Gadsden State Community College International Programs will host its 37th annual International Festival, “The Places You’ll Go,” on April 10 at Convention Hall in Gadsden.
The festival includes displays showcasing countries from around the world and highlights international food and entertainment.
Tickets are on sale now until April 8 at the Wallace Hall online box office at www.international.wallacehall.org; the International Office at Naylor Hall, Room 108; and the Center for Cultural Arts. Advance ticket prices are $10 for students, $15 for adults, and a $120 for a reserved table of eight. A limited number of tickets will be available for purchase at the door and a surcharge will be applied for these tickets.
The funds that are raised are used strictly for scholarships to support students in the Gadsden State International Programs.
The festival will begin at 4 p.m. with a shopping bazaar and cultural displays. Food vendors will begin serving at 6 p.m. and entertainment is set to begin at 7 p.m. International students at Gadsden State will prepare the various country displays and provide entertainment for the evening.
In addition to student talent, this year’s festival offers three featured performers including the Birmingham based groups: Mad Hatter Dance Company (world fusion belly dance troupe) and Zivah Saphirah (Middle Eastern dance troupe). The local Downtown Dance Conservatory will perform a piece from the original ballet, “The Princess of the Highlands,” debuting this May at Wallace Hall Fine Arts Center.
Country displays will include Belgium, India, Korea, Pakistan, Russia, Tunisia and others. Displays and entertainment can be viewed by the general public, but advance tickets are necessary for the food vendors.
For more information about the festival call 256-549-8438, 256-543-ARTS (2787) or email cgray@gadsdenstate.edu. For more information about the International Program and the Alabama Language Institute contact Elise Harbin at eharbin@gadsdenstate.edu. More information about the featured performers can be found at www.facebook.com/MadHatterDance; www.zivahsaphirah.com; www.facebook.com/downtowndanceconservatory.