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By Hanne Armstrong

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Wine, food, and music from around the world are among the many things that will be featured at the fifth annual Rendez-Vous Multicultural Festival. The Festival is organized and run by the Multicultural Association of the Greater Moncton Area as a celebration and exploration of the area's cultural diversity.

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Local artist Oumou Soumaré, known as “The Gazelle of the Mali Desert” and her band playing the Festival Main Stage at Summit Park last year.

"This event is absolutely for everybody," says Festival Co-ordinator Robert Gallant. "Immigrants, non-immigrants, seniors, young people and families, we want to get everybody connected."

Beginning on Thursday, June 25, peaking on the weekend, and winding up with multi-cultural input at Canada celebrations in Dieppe, Moncton and Riverview, the Festival has something for everybody. And this year most events will take place under one roof, the World Village Tent, in Victoria Park (bordered by John, Park, Weldon and Cameron Streets).

"We're trying to create one destination for people to come to," Robert explains. "And as it's a tent, things will go on rain or shine."

The kick-off event, however, takes place just down the street at the Beaver Curling Club, 73 Capitol Avenue, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 25. Dubbed the International Tapas Gallery, the evening promises to be a world-class meet-and-greet with wines and tapas from around the globe. Tapas is a Spanish word that refers to finger food snacks available in Spanish bars. It has grown to include small snacks from anywhere in the world, and you'll have a chance to discover a variety of them on Thursday night. Admission to the International Tapas Gallery is $40.

Friday morning introduces another element new to the Festival this year: workshops. In keeping with MAGMA's provision of information and assistance to newcomers, inter-cultural workshops will be held throughout the Festival. The New Brunswick Human Rights Commission and members of law enforcement invite participation at Friday morning's workshops.

"Some of these workshops are directed primarily at our clients," says Robert, "and some are for the general public. There's limited seating, though, and you need to register for most workshops. You can call 855-8525 for information."

You can also call that number if you want to volunteer to help in any capacity during Rendez-Vous. It takes about 75 volunteers to run the event. Information is also available at rendezevousfest.ca.

Another new offering that has the staff at MAGMA excited is Friday afternoon's Diversity Training for Young Professionals. The aim of this session is to gather together professionals aged 18-25 in local businesses and companies, with new and not-so new immigrants, to share how things work and foster cultural sensitivity.

But the Festival isn't all workshops and meetings. Ten Thousand Villages, a fair-trade organization which sells items for which makers have been paid a fair price, will have crafts and gift items available for sale from countries around the world. Kids can take part in activities run by staff of the YMCA, international vendors will tempt taste buds with their foods, while musicians and dance groups enrich the atmosphere with their sights and sounds. A beer garden is also under the tent Friday and Saturday nights for music and fun.

"There are lots of things going on; it's a big event," says Robert.

And it doesn't stop when the tent comes down on Sunday. Women, seniors, and those wishing to explore inter-faith information and issues can choose from workshops on Sunday afternoon and Monday and Tuesday mornings. Exchange ideas, perspectives and points of view with a view towards improving inter-racial understanding.

The Festival usually draws about 2,000 people, the most popular attractions being the live music and dance. A very reasonable $5 gets you a pass to the Village Tent for the whole weekend, and, as the YMCA is handing out a free family swim pass ($15 value) to each patron, you're ahead financially as soon as you've paid your admission. There's no charge for children under 12.

"I'm really excited about the World Village Tent," says Robert. "In the past venues have been smaller and spread out. Being under one roof will create a greater sense of community. This should be the best Rendez-Vous yet."