Calling the annual Festival of Nations “beloved” doesn’t quite cover it. The annual event, sponsored by the International Institute of St. Louis, has been bringing the world to Tower Grove Park since 1934. People plan their summers around the multicultural festival of food, music, vendors, culture, and community.
“Music is a universal language that speaks to everyone,” says Shawn “Enoch” Williams of the band Enoch Raavi and the Indigenous Groove. “It connects people from all different ethnicities and that’s what I feel like the Festival of Nations does—it just embraces everyone.”
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Enoch Raavi and the Indigenous Groove is making its Festival of Nations debut this year, but Williams has been a fan of the event from way back. The band plays the Main Stage at 1 p.m. Sunday, joining local favorites like Joia: World Percussion, DJ Makossa, BLVCK SPVDE, and more on two stages across both days of the festival.
“Because of the international approach I have to music, it’s kind of genre defying in a way that will probably fit the Festival of Nations, maybe more than any other thing that I’ve done,” Williams says.
Indigenous Groove features a percussionist who plays congas and cajón, a gear nerd pianist who’s bringing a rare Fender Rhoades piano out, William’s earthy and gritty upright bass, a selection of Williams’ crystal singing bowls, and spoken word from Emma Dree. (Say her name fast—it’s a play on “imagery.”)
“Sound is a healing force, and then a unifying force as well,” Williams says. “I have definitively taken up the charge to make sure that my music is healing. Just be prepared to be one with the music.”
You should probably also be prepared to be one with a lot of delicious food. In between music and dance performances from around the world, check in with food trucks offering globe-spanning cuisine. There’s food and international crafts from more than 200 vendors representing over 80 countries.
The festival runs 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Sunday. It’s free to attend with plush VIP options available. It’s a cashless event so bring a card or other contactless payment option.
“I love that you can see people from all walks of life out there and everybody’s just having a good time,” Williams says. “And hearing bands from different cultures—that’s always really cool, you know, and I feel right at home.”
