Reston’s Popular Multicultural Festival
COMING TO LAKE ANNE PLAZA ON SEPTEMBER 24
National Heritage Fellows to Perform
Every September for the past 25 years, the Reston community is invited to “Discover the World” at the
Reston Multicultural Festival. Created by the Reston Community Center, this signature Reston event honors the cultural diversity that is one of the community’s greatest assets, and brings to life the vision that Reston founder Robert E. Simon had for this unique place.
The 2016 Reston Multicultural Festival returns to Lake Anne Plaza on Saturday, September 24 from 11am to 6pm. Attendees are encouraged to dress in native attire and share the uniqueness of their cultural roots.
The Festival will open with a Naturalization Ceremony, where America’s newest citizens will take the Oath of Allegiance. The World Stage, Global Stage and the Gallery Stage will feature an all-day series of free performances representing many of the world’s cultures. Fans of dance will enjoy Tahitian, Spanish, Bolivian, Polynesian, Indian, and Chinese Lion dances, to mention a few. Numerous musicians performing a variety of world music styles will also perform.
Two National Heritage Fellows will join the festivities this year: Irish button accordionist Billy McComiskey and traditional blues and gospel singer Sherman Holmes of the Sherman Holmes Project. The National Heritage Award Fellowship is the highest honor bestowed upon folk or traditional artists by the United States Government through the National Endowment for the Arts.
In addition to performances, the Festival will feature an array of arts and crafts activities and Reston’s unique Multicultural Book Fair for the entire family. The Book Fair will feature award-winning books that vividly tell the stories that help shaped the world’s cultures. Author Alice Y. Chen will read from her book “The Centipede Dragon” and conduct activities for the whole family related to the Hmong culture.
On Saturday, attendees can enjoy culturally diverse foods at the Global Café or shop in the Global Market and take home a memento from artisans’ work from neighboring lands. With a vast array of performing arts, family activities, ethnic cuisine and global arts and crafts, there will be something for everyone to enjoy! A complete schedule of events is available at www.restoncommunitycenter.com.
For more information contact BeBe Nguyen (703) 390-6145 or visit our website.
Where:
Lake Anne Plaza, 1609-A Washington Plaza, Reston, VA 20190
When:
Saturday, September 24, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Parking:
Off-site Parking is available at Brown’s Chapel, and the Tzu Chi Foundation. All are within a short walking distance to the Festival site.
The Reston Multicultural Festival is presented by Reston Community Center, hosted by Lake Anne Plaza, and co-sponsored by Reston Association, Lake Anne of Reston Condominium Association, and The Lake Anne Merchants Association with partners from a variety of Reston-based organizations and businesses. VivaReston Lifestyle Magazine is the official media sponsor of this year’s Festival.
