Philadelphia's Global Fusion Festival has a Carnival theme

Grammy Award-winner Estelle, a headliner at this weekend's Global Fusion Festival, brings roots from three continents, making her a perfect fit for this celebration of cultural diversity.

The singer, of Senegalese and Grenadan descent, is a protégé of University of Pennsylvania grad John Legend and promises a show Saturday that will combine those heritages.

"I have roots from three different continents - Africa, West Indies/Americas, and Europe. I'm so excited that I get to perform and show people what it's like to fuse those cultures together," Estelle said in an interview.

"Come open-minded, come comfy, but ladies bring your highest dancing heels!" joked the London-born singer and emcee, who won a Grammy for her 2008 hit "American Boy" with rapper Kanye West.

The annual free event, produced by the Multicultural Affairs Congress (MAC), a division of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, has a Carnival theme this year. The annual seven-day celebration, which began earlier this week, includes the free concert at Penn's Landing, cultural performances, and family activities. The show and festival on Saturday will include Melanie Fiona and Anthony David and is scheduled from noon to 8 p.m.

Now in its fifth year, MAC has complemented the festival's Carnival theme by selecting two of the headlining acts, Fiona and Estelle, with their Caribbean heritage in mind.

"The Global Fusion Festival reflects the diversity of Philadelphia and supports MAC's goal to promote Philadelphia as an ethnically diverse visitor destination," MAC executive director Tanya Hall said of the family-friendly event that celebrates the African diaspora, Latino, Caribbean, and Asian cultures.

Fiona, who names Teddy Pendergrass, Musiq Soulchild, and Jill Scott as some of her favorite Philly artists, will perform songs from her first album, The Bridge, and preview new music from her coming album, The MF Life.

"I'm looking forward to jamming with my Caribbean people in Philly," said Fiona, a 2011 Grammy nominee for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for her appearance on "Wake Up! Everybody" by John Legend and The Roots, featuring rapper Common.

"I'm from Toronto, one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world, so I always pride myself in music being the thing to bring people from all over together. I'm coming to jam out!" said the Guyanese singer, who describes her music as a little hip-hop, rock, reggae, and a lot of soul.

Atlanta soul crooner David, a 2009 Grammy nominee whose hit "4Evermore" is now enjoying success on the R&B charts, has a family connection to Philadelphia. His cousin is Shawn Stockman of Boyz II Men. He loves Philly hip-hop, too. "Three Times Dope is my number one hip-hop group," he said of the Philly-based '80s rap group, which helped define the beginnings of the golden era of hip-hop along with Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, who is now Hollywood A-list actor Will Smith.

David's soulful music has even made it into President Obama's iPod rotation.

"He name-dropped me on the radio as an artist he was put on to by the first lady, and that I was on his iPod, and that I 'had some good music,' " said David, who reveres Philadelphia as a mecca for soul.

Part of the celebration is a children's "Carnival City" Pavilion, where families can enjoy carnival rides, crayon stations, storytellers sharing cultural-heritage fables, face painting, and hip-hop and salsa dancing lessons. Organizations participating in the pavilion this year are the African American Museum of Philadelphia, Historic Philadelphia Inc., MetroKids, Party Promises, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Philadelphia Zoo, PA Distance Learning Charter School, and Taller Puertorriqueño.

Cultural performances will be featured throughout the day, including '80s pop icon Brenda K. Starr, now an award-winning salsa singer; the Brazilian band Alô Brasil; soca singer Shurwayne Winchester; Sap Sounds; and Bollywood dancing sister duo Desi Fusion.

In addition to the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, sponsors for the Global Fusion Festival and Week include the Delaware River Waterfront Corp. and Peco, as part of its summer Multicultural Festival Series.