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EVENT CALENDARListed here are festivals, demonstrations, presentations, and other events featuring folk & traditional art and artists. Individual artists featured below are participants in ACTA's California Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program.
December“Entren Santos Peregrinos . . . Devotional Arts and Celebrations”
“Entren Santos Peregrinos” is an exhibition of photographs documenting the devotional arts and celebrations surrounding the birth of Christ as practiced by Mexican Americans living in Los Angeles and the San Joaquin Valley of Central California. The exhibit features the holiday season from December 12, the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, to February 2, el Dia de la Candelaria (Candlemas). The exhibit was organized by the Fresno Arts Council and Alliance for California Traditional Arts with funding from the California Arts Council.
Community Kwanzaa CelebrationDecember 26, 2003 A traditional celebration of the first day of Kwanzaa, also known as the day of "Umoja" (Unity), will be held at the Malcolm X Library, Dec. 27. Presented by the Pan-African Associations of America (PAAA), this special community event is free and open to the public. Kwanzaa is an African-American holiday celebrated from December 26 to January 1. It is a time to celebrate life, heritage, humanity and achievements as well as a time to reflect and recommit to cultural ideals and goodness. Festivities include workshops for children and adults at 11 a.m. Plus, a myriad of activities and entertainment for the whole family. The traditional lighting of the "Umoja" candle will be held at 4:30 p.m. Followed by traditional entertainment and "Umoja Day" messages. "Umoja" teaches the importance of family, community and national unity. On the second day of Kwanzaa or the day of "Kujichagulia" (Self-Determination), there will be a special ceremony for the individuals in the community who have chosen to take on an African name.
Hmong International New Year CelebrationDecember 26, 2003 to January 1, 2004 The Hmong New Year celebration in Fresno is a destination for Hmong people from around the world drawing over 150,000 people each year. For seven days, the festivities take place at the Fresno Fairgrounds and include the wearing of traditional Hmong clothing, courtship games, traditional singing and music, traditional food, and vendors of cultural items. The Hmong New Year Celebration website contains the detailed schedule, driving directions, and other useful information. Read more about the cultural meaning of Hmong New Year. Sounds of Native CaliforniaSunday, December 28; 1:00 and 2:30 p.m. The Tongva Dancers celebrate the culture and world of indigenous people of the Los Angeles basin through songs and dances, rituals, and ceremonies. The Traditional Cahuilla Bird Singers present birdsongs that commemorate the coming of the Cahuilla people to this world. Cahuilla Elder Alvino Siva leads this group. Free with paid museum admission.
JanuaryThe Way of Tea: A Japanese Tea Ceremony Demonstration and Tasting Saturday, January 10; two seatings at 1:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Fee: $5 in addition to regular museum admission. Pre-registration is required. Purchase tickets online from museumtix.com. Revel in the senses at a tea gathering in the museum's tearoom in the Japanese gallery. Watch a demonstration of a tea ceremony in the tearoom; learn about the long tradition of the Way of Tea in Japan as you are served your own sweet and a bowl of whisked green tea. Hosted by the Urasenke San Francisco Association. For more information visit the Asian Art Museum website.
Native American Basket Weaving ClassesClasses held on Saturdays: January, 10, 17, and 24 The class will be divided into three sections: reed, pine needle, and juncus (yucca and deer grass) baskets. Students will learn step-by-step basket weaving techniques. The use and selection of natural materials will also be discussed. This class is designed for adults and youth with an interest in basketry, Native American heritage, arts, crafts, and/or textiles. For information visit the Autry Museum Website. Call Ticket Web for reservations at (866) 468-3399, or visit www.ticketweb.com
February22nd Annual ¡Viva el Mariachi! Festival and WorkshopsFebruary 21-22, 2004, Fresno The longest running mariachi festival in California is back! This year the legendary Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán and Nati Cano y Mariachi Los Camperos headline the show on Sunday, February 22 at the Fresno Convention Center. Mariachi Workshops led by Maestro Nati Cano are on Saturday, February 21, 2004. Visit the Radio Bilingue website for ticket and festival information.
16th Annual International Folk Alliance Conference February 26-29, 2004 This year the Folk Alliance comes to California for its annual booking conference. The conference features:
The current registration fee of $390 has been extended to January 30, 2004. Registration information at www.folk.org.
County & Regional CalendarsFor weekly public programs and a calendar of ethnic events in Northern California, see the Traditional Arts Program at the California Academy of Science, Golden Gate Park, in San Francisco. A calendar of Festivals and Celebrations in San Diego is available from the San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture.
Let us know if you have special information that should be posted here.To update information or submit an event for the calendar,
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December 4, 2003 through