       
					   
SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL MAY 15-22, 2006
7 Days of Global Music, Dance, Theatre, Puppetry, Clowning & more!

A Lithgow Paloozical! —Concert for Kids plays Wed, May 17 with a special performance at 7pm at the Bagley Wright Theatre.  

SEATTLE— Go Global at the 2006 Seattle International Children’s Festival (SICF).  Tickets are now on sale for the 20th Anniversary Festival, May 15-20 at Seattle Center and May 22 in Tacoma, featuring a special appearance by actor and best-selling children’s author John Lithgow.  Anime, Arab lullabies and African jazz, American cowboys, Mongolian throat singers, European clowns, Polish “hardcore folk” and so much more!  Over 80 performances during the day, at night and on Saturday from professional companies from Benin, Belgium, The Netherlands, Israel, Germany, U.S.A., Japan, Cuba, Argentina, Mexico, and, for the first time in SICF history, Poland, Mongolia and Iraq.  For tickets and all Festival details go to seattleinternational.org.  

SICF is pleased to announce a special day-long appearance by John Lithgow, Wednesday, May 17th, featuring performances of A Lithgow Paloozical! —Concert for Kids at 11:30 a.m. & 7:30 p.m. at the Bagley Wright Theatre, and a benefit luncheon moderated by KUOW’s Marcie Sillman at the Dahlia Lounge at 1:30 p.m.  Mr. Lithgow, originally scheduled to appear on Monday, May 15 in a student matinee and at the Opening Night Celebration, has generously donated his talents to the Festival to mark its 20th Anniversary of celebrating world cultures through the performing arts.   

Family Day in Seattle – May 20—Performances, activities and more!
Saturday, May 20 is Family Day.  Nine outstanding performances play throughout the day at various Seattle Center venues along with a host of fun-filled, hands-on activities FREE to all ticket-holders at the Festival’s Discovery Centers.  

Seattle International Nights – May 18 & 19—All shows all ages.  Always room to dance! 
Seattle International Nights, an all ages performance series launched in 2004, features Festival performers in extended sets with room to dance (beer & wine w/ID).  Thursday Night Jazz, presented with KBCS 91.3 Community Radio, features Iraqi musician Fawzy Al-Aiedy and His Band in their North American premiere at 7:30pm. At 9:30pm Gangbé Brass Band from Benin will blend elements of Dixieland jazz and Afropop sure to bring the audience to the dance floor.   Friday Night Fusion, presented with KEXP 90.3FM, flies into the Bagley Wright Theatre at 7:30pm with the spectacle 4-ISH from The Netherlands, followed, at Fisher Pavilion at 8:30pm, by Warsaw Village Band with KEXP DJ Darek Mazzone.  (See line-up for details). 
  
Quick Facts
* What:	Seattle International Children’s Festival and Seattle International Nights
* When:	May 15-20, Seattle and May 22 in Tacoma,
* Where:  Venues throughout Seattle Center.  In Tacoma at the Pantages and Rialto theaters.
* Times:	Weekdays at 10am, 11:30am & 1pm; Saturday May 20 at 12:30pm, 2pm, 3:30pm & 5pm;
       Thursday Night Jazz at 7:30 and 9pm.  Friday Night Fusion at 7:30 and 8:30pm.
* Prices:	Vary: $9.50-$20.00; group rates & packages available.  
* Tickets:  Online at seattleinternational.org; by phone at Ticket Window at 206.325.6500 and all Ticket Window walk-up locations.  Day of Show tickets available at the Festival Box Office in the Seattle Center House and all venues 30 minutes prior to showtime.  


Seattle International Children's Festival & Seattle International Nights 20th Anniversary Line-Up

Opening Night Celebration:  An International Variety Show 
Featuring ISH —Ultimate Skatedance Experience from the Netherlands.  This turbo-charged multicultural troupe blends the high-energy of Xtreme Sports with the infectious rhythms of hip-hop. ISH will perform along with Festival companies Gangbé Brass Band (Benin), hilarious clown duo OKidOK (Belgium), Tumen Ekh National Folk Song and Dance Ensemble of Mongolia in a fun-filled show emceed by yodeler and trick roper Cowboy Randy Erwin.  The ONC is sponsored by IKEA and includes a free post-performance reception with complimentary drinks & Crostini Bar by Tom Douglas Catering and Events.  Tickets to this eclectic evening of international performances are $20.00 at www.seattleinternational.org or 206-325-6500.

USA- John Lithgow - A Lithgow Paloozical! —Concert for Kids
Best for ages 4-10 and parents!

Join award-winning stage, film and television actor John Lithgow for an unforgettable concert of stories, songs, gags and games direct from his best-selling children's books and CDs. In A Lithgow Paloozical! —Concert for Kids, one of America’s most celebrated entertainers shares madcap adventures and original tunes that delight kids and their parents alike.  Tickets for the daytime show are $9.50, $10 at the door.  Evening tickets are  $20.  

The award-winning actor is perhaps best known as High Commander Dick Solomon on the hit series 3rd Rock From The Sun.  He has also turned his attention to children, releasing his first CD, SINGIN' IN THE BATHTUB, publishing four children's books, I'M A MANATEE, MICAWBER, THE REMARKABLE FARKLE McBRIDE and MARSUPIAL SUE, and performing concerts for kids with the Chicago, Pittsburgh, San Diego, and Baltimore Symphony Orchestras, and at Carnegie Hall. A Lithgow Paloozical! played at the New Victory Theater in New York City in June of 2004.   

Netherlands - ISH  – 4-ISH
A sensation of the 2001 Festival, this multicultural Dutch troupe is back with an all-new, all-skating, all-dancing revue that features high-energy displays of champion level extreme sports and martial arts, a human beatbox, jam skating, an award-winning DJ!  

Belgium - OKidOK - Ha Ha Ha
U. S. Premiere
Two hilarious clowns win the hearts of the audience as they overcome a series of seemingly insurmountable challenges and in the process discover the meaning of true friendship.  OKidOK’s extravagant costumes and make-up evoke the great tradition of Russian clowning, but these accomplished young Belgians have developed their own distinctive style and universe.  A series of original, wordless sketches and wildly funny physical routines, Ha Ha Ha is European clowning at its best.  

Poland - Warsaw Village Band (Mon-Fri only)
BBC3 2004 World Music Award Winners, Best Newcomers
They call it “hard-core folk” and it’s put them at the top of the world music charts in Europe.  Six young virtuosos from Poland are transforming their culture by bringing ancient melodies into the 21st century with expert musicianship and infectious passion.  They comb rural villages to learn forgotten repertoire from the oldest living Polish musicians, and combine traditional acoustic instruments with a distinctive vocal style based on ancient shepherd calls known as “white voice”.  

Mongolia - Tumen Ekh National Song and Dance Ensemble
While SICF marks its 20th anniversary, Tumen Ekh National Song and Dance Ensemble celebrate 800 years since the founding of the Mongolian Empire with the enthronement of Genghis Khan in 1206! This colorful, energetic performance features an exuberant display of the folk arts of the diverse Mongolian ethnic groups, including the troupe’s accurate restoration of the once-banned traditional ritual Tsam (giant mask) dance, khoomi (throat singers) and long song singers, dancers, contortionists and an orchestra of traditional instruments including the morin khuur (horse head fiddle) and yadag (zither).
Benin - Gangbé Brass Band 
This energetic 10-piece band blends African traditions with brass instrumentation imported from the French colonialists who pressed native musicians into service.  The colonials are long-gone but the Western instruments play on as powerfully as ever.  Ancestral melodies and drum rhythms gain new life with musical motifs that range from Tower of Power-ish soul stylings to Dixieland jazz to Benny Goodman swing; all with a choreographed physical exuberance that will force the joint to jump!    

Iraq - Fawzy Al-Aiedy - Songs for Children 
U.S. Premiere
An utterly charming and lovable troubadour, Iraqi-born Fawzy Al-Aiedy is a recognized master of the oud (lute) and authority on music of the Middle East.  Difficult as it was to leave his country and family, he was compelled to leave Iraq, and in his words, “the door was firmly closed behind me.”  For over 30 years he has lived in Paris, where he has become an award-winning musician and recording artist.  He and his combo will perform a concert of songs from his CD, Dounya: Traditional Songs for Children.  Sing along at this delightful and interactive musical travelogue of music from many Arab countries. 
       
Israel - Dædalus Company – Stumble Onto
U.S. Premiere 
How was fire discovered?  What use is broken glass to damaged eyes?  Which dreams became a hot air balloon?  Journey to the “Laboratory of Human Curiosity” where these magical and imaginative stories of discovery are revealed.  This award-winning show tells of real inventions that happened accidentally – and the people who stumbled onto them.  A visually amazing, wordless investigation that integrates puppetry, shadow and object theater, with engaging human performers.

Germany - Theater Triebwerk – Moby Dick
Widely considered the greatest American novel, the epic adventure of the deranged and vengeful Captain Ahab, told by his wide-eyed deckhand Ishmael, is vividly brought to life on a bare stage by three gifted actor/storyteller/musicians.  Using a minimum of stagecraft, original songs and powerful performances, this German troupe conveys the breathtaking sweep of Ahab’s legendary hunt for the Great White Whale.

Germany - Theater Triebwerk – A Friend for Boltan the Lion
A special treat for the youngest Festival-goers! Theater Triebwerk brings their trademark musical storytelling technique to the charming tale of Boltan, a blustery lion whose heart warms to an affable camel.  Two actors, two chairs, a saxophone and a cello are all that’s needed to weave the endearing adventure of an unlikely friendship.

U.S.A./Japan - ANCEA and Duo En – Yesterday, Today…Anime!
SICF World Premiere Commission
Why are huge sweat drops coming out of his head?  Why are her eyes so big?  What ancient legends influence today’s Japanese animation?  Join ANCEA (the Asia-Northwest Cultural Education Association), a group dedicated to fostering greater appreciation of Japanese anime and manga through events such as the anime convention, Sakura-Con; and Duo En, an ensemble that specializes in classical and contemporary Japanese music, as they explore traditional Japanese legend and popular culture in a fun-filled, multi-media introduction to anime that weaves theater, video, music and folktales.  

U.S.A./Mongolia/Argentina - Cowboy Randy and Friends  
Home on the Pampas… Steppe… Range
SICF World Premiere Commission
When most Americans think of cowboys, they think of John Wayne or Roy Rogers.  They think of the guitar playin’, yodelin’, ropin’ cattle herder of the great American West.  But cultures all over the world have their own brands of horsemen.  American yodeler and trick-roper Randy Erwin (a voice in the Disney animated feature Home on the Range) hosts a hootenanny with some cowpokes from different corners of the world – a Mongolian aduuchin and an Argentinean gaucho.  

Argentina/Québec - Malambo – Malambo Fusion [Weekdays only]
After over 1,000 performances in Cirque du Soleil’s world tour of Saltimbanco, the fiery members of this Quebec-based group created their own show that showcases traditional Argentine percussion and dance, and marries it to the passion of Flamenco.  Dances include the thrilling Zapateos, a sort of stomping tap dance; choreographed drumming on the Bombos; and the Boleadores, hard balls attached to each end of a rope that dramatically crack on the stage floor in synch to rhythmic stomping dance inspired by the legendary gauchos - the cowboys of Argentina.

WORLD SAMPLERS -Three shows in one with special guest host James Whetzel.
 ¡Viva Puget Sound! (Monday only)
A celebration of the influence of Latin culture on Puget Sound with three accomplished performance companies: Mexican folklorico music and dance from Bailadores de Bronce, red-hot Cuban rumba and nueva salsa from Cambalache, and the romantic flourish of Argentine tango from Seattle’s own Tangoing.  

A World of Music (Tuesday only)
Charming Arab music by Fawzy Al-Aiedy, infectious Afro-jazz by Gangbé Brass Band, and the rousing folk of Warsaw Village Band.

A World of Dance (Tuesday only)
Fly b-boy/girl hip-hop from Holland’s ISH, colorful Mongolian folk dance from Tumen Ekh, and dramatic, traditional Argentine dance from Malambo.

DISCOVERY CENTERS - Hands-on activities for all ages and talents!
OPEN:   9:30 AM -2:30 PM Monday – Friday;  Noon - 5:00 PM Saturday
The fun is just beginning when the house lights come up.  The Seattle International Children's Festival offers a wide selection of on-site activities to round out your day. FREE to all Festival Ticket Holders. 
* Paint a world village - Design, construct and decorate a village of traditional structures from around the world.  Explore the way colors, shapes, patterns and designs are used to create homes and ceremonial structures from Africa, Asia and the Middle East.   
* Practice the ancient Japanese art of origami
* Play “Lost Luggage”- The Festival’s visiting artists have lost their luggage; your job is to return it to its rightful owners.  Developed for the Festival by Forrest/Pruzan Creative.
* Learn how Mongolians use their traditional round buildings to their best advantage.
* Build a boat and explore maritime culture with The Working Waterfront Maritime Museum— in Tacoma.
* Learn to spin a rope or lasso a sawhorse with onsite cowgirl deluxe, Karen Quest.
* See Flaxy Bird and win prizes at the new IKEA Kid’s Club Around the World Tent 
      (Monday - Friday only)
* Explore the bones of the planet with the Pacific Science Center – More than 20 fun, hands-on activities allow participants to measure the radioactivity of rocks, experiment with a an earthquake table, or assemble a fossil layer puzzle.
* Find your home on a giant aerial photo of Seattle and the Eastside.
* Get your hands dirty and create a Clay Land fantasy
* Learn about traditional textiles from West Africa, Mongolia and New Zealand with the Burke Museum of Natural History.  Textiles identify people and their cultures all over the world.  Design a cloth piece for yourself, or work on our special Children’s Festival community cloth. 
* Enjoy student performances inside and outdoors.
* Visit the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile - Enter the “Sing the Jingle, Be a Star” contest (Wed – Fri only)
* Hula-hoops, face painting, aviation arts, fountains…and much more.  

TACOMA Discovery Centers Open:  10 AM – 1 PM on Monday, May 22nd
* Outdoor Performances by the acclaimed Tacoma School of the Arts.  
* Build boats and print fabrics in our Craft Center. 
* See Flaxy Bird and win prizes at new IKEA Kid’s Club Around the World Tent.
For a special treat visit the Children’s Museum of Tacoma and see their great Mask of the World exhibit.  Ticket holders can reserve their admission by calling 253-627-6031. Under 8 years old only please.

Performance Venues
At Seattle Center: Bagley Wright Theatre, Davey Jones at Fisher Pavilion, Nesholm Family Lecture Hall, Eve Alvord Theatre at Seattle Children’s Theatre, Center House Theatre and McCaw Hall.  (What’s the Davey Jones?  Every year SICF names a venue the Davey Jones in memory of a well-loved Seattle Center employee and in honor of friends who have passed away during the past year).  
Tacoma - Pantages and Rialto Theaters in downtown Tacoma.

Tickets 
Opening Night Celebration: An International Variety Show   $20
A Lithgow Paloozical! —Concert for Kids at 7:00 p.m.		$20
All weekday, school-hour shows:				$9.50/$10 day of show


Adults	
Single ticket      $15
2-show package $25
4-show package $48
Youth/Senior (under 21/over 65)
Single ticket 	 $10
2-show package $16
4-show-package $30
Groups discount:  $2 off each ticket for groups of 10 or more seeing the same performance(s).  Not available for Opening Night Celebration or weekday shows.  

How to get Tickets
Ticketing by Ticket Window.  Service charge: A per-ticket service charge applies to all on-line, phone and fax sales. No service charge:  Walk up CASH sales are SERVICE CHARGE FREE.

Advance ticket sales - available until 6pm the day BEFORE the show!
Online     www.seattleinternational.org 
Phone     (206) 325-6500  Tuesday - Sunday 12-6 pm
Fax         (425) 450-3839  Fax your order 24 hours a day  
In Person at the following walk-up outlets: (service charge FREE for CASH transactions)
* Pacific Place - 6th and Pine - Level 4; TUE – SUN: Noon-6pm    
* Broadway Market* - 401 Broadway E/ - Level 2; TUE – SAT: Noon-7pm / SUN: Noon-6pm    
* Pike Place Market - Market Info Booth, Corner of 1st & Pike; TUE – SUN: Noon-6pm   
* Meydenbauer Center*, Bellevue - NE 6th & 112th; TUE – SUN: Noon-6pm   
       *parking validated with any purchase.

Day of show - Festival Box Office - Seattle Center House, main floor
       May 15-20, MON-FRI:  9:30am-12:30pm
       May 21, SAT: Noon- 4:30pm

At the door - All venues - 30 minutes prior to showtime

Full schedule next page (pg. 6)








Seattle International Children’s Festival and Seattle International Nights 2006 Schedule


Bagley Wright Theatre
Davey Jones @ Fisher Pavilion
Nesholm Family Lecture Hall
Eve Alvord Theatre 
Center House Theatre
McCaw Hall
Monday, May 15

10:00 AM
OKidOK
Gangbé Brass Band 

Daedalus
Boltan the Lion (German)
¡Viva Puget Sound!
11:30 AM

Malambo (Spanish)
ANCEA/Duo En
Fawzy Al-Aidey (French)
Moby Dick (German)

1:00 PM
Tumen Ekh





7:00 PM
Opening Night Celebration:  An International Variety Show
Tuesday, May 16

10:00 AM
Tumen Ekh
Malambo (Spanish)
ANCEA/Duo En
Daedalus
Boltan the Lion
A World of Music

11:30 AM
OKidOK

ANCEA/Duo En
Fawzy Al-Aidey (French)
Moby Dick 

12:00 PM





A World of Dance
1:00 PM

Gangbé Brass Band 




Wednesday, May 17

10:00 AM
ISH
Warsaw Village Band
Cowboy Randy 
Daedalus
Boltan the Lion

11:30 AM
A Lithgow Paloozical!
Gangbé Brass Band 
Cowboy Randy
Fawzy Al-Aiedy 
Moby Dick 

1:00 PM
Tumen Ekh
Malambo 




7:00 PM
A Lithgow Paloozical!






Bagley Wright Theatre
Davey Jones @ Fisher Pavilion
Nesholm Family Lecture Hall
Eve Alvord Theatre 
Center House Theatre
McCaw Hall
Thursday, May 18

10:00 AM
Tumen Ekh
Malambo 
ANCEA/Duo En
Fawzy Al-Aiedy
Boltan the Lion

11:30 AM
OKidOK
Warsaw Village Band
Cowboy Randy
Daedalus
Moby Dick 

1:00 PM
ISH
Gangbé Brass Band 




7:30PM
9:00PM
                                         Fawzy Al-Aiedy & His Band                SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL NIGHTS    
                                         Gangbé Brass Band                                                                                    Thursday Night Jazz
Friday, May 19

10:00 AM
ISH
Warsaw Village Band
Cowboy Randy
Daedalus
Boltan the Lion

11:30 AM
Tumen Ekh
Gangbé Brass Band 
ANCEA/Duo En
Fawzy Al-Aiedy 
Moby Dick 

1:00 PM
OKidOK
Malambo




7:30PM

Doors at 8:30PM
           ISH                                                                                                
                                                                                   SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL NIGHTS    
                                                                                                                                                                    Friday Night Fusion                                                           
                                      Warsaw Village Band
                                      + DJ Darek Mazzone
Saturday /Tacoma schedule next page (pg. 8)







SATURDAY, MAY 20 FAMILY DAY!
   
Bagley Wright Theatre
Nesholm Family Lecture Hall
Eve Alvord Theatre 
Center House Theatre
12:30 PM

ANCEA/Duo En 
Daedalus

   2:00 PM
ISH

Cowboy Randy 
Fawzy Al-Aidey 

3:30 PM
Tumen Ekh


Bolton the Lion 
5:00PM
OKidOK


Moby Dick 




TACOMA SCHEDULE - MAY 22

Pantages
Rialto
10:00 AM
Gangbé Brass Band 
Malambo
11:30 AM
OKidOK

Tumen Ekh
1:00 PM
Gangbé Brass Band
Malamo

Media only
High-resolution artist photos are available.  Please contact Jená Cane at 206.684.7347 or 
or email pr@seattleinternational.org  for photo and interview requests, grounds access, more information, and any other media needs.

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Seattle International Children’s Festival / 305 Harrison Street, Seattle, WA 98109 / seattleinternational.org


	

Seattle International Children’s Festival / 305 Harrison Street, Seattle, WA 98109 / seattleinternational.org
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