Attendance was at capacity Friday, and booths and activities stayed busy throughout the day Saturday, as people passed in and out of the Multicultural Festival last weekend in Renton.
“The different groups, backgrounds, cultures and music is great. We will attend next year,” Saturday attendee Donald Sumlar said.
Preeti Shridhar, deputy public affairs administrator, said an important goal for Multicultural Festival is also to create buzz about diversity in Renton, which they did with online marketing on Twitter, Facebook posts and advertisements. A survey of the event also showed overall positive experience from attendees, Shridhar said. “A huge thanks to all the members of Mayor’s Inclusion Task Force, city staff, volunteers, performers and community members for making this an incredible event,” she said.
Members of the Zambuko Marimba Ensemble performed Saturday. Director Sheree Seretse said they’ve performed traditional and contemporary music from Zimbabwe for over 10 years. “A celebration of cultures is important. It teaches people to understand, respect diversity and develop an appreciation, even an affinity, for a culture that isn’t their own,” Seretse said.
Barvinok Ukrainian Dance Ensemble showed off fast paced, impressive dancing styles at Multicultural Festival.
Zambuko Marimba Ensemble.
Show Brazil wrapped up the outdoor performances with traditional Brazilian music and dance. Some of the songs performed came from an area of Brazil with limited resources. “The music is from a place with a lack of water, a lack of food, but we use music to lift the soul,” co-founder Eduardo Mendonça said during the performance.
Show Brazil.
