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Schedules

The schedule at World Food & Music Festival is always a can’t-miss line-up and includes music and performers from across genres and cultures, demonstrations from chefs, interactive presentations and more.

Festival Passport

Travel around the world during your visit to the World Food & Music Festival. Taste different food, watch a dance, listen to a new musician, learn about a culture or immerse yourself in a demo with a chef. Get your passport stamped to be entered into a drawing to win a prize. Pick up your passport at The Festival’s information booth and redeem it at The Festival Front Porch.

Main Stage sponsored by Prairie Meadows

Musical acts were booked in partnership with the 80/35 Music Festival.

Friday

11 a.m. Naturalization Ceremony
2:30 p.m. Heath Alan
5 p.m. BYOBrass
6:30 p.m. Son Peruchos
8:30 p.m. Flor de Toloache

Saturday

11 a.m. MidAmerican Energy Company Cooking Challenge
2 p.m. Royce Johns
3:30 p.m. Guitarras ATM
5 p.m. Sharane Calister
6:30 p.m. Mind@Large
8:30 p.m. Chicago Afrobeat Project

Sunday

11:30 a.m. S.A.F.E.
12:30 p.m. Sonny Side Up
1:30 p.m. Suede
3:30 p.m. Eleanor Grace

Cultural Stage sponsored by Principal

The Cultural Stage will feature musical stylings such as the Morningstar Dance Troupe, Brazilian music/acrobatics, a Spoken Word artist, a Ukranian vocalist, Scottish bagpipes, a Vietnamese vocalist, Japanese drums/dances and more! Performances and demonstrations were booked in partnership with CultureALL.

Friday

11:30 a.m. Morningstar Dance Troupe
12:45 p.m. Freight Train Frank
Frank Strong is a Folk guitarist and harmonica player performing traditional musical songs which tell the story of American culture. Songs include stories about the building of the railroad system and challenges encountered by farmers, miners, and cowboys. Through his performance, the audience will hear the story of the building of life in American culture.
1:45 p.m. Vera Babich
3:30 p.m. SoProFound
SoProfound, an esteemed poet and media personality originating from Harare, Zimbabwe, has garnered significant recognition over his impressive career spanning more than a decade. His talents have graced major festival platforms across both the African continent and Europe, solidifying his reputation as a captivating performer.

One of his notable accomplishments is his role as the visionary and director behind the "Say Sumthin' Poetry and Spoken Word Convention." This event stands as a distinctive tribute to storytellers who harness the power of poetry and spoken word to convey their narratives. The convention serves as a unique platform for these artists to showcase their skills and connect with audiences.
6 p.m. Shades of Blackness
A blended production of Afro-Asian fusion, gospel, hip hop, contemporary and competitive dance.

Saturday

Noon Sones de mi Tierra
Translating to "Sounds of the Land," Sones de mi Tierra is a group of five women who are passionate about traditional Mexican dance and representing their beloved culture. Their performances will immerse you in a swirl of bright, colorful dresses, rhythmic Mexican music, and the traditions of Mexican Folkloric dance.
1 p.m. Sansonthi Boonyothayan and Sue Hudson
2:45 p.m. ROOTS Capoeira
Capoeira De Our Iowa is a vibrant and dedicated community of Capoeira practitioners with a passion for promoting the rich Brazilian traditions of Capoeira, along with its rhythm and history. The group believes in the power of storytelling through movement, performing a captivating fusion of Afro-Brazilian dance forms that blend elements of music, dance, and martial arts. Capoeira is a profound cultural expression, embodying the spirit of resilience and freedom.
3:30 p.m. Angkor Wat Friendship Association
Enjoy two dance performances by this local nonprofit organization that is dedicated to promoting and preserving Cambodian culture in Iowa. One dance will show the elegance and sophistication of a folk song - widely regarded as a song of happiness, friendship and wealth for the Khmer people. Then enjoy a lighthearted and fun Chicken Dance.
5 p.m. Heart of Iowa Cloggers
The Heart of Iowa Cloggers are a diverse blend of people ranging in age and experience, from various communities throughout Central Iowa. The group blends the traditions of several European cultures. Many have the misconception that cloggers perform in big wooden shoes -- when in reality, they wear leather shoes with double taps.
6 p.m. Emmett Phillips and DSM Breakerz
Emmett Phillips is a lifelong artist who uses creativity to express himself and communicate complex social issues. He connects with his community through his art and work as an educator with Oakridge Neighborhood and a CultureALL Ambassador. He will perform hop-hop alongside the DSM Breakerz -- the premiere breakdance company in the Des Moines area. DSM Breakerz provide a safe environment for kids to learn the art of breakdancing. Breakdancing includes the four elements of Hip Hop -- MC, DJ, Breakdance & Graffiti.

Sunday

11 a.m. Shishimai Parade
Also known as the Japanese Lion Dances -- is rare dance that many Japanese see only during the New Years. It is said, that the Japanese Lion, Shishi, has the power to bring good luck to anyone if he bites you in head with his golden teeth.
11:30 a.m. Soten Taiko
Taiko, or drum is an ensemble performance. Taiko had been an important part of everyday life throughout the history of Japan, but it was only since the 1950's, that the idea of having multiple people performing together with Taiko drums become a phenomenal in Japan and in the United States.
12:30 p.m. Manabiya
The group will be dancing two different dances – one is a modern dance with pop music to cheer for the Summer Olympics in Tokyo 2020. Another is a traditional dance movement with fisherman work song. The two dances represent Japanese modernism, the harmony of tradition and modernity which you can see everywhere in the culture.
1:30 p.m. Eshanjali Dance Academy
Enjoy traditional Indian dance performances by students at Eshanjali Dance Academy.
2:30 p.m. FOY Irish Dance
You can expect a lively combination of an Irish Jig and Reels when you come check out the FOY Irish Dancers. The FOY school provides instruction of the art and culture of Irish step dance and creates lively choreography for the community to enjoy.
3:30 p.m. MacKenzie Highlanders

Cultural Activity Pavilion sponsored by Global Atlantic

Featuring a great mix of local ambassadors and fun activities, the Cultural Activity Pavilion offers a virtual trip around the world with workshops, interactive presentations and hands-on activities. Each event is designed to expose visitors to authentic cultural experiences here in Greater Des Moines (DSM). Performances and demonstrations were booked in partnership with CultureALL.

Friday

11:30 a.m. Blank Park Zoo
4 p.m. Celebrating Africa
Jack Chimbetete will share culture, music and dance from Zimbabwe to help the community learn Africa’s uniqueness, history and culture for appreciation and understanding.
5:15 p.m. Ancient Art of Mehendi
Come and get a small henna tattoo on your hand by Sonal Mistry. Henna (also known as Mehandi) is an ancient art of body decoration creating intricate patterns on the hands and feet. Women often decorate their hands and feet with henna during festivals and special occasions.

Saturday

11:30 a.m. CultureALL
12:45 p.m. Visit Rwanda
2 p.m. CultureALL
3:30 p.m. Capoeira & Beyond
Learn about the rich traditions of Brazil from Capoeira De Our Iowa. The organization is dedicated to the community that practices Capoeira. The group believes in the power of storytelling through movement, performing a captivating fusion of Afro-Brazilian dance forms that blend music, dance & martial arts.
5 p.m. Welcome to Ukraine!
6:15 p.m. Life in South Sudan

Sunday

11:30 a.m. Japanese Children’s Games
Get your hand-eye coordination ready as you learn to play traditional Japanese children’s games.
12:45 p.m. Japan America Society of Iowa (JASI)
Learn about the fun and exciting ways people grew up in Japanese culture - to help bring understanding to communities on both sides of the ocean.
2 p.m. Dances of India
Learn about traditional Indian dances from Pragnya. She is a rank holder in dance for her home state of Karnataka, South India, and the owner of the Indian dance academy Eshanjali Dance Academy. She enjoys sharing her knowledge of the cultural aspects of traditional Indian dances, like Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi, and Indian folk dances, like Garba, Dhandiya Raas, and Bollywood.

Culinary Discovery Pavilion sponsored by Midwest Living, a Dotdash Meredith brand

All weekend long, local chefs will demonstrate their culinary skills, offer samples of their delectable creations and share instructions for how to prepare them in the Culinary Discovery Pavilion. This is a can’t-miss opportunity for anyone who enjoys live cooking demonstrations or is interested in expanding their recipe book.

Friday

Noon Jambalaya by Zack Hollier
1 p.m. Pain au Chocolat by Nadia Ahissou
2 p.m. Ginataang Kalabasa
3 p.m. Laap Tofu by Midwest Living
4 p.m. Chicken Adobo by Alma Coon
5 p.m. Thai Papaya Salad by Sue Hudson
6 p.m. Mo’Rub Grilled Romaine and Ramen Club Chicken Scallopini

Saturday

1 p.m. Mock Swiss Meringue Buttercream by Mallory
2 p.m. Italian-Inspired Chicken Piccata Meatballs
3 p.m. Eggroll in a Bowl by Andrea Love
4 p.m. Sweet Tamales by Gabe Garcia
6 p.m. Greek Inspired Zucchini Fritters by New World Kitchen
7 p.m. Chicken Fried Rice by The Eggroll Ladies

Sunday

11 a.m. Greek Meatballs with Julie Heathcote
Noon Kidney Bean Curry by Mamta Israni
1 p.m. Poke Bowl by Madison Coons
2 p.m. Pounded Yam with Creamy Peanut Butter Sauce
3 p.m. Baklava by Daughters of Penelope and the Greek Food Fair