Enjoy art, music and culture from around the world at GlobalFest, a celebration of the beauty of arts from three countries. Presented by the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center, the fun kicks off with dance troupe Enra, set to perform Sunday, Oct. 18, followed by a three-day celebration featuring free lunchtime lectures each day Oct. 19-21.
EnraCantina food truck will be on-site. Grab a lunch and come inside the ASC to enjoy The Japanese Arts of Origami and Music on Monday, Oct. 19; India’s Hindu Temples, Discover the Secrets in Stone on Tuesday, Oct. 20; and Celebrate Día de los Muertos, Mexico’s Day of the Dead, on Wednesday, Oct. 21.
Sunday, Oct. 18
Enra, a fusion of dance, images and live performance, 7 p.m. in UAB’s Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center, 1200 10th Ave. South. This majestic and mesmerizing troupe will perform at only 10 venues in the United States during its 2015 world tour — and Birmingham’s ASC is one. Formed in 2012 by Japanese artistic director Nobuyuki Hanabusa, Enra is a Tokyo-based performance and production company that matches motion graphics with live performance. The group was featured on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” in Season 10. Enra’s innovation seamlessly unites ballet, kung fu, acrobatics, juggling and rhythmic gymnastics. The company has achieved viral recognition through its YouTube videos; the video for “Pleiades” has been viewed more than 6 million times. Don’t miss this unique opportunity; the ASC anticipates a sold-out show. Tickets are $29. An ArtPlay Meet the Artist school show is set for 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 19. Call 205-975-2787 or visit www.AlysStephens.org.
Monday, Oct. 19
GlobalFest: The Japanese Arts of Origami and Music, noon, in UAB’s Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center, 1200 10th Ave. South. Create and learn about the delicate art of origami and listen and learn about Japanese music in this free lunchtime event. Deborah Strevy, Ph.D., associate professor of elementary and early childhood education at UAB, will lead a discussion on origami and guide participants to make their own folded paper creation. Koji Arizumi and Laurie Arizumi, instructor of Japanese at the University of Alabama, will play traditional Japanese instruments. Call 205-975-2787 or visit www.AlysStephens.org.
Tuesday, Oct. 20
GlobalFest: Hindu Temples, Discover the Secrets in Stone, noon, in UAB’s Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center, 1200 10th Ave. South. Journey to the Hindu temples of India and uncover the mysteries hidden in the ancient architecture in this free lunchtime event, featuring Cathleen Cummings, Ph.D., associate professor in the UAB College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Art and Art History. Cummings will share the discovery of the deeper meanings found in these sacred sites of South Asia. Free. Call 205-975-2787 or visit www.AlysStephens.org.
Wednesday, Oct. 21
GlobalFest: Celebrate Día de los Muertos, Day of the Dead, noon, in UAB’s Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center, 1200 10th Ave. South. Free. Learn about the rich traditions and culture of this fascinating Mexican holiday. Wendy Jarvis of Birmingham’s Día de los Muertos Festival, joined by friends, will explore the meanings behind this day of loving remembrance of the dead. Free. Call 205-975-2787 or visit www.AlysStephens.org.