Despite getting a late start on their planning, the organizers of the 2013 Collage Multicultural Festival have put together a strong lineup for this year's event.
The celebration of Estevan's growing multicultural community will run from Friday to Saturday at the Estevan Leisure Centre. The majority of events will be held in the multi-purpose room while there will also be booths located in the hallway of the leisure centre.
Melanie Mantei of Southeast Newcomer Services, the group that has taken over operation of Showcase from the Estevan Chamber of Commerce, said they are pleased with the way Collage has come together in the three weeks since they were approved for funding.
"We have 15 booths in total, we have a kids zone that will be in the multi-purpose room and that is also where the live performances will be," said Mantei, who added they still have one booth available for interested parties.
Mantei said action will kick off Friday with Estevan Combat Sports and Fitness who will conduct a Jiu-Jitsu demonstration. They also have one spot available for Friday night.
Saturday will feature a full day of events beginning with Walking Eye Magic who will have a performance for children in the morning and an illusionist show in the afternoon.
Returning to Estevan Saturday is the Skin And Bones drum troupe who have performed their mix of African and Middle East drum beats at past Collages.
The day will also feature performances from the Drewitz School of Dance, Larissa Bouvier and the Chug Wah Kung Fu Centre of Regina, who will perform a high energy lion dance and Kung Fu demonstration. Estevan's Filipino community will also be part of the day's activities.
Mantei said Sunday's schedule has a few opening but they are excited to have the East Indian dance group Gidha, who will treat the audience to a pair of shows, one of them with members of Estevan's Sikh community. Also set for Sunday is the Me'ira belly dance group and the popular Third Town Band.
As for the booths, Mantei said a number of them will feature ethnic foods.
"We have a large variety of booths for everyone," she said.
Mantei added that even though they got off to a late start, she and her co-workers are pleased with the acts that will be performing as well as the number of different ethnic groups that will be represented.
She said they would also like to thank their sponsors: Citizenship and Immigration Canada, SaskCulture, SaskLotteries and the Energize Estevan Fund, which is run by the Estevan Hotel Association.
"I hope people will enjoy the festival because it has been a lot of fun to plan," Mantei said.
