Taste of the Junction Multicultural Festival

The Junction Speaks kicks off the weekend celebration on Thursday, August 29 – 5:00pm at the Val Air Ballroom, 301 Ashworth Road, West Des Moines, IA 50265. Since 2013, The Junction Speaks has revealed and preserved the rich multicultural oral histories of the families who built a tight-knit community in Valley Junction. The origin histories of Serbian, Mexican and African Americans in Valley Junction have been curated, recorded, and published at the annual event. It’s a rich night of storytelling, slideshows, special presentations and artwork on display from commissioned artist, Julia Roland, a fifth-generation Valley Junction descendant. Music for the evening will be provided by well-known jazz pianist, Tanner Taylor. We’re excited to host the 2024 The Junction Speaks event at the fully restored and historic Val Air Ballroom. Jazzin’ in the Junction is Friday, August 30 – 6:00pm to 9:00pm at the Taste of the Junction Gallery, 1312 Maple Street, Valley Junction, West Des Moines Iowa 50265 Join us at Jazzin’ in the Junction to experience the Spoken Word featuring Dr. Eric Johnson, Charles Scott and keyboardist Dwight Jackson. It promises to be an incredible evening of storytelling and live music. Plus, it's open mic night! Spoken Word has become a special part of our celebrations and community building. By definition, Spoken Word is an oral poetic performance art based mainly on the poem and the performer’s aesthetic qualities. It is a 20th-century continuation of an ancient oral artistic tradition. Please join us to experience the rich history and experiences told by these talented storytellers. The Multicultural Street Festival is Saturday, August 31 – 2:00pm to 10:00pm at Railroad Park Music Pavilion, 4th & Railroad Place, Valley Junction, West Des Moines Iowa 50265 Fun for the whole family begins at 2:00pm with kids zone, face painting, arts & crafts, food vendors and ice cold beverages. LIVE Music from 3:00pm to 10:00pm. Saturday Schedule: 2:00pm to 7:00pm – Arts & Crafts Vendors 2:00pm to 10pm – Food Court and Beverage Tent 3:00pm – DSM Metro Mix Dance Squad 4:00pm – 10:00pm Live Music 4:00pm to 5:00pm – Guitarras ATM 5:30pm to 7:30pm Get Down band 8:00pm to 10:00pm headliner, Son Peruchos Salsa Band on the Main Stage It’s going down in the Junction! Bring your lawn chair and your dancin’ shoes! For more information: https://www.tasteofthejunction.org/ Thank you to our sponsors! The Multicultural Festival Weekend is presented by Prairie Meadows, sponsored by BRAVO, Business Record, Val Air Ballroom, WDM Community Foundation, Polk County Board of Supervisors, West Bank, West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce, Al and Sara Womble, Dr. Mary Sconiers-Chapman, Alonda Long, Green State Credit Union, NAACP Des Moines, The Thirsty Pigs, Jeff Hill’s Future All-American Basketball Camp and event partner, the City of West Des Moines.

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