3rd Annual Richmond International Dance Festival

Culture Encounters will present the 3rd Annual Richmond International Dance Festival on Saturday, August 15, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at its new home, the Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen. The free, family-friendly festival brings together dance workshops, live performances, cultural food, arts and crafts, a kids’ corner, and local vendors representing 19 cultures from around the world.

This year marks a new chapter for the festival, which has grown from its first year at a local school, to a second year in partnership with Henrico County at Deep Run Park, to now its first year inside an established arts institution.

More than 15 groups will lead workshops and performances throughout the day, including Sayaw Diversity (Philippines), Heart of Ireland, and Peru Folklore Richmond. The festival’s dance workshops are taught by master instructors from the cultures represented, turning every session into a hands-on cultural exchange rather than a performance to simply watch.

The day will close with the return of the Parade of Cultures, the festival’s signature celebration honoring the heritage of every group represented. Last year’s parade was cut short by a storm before it could take place, making this year’s return especially meaningful for the Culture Encounters community.

“Our mission has always been to spark curiosity and build real connection between cultures,” said Amma Gatty, Executive Director of Culture Encounters. “Last year, a storm cut our festival short right before the Parade of Cultures — the moment where every culture represented comes together in one celebration. This year, we get to finish what we started, in a new home that truly reflects the significance of this work.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Culture Encounters and the Richmond International Dance Festival to the Center this year,” said K, President and CEO of The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen. “Our mission has always been to build community through the transformative power of the arts, and this festival brings that mission to life in the most joyful way — through dance, culture and connection.” The Center has served as a hub for visual and performing arts in the Richmond region since 1999.

Festival-goers can look forward to food trucks serving cultural cuisine from around the world, live performances from dance groups representing 19 cultures, and hands-on activities for the whole family.

The festival is free and open to the public. For more information, visit: https://cultureencounters.org/richmond-international-dance-festival/