Dancers at the World Beat Festival. (Mary Louise VanNatta/ Salem Reporter)
Kathleen Fish’s cell phone buzzes again and she’s off to check on one of the sponsors. As the executive director of the Salem Multicultural Institute, she’s the one who everyone calls with questions at the highly-anticipated World Beat Festival.
No wonder she was busy. This year the festival brought in thousands of attendees. The event concluded its 22nd year on Sunday with fabulous weather, narrowly missing the torrential rainstorm earlier in the week and avoiding the blistering heat the event has experienced in the past.
On a sunny Saturday, June 29, while walking around the festival, the excitement and energy was infectious, as hundreds enjoyed the food, art, music and dance of over 70 nations. One of my favorite spectacles, the ever-popular dragon boat races, started the day off with a bang. Maggie Crawford, director of the World Beat Dragon Boat Races, provided an update on the over 30 teams that raced on the 500-meter course.
The Africa and Middle East Village Anansi Beat featured an ornate display of beautiful hand-crafted African instruments. There we visited with Catherine Sogbe, Judith Kalevor, Neidow Mashud and Komi Kaleros.
My lunch was delicious African cuisine prepared by Ola Elkaneh, the owner of Flourish Spices and African Food which has a store located on Hawthorne Avenue. There you can get everything you need to make African dishes including banku flour and tropical plantain fufu. She also serves on the Multicultural Institute’s board.
The festival also attracts others who want to reach out to Salem citizens, especially those of varying cultural backgrounds.
Elena Houriet was there from Portland General Electric to discuss green energy options. Felicia Bechtoldt, vice chair of the Human Rights Commission, attended with her husband Daniel Bechtoldt. The commission supports people who have suffered bias or prejudice in the community. Salem Health also had a booth. Amanda Sheehan and Megan Beavers provided information on life saving CPR and suicide prevention.
The entertainment is the best. After some familiar Irish tunes from Possibly Irish, I watched INDUS perform the Music of India: “Radha kaise na Jal,” which is a famous dance from a popular movie Lagaan. “Hamsa Nava” from the Bollywood movie “Bahubali” is about a swan shaped flying ship.
Stage emcees included Kitty Levi, who serves on the steering team for cultural performances, and Santiago Espinosa, a popular DJ at La Campeona 880 AM/103.9 FM out of Dallas. Espinosa was tapped by the California Angels to play minor league baseball in 1988. He played for three years until a shoulder injury took him out of the game. He is known by his DJ name, “La Fragansia.”
Back in the village I caught dance performances by NW Belly Dance Collective and Paradise of Samoa and impressive teepees at the World Beat Social Pow Wow. This was a gathering of Native American people from all tribes that included dancing and drumming.
Remember, the gallery is still open to see the India: Beyond Bollywood Exhibit. Admission Saturday and Sunday: $5 person, children 14 and under free, Oregon Trail Card free.
The gallery has three exhibits per year and is open year-round Monday-Friday and gives the Salem cultural community a welcoming space to share its heritage. It located at 390 Liberty ST. S.E. in the Pringle Park Plaza. (503-581-2004 or https://www.salemmulticultural.org/ )
To learn about the Salem Human Rights Commission call 503-540-2371 or [email protected]
Catherine Sogbe, Judith Kalevor, two month old Neidow Mashud and Komi Kaleros at the World Beat Festival. (Mary Louise VanNatta)/Salem Reporter)
African baskets at the World Beat Festival. (Mary Louise VanNatta/ Salem Reporter)
Amanda Sheehan and Megan Beavers represent Salem Health at the World Beat Festival. (Mary Louise VanNatta/Salem Reporter)
Dancers at the World Beat Festival. (Mary Louise VanNatta/ Salem Reporter)
Kitty Levi and Santiago Espinosa at the World Beat Festival. (Mary Louise VanNatta/Salem Reporter)
Elena Houriet represents PGE at the World Beat Festival. (Mary Louise VanNatta/Salem Reporter)
Felicia and Daniel Bechtoldt at the World Beat Festival. (Mary Louise VanNatta/ Salem Reporter)
Mary Louise VanNatta is a Salem public relations professional writing a regular column for Salem Reporter. Tell her about your upcoming event at [email protected] or follow her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Out-and-About-with-Mary-Louise-VanNatta-646148848755085/
