The once-annual World Music Fest returns this year for the first time since 2010, with an exciting lineup of live performances, art exhibits, and interactive programs. The event, which is free to the public and open to all ages, invites participants to travel the world through music, dance, art and food in Covington, KY on Saturday, June 11, from 9 a.m. - midnight. The full day of festivities will showcase 50 performances at seven venues (all within walking distance): Roebling Books & Coffee, Baker Hunt Art and Cultural Center, Inspirado, Pique, BLDG, Braxton Brewing Co, and Leapin' Lizard. World Music Fest is a partnership between event producer Liz Wu and Renaissance Covington (a Covington non-profit focused on revitalizing the urban core), along with generous support from ArtsWave, FUEL Cincinnati and YellowHaus.
There will be something for everyone at World Music Fest, including: International Poetry, Yoga, Tai Chi, Magic, Instrument-making, Storytime, Balloon Crowns, French Jazz, Brazilian Jazz, Cajun Jazz, Tibetan Singing Bowls, Japanese Music, Chinese Music, Indian Music, Middle-Eastern Music, Hip-hop Fusion, Salsa, Reggae, Caribbean Dance, Capoeira, Chinese Dance, Indian Dance, African Dance, Drum Circle, Little Planet Sound System, Origami, Ukranian Eggs, Original Photography, Asian Art, Food Samples ... and much more!
Where else can you make a drum, march in a parade, adorn yourself with balloons and henna tattoos, learn Bollywood and Caribbean dance steps, reflect on international poetry, listen to classical Chinese music, hear world fusion Hip-Hop, jam in a drum circle, and compete in a limbo contest all in the same day?
World Music Fest schedule:
9 a.m. - 11 a.m. at Roebling Books and Coffee, 306 Greenup St.
International poetry reading, Destination New World exhibit, and discussion with coffee and refreshments.
11 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Baker Hunt Art and Cultural Center, 620 Greenup St.
Children's entertainers, crafts, storytellers, giant bubbles, live music, theater, a magician, Yoga, Tai Chi, and make your own instrument and balloon crown to wear in the parade!
11 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Inspirado at 715 Madison Ave.
International Brunch with French, Brazilian, and Cajun Jazz.
3 pm - World Citizens on Parade at Baker Hunt, 620 Greenup St. Come dressed up or wear one of our balloon crowns, even bling up your bike, and march with us from venue to venue (on the sidewalk)! We will stop by each World Music Fest venue, point out choice places to eat, and take a tour of the Curb’d Parklets!
3:30 pm - midnight at Leapin Lizard, 726 Main St.
Enter the World Bazaar, featuring local vendors and international crafts. Dance performances and interactive demos all day upstairs, with live music downstairs. After-party with giant drum circle, hooping, limbo contest, and Little Planet Sound System will close out the night.
3:30-7:30 pm at Pique, 210 W. Pike St.
Come visit the Far East, with a Zen garden, Asian art exhibit, tea tasting, and live music.
4-8 pm at BLDG, 30 W. Pike St.
Hip-hop around the world - featuring various styles of hip-hop music and dance, as well as a sound-scape installation - an interactive surround sound system by DC Sonix incorporating 32 individual speakers.
5-9 pm at Braxton Brewing Co. 27 W. 7th St.
Get funky with everything from choirs to Reggae, Jam bands and more!
Preview events in May and June (get a sneak peek of the festivities!):
Monday May 23, 7-10 p.m. - Hair of the Dog Poetry Night, featuring spoken word at Leapin’ Lizard.
Saturday May 28, 12-1 p.m. - Pop-up Drum Circle at the Covington Farmer’s Market. Bring your own instrument, or use some of ours!
Friday June 3, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Ukranian Egg-dying workshop at Baker Hunt: Learn this amazing technique to create beautiful artwork on simple eggs. No previous experience required, materials provided.
Thursday June 9, 6-9 p.m. - Little Planet Dinner at Braxton Brewing Co. - BBQ from around the world with beer pairings.
