3rd ANNUAL GLOBAL FUSION FESTIVAL TO BE A SHOWCASE OF MUTICULTURAL TALENT
Authentic cultural music, ethnic food and dance performances, vendors, and children's activities will be the focal point of Global Fusion Festival Week, Monday, July 13 - Saturday, July 18, 2009. Highlighting this five day event will be the Global Fusion Festival, featuring a FREE Concert, Saturday, July 18, Noon to 8 p.m. at the Great Plaza at Penn's Landing. Produced by The Philadelphia Multicultural Affairs Congress (MAC), a division of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, Global Fusion Festival is part of PECO's Multicultural Festival Series at Penn’s Landing. This multicultural summer event will offer a diversity of entertainment for the entire family. Highly acclaimed Old School legends, Bell Biv DeVoe, R&B soloist Bobby Valentino, Merengue great Oro Solido, Merengue/Hip-hop award winner Amarfis y la banda de Atakke, and Gospel sensation James Fortune are headliners for this year’s Global Fusion Festival. In its 3rd year, the festival-themed "Global Fusion" will feature national recording artists and regional and local acts representing Philadelphia’s African Diaspora, Hispanic, Caribbean, and Asian cultures. In addition to the national headliners and ethnic dance performances, the festival will include international foods, multicultural vendors, giveaways, and educational programs for participants of all ages. “We are excited to produce the 3rd Annual Global Fusion Festival,” states MAC executive director Tanya Hall. “The festival supports our efforts in presenting our City as a top multicultural destination.” What started in 2007, as a two-day event attracting more than 5,000 people, has expanded this year under the Global Fusion name to encompass an entire week-long celebration showcasing Philadelphia’s fusion of diversity and talent with various events, fusion themed restaurant and drink discounts, and performances for an expected 20,000-25,000 people. Concluding the Global Fusion Week of activities remains its signature free festival at Penn’s Landing on Saturday, July 18, 2009 from noon - 8 p.m. Last year’s one-day festival was jammed packed with a week’s worth of entertainment, savory foods, crafts and family fun. This year, by adding more fusion events and venues for attendees to enjoy, Global Fusion Week 2009 offers even more reasons to stay overnight at one of Philadelphia’s many discounted downtown hotels. “Because of the tremendous support surrounding the Global Fusion Festival in 2007 and 2008, we increased our partner programming to include activities from various attractions that span an entire week. From fusion drink specials to a Global Fusion Dance Party, this extended week will offer Philadelphia an abundance of FREE and discounted, non-stop cultural excitement,” added Hall. Global Fusion Festival Week sponsors include: Verizon Wireless, Radio-One, State Farm, UrbanPhilly.com, El Sol Newspaper, Univision 65, The Philadelphia Tribune, The Black Professional News, Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, City of Philadelphia, Greater Philadelphia Tourism & Marketing Corporation, and the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation. Visit www.GlobalFusionFestival.com for an updated list of performers, vendors, and sponsors. For more information on performing or vending opportunities, call 215-636-3322 or e-mail gff@pcvb.org. The Philadelphia Multicultural Affairs Congress (MAC), a division of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, was formed in 1987 as the first multicultural division of a Convention & Visitors Bureau in the nation. MAC maximizes opportunities for the region by promoting Philadelphia as an ethnically diverse visitor destination, encouraging multicultural business and social responsibility that contributes to and benefits from the varying multicultural communities that enhance our region's hospitality and tourism industry.
