SALEM — The fifth annual Salem CultureFest will bring Salem Common to life this weekend with performances ranging from Brazilian jazz to African drum and dance.
The lineup of events tomorrow and Sunday includes crafts, storytelling for children, face-painting, rugby demonstrations, world foods and more.
"We're really trying to outdo ourselves in terms of making it really family-friendly," said Debra Crosby, one of the organizers. "Families can come and enjoy some awesome music that is happy and pleasant, with a cultural flair."
CultureFest performances kick off tomorrow at 11:30 a.m., starting a day of entertainment ranging from belly dancers to Cape Verdean musicians. Entertainers will perform on a stage set up next to the gazebo on Salem Common, Crosby said.
Throughout the day tomorrow and Sunday, starting at 10:30 a.m., local rugby teams will give demonstrations, including the North Shore Trailblazers Youth Rugby Team, North Shore Men's tag rugby and full-contact rugby, and the North Shore Women's Team Sevens Rugby.
"The rugby demonstration is a new one," Crosby said. "We're looking for something different."
Crosby and Frances Nwajei will emcee the CultureFest, and DJ LuvBug Movement will entertain the crowd between performances.
CultureFest is organized and hosted by African Development Through Drum and Dance (known as A3D), a nonprofit that donates money and supplies to help West African nonprofit organizations.
Salem resident and musician Mamadou Diop, president of A3D, will be among the performers at CultureFest.
"We are trying to live the idea of act locally, think globally," said Crosby, of Salem, who is vice president of A3D. "That's why we produce the Salem CultureFest, so we can make a difference in our local community with a bigger, long-term vision of having a multicultural center based in Salem or the North Shore area."
The entertainment at CultureFest is free to the public, and donations will be collected, with a portion going to the Plummer Home for Boys in Salem, according to Crosby.
Vendor activities will include pony rides, a bounce house, henna and more.
If you go
What: Salem CultureFest
When: Tomorrow and Sunday, rain or shine
Where: Salem Common
More information: Visit www.A3Dinc.org
Schedule of performances
Saturday, July 24
11:30 a.m. — National anthem
11:45 a.m. — Drumming with A3D, led by Mamadou Diop
Noon — Teresa Ines performing Brazilian jazz
1:30 p.m. — Sisters in Dance belly dancing
3 p.m. — CV Boys Cape Verdean music
4:30 p.m. — Akwaaba Dance Ensemble African drum and dance
6:30 p.m. — Mamadou Diop West African world fusion
Sunday, July 25
11:30 a.m. — National anthem
11:45 a.m. — Drumming with A3D, led by Mamadou Diop
Noon — Debra Crosby's Talent Quest TV Winners' Circle (young talent)
1:15 p.m. — Unfulfilled Desires jazz
3:00 p.m. — Skanktones reggae
4:30 p.m. — PanNeubean Steel led by Jefferey Clayton, Caribbean music
5:45 p.m. — Closing remarks
