News Release 12-081
Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
1111 Israel Road S.W., P.O. Box 42650, Olympia, WA 98504-2650, (360) 902-8500
Don Hoch, Director
Media contact:
Cherie Gwinn, (509) 465-5064 Cherie.Gwinn@parks.wa.gov
Liz Dreisbach, (509) 536-1126 Liz.Dreisbach@gmail.com
Hilary Schult, (360) 902-8604 Hilary.Schult@parks.wa.gov
Wash. Telecommunications Relay Service: (800) 833-6388
Celebrate Washington’s diverse cultures with music and art at Riverside State Park
OLYMPIA –
Aug. 16, 2012 –
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission invites the public to a culture celebration festival at Riverside State Park in Spokane.
The event runs from noon to 6:15 p.m. Sept. 8 at the Bowl and Pitcher area of Riverside State Park, 4427 North Aubrey L. White Parkway in Spokane. Celebrate the diverse cultures of Washington with music, dance and art demonstrations. Food is available for purchase. Admission is free. The Discover Pass is required for vehicle access to the festival.
Activities scheduled as follows:
• Noon – 1 p.m.: Art demonstrations begin and vendor booths open to visitors
• 1 – 2 p.m.: Los Bailadores del Sol presents regional dances of Mexico by Yakima Valley’s acclaimed folklórico troupe
• 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.: Japanese taiko drumming by Spokane Taiko
• 3:45 – 4:45 p.m.: Blues, swing and jump music by sextet band 6 Foot Swing of Spokane
• 5 – 6:15 p.m.: Latin music by Milonga of Spokane
Art demonstrations include Mayan backstrap weaver María Cuc Jiatz and Mexican wax flower and corona artist Eva Castellanoz. María Cuc Jiatz, originally from Sololá, Guatemala, began weaving at the age of 10. A folk arts master artist, Cuc Jiatz was the grant recipient for a 2007 and 2008 Folk Arts Apprenticeship grant through the Washington State Arts Commission. Eva Castellanoz is a nationally recognized Smithsonian folk artist. She is a recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts’ prestigious National Heritage Fellowship, which recognizes lifetime achievement of artistic excellence and contributions to our nation's traditional arts heritage.
The festival is part of a broader series of events celebrating Washington’s diverse cultures. The program is a partnership between the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, the Washington State Arts Commission and Northwest Heritage Resources. Funding is provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Washington State Arts Commission and the Washington State Parks Foundation. For a full schedule of Folk and Traditional Arts in the Parks Program events, visit www.parks.wa.gov/events.
Celebrating Cultures is accessible to persons with disabilities. If special accommodations are required in order to attend, please call (509) 465-5064 or (509) 536-1126. Those who are hearing-impaired or speech-impaired may call the Washington Telecommunications Relay Service at (800) 833-6388. Requests must be made in advance.
Riverside State Park is a camping park along the Spokane and Little Spokane rivers in Eastern Washington. The park supports a wide variety of recreational activities and is rich in history. Freshwater marshes, running rivers and beautiful countryside make up the terrain. The park also includes the Nine Mile Recreation Area, which is available for camping, picnicking, swimming, fishing and boating.
Stay connected to your state parks by following Washington State Parks at www.facebook.com/WashingtonStateParks, www.twitter.com/WaStatePks_NEWS and www.youtube.com/WashingtonStateParks. Share your favorite state park adventure on the new State Parks’ blog site at www.AdventureAwaits.com.
The Commission manages a diverse system of more than 100 state parks and recreation programs, including long-distance trails, boating safety and winter recreation. The 99-year-old park system will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2013.
Support state parks by purchasing your annual Discover Pass today, and enjoy a whole year of outdoor fun on Washington’s beautiful state-managed recreation lands. For more information, visit www.discoverpass.wa.gov.
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