YMCA Shines a Spotlight on International Music and Dance

Where can you go this weekend to view hula dancing, classical Indian dance and Chinese zither music under one roof?

The Palo Alto Family YMCA will host the this Saturday, from 2-5 p.m at 3412 Ross Rd. Put together by the YMCA’s Diversity Committee, the event will feature musical and dance performances from multicultural groups drawn from around the Peninsula.

Held for three years, the event pulls in acts such as the Purple Orchids, a Chinese Guzheng instrumental group, and aims to spotlight a new country and culture each time around.

“Every year, we try to give people a taste of something they haven’t seen before,” said Patty Doolittle, director of administrative services at the Y. “The Y tries to do activities that reflect who our local members are.”

Performers from two Y classes, belly dance and hula, will also showcase their talents.

Completely volunteer run, the festival takes place after “hard core planning for three months,” said Doolittle. “We hope everyone will join us for a wonderful afternoon, so we can celebrate the diversity of Palo Alto.”