16th Annual World Beat Festival to Celebrate Japanese Culture

Takafuji Dance Company to Headline World Beat 2013.

Takafuji Dance Company

(SALEM) - The Salem Multicultural Institute today announced the focus of the 2013 World Beat Festival is Washoi Japan! Celebrate Japan! The festival, which showcases cultural traditions from throughout the world, takes place this June 29 and 30 at Riverfront Park in Salem. The Takafuji Dance Company will travel from Kanazawa and Tokyo to headline the festival with traditional geisha and lion dance performances.

World Beat 2013 will feature a non-stop program of international music and dance including a wide variety of cultural arts from Japan. Guests will be able to take in everything from Taiko drumming, to Japanese cooking demonstrations, Rakugo Japanese comedy, Okinawan dance and music, and a Kimono fashion show. Renowned Japanese calligraphy performer Chosho Yabe from Salem's sister city Kawagoe, and Yamasa USA's A-Key-Kyo Japanese pop band will also be among the featured performances on the main stage in the amphitheater.

The World Beat Festival includes five villages, allowing a curious traveler to tour the world. The festival's program of international music, dance, food, and folklore bring the world to Oregon's capital city. Each village offers a relaxed atmosphere where guests of all ages can participate in a variety of hands-on cultural workshops, activities and crafts. Three costumed processions, cooking demonstrations and Dragon Boat Races are also among the festival's annual traditions that attract guests from near and far each year.

The festival will take place from 10 a.m. -11 p.m., Saturday, June 29, and 10 a.m.- 6 p.m., Sunday, June 30, in Salem's Riverfront Park.  Admission is a $5 suggested donation. A portion of the proceeds benefit cultural programs at AC Gilbert's Discovery Village as well as the year-round programs of the Salem Multicultural Institute. For more information visit: www.WorldBeatFestival.org or call (503) 581-2004.