The Red and Black

Issue date: 4/2/09 Section: Out & About

Media Credit: JIM DIFFLY A dance group performs within the College Avenue background at last year's International Street Festival. [Click to enlarge]

From India to Brazil, the International Street Festival has succeeded in breaking down the spatial and growing financial boundaries of traveling abroad by bringing the global community to The Classic City.

Created in 1999 and now celebrating its 11th anniversary, Street Fest has transcended the years and still bolsters internationalism and cultural awareness in local Athenians today.

"My predecessor wanted to create an opportunity to show cultures from around the world not only with UGA but the rest of Athens as well," said Leigh Poole, director of International Student Life and associate director for Intercultural Affairs.

"We wanted a street party," she said.

And what better way to do that than in the heart of downtown, College Square.

Not only is the venue central to Athens' hubbub, but last year's performances were said to have drawn crowds of 3,000 to 5,000.

"This year we have a really great combination for our stage acts ranging from soloists to artists to duets to bands to dances to demonstrations," Poole said.


To name only a few, there will a traditional African and modern Asian dance, live music from local artist Fernanda Cornejo, an Irish-Celtic group Curley Maple, Martial Arts demonstrations, Indian Bollywood dance and a fashion show titled "Fashions From Around the World."

Funded by sponsors like R.E.M. and the Department of Intercultural Affairs, the entire festival is free and packed full of prizes from faux passports and trivia games throughout the event to encourage people to visit the tables and other displays also, Poole said.

However, it is crucial to note that Street Fest is orchestrated and supported entirely by University students embedded in the international life on campus.

Continued...

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