FLORENCE, SC – Francis Marion University will host the annual celebration of the arts and culture on Saturday, April 9, from noon until 6 p.m. The Arts International Festival will be staged in downtown Florence, centered on the FMU Performing Arts Center, for the second straight year.
The event is free and open to the public. There is a charge for food and beverages, which are always a big part of the event.
The centerpiece of the festival are its army of performers. This year’s lineup includes a variety of artists, representing myriad cultures and entertainment forms. The list includes The Malpass Brothers, a retro country music duo with a unique style; the Pachanga Latin Band; the Bichini Bia Congo Congolese Dance and Drum; Drake Irish Dance; Cirque-Tacular; the Palmetto Bronze handbell choir; Brazil Flavor; and the classical piano and soprano duo of Xin Jie and Sumire Worman.
Additional attractions include children’s activities sponsored by the City of Florence’s Parks and Recreation Department on the front lawn of the PAC; cooking demonstrations by local chefs; and a beer garden featuring international and domestic drafts.
Florence-Darlington Technical College’s Welding Sculpture Competition will take place again this year featuring teams of experienced welders from institutions and businesses across the Pee Dee who will transform pieces of scrap metal into artistic masterpieces.
Domestic and international food vendors will bring the taste of Asian, Caribbean, Cuban, Greek, Indian, Italian and Spanish foods to festival goers. Regional artists demonstrating and selling their crafts will also be on hand.
Major sponsors of the event are FMU and the City of Florence. Other sponsors include Honda of South Carolina, NanYa, Florence Convention & Visitor’s Bureau and Pepsi.
For more festival information, check out the festival website at www.fmarion.edu/news/artsinternational <http://www.fmarion.edu/news/artsinternational>, the festival facebook page or call (843) 661-1225.