Amanda.Greene@ReligionNews.com

Aztec ritual dancing, Irish dance, Polish polka singing and Japanese drumming are just some of the cultural showcases planned for the ninth annual Brunswick County Intercultural Festival on Sept. 8.

The festival is 10 a.m.—4 p.m. Sept. 8 on the grounds of the Brunswick Community College, in front of Odell Williamson Auditorium off U.S. Hwy. 17. Entertainment is free, but the international food tasting tent is $6 per person.

The yearly event aims at increasing understanding between the many cultures in Southeastern North Carolina, said Mari-Lou Wong-Chong, chairwoman of the 2012 festival.

"We want to reach out to students too so we may be able to respect each other and our diferences and grow tolerance," she said, adding that the event promotes harmony through the arts, music, dress, customs, books and food.

One highlight this year is the Ballet Folklorico Guadalupano, which will perform an ancient Aztec ritual dance, dressed in authentic Mexican costumes. The Walsh Kelly School of Irish Dance step dancers, a Polish polka singer and trumpet player, Japanese drumming and dancer, a Chinese sword dance, Mongolian and Tibetan performances, Middle Eastern dancers, a West African Ensemble and Polynesian Praise Dancers will also perform.

Breaking bread together is another way to promite mutual understanding, Wong-Chong said.

The international food tent will include tasting of dishes from China, Mexico, Latin American countries, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, the Caribbean, the American South, India, Italy, Greece, Africa and Germany.

"The more we learn," she said, "the more there is to love and respect for each other."

Details: interculturalfestival@hotmail.com or 910- 842-6566