VCU to Host Fifth Annual Grace Street Festival

By Mike Porter

Virginia Commonwealth University and the City of Richmond will showcase cultural diversity through international foods, ethnic performances, strolling musicians, movies and artwork during the fifth annual Grace Street Festival. The Grace Street Festival is being held in conjunction with VCU's Fall Fest.

The festival takes place from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 13, along the 900 block of W. Grace Street and the 300 block of N. Shafer Street.  The event is sponsored by VCU's School of World Studies and supported by nearby Grace Street merchants.  The festival is free and open to the public.  West Grace Street, between Shafer and Harrison, and North Shafer Street, between Grace and Franklin, will be closed to vehicular traffic during the festival.

The Grace Street Festival will offer culture and cuisine from around the world, including Russia, France, Germany, Italy, various Hispanic countries, Africa, the Mediterranean, the Middle East, Brazil, China, Vietnam and Korea.

Activities include a global fashions contest where participants wear outfits reflecting their heritage, a cultural scavenger hunt, a world studies jeopardy game and a world dodge ball competition.

A special highlight of this year's Grace Street Festival is the VCU International Student Film Festival, featuring new and favorite films produced by students from around the world. Screenings take place at the Grace Street Theatre, 934 W. Grace St. 

The Grace Street Festival also includes a variety of ethnic music, bands, and dances.

For a complete list of performances and activities, call (804) 827-3429 or visit http://www.has.vcu.edu/wld/grace-street-festival/.