Seattle Children’s Festival 2016 Full Schedule Revealed

Northwest Folklife announced today the full event lineup for the much-loved, third annual Seattle Children’s Festival, set to take place October 9, 2016 on Seattle Center grounds. An all-day event (10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) with no admission fee, thanks to your donations (suggested donation is $10 per person, $20 per family – donations support Seattle Children’s Festival performers and production costs), the Seattle Children’s Festival ‘Celebrates Our Big Neighborhood’ by bringing together multi-cultural arts experiences and entertainment including hands-on activities, participatory workshops for the whole family, and live performances all geared toward children and their caregivers ages 0 to 10.

This year, Northwest Folklife has programmed an all-day event that highlights the cultural traditions from a wide range of community groups. “The Seattle Children’s Festival offers families a chance to explore cultures and participate in a variety of art forms through multiple learning opportunities with no financial barrier,” Kelli Faryar, Northwest Folklife’s Programs Director comments. “People young and old come together to sing, dance, and play while celebrating our big neighborhood here in the Pacific Northwest.” The Seattle Children’s Festival aims to inspire the cultural intelligence of each child who attends. “We believe introducing a child to new cultures and traditions will create a kinder world, and strong communities.”

Families can look forward to weaving through five different in-door activity areas on Seattle Center grounds to hear music performances from popular Seattle artist Caspar Babypants, Native American flutist Peter Ali, African Marimba music from Simba Youth Marimba Ensemble, and others. Interactive, multi-cultural dance performance will come in all shapes and sizes, featuring the Hawaiian dancers of Halau Hula O’Napulalani, Spanish Flamenco dance with Ana Montes, Hungarian Family dancers, Irish Step dancing with the Comeford School of Irish Dance, traditional Mexican folk dance, hip-hop break dancing fun, plus the anticipated return of the energetic Duoc Su Vietnamese Lion Dance Team.

In addition to the multitude of cultural performance to be experienced, the Seattle Children’s Festival also offers up two areas dedicated to hands-on play – these areas are called the Discovery Zones. Located in the Fisher Pavilion and Armory, families can look forward to trying out a little of everything from art, to music, to science in the Discovery Zones. Kids of all ages are invited to build a boat with the Center for Wooden Boats, twist and tumble with the Seattle Gymnastics Academy, or create a masterpiece with Gage Academy of Art. For the babies and toddlers in attendance, Sunshine Music Together returns this year to teach the basics of rhythm and movement.

Upon arrival at the Festival, Northwest Folklife encourages families to pick up a fun Event Passport that will guide attendees on an interactive journey through the Festival.

Check out an abridged version of the schedule below, showing selected festival highlights. Consult www.nwfolklife.org for more information and the full festival program.