PlayhouseSquare Hosts International Children's Festival, 5/2-7

"Celebrating the world we share" is the theme for the second annual International Children's Festival presented by Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital to be held at PlayhouseSquare May 2-7, 2011. The International Children's Festival is a fun and interactive experience featuring performances, workshops, exhibits and an Art Walk. Many of the Festival activities are free of charge. More than 12,000 students and families participated in the first International Children's Festival held in May 2010.

"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. After a very successful first year, we have added even more performances and activities for families to enjoy."

Tickets for International Children's Festival performances are on sale now at The PlayhouseSquare Ticket Office (1510 Euclid Ave.), online at playhousesquare.org/childrensfestival or by phone at (216) 241-6000. Tickets are $14 each and "2 for $20" (two shows for $20) packages are available.

The 2011 International Children's Festival Public Performances:
46 Circus Acts in 45 Minutes
Circa (Australia)
May 6-7, 2011 - Performances on May 7 are sold out

Wherever Circa has taken this breathtaking, heart-stopping show directed by Yaron Lifschitz, audiences have flocked to see the impossible happen. Watch as intrepid acrobats battle the clock. Marvel at the astounding ways they bend, fly, juggle and balance. Set to upbeat music and featuring up to five multi-skilled performers, this is circus without the boring bits. Funding for this presentation of 46 Circus Acts in 45 Minutes is provided by Kathy and Jim Pender and the Michael Pender Fund.

Boats
Terrapin Puppet Theatre (Australia)
May 6-7, 2011

Written by Finegan Kruckmeyer and directed by Frank Newman, Boats is a moving story about a man called Jof, told by his life-long friend Nic. The two are sailors who met through bizarre circumstances involving a chicken, a deserted island and a sombrero. They flee their past and embrace adventure. Jof and Nic create magic and transform the world in front of you using everyday objects that would be found on a boat's galley. Each scene is a unique and highly inventive use of space and puppetry. Ultimately, the tale of their adventures will leave you with a lump in your throat and a smile on your face. Boats incorporates physical theater, object manipulation, story-telling and the wonderful puppetry that has made Terrapin Puppet Theatre famous. Terrapin Puppet Theatre Ltd. is assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body, and through Arts Tasmania by the Minister for the Arts.

Celebrating the Music of Tito Puente
Sammy DeLeon y su Orquesta (USA)
May 2, 2011

The spectacular Sammy DeLeon y su Orquesta will celebrate the music of Tito Puente, The King of Latin Music. A live 15-piece Latin jazz ensemble, joined by professional dancers, will demonstrate and explore the rhythms and movements of this important music genre. Listen, watch and move as you and your children discover Salsa, Samba, Mambo, Bossa Nova and many other rhythms and styles. Co-presented by Tri-C JazzFest Cleveland.

Perô (or Mysteries of the Night)
Speeltheater Holland (The Netherlands)
May 6-7, 2011

In this beautifully touching love story, Perô the baker loves his friend, the laundress Colombina. She washes by the sun; he bakes by the moon. Because of their different lives, Colombina is convinced there can be no romance between them. One day, the painter Paletino appears, sweeping Colombina off her feet, and they go on a holiday. Perô's heart breaks and he stops baking. Colombina returns from holiday and, finding Paletino incompatible, hopes to win back her true love, Perô. This production is supported in part, by public funds from the Netherlands Cultural Services.

Room on the Broom
Tall Stories (United Kingdom)
May 6-7, 2011

Adapted from the bestselling book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, the Witch and her Cat are flying happily on a broomstick - until a stormy wind blows away the Witch's hat, bow and wand. A helpful dog, bird and frog find the Witch's lost things, and they all hop on the broom for a ride. But - CRACK! SNAP! - this broomstick's not meant for five. When a hungry dragon appears, who will save the poor witch? Will there ever be room on the broom for everyone?

Shopping for Shoes
Visible Fictions (Scotland)
May 4-7, 2011

This funny, award-winning script tells a touching tale of new-found love, dog poo and of course...shoes. Siobhan McClusky is 13 years old and passionately politically aware. She spends her nights online, chatting to Native American teenagers in Idaho, signing petitions against corporate conglomerates and protesting against climate change - and dreaming about her crush, Shaun Holmes. Shaun is also 13 but is passionate about only one thing - his vast collection of shoes. Siohban is determined to prove to Shaun that there is more to life than shoes.

Additional Activities
14th Street World Stage - Free
Families can enjoy free performances on the outdoor 14th Street World Stage throughout the day on Saturday, May 7. A heated tent will be available in the event of inclement weather. The 14th Street World Stage schedule is as follows:
11 a.m. - Mame Daiko Taiko Drumming Ensemble
12:10 p.m. - Joey Tomsick Orchestra
1:20 p.m. - Dhamakapella
2:30 p.m. - Italian Sound Orchestra
3:40 p.m. - Mo'Mojo
4:50 p.m. - Gruepo Fuego

Art Walk - Free
Art projects created by local schoolchildren using recycled materials will be on display throughout The PlayhouseSquare District during the Festival week. Families will be welcome to explore the exhibits free of charge.

Children's Workshops - Free
On Saturday, May 7, children are invited to participate in a variety of fun and free take-home craft activities in the Idea Center at PlayhouseSquare. Children will be able to make and decorate boats, decorate felt "desserts," create paper bag pets and make their own set of juggling balls.

Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital Wellness Walk
Throughout The PlayhouseSquare District, Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital will have "Wellness Walk" stations. At each, children may take part in a fitness activity. Once they have completed the Wellness Walk, children and their families can visit the Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital booth on E. 14th Street to be entered to win a Wii and Wii Fit package.

"OM" Comes Home - Free
The beloved installation created by local experience artist Melissa Daubert for the inaugural Festival, OM, will return to the Allen Theatre Lobby for this year's Festival. Combining art and audio technology, OM is an interactive art experience inspired by global awareness, learning and healing. Funding for OM is provided by Kathy and Jim Pender and the Michael Pender Fund.

Outdoor Family Activities - Free
In addition to the performances on the 14th Street World Stage, families will find face painting, balloon animals and the opportunity to decorate an eco-friendly shopping bag to take home outside in The PlayhouseSquare District on Saturday, May 7.

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

The International Children's Festival is made possible in part by support from Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital, Kathy & Jim Pender and the Michael Pender Fund, BJ's Wholesale Club, The Cliffs Foundation, Lake Ridge Academy, the Ohio Arts Council, the Billie Howland Steffee Fund 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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