Cultural Unity Festival this Saturday. Photo / Supplied
After missing 2021, Whanganui’s beloved Cultural Unity Festival is back at Majestic Square this Saturday 29 October to celebrate our multicultural community, tempt our taste buds and dazzle us with live entertainment.
The festival will run from 10am to 4pm and will feature all kinds of delicious kai from around the world – including Sri Lankan, Thai, Dutch, Chinese, South African, Mexican, Filipino, Maori and Pasifika. In total there will be more than 20 food carts representing a kaleidoscope of nations.
As well as top-notch food, there is a spectacular line-up of live entertainment representing many cultures, including kapa haka, Brazilian samba, Cook Island hula, Egyptian belly dancing, traditional Indian dance and a Scottish Highland pipe band – to mention only a few.
In addition, legendary local skiffle band Hot Potato will appear, as well as Castlecliff-based reggae outfit Roots Provider – who will headline the celebration this year.
The Festival of Cultural Unity is proudly presented by Born & Raised Pasifika, with the support of Mainstreet Whanganui and a passionate group of dedicated volunteers.
The full schedule of performances is listed below. For more information, visit the Cultural Unity Celebration Facebook page.
10:00am – Official Welcome (Elderly Uncle John Maihi)
10.15 – Taikura of Te Awa Tupua Kapa Haka (kapa haka performance)
10.30 am – Samba ao Vento (Brazilian Samba Drumming Band)
10.45 am – Fulan Dafa performance (Demonstration of Chinese Falun Dafa training)
11:00 a.m. — Hula On The Awa (Cook Island reporting from tamiriki with parents playing drums, guitar and ukulele).
11.15 – Indian Dance (Neeti Guatam performing a colorful Rajasthani dance)
11:25 – Fijian Youth Whanganui (Fijian cultural performance)
11:40 – Whanganui Highland Pipe Band (pipes, drums and Scottish dancing)
12pm — Whanganui Chinese Culture Group (Lion Dance and GuZheng and ErHu instrument performance)
12.15 – Latin American Community (Latin American cultural performance)
12.25pm — Born and raised Pasifika (A fusion of Maori, Samoan and Fijian song and dance)
12.40 – Shivam Dance Academy (combination of traditional Indian dance with modern techniques)
12.50pm – Dance Whanganui (Young Salsa couple Sophie and Tobias, first show.)
1pm – Hot Potato (legendary Whanganui Skiffle band performing country and blues)
13:15 – Dance Whanganui (young Salsa couple Sophie and Tobias, second performance)
13:25 – Performance of the Chinese Cultural Center (traditional Chinese stringed instrument)
1.35pm – New Plymouth Sri Lanka Dance Group (performing traditional Kandyan dance)
13.45 – Shivam Dance Academy (second performance)
13.55 – Whanganui Wee Musicians (Twinkle Twinkle Violin Performance)
14:10 – Belly Dance Aziza (Performing three traditional Egyptian dances)
2.25pm — Hula Beatz (multicultural dance performance)
14:40 – Roots Provider (local reggae group providing roots and dub)
15:45 – Thank you and closing
Please note: the schedule may be subject to change.
