VadFest

VadFest (Vadodara International Art and Culture Festival), organized by Art and Culture Foundation Vadodara under the aegis of Vadodara International Art and Culture Festival Authority, Government of Gujarat and Gujarat Tourism, is an initiative to promote and restore Vadodara as a cultural capital of India. It is one of India's biggest art and cultural festivals. Vadodara is famous for its rich heritage, fine arts, performing arts, iconic architecture, industrious nature and academic infrastructure. The first such festival was on 23–26 January 2015.

VadFest 2015
VadFest 2015 was an international art and culture festival spread across the four-day Republic Day weekend (from January 23 to 26) 2015. Legends from across India and around the world graced the cityscape for a fabulous four-day celebration of art, music, dance, drama, culture, food and a special kids’ theater fest. NRIs and people from 42 countries attended the first VadFest.

VadFest showcased some of the finest performances, illustrious artists and a program remarkably kaleidoscopic in diversity.

Garvi Gujarat Festival

 * Sugam Sangeet (16-Jan-2015): Prahar Vora, Kalyani Kauthalkar, Bhaumik Trivedi, Aanal Vasavada
 * Gujju Rocks (16-Jan-2015): Parthiv Gohil, Bhoomi Trivedi
 * Lok Nritya (17-Jan-2015): Dang Tribal dance, Katchchi dance and Saurashtra dance
 * Lok Dayro (17-Jan-2015): Sairam Dave, Shahbuddin Rathod, Abhesinh Rathod, Farida Mir, Suraj Mir, Chand Mir, Arvind Barot
 * Shaam-e-Mushayra (18-Jan-2015): Rahat Indori, Khalil Dhantejvi, Rajendra Shukla, Shobhit Desai
 * Shaam-e-Ghazal (18-Jan-2015): Manhar Udhas
 * Vadodara Day (19-Jan-2015): Achal Mehta, Ashit Desai, Garima Khiste, Gautam Dabir, Dr Kirti Sahay, Megha Bhosle, Sanat Pandya

Main Events

 * Live-in-concerts: Yanni along with his daughter Krystal, A R Rahman, Sunidhi Chauhan, Sonu Nigam, Kailash Kher
 * Music: Flute by Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, Sivamani Trio, Rahul Sharma & Buddy Wells
 * Theatre: Anupam Kher, Sharman Joshi, Paresh Rawal
 * Dance: Shiva Shakti by Isha Sharvani, Geeta Chandran
 * VadMasters: Zoya Akhtar, Homi Adajania, Makarand Deshpande and Sriram Raghavan moderated by Rajesh Mapuskar
 * Vintage Car show
 * Fine Arts
 * Food Festival: Royal cuisine
 * Drum Circle: 10,000 school children would create a symphony from the drum beats as to uphold the idea of ‘Swaach Bharat’ mission on 23-Jan-15.
 * Garvi Gujarat: Geodesic Craft dome shell structure, 2015 cm (66 running ft) Pithora Painting’s Live Demonstration, More than 40 National Award Winning Artisans, Live Demonstration of Handicraft & Handloom in Craft Village, Tribal Museum, Handicraft & Handloom Exhibition, Craft Theme Pavilion

Venues

 * Sir Sayajirao Nagar Gruh
 * Luxmi Vilas Palace
 * Gandhinagar Gruh
 * FGI Auditorium
 * Navlakhi ground
 * Polo ground
 * The M S University pavilion
 * Prof C C Mehta general auditorium
 * Mayfair Atrium
 * Fine Arts College, The M S University of Baroda
 * Kirti Mandir
 * Gulab Baug
 * Samta Ground, Subhanpura, Vadodara
 * Inox, Race course circle
 * SAMTA GROUND

Controversies
Three BJP MLAs had decided to stay away from VadFest quoting they have not received invitation of Garvi Gujarat festival. Later it was resolved.