Outreach - International Dance Fest (IDF)
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International Dance Festival 2013
February 16, 2013
Collins Center for the Arts
Shows at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Free to the public
About the International Dance Festival
The International Dance Festival (IDF) was a student-led initiative which started in 2004. Only several years later, it is one of the biggest and most anticipated events on campus by the whole UMaine community and the broader Bangor area. IDF showcases an array of traditional music, dance and costumes of some of the 400 international students at UMaine. It is held annually on the third Saturday of February at the Collins Center for the Arts.
Two free performances of dances from around the world are scheduled, with shows at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Doors open one hour before show time.
In 2012, students performed traditional dances from India, Africa, Vietnam, Brazil, Latin America, the Middle East and the United States. Students practiced capoeira, Bollywood, swing and many other styles of dance for months in preparation for the dance festival.
International students at UMaine look forward each year to showcasing their traditional cultures through this annual event. It is an opportunity for American and international students alike to connect meaningfully with individuals from outside their home countries. It is very typical for students from multiple countries to participate in a particular dance. In 2012, the Bollywood number, for example, featured performers from at least three different countries besides India. Also an exchange student from Serbia made her dancing debut as a member of the Hip Hop Club, representing the U.S.
The dance festival is free and organized by the Office of International Programs and the International Student Association. Information about the dance festival is available by calling the Office of International Programs at 581-2905.