Family Festivals 2008–2009

Experience and explore the rich cultural traditions of Greece, Italy, and West Africa and how these traditions continue and evolve in the United States and our community. Each festival includes: engaging performances, art-making activities, storytelling, experiential workshops, cultural objects shared by the community, and delicious ethnic foods. This multicultural and multidisciplinary experience is for all ages!

GREECE

Saturday, November 15, 2008
11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
• See the Hellenic Dancers from Milwaukee’s Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church.
• Create a strand of worry beads and a decorative crown in the tradition of stefana, or wedding crowns. Hone your creative cooking skills with phyllo dough creations.
• Learn Greek folk dances with the St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Dancers.
• Listen to Greek mythology and folktales and hear stories from people who have traveled from Greece to America.
• Taste Greek foods such as patstitsio, tzatziki with pita, dolmades, and honey cookies.

ITALY

Saturday, January 24, 2009
11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
• Watch The Florentine Opera Company presents the classic Italian story, Pinocchio, set to the music of Mozart, Donizetti, Offenbach, Pergolesi, Sullivan, and Verdi.
• Create a Carnevale mask, a colorful mosaic panel, and make finger puppets for your own opera.
• Participate in a pasta-making workshop.
• Listen to folktales.
• Taste Italian foods, such as minestrone, bruschetta, gnocchi, or risotto.

WEST AFRICA

Saturday, April 18, 2009
11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
• Experience drumming and dance from West Africa with Ko-Thi.
• Explore stamping and dyeing techniques on fabric. Collaborate on a large-scale weaving while learning about ikat techniques. Create a sculpture in the style of gold weights.
• Participate in a drumming workshop.
• Listen to folk stories.
• Taste appetizing West African fare, including Tatale (plantain cake), Foofoo (mashed plantain and yam pudding), groundnut stew, and Joloff rice.

Family Festivals Tickets

Ticket prices do not include food.

Individual: $8 ($6 member/full-time student through age 21)