CLARIFICATION: The Global Crossroads World Music and Cultural Festival ends after the 7 p.m. concert.
Herbert Kinobe said he believes that “songs represent who we are.”
Kinobe, a Ugandan singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, will perform at Under the Beams at 7 p.m. Saturday following the Global Crossroads World Music and Cultural Festival.
He will perform with his latest project Kinobe and the Wamu Spirit at Under the Beams as well as with local drum circles and Signature School students throughout the day.
The festival, hosted by USI, Historic New Harmony and Under the Beams, lasts from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and will feature art and cultural activities to get the community more culturally involved.
The focus for its inaugural year will be Africa. The plan for future festivals is to focus on a different continent annually.
Kinobe was born in Kayunga, near Lake Victoria in Uganda, and was influenced by the performing musicians at the palaces near the area. As a touring musician, he has performed at numerous festivals with other African artists, and hosts workshops all over North America, Africa and Europe.
He currently is a World Ambassador for the Harmony Foundation, has worked with the United Nations Children’s Fund and co-founded Heartbeat Children.
Kinobe uses mostly traditional instruments, and his goal is to encourage and inspire children through music, as well as to empower women.
“What I enjoy most is to feel that my music has made a positive influence on other people,” Kinobe said.
He will also be leading workshops at USI, which will include showcasing some of his instruments and sharing his story and the African culture with students.
In addition to entertainment by Kinobe, the World Music and Cultural Festival will have several other featured events including an African art and craft activities for children and a Moroccan buffet at Sara’s Harmony Way.
Local band Osiella and USI’s Gospel Choir are also set to perform Saturday.
Sweet Ebeigbe, a visiting art history professor at USI and Beninese princess, will host an exhibit showcasing her textiles, art projects and handmade clothing.
Another major event will be “Mama Africa,” which is a traditional African dancing and clothing show by USI students.
A USI shuttle bus will be available for transportation at 11 a.m. at the Orr Center and will go to New Harmony throughout the day
Catherine Cotrupi, community engagement manager of Historic New Harmony said the goal of the World Music and Cultural Festival is to “focus on diversity and to get students more involved.”
Next year’s festival will focus on Latin America.