International Children’s Festival 2008: A Festival of Arts and Fun for Families

July 1, 2008, Fairfax, VA—The Arts Council of Fairfax County will host children from China, Finland, Ghana, and Jordan as featured performers at the 38th annual International Children’s Festival. The event will be held at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts on Saturday, September 13 and Sunday, September 14, 2008, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Arts Council of Fairfax County’s International Children’s Festival is the region’s premier youth-oriented festival dedicated to performing, visual, and interactive arts, and provides a rare opportunity for local children to explore the diverse backgrounds of international performers and their own neighbors and classmates.

The 2008 Festival will showcase young musicians, dancers, and martial artists from China, Finland, Ghana and Jordan and will feature the Canadian percussionists ScrapArtsMusic, whose performances have exciting rhythms, raw energy and athletic choreography. Four stages around the park offer nonstop entertainment by more than 20 groups from the Washington, DC region.

Tickets are available online at www.internationalchildrensfestival.org or at the gate: $12 for adults, $10 for children and seniors. Weekend passes are also available: $18 for adults, $15 for children and seniors. Admission is free for children 2 years and under. The event is held rain or shine.

For a complete schedule of performances, activities, ticket information, and directions, visit http://www.internationalchildrensfestival.org/

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About the International Children’s Festival

The International Children’s Festival is produced by the Arts Council of Fairfax County, a private, non-profit corporation, in cooperation with the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts and the National Park Service. All proceeds from the Festival benefit the Arts Council’s educational programs.

Arts & Technology Pavilion

The Arts & Technology Pavilion adjacent to the Filene Center focuses on cutting edge technology and its application to the arts. The Arts &Technology Pavilion brings together the exciting world of computer and imaging technology with the more traditional world of the arts, actually showing how technology enhances the arts. Designed specifically for children ages 5 to 12, the workshops feature hands-on technology stations, showcasing computer animation, Claymation, green screen technology, robotics, and more.


BE A NETSMARTZ KID!
NetSmartz presents an animated interactive experience with Clicky, the NetSmartz Spokesrobot, teaching kids about Internet and real word safety.
Presented by The NetSmartz Workshop and Cox Communications

DOUBLING THE FUN
Star in your own movies, co-starring… YOU!
Presented by Fairfax Academy

DRAWING WITH LIGHT
Draw with light and capture it on camera.
Presented by Fairfax Academy & TJHSST

GOLLYGEE 3D MODELING
Design your own virtual 3D world!
Presented by GollyGee Software, Inc.

FROM CLAY TO CLAYMATION
Create a clay character to star in your homemade movie.
Presented by Northrop Grumman & TJHSST

GREEN SCREEN ANTICS
Perform mysterious and invisible antics as viewed on TV.
Presented by Potomac School

INVENTOR
Create your own design and see a machine carve it on the spot.
Presented by Chantilly Academy

MARS EXPLORER
Remote control a robotic explorer through an obstacle course.
Presented by Chantilly Academy

PLAYING WITH SOUND
Hear your own voice digitally changed to sound like a chipmunk!
Presented by Fairfax Academy

ROLLER COASTER
Design and then test ride your own roller coaster.
Presented by Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST)

STAR IN A MUSIC VIDEO!
Make your big break in your own music video!
Presented by Cox Communications

Paper is ready for our silkscreen craft.

Today we had 2000 sheets of archival paper cut to 11 x 15 inches. The Arts Council staff is ready to produce this year's Print Your Festival Poster craft. The screens were exposed last Friday and look beautiful. We have two designs. Each poster depicts 2 of our featured countries. We will print in 2 colors - background color and the key print (second color).

47 Days left until the Festival!

As the deadline to the Festival approaches, the Arts Council would like to thank all of their diligent and passionate volunteers, without whom, none of this would be possible. Looking back as we finish our preparations, it's clear that this year's gala will be bigger and better than last year's. Many thanks to all!

Booz Allen Uber Volunteer lends a hand!

The Arts Council of Fairfax County would like to thank Booz Allen "Uber Volunteer", Jeff Cadman, who stopped by to lend a helping hand last week. This enthusiastic fellow prepared stamping stations for the Ghana tent, and over 2500 scrolls for Chinese Calligraphy. Many thanks to Jeff!

Take a Master Class with ScrapArtsMusic!

Canadian Percussion Group, ScrapArtsMusic, will offer a Master Class on Friday, September 12th. For more information, visit www.wolf-trap.org!

Come see the Internationational Children's Festival Parade!

The International Children's Festival will showcase a festival Parade featuring: A traditional Chinese Dragon, the New York Goofs Clowns, and all of the international performers.

The Parade will begin at 9:45 A.M. in the Parking lot of Wolf Trap Center for Performing Arts and end at10:30 A.M. near the Arts and Technology Pavillion.

Display for Jordan

Display for Ghana

Display for Finland

Display for China

Adam Ross was our designer for the displays. You can see his work here at www.rossgd.com

Super Volunteer!

The International Children's Festival would not be possible without our tireless volunteers. Over 3,500 volunteer hours from 700 volunteers from corporations and service organizations band together to make this happen.

This week, the Arts Council of Fairfax County would like to shine the spotlight on one very special person, Suzanne Keating. Suzanne has been our "Uber" Volunteer Coordinator for the past 12+ years. Check back as we say thank you to other volunteers who are dedicated to making a difference in Fairfax County arts .

Would you like to be one of them? We still are looking for Festival volunteers for Saturday, September 13, and Sunday, September 14, 2008. Volunteers will work with young children and their families throughout the park at the arts activities tents, information booths, and more. Volunteers receive free passes to the Festival, a t-shirt, and the opportunity to see world class talent!

Requirements: must volunteer in groups of four or more, children must be 16 or older, and volunteers must be available to work a shift of 9:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. or 1:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m.

If you would like to volunteer, send an e-mail to volunteericf08@artsfairfax.org. E-mails should include your name, a daytime phone number, and shirt preference.

Ghana Crafts are completed!

Arts Council Interns can finally breathe a sigh of relief as they finish the craft preparation for the Ghana tent. Over 2500 strips of cloth were cut, prepared, and packaged and are now awaiting the creative minds and talents of local youngsters!

With less then two months to go before the festival opens, the Arts Council is rushing to produce high quality craft projects. Keep checking back for more updates!

Mistress of Ceremonies

Alison Starling, Anchor, ABC 7 News has been named the Official International Children's Festival Gala "Mistress of Ceremonies."

Individual tickets cost $200. For more information, or to purchase individual tickets, contact Ann Rodriguez at (703) 642-0862, extension 2.

The Festival Gala

Jonas Hafström, Ambassador of Sweden, attending the 2007 Festival Gala.


The 2008 Festival Gala will be on Thursday, September 11 at the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner.
7:00 p.m. reception
8:00 p.m. international dinner


Hilton McLean Tysons Corner
7920 Jones Branch Drive
McLean, VA 22102


Over 600 corporate executives, elected officials, embassy representatives and friends of the arts share a wonderful international menu and enjoy performances by the visiting young artists on a center stage in the ballroom. It's the "must attend" black tie event of the fall season!


With Distinguished Honorary Co-Chairs

His Excellency Mr. Zhou Wenzhong, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China

His Excellency Mr. Pekka Lintu, Ambassador of Finland

His Excellency Dr. Kwame Bawuah-Edusei, Ambassador of Ghana

His Royal Highness Ambassador Zeid Ra’ad Al-Hussein of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan


Individual tickets cost $200. For more information, or to purchase individual tickets, contact Ann Rodriguez at (703) 642-0862, extension 2.

Festival Performers: Henan Youth Arts Performing Troupe

Back by popular demand this year are our Asian friends Henan Youth Arts Performing Troupe from the city of Zhengzhou in Henan Province, China. This extraordinary group of children will be presenting two styles of performances that have a strong tradition in China – Gong-Fu martial arts displays the intense bravery, style and spirit of Chinese boys, and Chinese Opera, with actors in colorful madeup faces and theatrical costumes, expresses traditional stories.

Festival Performers: Kallet Ja Kaisat

Coming to the Festival from the city of Hollola in the northern European country of Finland is Kallet Ja Kaisat. This folk dance group has been named and appointed Young Cultural Ambassadors by the Finnish Education Ministry. The children will be performing the traditional dances of Finland’s historically rich culture in elaborate and colorful costumes, backed by live Finnish musicians.

Festival Performers: Jaynii Cultural Troupe

Joining the Festival for the first time will be a group of children from Ghana – the Jaynii Cultural Troupe from the capital city of Accra. These children are part of a cultural troupe that over the past ten years has exposed the rich culture of music, drumming and dancing of Ghana to other countries including the UK. The group is looking forward to visiting the United States for the first time.

2008 Festival Sponsors

As of July 8, the Arts Council of Fairfax County is pleased to announce the 2008 International Children's Festival sponsors!

Signature Sponsor
Verizon

Official Media Sponsor
Family Magazine

Benefactor
Cox Communications
ExxonMobil
General Dynamics Information Technology
National Park Service
Northrop Grumman
Prospective Inc.
Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts

Patron
Disconnect Reconnect LLC
Interstate Worldwide Relocation
McCandlish & Lillard, PC
Southern Management Corporation

Sponsor
The Honorable John Mason
National Capital Optimist Club
Peterson Family Foundation
Virginia Commerce Bank
WEST*GROUP

Media Partner
Asian Fortune
FamiliesOnly.com

Festival Performers: Zaha Cultural Center Troupe

The Festival is proud to welcome to the United States a youth performing group from the Mid-East country of Jordan. From the capital city of Amman comes the Zaha Cultural Center Troupe which was formed in order to preserve the Jordanian popular musical heritage. The group consists of young dancers, singers, and musicians who have performed for the King and Queen of Jordan.

Creative Kids Workshops: Finland

The Creative Kids Workshops in the meadow will feature 9 hands-on educational art activities and fun for kids of all ages. At the Creative Kids area, you will turn from a spectator to a participant. Children will have a passport to activities featuring the cultures of China, Finland, Ghana, and Jordan. In addition, children can get their faces painted, you can silkscreen your own festival poster, enjoy the brand new toddler tent, and learn about music making and instruments at our Instrument Petting Zoo. Also new this year is the Global Art & Rhythm tent, where visitors will experience performances and workshops in the mornings, and meet & greet with the international children performers in the afternoon.

Children will learn about Finnish culture and history via a game and coloring of cell phone shaped xeroxes. You will equip your cell phone with screen savers, featuring Finnish landmarks and accomplishments, write a text message from the festival and add your personal bling to your gadget.

Interns hard at Work!

Interns Emma Sullivan and Crystal Waters take time away from the office to build instruments for the Toddler Time tents. The Toddler Time section will include handmade musical instruments that children can play with, as well as, interactive activities that represent each of the four guest countries!

International Children's Festival 2009 Dates Released!

As we prepare for the 2008 International Children's Festival, we are pleased to announce that the 2009 Festival dates have been confirmed.

International Children's Festival weekend will be Saturday & Sunday, September 19 & 20, 2009.

Mark your Calendars!

Creative Kids Workshops: China

Festival visitors will learn about the history of Chinese calligraphy - one of the highest forms of Chinese art - and the hand painted scroll, which is one example of how art was used to communicate in ancient China. The tent activity consists of two parts. You will first paint Chinese symbols and characters derived from Chinese poems and Chinese Zodiac animals. You will finish the craft by assembling a simple scroll.

The history of Chinese Calligraphy (Chinese: 中国书法) is as long as that of China itself. Calligraphy is one of the highest forms of Chinese art. The word "calligraphy" is derived from a Greek word meaning beautiful writing. Unlike Western cultures, Chinese calligraphy is valued as "high art" in Asian cultures.

Just as there are masters of painting or martial arts, there were calligraphy masters whose works were highly esteemed by the emperors in different Chinese dynasties. Throughout the history of China, calligraphy has been practiced by national leaders, scholars, and people in all walks of life. Chinese calligraphy is not only a beautiful art, its practice is also an effective way to enjoy healthy life and longevity. Many research reports in Asia have rated practicing Chinese calligraphy as the number one activity for longevity among other twenty activities or so.

The Hand Painted Scroll (Chinese: 手画纸卷) is one example of how art was used to communicate in ancient China. Silk was usually used to make scrolls until the invention of paper, traditionally thought to have been invented in China in the first century A.D. Silk is not very absorbent, which led to the practice of slow and deliberate application of paint and ink. Early paper was made from a variety of substances such as rice straw, bark, reeds, bamboo, etc. These early papers were more absorbent and led to more spontaneously created paintings. Most modern wall scrolls are painted on Xuan paper, also known as rice paper. A wooden dowel is attached to the bottom of the scroll to prevent it from rolling up, and a thin piece of wood with a cord is placed at the top to hang the scroll from.

Volunteers Needed!

It’s that time again! The Arts Council of Fairfax County is currently in the preproduction stages of the 38th annual International Children’s Festival, and we need your help! Volunteers are needed for the preparation of the following crafts: Chinese scrolls, and Adinkra stamping from Ghana. This is a great way to meet new people while promoting arts education in your community. For more information, please contact Crystal Waters, Special Projects Programmer at cwaters@artsfairfax.org. Or call us at (703)642-0862 x 12.