Belly Up The International Festival’s oblique food pairings

The International Festival returns to Madison on Saturday, March 6 at Overture Center, and with it the opportunity to combine cuisines from around the world in crazy-quilt mash-ups of music, dance, theater, and food. Foods don’t always map strictly to events, but oblique pairings can take on a certain enjoyable fuzzy logic. Flamenco and Spanish dance can tango with Caribbean tacos or roasted pork from Cafe Costa Rica (141 South Butler St., 608-256-9830), and Mexican roots music from Cris and Ann Plata might co-mingle with a plate of jerk chicken or curried pork from Jamerica (1236 Williamson St., 608-251-6234). Italian meatballs from the Italian Workman’s Club (914 Regent St., 608-258-1880) and pasta salad from the Italian-American Women’s Club are Mediterranean-minded enough to suit Greek dances from Mesoghios Dance Troupe. And General Tso chicken from Ruby’s Oriental Restaurant (111 River Place, 608-661-3920) is a perfect fit for dances from the Madison Chinese Cultural Association. The International Café is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the lobby of the Overture Center.

Fatsometer: 6. These dishes are not likely to add quivering cellulite to thighs, just so long as visitors keep it international and stay away from token American stuff like cinnamon rolls and sloppy joes.