Last weekend, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend Calgary’s 2011 GlobalFest Multi-Cultural and Fireworks Festival Finale at Elliston Park. GlobalFest is a weeklong celebration showcasing vibrant cultures from around the world. Each country has a day where they complete their portion of the pyromusical competition (a.k.a. lots of fireworks). After China, Philippines, Canada and Italy finish competing during the week, the winners of the People’s Choice Award as well as the Trico Homes International Fireworks Festival Award for the pyromusical shows are announced at the finale on Aug 27.
As I entered the park, I was immediately drawn to the pavilions selling
wares from various countries around the world. Countries such as India, Mexico and Brazil were each displaying beautiful cultural items among which lovely jewellery, colourful pots and other uniquely handcrafted items caught my eye. After this, I immediately headed to the Oneworld Mainstage. First up were the Latin American Dancers (from the Chile pavilion) accompanied by male dancers with flaming torches! Next (my favourite performance) were the belly dancers from the Egypt Pavilion. The colourful outfits and difficult dance moves were accompanied by music featuring many layered drumbeats and later on in the performance, Japanese drummers joined the dancers onstage. Some of the dancers even intermingled with the audience and one surprised audience member had a scarf thrown around him by a dancer.
After these amazing performances, I headed over to the Oneworld Café for
some dinner. Once again, the pavilions each featured foods from different ethnicities. There was everything from Jamaican beef patties to perogies at the Ukrainian booth, several kinds of curries at the East Indian pavilion and if you were feeling particularly patriotic, there was even poutine at the Quebec booth. I myself enjoyed a delicious chicken donair from the Persian booth. Several food booths featured Stampede-type snacks. I spotted freshly squeezed lemonade, waffles and the booth with the longest line – the mini donuts.
When finished the amazing meal, I returned to the Oneworld Mainstage to watch an astounding performance (hosted by the Spanish Pavilion) of talented flamenco dancers who both sang and danced at the same time. Next, I caught the Trinidad Steel Band (Caribbean Pavilion) at the One World Café Stage performing an interesting rendition of Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean.” Finally, I watched performances by classical Indian Dancers at the Oneworld Village Stage (hosted by the Indian Pavilion). My favourite classical Indian performance was when a young lady performed to the Bollywood song “Aaja Nachle,” Hindi for “Come Dance.” Other performances that night which I did not get to see included Ukrainian dancers, Scottish Highland dancers and Mexican Calmeca Dancers among others.
Last but not least was the highlight of the evening, the final Pyromusical
show of the week. I joined the thousands of other people at GlobalFest at the banks of the lake in anticipation of the fireworks. First however, the winners of the week had to be announced. The Philippines took away all three People’s Choice Awards for best Cultural Pavilion, Ethnic Food Kiosk and Pyromusical Presentation. The official judges were not of like mind, however, and chose Italy as the winner of the Trico Homes International Fireworks Festival Award for best pyromusical performance. After hearing several distinguished MPs speak, the audience was awarded at last by an incredible half-hour pyromusical presentation. Each mini firework show was choreographed beautifully with a variety of musical pieces. I heard everything from classical music, to Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” to Coldplay’s “Fix You.” All in all, I believe Global Fest was a success!
Special thanks to Trico Homes for sponsoring the Fireworks Festival and to Kids Up Front for providing me with the GlobalFest Tickets!