August 4, 2026
Join us at the Cultural Stage & Cultural Activity Pavilion! CultureALL is inviting you to connect with your community through incredible programs and opportunities we offer through partnerships with amazing Iowans sharing their cultures, activities, and stories. Learn more about the festival by visiting the Greater Des Moines Partnership website. Special thanks to this year's sponsors: Bravo Greater Des Moines & the John Ruan Foundation.
Read about previous years' experiences here. If you are interested in volunteering, booking a workshops, or sponsoring future programs, please contact us!
An internationally acclaimed folk musician, Samuel was born and raised in Uganda, East Africa, a multi-instrumentalist, dancer, and cultural educator. His engaging performance features traditional Ugandan and East African music, authentic instruments, dance, storytelling, and audience participation, inviting audiences of all ages to experience the rhythms, traditions, and vibrant spirit of African culture. Samuel Nalangira is a featured artist with AfriWell Hub, an Iowa-based nonprofit dedicated to celebrating African culture and empowering communities through arts, culture, wellness, and education.
Every culture has their own unique games and activities. Some games are played mainly by children and others are enjoyed by all ages. Many games and sports stem from history or mythology related to a particular culture. This workshop with Mamta Israni will introduce some popular Indian games. Participants will play and discover that some games are quite similar to ones they know, and others are a completely new experience. Click here to learn about workshops.
Learn about printmaking and its significance with the dual Mexican and American culture with local artist Seso Marentes. They will roll Ink onto a linoleum carving and then use rhythm to make an impression. This is a method that has been used by many Mexican artists to spread news locally. Now we use it to commemorate and continue the tradition of our ancestors. Click here to learn about workshops.
Discover the beauty and elegance of one of the world’s oldest writing systems in this immersive Chinese calligraphy workshop with Phoebe Liang D'Alessandro. Often seen as challenging by the Western world, Chinese characters are an art form in their own right, with deep historical and cultural significance. In this hands-on session, you’ll learn how Chinese characters come to life, practice writing 10-15 essential Chinese words, and explore the timeless art of calligraphy. Phoebe, an expert in the craft, will guide you step-by-step, teaching you how to hold and use a traditional Chinese brush for perfect strokes. By the end of the workshop, you’ll have created your own personalized calligraphy card, a beautiful reminder of your journey into this ancient tradition. Whether you’re a beginner or have some experience, this workshop offers a unique opportunity to connect with the rich heritage of Chinese writing. Click here to learn about workshops.
On display will be costumes and traditional items used during performances. Pragnya Yogesh will demonstrate some dance steps and invite others to join in and learn! Click here to learn about workshops.
Cucho Madero is a professional musician who performs at festivals around Iowa. In this interactive workshop, Cucho will play the pan flute and discuss its history in the world and in Peru. He will describe ancient civilizations in Peru and explain the role and importance of music in Peruvian culture. He will invite participants to join him in performing music with rattles, drums, rain-sticks, and small Peruvian pan flutes. Click here to learn about workshops.
The art form of applying henna (known as mehndi) has been a part of many cultures for thousands of years. This ancient practice spans several cultures and traditions and varies from region to region. Like all symbols, the varying designs often mean different things to different cultures. Henna art is associated with Indian culture and its use as a ceremonial art form for wedding ceremonies. Indian designs are made of a delicate blending of fine lines creating a striking pattern which covers a larger area of the skin such as the hands and feet. Click here to learn about workshops.
Drums are a vital component of West African culture and are played at all important life events including marriages, funerals, harvests, celebrations and rites of passage. Join in with Fonziba Koster to learn some drumming techniques. Click here to learn about workshops.
Mona Majeed will take participants on a tour of Pakistan, introducing you to culture, food, currency, and language. She feels language is fascinating and is a meaningful, interesting way to connect with and learn about other cultures. While exploring the Urdu language, this workshop will take you on the road with new characters and letters. Fasten your seatbelts! Click here to learn about workshops.
Teaching some basic salsa steps and having people dance with each other! Click here to learn about workshops.
A folk trio with thunderous upright bass, swashbuckling mandolin, and inviting harmonies.
A professional musician who performs at festivals around Iowa. He plays Romanian and Peruvian pan flutes. He formed a band and toured in his home country of Peru before coming to the U.S. in 1990. Click here to learn about workshops.
DSM Breakerz, Inc. is a non-profit organization in the Des Moines Metro Area that provides a safe environment for kids to learn the art of breakdancing, choreo, and a wide variety of dance, arts, and movement. They strive to inspire confidence in the youth, promote physical and mental health, facilitate creative expression, and provide a passionate outlet for the community. Click here or here to learn about workshops.
Dancers bring to life the vibrant spirit, traditions, and history of Mexico through color rhythm, and storytelling. Each performance showcases the rich diversity of the country's cultural heritage. Dancers perform in beautifully crafted traditional costumes, each representing a unique Mexican state or cultural tradition. The choreography captures themes of community, celebration, courtship, and national pride. Click here to learn about workshops.
The Foy School of Irish Dance presents a vibrant and energetic showcase celebrating the rich traditions of Irish music and movement. Dancers of all ages take the stage with precision, rhythm, and unmistakable Irish spirit, performing both soft-shoe and hard-shoe pieces that highlight the school’s dedication to artistry and technique. Audiences are treated to the crisp beats of traditional step dancing, lively group choreography, and expressive storytelling through motion. Click here to learn about workshops.
“Freight Train” Frank Strong is a guitarist, vocalist, and harmonica player who has been performing blues, folk, country, and Americana music for over 30 years. He was born in Council Bluffs, the eastern terminus of the Union Pacific railroad, and learned many railroad songs when he began to play guitar and harmonica. Mr. Strong has taught hundreds of folks how to play harmonica. Click here to learn about workshops.
Earth Mother Drummers is a trio of women who have been playing the drums and traditional rhythms of West Africa for over 20 years. They have studied and performed with world renowned Master Drummers from the West African countries of Mali and Guinea - drumming with them here in the United States and also in West Africa. Click here to learn about workshops.
Clogging is an American folk dance that began back in the early 1700s in the Appalachian Mountain region. Many people have the misconception that clogging is done in big wooden shoes called clogs, but it isn't! Cloggers have double taps on their leather shoes and create different sounds and rhythms with their feet. Years ago, clogging was only done to fiddle and banjo tunes, but now it is done to all different types of music. The Heart of Iowa Cloggers are energetic and enthusiastic dancers from central Iowa that will make you want to clap your hands and tap your toes.
This is a Bosnian and Herzegovinian dance group celebrating the rich cultures and traditions of the Balkans through dance and beautiful showcases of traditional costumes.
Join Pradyumn for a lively musical journey rooted in India's rich musical traditions. From serene Carnatic melodies and beloved film songs to original fusion and influences from around the world, this performance blends voice, keyboard, percussion, and dance into a celebration of music without boundaries. Click here to learn about workshops.
Enjoy the beautiful arrangements of classical, folk, and Bollywood dances featuring traditional footwork and head and hand gestures. Click here to learn about workshops.
This young Thai sister duo will feature contemporary and traditional Thai dance celebrating the unity of all Thai people across the country's North, Northeast, South, and Central regions.
Songs of Siam is a family ensemble dedicated to performing traditional Thai music. The members have been playing music together as a family since childhood, carrying on a tradition that has been passed down through generations. Music played an important role in their upbringing, as their parents used songs to teach them different languages. Through learning and singing English songs, they developed their English language skills from a young age. Click here to learn about workshops.
Part of the Japan America Society of Iowa, this is central Iowa's only taiko drumming group. The name of the group translates as "Blue Sky” Taiko. Our goal is to share the ancient sounds of taiko drumming under the blue skies of Iowa. The group, which is part of the Japan America Society of Iowa, began in March of 2011 with the idea to introduce and share the traditional Japanese art form with the community.
IPR's Studio One described the band as, "An alt rock/dream pop fivesome whose genre fluidity is half the fun." The Theys and the Thems are a Mexican-American fronted band from Des Moines performing original music in the genres of pop, rock, cumbia, with touches of R&B, jazz, and other Latin genres. Largely influenced by their queer Latino upbringing in Iowa, the lyrics tackle issues of justice and liberation, while cherishing and celebrating the beauty of life, love, and community.
The VACI Lions are a youth led lion dance group based in Des Moines, Iowa that was founded in 2023. The VACI Lions goal is the continuous learning of Vietnamese culture and the spread of joy and respectfulness throughout the community.
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