11/16/2017
Multicultural Festival
A unique cultural festival with an interactive quality, an inclusive and broad-minded global perspective sharing experiences of harmony, celebration, and unity within the wonder of diversity.
The Mayor’s Office for Cultural Affairs, along with a creative and visionary group of Newton residents and artists is presenting an enriching experience of sharing the customs, food, art and stories from Africa, Barbados, China, India, Peru and Venezuela.
Every performance will invite audience participation or have an instructional element. In between acts, the booths representing different cultures and countries will showcase interactive demonstrations. The public can try their hand at the delightful art of Chinese Calligraphy, Origami and making Dias: a Diwali tradition of little clay pots that hold luminary candles. At the end of the festival, everyone is invited to join in a ceremony with the dias and candles to celebrate our diversity, bringing all the cultures together. Many of the crafts at the booths are available for purchase.
And last not least of course, there is food! With international tastes for sale from Caribbean, Chinese, Indian, Italian and South American cuisines. Admission is free. Please contact the Mayor’s Office for Cultural Affairs for more information at 617-796-1540.
SCHEDULE:
11:00 Demonstration: The Spiritual Art of Tai Chi and Chinese Calligraphy Asian American Leadership Network with Betty Chan and Yung-Chi Sung. Hands on activity - experience the exquisite art of Chinese calligraphy
11:30 Performance: American Chinese Art Society Traditional Chinese Dance Group Performances
12:00 Demonstration : Maasai Traditional Beads - Experience the Maasai Boma and learn about the beads’ significance
12:15 Performance: Pazzi Lazzi presents “For the Love of Money”. Learn about Italian Renaissance Theater and watch an interactive Commedia Dell’Arte Scenario
12:45 Demonstration/Performance: Asociacion Peruanos Unidos - Peruvian folklore dance and costumes
1:10 Performance: Barbadian culture folk songs with Laura Delgado Clemons and Bob Sheas
1:35 Demonstration/Performance: Ramon Mora Queipo and Karielys Arteaga Calles - Venezuelan Music and Costumes
2:00 Demonstration: ‘Thinkfolk’ – Connecting stories of India’s handicraft traditions to Newton. Diwali memories - Saris, Rangoli, Diyas and more.
2:15 Interactive Multi-Cultural Finale with Diyas and candles
2:30 Zumba! Join in, and celebrate the beauty of international music and dance in interactive Zumba style with Param Roychudhury
