International Cultural Festival to showcase dance, local students, music from 70 nations

ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Belly dancing, yoga, free health screenings and fashion are among the highlights of this year's International Cultural Festival.

The youth-oriented event will also celebrate its fifth year at a new venue.

Previously held at the Arts Park in Allentown, the festival will take place from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday at J. Birney Crum Stadium, 2027 Linden St.

It will feature classes taught by local arts and fitness groups and highlight close to 50 local minority-owned businesses and community organizations.

Festival founder Michelle Zattoni said it also offers opportunities for area youth to volunteer, perform or showcase their businesses at the stadium which serves as the athletic field for Allentown's high schools.

"The reason why we moved to the stadium is not just for attendee growth. We really wanted to be in touch with the youth in Allentown," said Zattoni, who founded the festival in 2018.

"That was one of the main focuses on the event in general. We wanted to be on their turf.

"We want to make sure that the students feel comfortable coming to us, so we can extend their minds culturally with free fitness and health classes."

The lineup

The free performances start at noon.

At 12:40 p.m. there will be an opening ceremony with Gabriela Colak and family performing Argentinian Charcera and Adam Waterbear DePaul, of the Lenape Tribe of Pennsylvania.

Additional performers include: Bearded Yoga with Al Johnson; Nrutyagarima Dance Academy; Mu Sigma Upsilon sorority step team; Zumba with Gera Newton; cultural fitness with Obe Roundtree; Jocinda Semmel of Jocinda Fitness; mindful yoga with Scott Moss; and Serayah Belly Dance.

There will also be demonstrations by the Allentown School District cheerleading squad; William Allen High School percussion band; a community drum circle with Ras Mylk, Hawaiian talimunan and poi spinning by Dawn Dietrich; a fashion show with designer Yoleny Lemus and models from Northampton Community College.

At 4:30 p.m. Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk is scheduled to present the Pre-Inna Star trailblazer awards to community members (InnaStar is a nonprofit dedicated to supporting local arts through its youth filmmaking program and GLOW Confidence for older adults).

Among the food vendors are LaKang Noodle Bar, Cherry's Caribbean, Wrapped Tight, Bibi's Tiffin, Nkasso African and Exotic Food and Panchita's Kitchen.

Local artisans will also sell jewelry, beauty accessories and home goods, along with face painting and henna designs.

Representing the world

Zattoni said 70 countries will be represented at the festival including countries in Africa, South America, Eastern Europe, Asia and the Caribbean.

"One of the main reasons why I started the festival was because I didn't see a festival for everyone. Most [of them] target cultural events, which I love and appreciate very much, but as a biracial person who grew up with a Polish, Italian, and Irish family in the 80s, I didn't have much diversity in my home," Zattoni said.

"My sister was working at a juvenile correctional facility, with all these different schools and people. When she passed in 2018, I decided to honor her legacy and beliefs on inclusivity, diversity, equity and inclusion and helping our youth in a positive way. It's important to showcase diversity and teach people how much we are similar more than we are different."

In addition to the performances, there will be students onsite from Northampton Community College's cultural exchange program and Aetna will offer free health screenings for adults, plus a section for activities for children sponsored by RCN Allentown.