Bucks Culture Fest To Celebrate "Many Voices, One Community"

NEWTOWN, PA — A free celebration of culture will unfold on Sunday, April 28 on the Newtown campus of the Bucks County Community College on Swamp Road.

The community is invited to experience the county’s diverse cultures during the inaugural “Bucks Culture Fest - Many Voices, One Community,” taking place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in partnership with Bucks County Community College, Doylestown Juneteenth, Desis of Doylestown, and other community organizations.

Throughout the day, the public will experience the different cultures of Bucks County during live dance performances, a living history encampment, food and craft vendors, and the showing of a documentary film about Native Americans.

PKM Polish Folk Dance Ensemble will be kicking up its heels at the festival.

"This is one place you can come and in a few hours sample the diversity of the many different cultures that make up Bucks County," said Jean Dolan, the college's director of DEI and Community Engagement. "The day runs the gamut and it is meant to open your eyes to the many different neighbors we have as we say in our tagline for the event, 'We are many voices and one community.'"

Live performances throughout the day will showcase Indian classical dance, Irish and Polish dance, belly dancing, plus a unique performance by Mukamuri, a soul artist from Zimbabwe who now calls Doylestown home.

The bluegrass group, ShadowGrass, will add a touch of Americana with a free jam session in the lobby of the Zlock Performing Arts Center just before their ticketed concert at 3 p.m. The Lock lobby bar will be open, so adults can buy a beverage to enjoy.

"Anyone who wants to bring an instrument and jam along or just hear some bluegrass music, that's going to happen from 1 to 3 p.m.," said Dolan.

The Shadowgrass Bluegrass Band will lead a free jam session from 1 to 3 p.m. in the lobby of the Zlock Auditorium where the band will be performing at 3 p.m. for a ticketed concert.

The day also features a Polish Living History encampment on the quad, the screening of a documentary film by the Coalition of Natives and Allies, craft vendors, community nonprofit organizations, and lawn games.

In addition, food trucks will be selling Jamaican and Thai cuisine, Mediterranean food from Ardana's Restaurant in Newtown, Half Moon Empanadas, and a gourmet popcorn vendor.

Angela Nutter, who founded the Doylestown Juneteenth celebration and is helping to organize Sunday's Bucks County Culture Fest, said she's excited for families to come out and enjoy the day while learning about other cultures and doing something together "that's not going to break the bank.

“The goal is to provide a full day of free and low-cost entertainment for families in the community," said Nutter. "Families can come out first thing in the morning for yoga and stay until the last performance of the day. They can pack a picnic if they would like and spend the day on the grass watching performances or doing interactive crafts or playing games."

A Belly Dance demonstration takes place at 11 a.m. at the indoor stage.

Event Schedule

• 10:30 a.m. – Yoga on the Quad outdoor stage
• 11 a.m. – Belly Dance Demonstration, Linksz Pavilion indoor stage
• 11:30 a.m. – Bharatanatyam Dance (classical dance of India), Linksz Pavilion
• Noon – Documentary screening, Q&A with Coalition of Natives and Allies, Linksz Pavilion
• 1 p.m. – PKM Polish Folk Dance Ensemble, Quad outdoor stage
• 2 p.m. – Pride of Erin Irish dancers, Quad outdoor stage
• 2:30 p.m. – Mukamuri – Soul musician from Zimbabwe, Linksz Pavilion
• 1 to 3 p.m. – Bluegrass music jam with ShadowGrass at the Zlock Performing Arts Center Lobby.
• 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Polish Living History demonstration on Quad