What to eat, drink and hear at the World Food & Music Festival in Des Moines this weekend
Get a taste of cuisines from around the world and and listen to music with a global beat this weekend in the Western Gateway.
The World Food & Music Festival returns to Western Gateway Park, 1000 Grand Ave., Aug. 25-27.
The event that started in 2005 in the Historic East Village with two dozen vendors moved to the Western Gateway in 2017 and now showcases more than 50 food vendors, music from around the world and more with the Pappajohn Sculpture Garden creating the perfect backdrop.
Who is performing at the World Food & Music Festival?
Latin music, music from the afrobeat genre and classic rock covers are just a sample of what attendees can expect to hear throughout the weekend at the main stage, which is located near the John and Mary Pappajohn Education Center.
Latin Grammy winners Flor de Toloache bring the sounds of Mexican mariachi music on Friday at 8:30 p.m. The all-female ensemble founded in 2008 is led by musicians Mireya I. Ramos and Shae Fiol. Before their performance, the Des Moines South American and Andean fusion music group Son Peruchos will take the stage at 6:30 p.m.
On Saturday at 8:30 p.m., audiences will be treated to headliner Chicago Afrobeat Project, an authority of the music genre afrobeat that blends African music with jazz and blues, created by musician Fela Kuti, according to NME.
Other acts include Sharane Calister, a contestant on Season 14 of NBC’s “The Voice” and Des Moines singer-songwriter, on Saturday at 5 p.m.; Sonny Side Up, a duo on acoustic guitar and snare drums who will perform several songs from Bosnia and Herzegovina on Sunday at 12:30 p.m.; and Iowa’s brass band BYOBrass on Friday at 5 p.m.
Here is the full music lineup at the main stage:
Who’s performing on Aug. 25 at the World Food & Music Festival?
2:30 p.m.: Heath Alan
5 p.m.: BYOBrass
6:30 p.m.: Son Peruchos
8:30 p.m.: Flor de Toloache
Who’s performing on Aug. 26 at the World Food & Music Festival?
2 p.m.: Royce Johns
3:30 p.m.: Guitarras ATM
5 p.m.: Sharane Calister
6:30 p.m.: Mind@Large
8:30 p.m.: Chicago Afrobeat Project
Who’s performing on Aug. 27 at the World Food & Music Festival?
11:30 a.m.: S.A.F.E
12:30 p.m.: Sonny Side Up
1:30 p.m.: Suede
3:30 p.m.: EleanorGrace
What other performances are happening at the World Food & Music Festival?
Visit the cultural stage, located near Wellmark Blue Cross & Blue Shield, to experience dance and music performances all weekend.
Folk guitarist and harmonica player Frank Strong plays music that tells stories about American history and culture. He’ll perform at 12:45 p.m. on Friday, which will also welcome Native American dancers Morningstar Dance Troupe at 11:30 a.m. among other performances.
Saturday, Heart of Iowa Cloggers will make music with their feet at 5 p.m. and hip-hop artist Emmett Phillips will be joined by breakdance company DSM Breakerz at 6 p.m.
Enjoy traditional Indian dance or an Irish jig on Sunday with the Eshanjali Dance Academy at 1:30 p.m. and Foy Irish Dance at 2:30 p.m.
Visit the World Food & Music Festival’s website for a full schedule of performances at the Cultural Stage.
What kinds of food can I expect to find at the World Food & Music Festival?
This year, 25 countries find representation from 55 food vendors including 18 newcomers, offering a United Nations of flavors.
Africa Food & Snack plans to highlight dishes from Togo, such as jollof rice with meat.
Bosnian specialist Always Baked-Sweets & Treats plans to offer oblatne, jabukova pita, and šape.
At Antojos Dominican Cuisine, taste arroz con pollo from the Dominican Republic.
Boba Tea 168 offers dishes from Thailand, such as coconut purple rice and brown sugar milk.
Bosco’s focuses on cuisine from Ecuador such as sancocho Ecuatoriano and tortilla de papa.
Bubble Tea Kups offers Laotian fare such and bao buns and steak phoritto.
Cambodian Street Food has veggie spring rolls, beef sticks and fried rice, while Caribbean Kitchen brings Jamaican dishes such as a jerk chicken bowl and Jamaican jerk patty.
Try a sushi burrito or firecracker crab at Pho Wheels & Sushi, pinchos and arepas from Puerco Loco & Caribbean Style Pina Colada, or purple sticky rice or bubble tea from Rolling Wok Asian Cuisine & Pho.
Visit the World Food & Music Festival’s website for the full roster of food.
What else can I do during the World Food & Music Festival?
Expand your recipe book by catching cooking demonstrations at the Culinary Discovery Pavilion all weekend. Pick up new recipes for international dishes all weekend long. Local chefs plan to showcase their culinary skills, offer a taste of their dishes and then share their recipes. Head to the World Food & Music Festival site for the entire list of demonstrations and times. All of the recipes will appear online as well.
Or, learn about different practices from countries including Brazil, Japan, India and more at the Cultural Activity Pavilion on 13th Street with workshops, dance and interactive presentations.
While you’re at the festival, pick up a festival passport at the information booth and get it stamped as you try new foods or see performances to be entered into a drawing for a prize.
Where is the World Food & Music Festival?
The three-day culinary experience will take place at Western Gateway Park, 1000 Grand Ave. in Des Moines. Parking is free for festival attendees at the Nationwide parking ramp at 1200 Mulberry St.
What are the hours for the World Food & Music Festival?
Friday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Paris Barraza covers entertainment, lifestyle and arts at the Des Moines Register. Reach her at PBarraza@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter @ParisBarraza.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: The best things to do at the World Food & Music Festival in Des Moines
