Laconia's 11th AnnualMulticultural Festival planned for Sept. 8

LACONIA — The 11th Laconia Multicultural Festival (LMF) is a day long festival that honors and celebrates the growing diversity in the Lakes Region. Besides free entertainment and food which aroma and appearance one cannot resist, the day offers social services, arts, crafts, exhibits, animals, children's activities, henna tattoos, from a multitude cultures around the world.

Tasting Nepali, Spanish, Italian, Greek, Jewish, Chinese, Indian, Egyptian and food from many other parts of the world will be available starting at 10 a.m.

Classical Indian dance by award-winning Neha Parikh originally from Bombay, India, will be an opportunity to learn that the movements of classical Indian dance are "highly stylized". Not only hands and feet but facial gestures too have to be timed precisely to the complexities of classical Indian music.

The costumes and personal adornments are equally important parts of the tradition and are rich in color and texture. Neha is a very talented dancer who specialized in two styles – Bharata Natyam and Mohini Attam.

The Granite State Zoo will bring the zoo to downtown Laconia. Sponsored by Laconia Kiwanis, the zoo is a real treat for children as well as adults to see, touch, hear about animals and get answers on their questions.

Those who have an ethnic food or crafts they wish to share can go to www.laconiamulticulturalfestival.org to find a vendor or registration form and more information about the day.

Laconia Multicultural Festival is sponsored by the Laconia Human Relations Committee, Laconia Main Street, Frates Creative Arts Center, and Historic Belknap Mill.

CAPTION:

Classical Indian dance by award-winning Neha Parikh, originally from Bombay, India, will be part of Laconia's Multicultural Festival. (Courtesy photo)