Aromas of cotton candy and exotic
food waft through the air as the sounds
of funky Afro-Caribbean jazz enliven
the block.
This was the scene Saturday
when the School of World Studies
transformed the 900 block of West
Grace Street into a celebration of
international culture for the fourth
annual Grace Street Festival.
With the aid of fair weather, people
of all ages came to enjoy booths, food,
rides and music.
Because it was Family Weekend
at VCU, most of the crowd was
composed of students and their
parents.
Many of VCU’s international
student organizations and clubs had
booths, as did the crafts department
and the School of World Studies.
The Red Flag Campaign for sexual
and domestic violence awareness and
local ethnic restaurants also operated
booths. A booth was even dedicated
to French philosopher and author
Albert Camus.
Vendors took up the rest of the
street space, selling colorful handmade
African, Asian and Indian clothes,
bags and jewelry.
A capoeira group demonstrated its
dance-like Brazilian martial art in the
middle of the street.
Rides and raffles extended along
Shafer Street. A bouncy castle, bungee
bouncer and gyro-spinner were among
the activities offered. A DJ spun tunes
as girls danced in the street.
A highlight of the mid-afternoon
was the Richmond Afro-Beat Collective
performance. An impressive
11-piece ensemble of brass, percussion,
guitars, bass and keyboards,
the band drew quite a crowd. Their
rhythms were infectious, drawing
most festival-goers to stop and bop
for at least a song or two.
Festival events included a world
studies major tug-of-war, international
jeopardy and a global fashion
contest. During the cultural festival,
the International Student Film Festival
also took place at the Grace Street
Theater.