Our History
Initially produced to celebrate the Philadelphia Multicultural Affairs Congress’ (MAC) 20th Anniversary, the Global Fusion Festival has become much more than a one-time event. Entering its 4th year, the Global Fusion Festival is an anticipated showcase of extraordinary talent featuring Philadelphia’s diverse communities. The Global Fusion Festival truly embodies Philadelphia’s dynamic culture and in result, Philadelphia is regarded as a leading multicultural destination.
MAC, a division of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, makes entertaining all ages a priority by loading the festival grounds with unforgettable cultural music, ethnic dance performances, traditional foods, crafts and giveaways. Highlights of the inaugural, two-day festival in 2007 include special performances from old school hip-hop artists, DJ Jazzy Jeff and Big Daddy Kane and the eclectic trombonist, Jeff Bradshaw and Friends. Along with stage entertainment the Children’s Pavilion offered interactive cultural activities including friendly animals from Philadelphia Zoo on Wheels, cultural face painting, and multicultural crafts for the children to enjoy.
The 2008 festival was reduced to a single day, but contained two days worth of non-stop entertainment with breath-taking performances by the best in Soul, Bachata, and R&B featuring such talents as Henry Hall & New Dimensions of Worship, Andy Andy, Tank, Jazmine Sullivan, Noel Gourdin, and headliner Eric Benet. In addition to national entertainers, the festival sold-out all of its 51 flavorful food, unique merchandise, and cultural information vending booths.
Under the Global Fusion name, the 2009 splendid showcase of Philadelphia’s dynamic, diverse population encompassed an entire week-long celebration taking place July 13-18th, 2009. The Global Fusion Festival Week held true to its theme by presenting an assortment of multicultural history, entertainment, and cuisines representing Philadelphia’s diverse community for visitors and residents to experience. From fusion-themed restaurant specials presented by some of Philadelphia’s top restaurants, thirst-quenching giveaways, to live fusion-inspired performances, Philadelphia’s Global Fusion Festival and Week fused diversity with its hospitality industry to offer residents and guests more reasons to enjoy Philadelphia. Adding to the week’s excitement, Global Fusion Week’s signature event, the Global Fusion Festival has grown rapidly, gaining five times the popularity today since 2007. In fact, more than 25,000 people partied down by the Philadelphia waterfront as music moved their feet, and food filled the air igniting all of their senses at MAC’s Third Annual FREE Global Fusion Festival at Penn’s Landing, Great Plaza.
Festival attendees representing all nationalities, created a picturesque tapestry of Philadelphia’s diverse community. The gates opened and attendees ran inside the outdoor arena exactly at Noon, to grab the best seats closest to the stage to see the opening headliner act, R&B soloist Bobby Valentino. Bobby V. ignited the crowd’s excitement, setting the tone for the day as he serenaded a lucky festival attendee on stage. Soon, Gospel sensation James Fortune invigorated the hearts and souls of festival-goers. Merengue artists Oro Solido and Amarfis y la Banda de Atakke next electrified and engaged the multilingual crowd. By sundown the massive audience was lined shoulder-to-shoulder from the stage to arena gates to hear highly acclaimed Old School Hip Hop and R&B legends Bell Biv DeVoe rock the crowd as they closed out the signature concert. The Old School trio thrilled the crowd singing their ageless tunes, while festival attendees of all nationalities sang along to their timeless hit “Poison”.
Philly brings the world together again this summer during Global Fusion Festival and Week, Monday, July 12th –Saturday, July, 17th. This electrifying week of non-stop entertainment themed PANGEA, draws diverse communities together to celebrate the “cultural fusion” of the world. Fusion-inspired events take place across Philadelphia all week, wrapping-up Saturday with a FREE festival featuring big-name performers, ethnic dancers & vendors, and kid's activities! Bring your heritage along with your appetite and experience Philadelphia’s hottest summer event.
Every year, the Philadelphia Global Fusion Festival has grown tremendously. As the most renowned cultural festival in the region, MAC’s Global Fusion Festival continues to be a family affair that promises to entertain every generation...all week long!
