The International Children's Festival Insider

2009 Festival Line-Up

2009-01-29T11:42:00.000-08:00

The Arts Council of Fairfax County presents the 2009 Festival on Saturday and Sunday, September 19th & 20th at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts. Our confirmed international performers are from Georgia, Serbia, and Spain.

Thank You For Coming Out!

2008-09-17T08:03:00.001-07:00

Despite record temperatures, this year's festival was our second most successful event to date in it's 37 years long history. Congratulations to all of our volunteers, friends, and sponsors. And a big Thank You to our festival visitors, who came out and witnessed some amazing performances and art.

The Arts Council will soon post photos and videos from the weekend on YouTube, Flickr and our web site. We also have an open group on Flickr. If you made photographs, load them up here at http://www.flickr.com/groups/icfphotos

One week before the Festival opens.

2008-09-05T13:40:00.000-07:00

The staff and volunteers are working hard to get you the best festival ever. Just got in the passports for the Meadow crafts. They are fabulous! We redesigned them for this year and we are confident, that you will like them.

We will see you all next week on Saturday, September 13 at 10:00 am.

studioONDAS

2008-08-29T07:20:00.001-07:00

We have booked studioONDAS for Sunday. They will perform at 11:00 am On the Plaza and at 12:15 pm in the Global Art & Rhythm tent.

www.ondascapoeira.com

Plein Air Painting in the Meadow

2008-08-20T14:17:00.000-07:00

Saturday from 10 a.m. to Noon

5 artists from the The Northern Virginia Artists League (NOVAL) will demonstrate plein air painting, capturing the performers, crowds, and scenery in the Meadow. Plein air painting is done
outside, rather than in a studio, and comes from a French term en plein air, meaning “in the open air.”

The artists are:
Lorrie Herman, Rob Burkhard, Louis Negri, Mary Moon, and Donna Clawson.

Face Painting Class

2008-08-20T14:05:00.000-07:00

Crystal Waters and Henrik Sundqvist gave a festival presentation and hands-on demonstration on face painting today at Management Concepts. Thanks to all the volunteers at Management Concepts, who came out and got their faces and hands painted. It was wonderful! We will see you at the Festival on September 13 & 14.

ScrapArtsMusic Master Class

2008-08-20T08:56:00.000-07:00

Headlining the International Children's Festival is ScrapArtsMusic, an exciting, inventive percussion ensemble from

Canada

. Learn to transform scrap into art into music! It's the ultimate fusion of recycling, street dance, jazz, and world music.

Friday, September 12, 2008 from 5 pm - 6 pm
on the Filene Center stage at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, 1551 Trap Road, Vienna, VA

Participants must be at least 8 years of age.
Registration Deadline: Monday, September 5 or when the class is filled.

Space is very limited and available on a first come, first served basis. Learn more about Master Classes on our
website or call (703) 937-6304.

To see ScrapArtsMusic in action, visit www.internationalchildrensfestival.org.

Experience the International Children's Festival on September 13 & 14 at the Filene Center at Wolf Trap.

Gala tasting

2008-08-18T07:05:00.000-07:00

Arts Council of Fairfax County Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Honorable John Mason and President & CEO of the Arts Council of Fairfax County, Ann Rodriguez, enjoy the tasting last Friday at the Hilton McLean for the festival gala dinner on Thursday, Sept 11.

7:00 p.m. reception
8:00 p.m. international dinner

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

Toddler Time

2008-08-18T06:54:00.000-07:00

The art department at the Arts Council created these beautiful trays for China in the Toddler Time tent.

Artists in and around the festival area.

2008-08-15T13:27:00.000-07:00

Festival Opening Parade lead by Tiny Tang’s Chinese Dragon, The New York Goofs, International kids and more starts at 9:45am at the Front Gates

On the Plaza:
The Circus Calliope with Professor David Tetrault, playing old-time circus music, both days, 10:00-11:45am & 3:15-4:00pm.
Kewl Trax Jump Rope Team shows off Saturday, Sept 13th at 11:00am.

Around the Park:
New York Goofs featuring Monday, Slappy, and Gordoon
Rich Potter & Friends
That YoYo Guy

Master Class with ScrapArtsMusic

2008-08-13T14:53:00.000-07:00

Friday, September 12 from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Wolf Trap's Filene Center Stage

Headlining the International Children's Festival is ScrapArtsMusic, an exciting, inventive percussion ensemble from Canada that transforms scrap into art into music. It's the ultimate fusion of recycling, street dance, jazz, and world music - and you can learn how! Watch ScrapArtsMusic in action.

Register as a Participant ($15), Observers Free
Participants must be at least 8 years old.
Registration Deadline: Monday, Sept 5 or when the class is filled (30 participants max).
Registration opens soon through Wolf Trap.

ScrapArtsMusic is supported by the Canada Council for the Arts and the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Canada. ScrapArtsMusic is presented in association with JOHN LAMBERT & ASSOC. (Montreal), international agent.

Festival Opening Parade

2008-08-13T14:47:00.000-07:00

Festival Opening Parade lead by Tiny Tang’s Chinese Dragon, The New York Goofs, International kids and more starts at 9:45am at the Front Gates

On the Plaza:

The Circus Calliope with Professor David Tetrault, playing old-time circus music, both days, 10:00-11:45am & 3:15-4:00pm.

Kewl Trax Jump Rope Team shows off Saturday, Sept 13th at 11:00am.

Capoeira Sul da Bahia performs Brazilian martial arts Sunday, Sept 14th at 11:00am

Around the Park:

New York Goofs featuring Monday, Slappy, and Gordoon

Rich Potter & Friends

That YoYo Guy

International Children’s Festival 2008: Performance Schedule

2008-08-13T12:47:00.000-07:00

Filene Center Stage

SATURDAY 9/13

11:50 am Christina Heimlich Dancers (Dance/USA)
12:00 pm ScrapArtsMusic (Drums/Canada)
12:45 pm New York Goofs (Comedy/USA)
1:00 pm Zaha Cultural Center Troupe (Music/Dance/Jordan)
1:20 pm KaKe Dance Ensemble (Dance/Drums/Ghana)
1:40 pm Kallet Ja Kaisat (Dance/Finland)
2:00 pm Henan Youth Arts Performing Troupe (Martial arts/Chinese Opera/China)
2:30 pm ScrapArtsMusic (Drums/Canada)

SUNDAY 9/14

11:50 am Christina Heimlich Dancers (Dance/USA)
12:00 pm ScrapArtsMusic (Drums/Canada)
12:45 pm New York Goofs (Comedy/USA)
1:00 pm Zaha Cultural Center Troupe (Music/Dance/Jordan)
1:20 pm KaKe Dance Ensemble (Dance/Drums/Ghana)
1:40 pm Kallet Ja Kaisat (Dance/Finland)
2:00 pm Henan Youth Arts Performing Troupe (Martial arts/Chinese Opera/China)
2:30 pm ScrapArtsMusic (Drums/Canada)

Meadow Pavilion

Join us for Karaoke/LMProject Dancers between Acts!

SATURDAY 9/13

10:15 am Fairfax Chinese Dance Troupe (Dance/China)
11:00 am New York Goofs (Comedy/USA)
11:30 am Mariachi Los Amigos (Music/Mexico)
12:00 pm LM Project (Dance/USA)
12:30 pm Rhythmaya School of Dance (Dance/India)
1:45 pm Gye Nyame African Cultural Dance Company (Dance/Africa)
2:30 pm Somapa Thai Dance Company (Dance/Thailand)
2:45 pm Karaoke for Kids
3:15 pm Somapa Thai Dance Company (Dance/Thailand)
3:30 pmKaraoke for Kids

SUNDAY 9/14

10:15 am Rocknocerus (Music/USA)
11:00 am New York Goofs (Comedy/USA)
11:30 am Studio Bleu Dance Company (Dance/USA)
12:15 pm East of the River Police Boys and Girls Steelband (Music/USA)
1:00 pm Rocknocerus (Music/USA)
1:45 pm Requiebros Spanish Dance Group (Dance/Spain)
2:45 pm Joan Izzo presents Superne Dance Theatre (Dance/USA)
3:30 pm Sior-Og (Music/Ireland)

Theatre In the Woods

There will be a 15 minute break between Acts. Theatre-in-the-Woods will close from 1:15pm-1:45pm.

SATURDAY 9/13

11:00 am Alliance Theatre: Beauty and the Beast (Theatre/USA)
11:45 am Nrityaki Group (Dance/India)
12:30 pm Calliope Puppets: The Sorcerer's Apprentice (Puppets/USA)
1:45 pm Calliope Puppets: The Sorcerer's Apprentice (Puppets/USA)
2:45 pm Ghanaian Catholic Community Cultural Youth Group (Drums/Dance/Ghana)
3:15 pm Rhythm Street Dance Center (Dance/USA)

SUNDAY 9/14

11:00 am Traveling Players: Blue Monster (Theatre/Italy)
11:45 am Jhanak Dance Academy (Dance/India)
12:30 pm Calliope Puppets: The Sorcerer's Apprentice (Puppets/USA)
1:45 pm Calliope Puppets: The Sorcerer's Apprentice (Puppets/USA)
2:45 pm Rhythm & Cues Tribal Belly Dance (Dance/Middle East/North Africa)
3:15 pm Creative Dance Center (Dance/USA)

Ovations Deck

There will be a 15 minute break between Acts.

SATURDAY 9/13

10:15 am Luis Garay Percussion World (Drums/S. America/Caribbean/Africa)
11:15 am Luis Garay Percussion World (Drums/S. America/Caribbean/Africa)
1:00 pm Mariachi Los Amigos (Music/Mexico)
2:00 pm Keltish (Music/Ireland)
3:15 pm Keltish (Music/Ireland)

SUNDAY 9/14

10:15 am East of the River Police Boys and Girls Steelband (Music/USA)
11:15 am Jam Session with the musicians from Kallet Ja Kaisat (Finland) and Zaha Cultural Center Troupe (Jordan)
1:00 pm Washington Balalaika Society (Music/Russia)
2:00 pm Sior-Og (Music/Ireland)
3:15 pm Requiebros Spanish Dance Group (Dance/Spain)

Global Art and Rhythm Tent Activity Schedule Announced!

2008-08-13T08:31:00.000-07:00

We are pleased to announce a new tent this year, called the Global Art & Rhythm tent. In the mornings we will bring you special performing and fine arts presentations and in the afternoon, festival visitors will be able to meet and greet with the 4 international performing groups from China, Ghana, Finland, and Jordan.

SATURDAY
10:00 am – 11:00 am
Create Your Own Comic with graphic artist Matt Dembicki
Matt will host a hands-on workshop on both Saturday and Sunday on creating comic books, from creating characters to developing stories and tips on drawing. Upon the conclusion of the workshop, children share their work with others. Each workshop runs about 45 minutes. The participation is limited to 25 children per session. Come early!

12:00 am – 1:00pm
Glass Harp and Petting Zoo with performing artist Jamey Turner
Jamey will perform on his famous glass harp and create an interactive petting zoo, where visitors are invited to participate, using bamboo sticks. Don't miss out on this amazing presentation.

You can find out more about Jamey here at http://www.jameyturner.com

1:30 pm – 3:30 pm Meet & Greet with the 4 international performing groups and their representatives from the embassies

SUNDAY
10:00 am – 11:00 am
Create Your Own Comic with graphic artist Matt Dembicki
Matt will host a hands-on workshop on both Saturday and Sunday on creating comic books, from creating characters to developing stories and tips on drawing. Upon the conclusion of the workshop, children share their work with others. Each workshop runs about 45 minutes. The participation is limited to 25 children per session. Come early!

1:30 pm – 3:30 pm Meet & Greet with the 4 international performing groups and their representatives from the Embassies.

Alison Christ

2008-08-12T10:59:00.000-07:00

Alison Christ, Mosaic Artist and Founder and Director of Metamorphosis Art Show, whose mission is to offer artists affordable opportunities to gain exposure in the Northern Virginia/Washington, DC, area. Alison’s involvement in the arts community is as both a professional artist and an arts activist working to promote arts accessibility as a two-way phenomenon: artists must find their audience and the audience must find art.

In addition to organizing and curating shows of emerging and established artists throughout the Washington metropolitan area, Alison has herself exhibited in shows in North Carolina, Virginia and DC. She twice facilitated large public art murals by elementary school children and regularly teaches mosaic workshops and does consulting work with non-profits. Alison completed her master degree in Arts Management from George Mason University in August 2006.

www.alisonmchrist.com
www.metartshow.com
alisonmchrist@yahoo.com

New Toddler Time Activity Announced!

2008-08-07T07:10:00.000-07:00

The "Toddler Time" tent, led by Julie Liddle, will feature activities that represent our four guest countries China, Finland, Ghana, and Jordan. These sensory based activities stimulate the mind and the imagination! Arts Council staff will be producing paper lotus flowers and Chinese fans to represent China. Other activities include: sail boats for Finland, Cloth stamping for Ghana, and Sand for Jordan.

Jordan Mosaic

2008-08-05T14:22:00.000-07:00

Arts Council staff, Jill Krynicki and Emma Sullivan, prepare crafts to be used in the Jordan tent. Children will complete a tile mosaic representing the festival while learning about one of Jordan's oldest and most treasured artforms.

TV show times released!

2008-08-05T10:46:00.000-07:00

The special International Children's Festival program will be running on Cox Communications Channel 10 (in Fairfax County) and Verizon FIOS TV Channel 10 (in Fairfax, Loudoun, Stafford, and Prince William counties) the following dates and times:

AUGUST

Sat. 9 2:00 pm and 9:30 pm
Sun 10 8:00 pm and 9:30 pm
Mon 11 3:00 pm
Wed 13 4:00 am
Thur 14 6:00 pm
Sun 17 6:00 pm
Mon 18 3:00 pm
Fri 22 4:30 pm
Tue 26 4:00 pm
Fri 29 5:30 pm
Sun 31 4:30 pm

In addition, the program will also air on Verizon's Channel 1 around the entire Metro area.

The Arts Council of Fairfax County would like to thank Jerry Ferguson, Director of Development for Fairfax Public Access, and Christopher E. Robin for their contributions to the project

Black Tie Gala

2008-08-04T14:01:00.000-07:00

His Excellency Mr. Zhou Wenzhong, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China, is confirmed to appear at the Black Tie Galaon Thursday, September 11 at the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner.

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

7:00 p.m. reception
8:00 p.m. international dinner

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

2008-07-31T14:15:00.000-07:00

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/

###

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

2008-07-31T12:48:00.000-07:00

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.

2008-07-30T08:09:00.000-07:00

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!

2008-07-28T11:34:00.000-07:00

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!

2008-07-23T10:42:00.000-07:00

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!

2008-07-21T11:22:00.000-07:00

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