Get your toes tapping, your head nodding, and your hips shaking to different styles of music from around the globe! Whether it’s the beat of the bongos or the strum of a balalaika, you’re sure to hear sounds and rhythms that are both new and familiar.

Experience a mesmerizing display of traditional, folk, and modern dances of cultures from around the world by local and regional performers in vibrant costumes. You may even be invited on stage to learn a step or two! Youth choral groups will also be featured.

Learn about the tradition of African head wraps and waist beads, try your hand at origami, or treat your taste buds to a Creole culinary experience. These unique, interactive presentations are both educational and highly entertaining.

From jugglers to magicians, stilt walkers to balloon twisters, roving entertainers can be found offering amusement and fun photo-ops throughout Riverfront Park.

Watch artists at work and learn about the traditions and techniques of their craft. From decorative Indian rangoli to the Gullah folk art of rag quilts, and graceful Chinese painting to the colorful La Calavera Catrina of Mexico, these enlightening demonstrations are sure to impress and inspire.

Multi-cultural artists and fine craft artisans will have original items on display and available for sale during the WAE. These items include fine art, folk art, and photography, as well as finely crafted artisanal works created using traditional techniques of cultures from around the world. The selection is vast with options for every style and budget. In addition, a number of local and regional cultural organizations, community groups, associations, and clubs will have booth displays to share information, promote understanding, and celebrate the culture and heritage of their countries.

The Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) is an international non-profit volunteer educational organization dedicated to the study and re-enactment of life in the Middle Ages and Renaissance. The Canton of Tear-Sea’s Shore of the Barony of Hidden Mountain of the Kingdom of Atlantia is the most local branch of the SCA, and they will be offering a glimpse into a Medieval Village at the WAE. Step back in time to pre-17th century and witness demonstrations of armored combat, dancing, weaving, glass blowing, displays of period weapons, chainmail assembly, and more!

WAE patrons of all ages are invited to contribute to two collaborative art pieces led by local artists and arts educators Anna Vecchione and Daryle Halbert. The finished community art projects will be displayed at the Arts Fest Exhibition Encore at the Charleston Area Convention on Sunday, May 5.

The WAE offers many opportunities for children to be creative! Hands-on art activities, led by local artists, include batik with Charles Perrineau, origami with Setsuko Lawson, flower printing with Kristy Bishop, and jewelry making with Michelle Rose. In addition to the permanent playground on site, the kid’s zone also features two jump castles and the Rainbownator, a 40-foot inflatable obstacle course with a slide!

Enjoy the aroma and flavors of a variety of cultural cuisines – food truck rodeo style! Several trucks will be serving traditional and fusion dishes from countries around the world. Costs vary by item and vendor. ICEBOX will also be on hand serving up tasty international brews from the beer garden.