AUDIENCES APPLAUD THE FIRST EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EVENTS OF THE SEASON

Lily Cai Chinese Dance Company
More than 7,100 patrons engaged in performances, activities and workshops surrounding the Lily Cai Chinese Dance Company performances October 24-26.  

Lily Cai Chinese Dance Company demonstrated different regional and period Chinese Dance forms for more than 5,900 students and educators during their Performing Arts Classrooms.  Students at Longfellow Elementary in Minneapolis enhanced their Lily Cai experience through the Arts Explore Partnership in workshops with two Young Audiences roster artists.  Scott Cleland explored different cultures and how the alphabet has changed its shape through time.  He also taught students how to write calligraphy with reed and feather pens. Rhonda Lund led a Chinese Storytelling workshop with students.

Students from the Dance III class at the Saint Paul Conservatory for the Performing Artists also took part in a dance master class with Lily Cai, herself.  Lily Cai also held a master class with local Chinese dance studios, CAAM Chinese Dance and Twin Cities Chinese Dance Center.  The class focused on Ms. Cai’s technique and philosophy of dance.

The pre-show World Party featured performances by all three Twin Cities Chinese Dance Schools: Minnesota Chinese Dance Theatre, CAAM Chinese Dance, and Twin Cities Chinese Dance Center.  More than 350 patrons attended the Lily Cai Chinese Dance Company World Party with the local Chinese dance performances, art-making activities, and food for purchase from Bamboo Garden.  The planet Ordway public performance of Lily Cai Chinese Dance Company on October 26 drew more than 900 patrons!

¡Sofrito! David Gonzalez with Bobby Sanabria’s Cuarteto Aché
On October 28-30 more than 5,700 patrons were engaged in ¡Sofrito! performances, activities and workshops. 

¡Sofrito! with David Gonzalez and Bobby Sanabria’s Cuarteto Aché used a funky blend of storytelling and salsa music to get more than 5,000 students participating through song and dance during the Performing Arts Classrooms.  Saint Paul Conservatory for the Performing Artists’ students extended their experience in two ¡Sofrito! master classes.  The acting students participated in a storytelling and an improv master class with David Gonzalez, while the music students attended a master class focused on the history of Latino music and jazz with drummer and musician Bobby Sanabria.  David Gonzalez also shared over twenty years of his experience in the music therapy field through a session with students from the University of Minnesota Music Therapy students.

The planet Ordway public performance of ¡Sofrito! began with a pre-show World Party October 28,  featuring the music of local group Salsa del Soul, a foyer filled with salsa dancing, art-making activities and food for purchase from Conga Latin Bistro.  ¡Sofrito! had more than 500 patrons dancing and singing in their seats.  The party continued after the performance with a post show party with singer Maria Isa and her DJ and percussionist.

COMPAS RESIDENCY FOR ANDES MANTA STILL AVAILABLE

Enhance your Andes Manta experience with a COMPAS Residency!  This partially subsidized residency features artist Leo Lara and includes four workshop sessions per day in each of four classrooms for nine days; in-service for all teachers, 120 tickets to a school day performance of Andes Manta at Ordway Center, free bus transportation to Ordway Center, study guide materials, and a special culmination event which is designed with school input to demonstrate the students’ work.

If you are interested in the Andes Manta COMPAS residency, please contact Daniel Gabriel at COMPAS, 651-292-3254.

ARTcontest—2008 Festival Poster featuring selected winners
Children from across Minnesota are invited to submit original artwork for the 2008 Flint Hills International Children’s Festival ARTcontest. Artwork must incorporate the artist’s interpretation of the theme, MY MINNESOTA: a creative state of mind. This year’s theme is in celebration of the Minnesota sesquicentennial, 150 years of statehood. Young artists are encouraged to explore their own lives. What does Minnesota mean to you? Where are your favorite places to visit? What are your favorite things to do in Minnesota? What makes Minnesota unique? One entry per grade level will be selected and featured on the 2008 Festival Poster.

Entries can be submitted on a group or individual basis, and the submission deadline is February 25, 2008. Winners will be announced in April 2008.

Learn more & download entry forms

ARTwalk—an exhibition of children’s art work in downtown Saint Paul
The ARTwalk is a unique opportunity for schools and community organizations to highlight the visual arts achievements of their young people. As an extension of the Flint Hills International Children’s Festival, the ARTwalk curates children’s artwork from across the state in a month-long exhibit in downtown Saint Paul. Given the ARTwalk is a non-juried exhibition, participants are encouraged to be selective in their entries.

Entries can be submitted on a group or individual basis, and the deadline for submission is March 31, 2008. Art work must be delivered by April 11, and will be on display May 1-June 1, 2008.

Learn more & download entry forms

INTERNATIONAL PUPPETRY COMPANY ANNOUNCED

We are excited to share with you this year’s premier International Puppetry artists, Marionetas de la Esquina performing The Circus.

Audiences will be drawn in as the big top raises and the doors open to experience the music, cheer, and color of circus acts.  Meet Budineto the lion, Ariadna the tight-rope walker, Urrsus the weight lifter, a clown, a trapeze artist, and of course, the circus band.  Enjoy all of the surprises of the circus as Marionetas de la Esquina takes you on an unforgettable journey!

Learn more about Marionetas de la Esquina

VOLUNTEER NOW FOR THE 2008 FLINT HILLS CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL

Join the dedicated volunteers for the eighth annual Flint Hills International Children’s Festival, May 27- June 1, 2008.  Hundreds of dedicated and talented volunteers are needed to fill positions including school week festival hosts, ARTwalk installation crew members, Parade team members, and many more.  Join the volunteer efforts and receive a 2008 Festival T-shirt, access to the Artist/Guest tent, and discounted tickets as available!

Learn more & sign up to volunteer