|
2006 Flint Hills  Children of Uganda  Leo Lionni: Swimmy, Frederick & Inch by Inch  Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!  Aschenputtel (Cinderella)  Fawzy Al-Aiedy  Italian Street Painting  Twin Cities Artists |
Target Alley ArtistsCAAM Chinese Dance Theater has served families and delighted audiences with some of the best locally-produced Chinese dance in the country since 1992. They are a community-based organization under the artistic direction of a world-renowned choreographer and teacher. A division of Chinese American Association of Minnesota (CAAM), the oldest, largest Chinese American community organization in Minnesota, they perform to 17,000 live audience members annually. In running a dance school, presenting annual concerts, and performing outreach programs, they have Circus Juventas, a performing arts circus school for youth, is dedicated to inspiring artistry and self-confidence through a multi-cultural circus arts experience. Dan Butler is Circus Juventas' founder and executive director. Dan walked into the big top of Sailor Circus in Sarasota, Florida as a 15-year-old in 1974 and trained with world-renowned flyer Faye Alexander, Willie Edelston of the Ringling Brothers Circus and Gustino Loyal of the famous Loyal-Ripenski Troupe. Elizabeth "Betty" Butler, founder and Artistic Director, began her training in 1972, also with Sailor Circus, working with the famous Flying Wallenda Family on the high wire. Later she performed with Florida State University's Flying High Circus. www.circusjuventas.org Collective is a group of diverse dancers with a common love of hip-hop culture.&n bsp; With the understanding of fundemental hip-hop dance styles such as poppin', lockin', uprockin', and breakin', Collective strives to represent old school style with a new school twist. The members of Collective are active in teaching in the community and supporting Twin Cities' local hip-hop culture. The company has been pleased to have performed in such critically acclaimed shows as "Dance in the Dark" at the Southern Theater, as well as regularly being the entertainment at "The Park" in Mall of America. Los Alegres Bailadores is one of the oldest Mexican folk dance troupes in the State of Minnesota with a current enrollment of over 85 students ranging in ages 3 through adult. Under the direction of Rebecca Moran Cusick, these talented dancers deliver a colorful spectacle of Mexican music and dance to stages throughout the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota.
Raices is a traditional Puerto Rican Performing Arts school that has held classes in traditional dancing, singing, drumming, and art in downtown Saint Paul for 14 years. Reading Divas consist of members from the Metropolitan Library System showing off their skills outside the library. This drill team performs their book cart routine while wearing formal vintage wear, tiaras, and tuxedos! www.melsa.org The 34th Infantry Division National Guard Band, under the command of Chief Warrant Officer Two Trygve Skaar and First Sergeant Mary Emman is located at the division headquarters in Rosemount, Minnesota. The 34th ID Band performs for many military, state, and public functions throughout Minnesota and the country. The band consists of the Concert and Marching Bands, as well as several ensembles such as two Rock Combos, the Brass Quintet, the Woodwind Quintet, the Saxophone Quartet, and the Dixieland Band. www.dma.state.mn.us/redbull/DIVSEP/Band/history.html
World Stage Artists
Mariachi Estrella is a local group from the Twin Cities and consists of 6 musicians on guitars, trumpet, and vocals. You cannot help but dance and smile as this traditional Mexican sound rings from the World Stage. New Riverside Ramblers bring their authentic sounds of Cajun Louisiana to the 2006 Flint Hills International Children's Festival. The award-winning New Riverside Ramblers hail from Minneapolis/St. Paul, but play that Cajun music as if they grew up on the Louisiana prairie. Their compelling music stirs Louisiana's many traditions and cultures into a spicy French gumbo and out comes spirited two-steps, soulful waltzes and blues. Kids of all ages will want to grab their dancing shoes. www.newriversideramblers.com 5 Mile Chase & Rince Na Chroi (pronounced rink-a nah cree ) is Gaelic for "dance of the heart." Katie Stephens founded the Saint Paul-based Irish dance school in February of 2003 after 15 years of Irish dancing and teaching experience in Milwaukee, Chicago, and Saint Paul. In the past few years, the group has performed all over the Twin Cities, including appearances in places like the Landmark Center, Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, and the Guthrie Theater. Recent appearances have included KARE 11 news, the Fine Line Music Café with Gaelic Storm, and the Flint Hills International Children's Festival at Ordway Center. They will be performing to the music of 5 mile Chase. www.rincenachroi.com
Landmark Plaza Artists
Mikael Rudolph presents a clean, high-paced and hilarious physical comedy mime performance with stunningly magical prop illusions and European street-style entertainment. Beautiful classical mime technique, charming body-puppet mask characters and plenty of audience participation!!! Mikael has participated in the Flint Hills International Children's Festival since 2004. www.mikaelthemime.com
Walk-Around ArtistsBarbara Knowles, face-painter, is a native of Saint Paul. She is a Fine Arts/Special Education teacher at Harding HS and the University of MN, and also teaches a variety of art-related classes in Community Education. Barbara has many hobbies including gardening, genealogy, piano, camping, drawing, watercolor, pen & ink, and many assorted art media projects. She has been a face painter for the last 10 years.
Chitchat Productions is a company that incorporates African American and African Caribbean dance, songs, and percussion instruments with games, face painting, and balloon twisting entertainment. Through these actions, Chitchat clowns weave a warm cultural experience mixing African traditions and custom to create celebrations for groups large or small... The Magic of Kristoffer Olson and Balloon Artist, David Olson David Olson, a Balloon Entertainer, captures the attention of children and adults with a blend of humor and interaction, all the time making creations out of balloons. Watching him blow up, twist, tie, and make the balloons is almost as much fun as getting the balloons when you see the creations come to life. This creates a fun and entertaining time for young and old alike. www.BalloonArtist.net Jody Meyer, face painter, is part of Meyer's Enterprises where she has been creatively working for over 10 years. Meyer's does themed events such as birthdays, special gatherings, and wedding decor including balloon decor, themed art designs, trellis & lace, and calligraphy. Meyer's Enterprises: 952-457-7171 Rachel Nelson is a storyteller, songwriter, and musician whose delight is connecting with audiences in live performance. Accompanying herself on fiddle, banjo, guitar, hand drum, and washtub bass, Nelson weaves her original songs and stories into interactive, spontaneous fun. Nelson is listed in the COMPAS roster of Minnesota school residency artists, and she enjoys doing hands-on workshops that invite students to tell their own stories or write their own songs. www.bardlive.com
|
Back to Festival Info
Festival School
become the largest Chinese dance organization in the Midwest. 
Native Pride Dancers, formed in 2003 and directed by Larry Yazzie, strive to educate and entertain audiences of all ages throughout the world on the beauty, skill, and majesty of American Indian music and dance. They are comprised of multi-talented performers who specialize in the dances and music of native peoples of the Woodlands and Great Plains. From the high energy fancy dance, to the graceful eagle dance, to the stirring melodies of flute performances, their performances reflect the vitality of their cultures. The Native Pride Dancers offer a variety of performance types designed for classrooms as well as theaters. Based in St. Paul, Minnesota, the Native Pride Dancers perform locally, regionally, and the world. 
Cyril Paul and the Calypso Monarchs bring you a taste of the Carnival experience. Cyril Paul comes from Trinidad in the Caribbean, the land of Calypso, Steel Bands, the Limbo, and Carnival. The Calypso Monarchs consist of Cyril and four or five other musicians, a guitar player, keyboard player, bass player, drummer and sometimes a steel drummer. Cyril and his band have performed at a wide variety of functions all over Minnesota: weddings, private parties, corporate functions, churches, schools, and park concerts. 
Jose Curbelo and Friends play accordion dance music from Uruguay, Argentina, and southern Brazil. With Jose Curbelo on button accordion, Andrew Gillespie on drums, and Isaac "Ike" Russell-Hart on bass the group puts a funky new spin on the traditional rhythms of: polca, chotis, maxixa, habanera, mazurca, milonga, vanerao, chamame, and valseado. 
Chicks on Sticks explores the ancient and universal art of stilt walking. They also explore the powerful dynamic of working together as an all-female arts organization. Chicks on Sticks have collaborated with puppeteers, dancers, singers, aerialists, and pyrotechnicians to create original performances. 