PlanPhilly: Planning Philadelphia's Future

MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS CONGRESS RETURNS WITH 

FOURTH ANNUAL GLOBAL FUSION FESTIVAL

Continuous Showcase of Local and National Multicultural Talent

Authentic cultural music, ethnic food and dance performances, vendors, and children's activities will be the focal point of the Global Fusion Festival, featuring a FREE Concert with Grammy nominated quartet, En Vogue, original soul/R&B/hip-hop style singer, Lyfe Jennings along with Gospel Recording Artist, JJ Hairston on Saturday, July 17, Noon to 8 p.m. on the RiverStage at the Great Plaza at Penn's Landing. 

Produced by The Philadelphia Multicultural Affairs Congress (MAC), a division of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, Global Fusion Festival is part of PECO's Multicultural Festival Series at Penn’s Landing. This multicultural summer event will offer a diversity of entertainment for the entire family.

In its 4th year,the festival-themed "PANGEA", will feature national recording artists; regional and local acts representing Philadelphia’s African Diaspora, Hispanic, Caribbean, and Asian cultures.  In addition to the national headliners and ethnic dance performances, the festival will include international foods, multicultural vendors, giveaways, and educational programs for participants of all ages.

At one time we were ONE WORLD geologically. PANGEA names the supercontinent that, in theory, existed about 200 million years ago, before the continental divide into its current configuration of the globe. Pangea today represents our social concept illustrating how all cultures can unite together with mutual respect for one another…as we once were. PANGEA, therefore, was a perfect theme for the 2010 Global Fusion Festival.

“We are excited once again to host the Global Fusion Festival,” states MAC executive director Tanya Hall. “The Festival supports our efforts in presenting our great city as a top multicultural destination.”

En Vogue, the popular R&B vocal quartet that won more MTV Music Awards through 2008 than any female group in MTV history, will headline theGlobal Fusion Festival. Joining the group will be original soul/R&B/hip-hop style singer, Lyfe Jennings along with Gospel Recording Artist, JJ Hairston.

"The MAC is thrilled that En Vogue is able to perform and headline this year’s festival. Their presence puts an exclamation point on one of Philadelphia’s premiere outdoor concerts and Multicultural Tourism events," states, Tanya Hall, Executive Director of MAC. "We believe those in attendance will be in for a treat, particularly with the inclusion of Lyfe Jennings.”

What started in 2007 as a two-day event attracting more than 5,000 people, has expanded under the Global Fusion name to encompass an entire week-long celebration showcasing Philadelphia’s fusion of diversity and talent with various events, fusion themed restaurant and drink discounts, and performances for an expected 25,000-30,000 people.

Concluding the Global Fusion Week of activities remains its signature free festival at Penn’s Landing on Saturday, July 17, 2010 from 12 pm - 8 p.m.  In 2009, the festival was well attended by locals and tourist from across the country who partook in a week’s worth of entertainment, savory foods, crafts and family fun. This year, by adding more fusion events and venues for attendees to enjoy, Global Fusion Week 2010 offers even more reasons to stay overnight at one of Philadelphia’s many discounted downtown hotels.

“Because of the tremendous support surrounding the Global Fusion Festival from 2007 to 2009, we increased our partner programming to include activities from various attractions that span an entire week.  From fusion drink specials to a Global Fusion Dance Party, this extended week will offer Philadelphia an abundance of FREE and discounted, non-stop cultural excitement,” added Hall.

Global Fusion Festival Week sponsors include: PECO, Delaware River Waterfront Corporation, Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, State Farm, and UrbanPhilly.com.

Visit http://www.globalfusionfestival.com/ for an updated list of performers, vendors, and sponsors. For more information on performing or vending opportunities, call 215-636-3322 or e-mail gff@pcvb.org

Admission is FREE for all PECO Multicultural Series events and KYW Newsradio, CBS 3 and CW Philly, and the Philadelphia Inquirer, Daily News and Philly.com are proud media partners for this series. 

Founded in 1881, PECO is one of the Greater Philadelphia Region's most active corporate citizens, providing leadership, volunteer and financial support to numerous arts and culture, education, environmental, economic development and community programs and organizations. 

The Philadelphia Multicultural Affairs Congress (MAC), a division of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, was formed in 1987 as the first multicultural division of a Convention & Visitors Bureau in the nation. MAC maximizes opportunities for the region by promoting Philadelphia as an ethnically diverse visitor destination, encouraging multicultural business and social responsibility that contributes to and benefits from the varying multicultural communities that enhance our region's hospitality and tourism industry. 

Public Programming at Penn's Landing would not be possible without the continued support of corporate partners such as PECO, Verizon, Pennsylvania Lottery, Live Nation, the Philadelphia Coca-Cola Bottling Company and the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation, all of whom are committed to serving the Greater Philadelphia community. 

The 2010 Summer Program of Free Events at Penn’s Landing is funded and produced by the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (DRWC).  All events produced by DRWC are FREE to the public on the new RiverStage on the Great Plaza, the heart of Penn's Landing, Philadelphia’s premier Delaware River waterfront entertainment destination.  

The DRWC is a nonprofit corporation created in January 2009, exclusively for the benefit of the City of Philadelphia and its citizens. The fundamental purpose of DRWC is to design, develop and manage the central Delaware River waterfront in Philadelphia. DRWC intends to transform the waterfront into a vibrant destination location for recreational, cultural, and commercial activities for the residents and visitors of Philadelphia.

For more information and event details, please call (215) 922-2FUN or visit www.delawareriverevents.com.   This website is a virtual resource for the waterfront which can help visitors plan to easily park, play and stay all day at Penn's Landing.