News from the Somerset County Board of County Commissioners
Shanel Y. Robinson, Commissioner Director Ÿ Melonie Marano, Commissioner Deputy Director
Sara Sooy, Commissioner Ÿ Paul M. Drake, Commissioner Ÿ Doug Singleterry, Commissioner
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 11, 2022
Somerset County Diversity Festival to Feature Music from Four Continents
Seven Acts on Two Stages in Downtown Somerville
Photo: Members of the Swing Combo Salsa Band
SOMERVILLE, NJ –Somerset County will host its fourth annual Diversity Festival featuring dance and music from four continents including India, Latin America, China, Creole, and more. Held in conjunction with Global Diversity Awareness Month, this year, the free festival features more fun, food and multicultural entertainment. The event will take place along Main and Grove Streets in Downtown Somerville on Sunday, Oct. 16, from 12 to 4 p.m.
“Never before has the music of so many cultures been represented in one day in Somerset County,” said Somerset County Commissioner Director Shanel Y. Robinson. “Music is one of the best ways to break down barriers and learn about other cultures, which is what this festival is all about.”
“Our selection of musicians was highly competitive. This year, 15 musical groups and dance groups applied, and seven were selected,” said Diversity Event Committee Co-Director Paul Grzella. “We worked hard to create a lineup of fine performers representing a wide range of types and talents, and as a result, the performances will be great.”
Multicultural Entertainment Performers
Visitors will enjoy samples of music and entertainment from four continents performing on two stages featuring bands, solo artists, and dancers. Dance groups will perform Indian and Chinese folk dancing. Musical genres include an all-female acapella group and Indian fusion, jazz, salsa, and Zydeco. For a sample of the musical talent, see below:
- Zydeco Revelators – Cajun dance music!
- Jake Whiteknight – Local vocalist will sing the Star-Spangled Banner
- Anya Goel – Indian dance presentation
- Indian Fusion – With Adam Laboz & Mark Johnson
- Jazz Duo – Ryan Bernero and Cailin Marie
- Qin Yang Dance Studio Group – Chinese Folk Dance
- Vocal Synergy – A Capella group
- Swing Combo Salsa Band – Latin music
To view the schedule, visit DiversityFestivalMusic2022.
“The History of the Piñata” Diversity Festival Info-Game
Listen, learn, play and win at “The History of the Piñata.” Join Mexican-American Vania Cevallos Fern for this fun, informational game, which is appropriate for people of all ages. The info-game will be held from 1:30 to 2 p.m. in the lobby of the County Administration Building located at 20 Grove St., Somerville.
Ms. Fern will provide a brief history of the piñata. At the end of the discussion, there will be a Q&A when participants will have an opportunity to win a gift basket. The winner will be the first person to play the piñata.
More Fun, Food, Activities, Games and Resources
Everyone will have fun dancing to a DJ and participating in games, prize drawings, giveaways and for people of all ages. Parents can bring their children to the Kidz Zone to romp in the Bouncy House.
There will also be exhibitors that promote diversity, equity and inclusion and will be displaying information about community resources, programs and services. American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters will be available for the hearing impaired.
Free Parking
Parking is free in Somerville at the Bernie Field Parking Deck located on High Street or the parking deck at 27 Warren St.
For up-to-date information about the Diversity Festival, visit the website at 2022 SCDiversityFestival.
For more information about the festival, contact Diversity Committee Co-Director Kim Cowart at cowart@co.somerset.nj.us.
Somerset County Diversity Festival
The Diversity Festival is sponsored by the Somerset County Board of County Commissioners, co-sponsored by the Downtown Somerville Alliance, and organized by the employees of Somerset County. The festival is one of several Somerset County diversity initiatives launched in 2019 to help educate, embrace, encourage, and support diversity among the county’s multicultural residents, and to help continue creating vibrant connections within the county’s communities.
To stay up to date with Somerset County events and information, sign up for free email alerts at www.co.somerset.nj.us/subscribe or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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