Tomorrow, May 8, Urbana-Champaign will kick off its new “Children’s Arts Festival” at 10 am at the Independent Media Center. The festival hopes to inspire children to experience new outlets for self-expression through art, music, and media workshops and to also share their talents with each other in performances throughout the day. “It’s really important for children to have opportunities to experience the arts, especially at a time when so many don’t,” says Katy Vizdal, the organizer of the Children’s Arts Festival in Urbana. “We can no longer rely on the educational system to expose children to such things so we are hosting a free festival to the public to open up some doors.”
Vizdal has high hopes for the first festival and rightfully so: “It will be the first (of hopefully many) Children’s Arts Festival to take place in Urbana, and although there already are some really great children’s art events (i.e. The Urbana Free Library’s Fairy Tale Ball and this past year’s Community Center for the Art’s Open House). I think that the festival we are holding is really bringing together the efforts of several community groups and ensembles located throughout the C-U area.”
Vizdal took time to answer some more questions about the festival below.
What are the key elements of a successful event in your eyes?
Well, I’m new to this whole event organizing thing. I’d say the ability to offer something “new”, having an impact on an individual, enjoying the process of organizing, and serving the event. It’s always nice when people are exposed to something you feel passionately about and can share it with them.
Imagine you’re six again, which part of the festival would you be most interested in and why?
It’s a tie between Floating Jelly Fish and the World Instrument Try-it Tent. Floating Jelly Fish, I can’t even describe it but basically it consists of balloons, trash bags, and lots of streamers and garland. Ever since I was stung by a jelly fish when I was young I’ve been fascinated.
As for the World Instruments, we are going to have an area where the UIUC Robert E. Brown Center for World Music is bringing in a few instruments for kids to get their hands on (Djembe, Mbira, maybe a piece of the Gamelan). I selfishly coordinated this because I’ve been playing Mbira and Gamelan for a little while now and want to share them with the community.
Aside from those listed on the website, what other locals artists are on board?
Lori Caterini, Betsem Benjamin, Jessica Roberts, Cheryl Louviere, Djibiril Camara…..and so many more, just take a look at the schedule!
If you only had one goal for CAF, what would it be and why?
To see and feel inspired by other children their own age…to create something new, and to have fun.
Will there be mini-events for children’s throughout the year post- and pre-CAF?
Absolutely! Me and Lori Caterini are already brainstorming our next projects together. We already have free skill shares taking place at the U-C Independent Media Center fairly regularly and I want to start including more children’s activities in conjunction with them. If anyone has any ideas or is interested in participating please email me!
Here’s a brief list of the activities and workshops that will be running throughout the day:
*Wind Workshops (Including Kites / Japanese wind puppets)
*Pinata / Seed Growing
*Painting
*Giant Origami Workshop
*Play Instruments from around the world
*Tissue Paper Flowers
*Birthday Cards to Political Prisoners
*’Zine Workshops
Performance Schedule:
11 am — Soul Miners: Children’s Theatre Company of C-U
11:30 am — Jeff Mondak, children’s poet
12 pm — Mo’ Betta Music
12:30 pm — Capoeira Academy: demo & workshop
1 pm — Urbana Free Library “Write it On!” Narratives
1:30 pm — Chinese Heritage Association Dancing Group
2 pm — Folk & Roots Kid’s Contra Dance
2:30 pm — West African Dance Workshop
3 pm — Bow-Dacious String Band
3:30 pm — Open Mic
The Children’s Arts Festival begins tomorrow at the IMC in downtown Urbana from 10 am to 4 pm. The Children’s Arts Festival is also a part of AmeriCorps Week. More information about CAF is available on the IMC’s website.