On Nov. 24-25, the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts will be hosting the first FusionFest, a festival featuring the different heritages that make up Orlando through their cultural factors such as food, dance, clothing and music. The event will be family-friendly and open to the public at no cost. It will begin at 12 p.m. and end at night on both days. FusionFest will be featuring an international food court, marketplace, music and dance stages, a word stage for reading poetry and stories, a film pavilion and contest, fashion showcase and contest, Diversitastic! Parade, fusion contests, global street dance party, and the Diversitastic! Choir.

There are a few ways to get involved in the festival before it launches. One can sign up to be a volunteer for the event. Volunteer positions include helping to set up in advance and hands-on help during the event. Go to FusionFest.org to fill out the online form or email Diana@fusionfest.org to learn more about volunteering.

Another way to get involved is by having the opportunity to perform in the festival with the Diversitastic! Choir. Choral groups can join in on both Saturday and Sunday by learning three songs that will be performed and by attending one rehearsal before the show. Rehearsals will be held on Nov. 10. It is recommended that all three songs are learned by this deadline. To register for the choir, visit www.fusionfest.org/join-us/#choir.

Terry Olson, FusionFest coordinator, says, “Our invitation is to come take a walk around the world without ever having to leave downtown because we have such great diversity in Central Florida.” He says that there will be more than 140 different heritages represented.

Olson goes on to say that the event has been in the works since 2015. A press release sent out by the Arts & Cultural Affairs division of Orange County Government Florida said, “What started as an idea became a grassroots movement powered by the multinational volunteer steering committee, as well as first-class creative and production team, and a growing family of sponsors and community partners. Presented by the Dr. Phillips Center, FusionFest is a project of the Downtown Arts District with support from Orange County Government, the City of Orlando/Downtown Development Board and a growing grassroots movement.”

Visit www.FusionFest.org to view the full event schedule.