The City of Chandler’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Division invites the community to the 27th Annual Multicultural Festival 11am-6pm Saturday, Jan. 15, at Dr. A.J. Chandler Park, 3 S. Arizona Avenue. This free event promotes the cultural diversity within Chandler through music, dance, art, storytelling, food and more.
Event goers can experience live performances from a variety of diverse performers, ethnic foods and kids’ activities. Attendees also will be able to purchase items from unique cultural vendors and receive information from a variety of local businesses, nonprofits and community organizations.
The popular Asian Village returns this year to showcase Asian foods and local vendors from different Asian cultures. It’s advised to come with an empty stomach to indulge in cuisine of your choosing.
In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr., attendees are encouraged to participate in an interactive art game at the event. Participants can throw a Velcro ball at a board that spells out “community.” Depending on which letter is hit, the participant will be invited to create, make or learn something about Martin Luther King, Jr.
After the event, local artist Tiesha Harrison will collect all of the participatory parts to create a collaged portrait of the esteemed icon that will be on display at the City’s Vision Gallery (10 E. Chicago Street, Chandler) throughour February.
This year’s festival is sponsored by Intel. During the event, Intel will announce the grant awardees of its inaugural Equity in STEAM Initiative in partnership with the YMCA (starting at 12:30pn) on the Downtown Stage. This initiative was created to advance women and people of color across STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics) careers, to improve representation across the sector and the state of Arizona. Members of the inaugural cohort (20 total) will receive $2,500 to implement projects, as well as leadership training to help them create and continue the implementation of programs which are focused on STEAM education
In addition, the winners of the City’s annual Creative Expression Competition will be recognized at 2:15pm. This year’s theme was
“Connected Through Diversity: Finding commonalities and connections in our diverse community.” More than 350 entries from Chandler students were submitted and the winning artwork will be on display during the event (near the stage). The winners are featured online at Creative Expression.
Live performances are from Kriti Dance, Noopur-AZ, Serenity, Ballet Folklorico Itzamatul del Valle, Afroetic, Aztec dancers, Arizona Cambodian Dancers, ERA Kpop Dancers and more.
The entertainment lineup, along with a list of vendors and food booths, will be featured online at Chandler Diversity Events. Visit chandleraz.gov.
