for its 34th Annual Global Earth Day Festival on Sunday, April 19
from 11 AM to 6 PM in Balboa Park at the Cultural Plaza (lawn
between WorldBeat Cultural Center and Centro
Cultural de la Raza).
This free, family-friendly celebration brings
together world music, cultural traditions,
Environmental education, and
community action in honor of our shared planet.
Rooted in the understanding that caring for the Earth is
deeply connected to culture and community, the festival
creates a vibrant space where people of all backgrounds can
come together in unity.
This year’s festival features an inspiring lineup of live
performances, including Grammy Award-winning reggae artist
Kabaka Pyramid and the highenergy The Stinkfoot Orchestra,
known for bringing the complex, genre-blending music of Frank
Zappa to life. Zappa’s legacy of pushing artistic boundaries—
blending rock, jazz, and experimental sounds—continues to
inspire generations, making this performance a unique
addition to the day’s global musical journey. The festival
will also include a vibrant cultural showcase featuring
WorldBeat Center’s own classes, from Indigenous drum
and dance to Brazilian samba, highlighting the living
traditions that connect culture and community
across the globe.
A special highlight of the festival is the
keynote presentation by Kemi Pavlocak,
whose work aligns with this year’s theme, “Protect
Native Pollinators.” Her message centers on the
importance of restoring native habitats to support
bees and other pollinators that are essential to our food
systems and ecological balance.
Recognized in 2023 as an “Exemplary Home for Humanity”
by the global Home for Humanity Movement, WorldBeat Cultural
Center continues to embody a vision of unity, sustainability, and
cultural harmony. This recognition honors the center’s
commitment to whole-life practices—integrating arts,
education, and stewardship of the Peace Garden, a living
space of indigenous and edible plants that reflects our
interconnectedness. The Global Earth Day Festival is an
extension of this mission: a joyful and meaningful
gathering that inspires collective action and reminds
us that together, we can create a more regenerative
and harmonious planet.
