Philly music goes global this weekend

Now in its fifth year, the Global Fusion Festival in taking over Penn’s Landing on Saturday for an afternoon of music, food, and kids activities celebrating the many diverse cultures that make Philly, well, Philly.

“Philadelphia has, for a long time, really been known as a city that’s black and white. But over the past two decades, our ethnic diversity has really blossomed,” says Tanya Hall, executive director of The Philadelphia Multicultural Affairs Congress. “You have just about every Spanish-speaking country represented. And you have the wonderful assortment of Asian and African countries. Regardless of whether you’re Italian, French, Colombian or Puerto Rican, we want people to know there’s a reason to explore Philadelphia — whether it’s your own culture or others.”

The festival, which is free, includes some big names on the mainstage: Estelle, Melanie Fiona, Anthony David, J-King y Maxima, Shurwayne Winchester and Brenda K. Starr are just a few of the artists contributing to the afternoon’s mix of R&B, reggae, salsa, soul and soca.

Follow Monica Weymouth on Twitter @MonicaatMetro.