Seven Days: Vermont's Independent Voice

Home Away From Home

There’s no need to venture far to experience other cultures this weekend: Just hit the road for the 17th annual Vermont International Festival in Essex Junction, where the Vermont Performing Arts League celebrates cultural diversity with a three-day fair of crafts and live shows. More than 50 vendors peddle handmade goods traditional to other parts of the world, along with tastes of Africa, the Mediterranean and China. Top that off with roughly 20 local performing arts groups (as well as a few from afar), and you’ll have plenty on your plate. Tune in for Rik Palieri’s Polish songs and piping, the McFadden Irish Dancers and interactive Zumba, tango and Forza classes. Acts run the gamut, VPAL director Ben Bergstein notes. “True culture,” he says, “is just folks being what they are, in their own style.”