FIRST INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL Held 5/3-8 At PlayhouseSquare

"Celebrating the world we share" is the theme for the first International Children's Festival to be held at PlayhouseSquare May 3-8, 2010. Presented by the Community Engagement & Education Department, the International Children's Festival will be a fun and interactive experience featuring performances, workshops, exhibits and a Global Village.

"Part of our not-for-profit mission at PlayhouseSquare is to make sure that our community has every opportunity to engage with live theater," explained Colleen Porter, director of community engagement and education at PlayhouseSquare. "The International Children's Festival is a new way to introduce children to the arts and help them to explore our world."

"2 for $20" (two shows for $20) ticket packages for the International Children's Festival go on sale on Saturday, January 16 at 11 a.m. at The PlayhouseSquare Ticket Office (1510 Euclid Ave.), online at playhousesquare.org/childrensfestival or by phone at (216) 241-6000.

The 2010 International Children's Festival Public Performances:

Corbian - A Glow in the Dark Adventure
Corbian Visual Arts and Dance (USA)
May 4-5, 2010

Corbian Visual Arts and Dance introduces us to Darwin, a dinosaur brought to life by the great Professor Henslow, who encourages Darwin to go and explore. In his explorations, Darwin encounters many different types of living creatures, learning the value of both good and bad, love and hate, friends and enemies. What Darwin takes from these life lessons is up to him, and only he can decide his fate. This beautiful performance features glow-in-the-dark creatures that light up the stage in a truly unique and innovative theater experience.

Farfalle (Butterflies)
Teatro Di Piazza D'Occassione (Italy)
May 4-5 & 7-8, 2010

Through sounds, movement and imagery, Farfalle traces the life cycle of the butterfly, transforming this biological story of metamorphosis into stunning art. During the performance, children are invited to enter the scene and move among the images which react to their gestures and movement.

The Man Who Planted Trees
Puppet State Theatre Company (Scotland)
May 7-8, 2010

Through a memorable blend of comedy and inspired storytelling, Puppet State Theatre Company tells the story of a French shepherd and his lively dog as they set out to plant a forest and transform a barren wasteland, restoring a ruined ecosystem. Audience members will hear the wind, feel the rain and smell the lavender in this captivating, multi-sensory puppetry adaptation of Jean Giono's beloved fable and book.

The Dream Jam Band (USA)
May 7-8, 2010

As featured on PBS Sprout, The Dream Jam Band delivers a vibrant and diverse musical performance of original songs for the whole family. Their influences range from The Beatles to Mozart and from Duke Ellington to Woody Guthrie. The Dream Jam Band won four 2008 Children's Music Web awards and their debut album was named to the National Public Radio Top 10 list of the Year's Best Family and Children's Albums.

Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience (USA)
May 8, 2010

Grammy award-winning Terrance Simien and his eclectic Zydeco Experience band mates have toured the globe with their unique mix of the varied rich indigenous music forms of Louisiana: zydeco-funk meets Afro-Caribbean reggae-world music. Rolling Stone calls Simien "a zydeco master," and there is no better way to introduce children to a fun, new music experience. Terrance Simien can be heard playing the accordion and zydeco rubboard in the new Disney movie The Princess and the Frog.

Additional Activities

In addition to these Festival shows, families can enjoy free activities and performances outside on Star Plaza (located at the corner of E. 14th St. and Euclid Ave.) throughout the day on Saturday, May 8. Activities will include tree planting, face painting, balloon making and crafts. The outdoor performances scheduled for May 8th include:
African Soul International, performing traditional African dances and drumming
Burke School of Irish Dance, demonstrating the intricate form of Irish dance in which the dancer's arms and hands are not used
The Sho-jo-ji Japanese Dancers, performing classical and folk dances of Japan dressed in traditional kimono
Shri Kalaa Mandhir, performing Indian classical dances
The Singing Angels, performing songs from around the world a capella
TAIKOPROJECT, an ensemble of America's premiere, emerging taiko drummers dedicated to preserving and revitalizing this Japanese art form

The Global Village in the Allen Theatre Lobby will feature a special installation created just for the Festival by local experience artist Melissa Daubert. Her work has been featured at Ingenuity Festival, Great Lakes Science Center, The Gathering Place, Ireland Cancer Center and the Strong National Museum of Play in New York. Daubert's installation for the Festival will reflect the theme of "celebrating the world we share." Guests will be encouraged to walk through and touch an interactive representation of the world's children.

School Field Trips
Reservations are now being taken for school field trips to the International Children's Festival. Educators can visit playhousesquare.org/education or call 216-348-7909 to find out more.

The International Children's Festival is made possible in part by support from the Ohio Arts Council and is generously supported by the public through a grant from Cuyahoga Arts and Culture. Additional funding for special literacy activities and the festival in general is provided by The Children's Theatre Endowment established by the Junior League of Cleveland and the Laub Foundation.

PlayhouseSquare understands its vital role as an educator in our community, and is committed to providing arts learning opportunities of the highest quality to enrich the lives of students, families, teachers and adults. PlayhouseSquare's Community Engagement & Education Department is unique in the performing arts industry for the variety of programs it offers, the partnerships it initiates and the access it provides students, educators and aspiring artists to performing arts professionals. Since its inception in 1998, the Community Engagement & Education Department has offered thousands of events, workshops, classes and more, most with minimal or no fees, to people of all ages from all areas of Northeast Ohio. The generous support of individual and corporate donors and foundations makes it all possible.

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