Upper Darby plans 2nd International Festival
Upper Darby Mayor Tom Micozzie and Township Councilwoman Sekela Coles announce the second annual Upper Darby International Festival.
The event, which will celebrate the township’s rich cultural diversity through food, live performances, and merchandise, will take place on Saturday, Sept. 22, from
1 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the 69th Street Business District. The rain date is Sunday, Sept.
23. Festivalgoers can expect some new additions to this year’s event, including two stages for an expanded lineup of international performances, and a Kids Zone with activities for children.
“We are thrilled to bring the Upper Darby International Festival back to the
69th Street Business District for the second year in a row,” Micozzie said. “The inaugural festival was a bigger success than we could’ve hoped for with more than 4,500 local residents coming to sample different ethnic foods and learn about the cultural diversity that makes our township so special. We hope to build on that success with an even bigger celebration this year.”
“I can’t think of a better way to showcase the melting pot that makes up Upper Darby than the International Festival,” said Coles. “Instead of letting our differences divide us, this festival brings people together to celebrate what makes us unique.”
More than a dozen local restaurants and food vendors will participate in the International Festival, providing attendees with the opportunity to sample a variety of ethnic cuisine. This year’s festival will include foods from Liberia, Pakistan, Peru, India, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Greece, Jamaica, Italy, England, and America.
The festival will feature more live performances than last year with two separate stages set up to showcase performers throughout the day - a community stage, located near Studio Movie Grill, and the main stage, located outside the historic Tower Theater. The stages will feature a range of cultural performances that include a traditional Chinese Lion Dance, Greek dancing, Italian music, a Sikh martial arts demonstration, African song and dance, Bengali music, South American music, Puerto Rican salsa music, Irish music and a Haitian guitar performance.
As part of the celebration of the rich cultural and ethnic diversity of Upper Darby, a Parade of Nations featuring dozens of flags from the native countries of township residents will take place at 6 p.m.
Throughout the day, the Upper Darby Multicultural Commission will have a booth set up to help promote a better understanding of the cultures of different ethnic groups that call the township home. Festival attendees can try on garb from countries such as Liberia and Nigeria, learn how to wrap a turban from the Sikh community. A sign greeting attendees will feature the word “Welcome” in dozens of the native languages of township residents.
Families attending the festival will also be able to enjoy the Kids Zone, a new addition to the event made possible through the YMCA and the Upper Darby Multicultural Commission. It will feature a number of fun activities for the whole family, including an inflatable obstacle course, a bean bag toss, hoops, and other carnival games, as well as arts and crafts.
A number of 69th Street Business District merchants will take part in the festival, offering special promotions. Participating stores will include Gap Factory, Old Navy, The Children’s Place, Modell’s, Ashley Stewart, KICKS USA, Rainbow, Rite Aid, Easy Pickins, Fashion Gallery, and Shoe Carnival. Additionally, DTLR / VILLA will hold its grand reopening celebration to coincide with the festival.
On the day of the festival, 69th Street between Market Street and Chestnut Street will be closed to vehicular traffic from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. to allow vendors to set up and to accommodate pedestrian traffic.
The event is co-hosted by Upper Darby Township and the Upper Darby Multicultural Commission.
For an official program of events and a list of food vendors, watch for frequent updates on the Upper Darby International Festival Facebook Page.
Hedgerow needs kids for upcoming show
Hedgerow Theatre in Rose Valley is looking for some kids to fill roles in an upcoming production.
On Sunday, Sept. 16, the theatre will hold auditions for “Medea” from 1-3 p.m. at the Hedgerow House, 146 W. Rose Valley Road, Rose Valley.
The production is looking to fill roles for children, ages 8-11 (boys and girls), for the show Euripides’ “Medea” this October. Children should come prepared with either a one-minute-long monologue, poem, or song. Kids are encouraged to choose some- thing that they love to perform and feel shows off who they are as an actor. No specific requirement geared toward the production is needed. The theatre wants them to feel comfortable and confident in whatever they choose to audition with. Each audition slot will be five minutes long. Leaving time in between each slot for our director, Megan Slater, to think and reset for the next audition piece.
Slater said rehearsals for the show will include the children and are set to start the weekend of Sept. 22-23. The kids will not be needed on school nights until Oct. 8. Please consider the rehearsal schedule in your decision making.
This interested in a tryout should contact Teresa Kozin, via email at Tkozin@hedgerowtheatre.org, requesting a time slot. If you have a specific time you require to be able to attend these auditions.
‘Fine Arts Night’ at Plush Mills
Plush Mills, a senior living community in Wallingford, Nether Providence, is hosting a “Fine Arts Night” Thursday, Sept. 20 from 4-6 p.m.
The exhibition, to be held on the community’s campus located at 501 Plush Mill Road in Wallingford, will showcase dozens of works of art – acrylics, oils, clay, handmade clothing – even poetry – created by the community’s residents. Fine Arts Night will feature live music and complimentary hors d’oeuvres and beverages. The event is free and open to the public. Reservations are required and can be made by calling
610-690-1630 or by visiting the “News” section of the Plush Mills website at http://www.plushmills.
com/news/2018-fine-artsnight-at-plush-mills.