Who can host a booth?

Anyone! The only requirement for a booth is that it represent a foreign culture. Booths at BGIF are hosted by individuals, nonprofits and businesses. They may be hosted by natives of the country/culture represented or they may be hosted by people who choose a country because it is where their ancestors were born or just because they find it interesting and want to share what they’ve learned about it with others. Ideally, as many as possible of the cultures represented in our community will be included. Consider sharing your cultural heritage!

How does one create a virtual booth?

A booth can be as simple or as complex as your imagination allows! It might cover a wide range of information about a culture or someone might choose to create multiple booths each with a very specific focus. A booth might be a group of photographs with a description or it might include a video presentation. If you record video, you don’t have to know how to edit it! You can submit your raw clips and our partner, Vid Monster Productions will create a finished video for you at no charge!

The host does not have to be present during the event. Once you submit your materials, your job is done. But, if you would like to interact with visitors you can choose a time to be available for live chat.

Examples of virtual booths might include:

• A video demonstrating how to make a traditional dish.
• A group of photographs showing cultural items such as food, clothing, toys etc with a description.
• A video of people singing a traditional song associated with a holiday and photographs of rituals, objects, clothing, food or other things associated with the occasion.
• Directions either through photographs or a video for creating a traditional craft or playing a traditional game.
• Create a fashion show either by using photographs of people dressed in traditional clothing or submitting clips by several people who filmed themselves modeling traditional clothing. Vid Monster can assemble each person’s clip into a single video for you!

These are just a few simple things you could do. You can create as many displays as you wish to represent your culture! If you have hosted a booth at the in-person Festival, think of what you had and how you might show it digitally.

How can I be included?

Fill out the application at BGInternationalFest.com/vf/host-booth to be considered. Fill it out as soon as possible, as time is running out! You will NOT need to have everything ready for the application. It is just to report your intention to create a booth(s). Once you are ready there are submission forms for different types of booths.

Are there other ways to participate?

The Virtual Festival will include a variety of options in addition to booths. We are looking for participants to perform, submit recipes, submit artwork and more. Visit BGInternationalFest.com for more information.

The post What is a Virtual BGIF booth? appeared first on Bowling Green International Festival.

Who can perform?

Our stages showcase performances representing traditional foreign cultural performances as well as modern performances heavily influenced by multiple cultures. So you may see anything from traditional Indian dance to Celtic Bluegrass. Since 100 dancers can’t social distance, some groups will be smaller than at our in-person events where very large groups are presented.

How is a virtual performance created?

We have partnered with Vid Monster Productions who offer several ways to assist musicians and dancers with their performance.

• Performers can submit their own self-created, finished video.
• Vid Monster can instruct performers remotely as they film themselves and edit their footage into the final video.
• Performers have the opportunity to be professionally filmed by Vid Monster Productions in an open-air studio with Covid mitigation protocols in place.
• Vid Monster Productions can remotely record performers (up to 6) who are each alone in their own home and edit them together.
• Finally, a performance can take place live over the internet.

All of these methods will be used for the Virtual Bowling Green International Festival presented by Vid Monster Productions on September 26.

How can I be included?

Fill out the application at BGInternationalFest.com/vf/perform to be considered. Fill it out as soon as possible, as time is running out! You will get an answer quickly. Once accepted, Vid Monster Productions will contact you about how best to create your virtual performance!

Are there other ways to participate?

The Virtual Festival will include a variety of options in addition to performances. We are looking for participants to create virtual cultural display, food or merchandise booths, submit recipes, submit artwork and more. Visit BGInternationalFest.com for more information.

The post What is a Virtual BGIF performance? appeared first on Bowling Green International Festival.