Culture Encounters’ Richmond International Dance Festival coming to Henrico Sept. 20

The second-annual Richmond International Dance Festival will take place in Henrico Sept. 20, promising a celebration of cultures, outdoor dance workshops and performances from international dance artists.

The free event will be held at Deep Run Park from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

The festival is a collaboration between Culture Encounters, a Richmond-based non-profit, and Henrico County’s Office of Outreach and Engagement. The two organizations are working together to create a spirit of cultural understanding and unity for the Metro Richmond community to experience, according to organizers. 

The goals of the festival are simple, according to Culture Encounters Executive Director Amma Gatty: “At the end of the day, it’s two things: Center immigrant voices, and also bridge cultural gaps.”

National Dance Day also falls on Saturday, and this year's theme is inclusivity.

For Kim Goodbody, a partner with the Belly Dance School of Richmond, the festival is a chance to experience love and creativity in a universal form.

“You can share love and joy and happiness and grief,” said Goodbody. “All of these wonderful emotions can be expressed through dance, and with all these different cultures being represented, you could share them in ways that you might not have known about.”

For the Metro Richmond community and beyond, culturally inclusive events are becoming more important, said Gatty. With this new avenue for community, Saturday’s event has grown in popularity from just five dance groups to now include 17. The groups represent dance from the Philippines, West Africa, India, Panama and many other nations. 

“As a shared experience, we hope that it will bring people together regardless of your cultural background – a different cultural awareness and appreciation,”Gatty said. 

“Dance” Goodbody said “is organic. It is a way to share everything that is on the inside with everyone around you.” 

And for Gatty, “Dance is the universal language.” 

The celebration of cultures is free and will include a variety of family-friendly activities, such as outdoor dance workshops for all ages, mini-performances from international dance artists, a kids' corner, a cultural activities gazebo, vendors, and will end with a Parade of Cultures. 

Those interested in attending the festival are encouraged to RSVP using the link on the Culture Encounter website.