Music, food, poetry and family-friendly fun headline

The music will range from jazz and blues to gospel and native American flute-playing when the Estevanico International Festival celebrates the Gulf Coast’s many cultures April 20-21.

Admission is free. The event will be held on Plaza De Luna, downtown Pensacola’s waterfront park, at the southern end of Palafox Street.

Food, children’s activities and numerous cultural attractions will highlight the festival, named for the first African known to have set foot in what is now the United States.

The activities will begin at 11 a.m. April 20 with an “Ancestor Remembrance Ceremony” led by cultural historian Ann Chinn, who promotes awareness of cultural diversity through the arts and history.

Among the performers: Poet and author Ty Gray-El, an authority on cultural enrichment; gospel singer Kebra Moore, who champions people with disabilities; Kinfolk Brass Band from New Orleans; “Buffalo Woman,” Marcia Johnston, known for her native-American flute music; Erma Granat and Shades, a band which plays everything from Ella Fitzgerald to James Brown and Chicago; the Dizzy Juke band, a blues-jazz group which plays at clubs in the Destin-Pensacola-Mobile area; Polynesian dancer Elana Sise; and an 11 a.m. April 21 show featuring local music directors. Children’s activities will be held; vendors will offer food and other items.

Details: www.visitperdido.com/international-fest