×

Adirondack Global Arts Festival Comes to Lake Placid

Children received instruction during a music workshop during a previous Adirondack Global Arts Festival. (Photo provided — Diane Chase)

I’ve always tried to present a world view to my children. I’ve always asked them to listen to opposing views and make their own choices. Do they always do what I feel is right? Don’t be silly. This weekend Lake Placid is once again hosting the Adirondack Global Arts Festival to remind us of our similarities while celebrating our differences. Art whether visual, spoken, written, or performed is such a powerful medium to continue to bridge cultural gaps.

Adirondack Global Arts Festival organizer Tammy Loewy wants to bring the world to the Adirondacks. Loewy’s enthusiasm is infectious. Her goal is to creative positive interactions between cultures instead of waiting for something to happen. Each year the festival evolves to keep things interesting while continuing to provide first rate entertainment to visitors and the community. This year the Global Arts Festival kicked off through area school outreach and will culminate this weekend with public workshops, international food, and incredible performers.

My family has attended previous workshops over the years and always walked away with a new understanding. There are various musical artists on Friday such as Big Slide at Lake Placid Pub and Brewery and Georgie Bonds Blues Band at Delta Blue, but two main events this March 9 is NCPR’s Beat Authority and a showing/panel discussion of the Oscar winning animated feature film Coco.

Saturday’s schedule is a mixture of free and paid activities with a Dr. Seuss party at the Adirondack Carousel and the Lake Placid Center for the Arts (LPCA) Global Arts Fest workshops and street fair. The Global Street Fair in LPCA’s lobby brings a variety of international food vendors as well as options to explore Tibetan, African, and other cultural wares. Children can enjoy face painting, Digeriddo making, and a special Kids Corner.

Hour-long workshops offer an assortment of experiences such as kids hip-hop, Capoeira (Afro-Brazilian martial arts), African dance, the Cha-Cha, a Japanese Taiko drumming workshop, yoga, a fermentation class, origami, burlesque, as well as Indian drumming. Workshop times are 2 to 3 p.m., 3 to 4 p.m., and 4 to 5 p.m.

Prices for children are 1 workshop: $5 for children, $10 for adults, 2 workshops: $10 for children, $20 for adults, 3 workshop: $12 for children, $25 for adults.

The evening will conclude with three performances, Jeh Kulu Dance and Drum Theatre, Burlington Taiko, and Sabouyouma blend of Afro-Funk. Reservations can be made directly through the LPCA website (lakeplacidarts.org or calling 518-523-2512.

Loewy plans are to continue to explore and bring the world to the Adirondacks through incredible art and cultural exchange. I feel lucky that these chances exist. Perhaps I can get my visiting mother-in-law to explore some Taiko drumming with me

Diane Chase is the author of the “Adirondack Family Activities” guidebook series, “Adirondack Family Time: Your Four-Season Guide to Over 300 Activities.” For more family-friendly activities go to www.adirondackfamilytime.com.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.75/week.

Subscribe Today