Cultura Returns!

Cultura returns! A celebration of music, art and food – all free!
(HOWELL, MI) Downtown Howell will celebrate a cultural experience of music, art and food from around the world on Saturday, Sept. 26 from noon to 8 pm, at the historic Howell Opera House.
 
The Livingston Diversity Council, along with the Livingston Arts Council, will host the fourth annual Cultura, featuring music, dance, poetry performances, culturally symbolic art on display inside the Opera House, and food trucks serving unique culinary delights from international regions.
 
“Cultura provides entertainment for the whole family! Kids of all ages can grab a Cultura Kids Passport and set off on an adventure filled with music, art, food, traditions and hands-on experiences from cultures around the world. It’s a fun way to discover and celebrate what makes our world wonderfully diverse,” says Nicole Matthews-Creech, executive director of the Livingston Diversity Council.


Musical, dance and poetry performances will take place on an indoor stage as well as an outdoor stage throughout the day from noon to 8 pm. Here is the event schedule. All performances are free. 
 
Outdoor Stage

• 12:20 pm: Joe Reilly (Indigenous singer/songwriter)
• 2 pm: Kinkulu (Congolese drum & dance)
• 3:20 pm: TACCAA (Taiwanese lion demo & dragon parade)
• 4:50 pm: Howelling Ukaladies (Ukulele fun)
• 6:20 pm: Michigan Hiryu Daiko (Japanese Taiko drumming)
• 7:15 pm: Samuel Nalangira (African multi-instrumentalist)
• Indoor Stage
• 1:05 pm: Josh Dunigan (Community drum facilitator)
• 2:40 pm: Evelyn Redwine & Friends (poetry readings)
• 4 pm: Neelam’s Bollywood Dance Academy (Bollywood dance)
• 5:30 pm: Michigan Pualani Polynesian Dancers (Polynesian dance)
• Food trucks
• 734 Hibachi (protein and vegetable hibachi plates, chicken and burgers)
• Masala Route (authentic Indian cuisine)
• Unco Chad’s Hawaiian Flavaz (home-cooked traditional Hawaiian dishes)
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  This year, Cultura festivities also include a raffle featuring 17 unique baskets filled with experiences, entertainment, food, and more! These baskets range in value from $75 to $300. Here are three baskets Cultura attendees can win:
   
• A Night at The Dio - Four tickets to The Dio, plus two bottles of wine for a perfect night out ($250 value)
• Polo Anyone? - Two tickets to the 2027 Hartland Polo Classic, introductory polo lessons, a bottle of wine and two custom wine glasses ($300 value)
• Take to the Skies - A 30-minute Discovery Flight with Crosswinds Aviation for an unforgettable experience in the air ($150 value)
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  The drawing will take place at 8 pm after the last Cultura performance. You do not need to be present to win.
   
  “Cultura is an ideal opportunity for everyone of all ages to learn a little more about different cultures through music, art and food,” says Matthews-Creech. “Come out and enjoy this free event and all that downtown Howell offers our community.”
   
  Cultura sponsors
• Platinum sponsor:
  • Bank of Ann Arbor
  • Gold sponsors:
  • Cleary University
  • Cooper & Binkley diamond jewelers
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• Silver sponsors:
  • Explore Brighton and Howell Area
  • Lake Trust Credit Union
• Bronze sponsors:
  • Chem-Trend
  • Jonna’s Market
  • The Livingston Key Group at Morgan Stanley
  • SERVPRO
  • Wilson Marine
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  Join the Cultura team as a volunteer!
  Volunteers are needed for hospitality, photography, raffle support, event security and bar assistance. Join the fun, meet new people, and help make Cultura a celebration to remember!  Learn more and sign up here: https://signup.com/go/RGgMqyj
   
  For additional information on Cultura, visit www.culturacelebration.com  
   
   
  ABOUT LIVINGSTON DIVERSITY COUNCIL
  The Livingston Diversity Council is a grassroots nonprofit organization established in 1987 and consisting of Livingston County business people, private citizens, educators, government officials and clergy who embrace and advocate for the virtues of diversity and inclusion. The mission of the organization is to be a change agent for diversity, equity, inclusion and access that collaborates, educates and empowers to build a thriving community. For more information about the Livingston Diversity Council, visit livingstondiversity.org.
   
  ABOUT LIVINGSTON ARTS COUNCIL
  Established in 2000, the Livingston Arts Council exists to engage, educate and entertain individuals of all ages through arts and cultural activities in the community and by utilizing and renovating the Howell Opera House for creative expression and social interaction. For more information about the Livingston Arts Council, visit howelloperahouse.com.