Top 5 things you won’t want to miss at Hello Cape Breton 2019

On November 9, 2019, the Cape Breton Island Centre for Immigration will host our second annual multicultural festival, Hello Cape Breton. This free festival celebrates the diversity of the people who call our island home through a full day of performances, food from around the world, art, history, learning and more at the Joan Harriss Cruise Pavilion.

Last year, the festival welcomed over 2,000 individuals who immersed themselves in the various cultures present on the Island. With November fast approaching, we wanted to share the top five things you won’t want to miss at this year’s festival.

5: Henna art and face painting

Ekam Dhingra, a talented Cape Breton University student from India, will be offering beautiful Henna decorations.

Henna art is becoming increasingly popular around the world with its deep colour and magnificent designs. Henna ( حِنَّاء‎), also known as Mehndi in Hindi, and Chinah in Hebrew, is a dye prepared from the plant Lawsonia inermis. When the pigment in the leaves makes contact with the proteins in your skin, it stains the skin cells a rusty red-brown colour and voila — you have an instant, temporary tattoo.

The festival will also include vibrant face painting for those looking for more colourful body art.

4: Forrester Dance Group

This cutting-edge group will surely have you dancing in your seat as they showcase popular Cape Breton dance culture.

Established in 1965, The Forrester School of Dance is committed to sharing culture through dance. Their repertoire consists of Highland, Celtic Step and Scottish national dances.

3: Food from around the world

Sweet, savoury, rich or spicy, no matter how you like your food we are sure to have a delicious dish to satisfy your taste buds.

Vendors with food from around the world will be on-site at Hello Cape Breton selling their decedent creations. Participants may purchase tickets at the door which may be used to purchase food from our vendors.

2: Belly Dancing

Equipped with experience from around the globe, and nearly 20 years in the business of entertainment and event production, Serpentine Studios will leave you dazzled with an authentic belly dance experience.

1: Seven cultural pavilions

The highlight of the Hello Cape Breton festival is the cultural experience provided by our seven diverse cultural pavilions. Attendees are able to see cultural artifacts, engage with volunteers from each culture and see traditions from around the world.

This year, our seven cultural pavilions include: China, India, Vietnam, Philippines, Africa, the Middle East and Europe