the opening ceremonies and Mayor’s Civic Awards, with exceptions for workshops and performances. For accessibility inquiries, contact the City of Kingston Special Events Office at MRodenhizer@CityofKingston.ca.
For the latest performance and programming updates, visit the event page, as programming and vendors may change.
Image (cropped): City of Kingston events page
