Hollywood Arts Council Presents 28th Annual Children's Festival of the Arts Today

The Hollywood Arts Council (HAC) presents its FREE 28th Annual Children's Festival of the Arts today August 11, 2013 from 12-Noon to 4:30 p.m. at Paramount Pictures, 5555 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood, CA. The Festival is partially funded by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.

This Children's Festival is a celebration of the arts and culture in Hollywood. The festivities will include a full schedule of performances featuring a variety of music, dance, and entertainment from around the world for all ages. An assortment of art workshops with professional artists will provide children with the opportunity to create their own art pieces as souvenirs. There will be face painters and many other surprises. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. "This wonderful non-commercial event has become a family tradition," according to HAC president Nyla Arslanian. "People whose parents brought them to the festival are now bringing their kids."

Emceed by Casey McCabe of 97.1 AMP Radio, performers for this year's Children's Festival will include: Plaza de la Raza Folklorico, Jim Gamble Puppets, magician Arty LoOn, Lac Hong Vietnamese Dance, Stunt Kids of Hollywood and the West Los AngeLes Children's Choir - a 22 member children's choir under the direction of Barbara Klaskin Silberg that has appeared on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" and "Late Night with Conan O'Brien."

The schedule of Performers for this year's Festival is as follows:

• 12:15 - 12:45 p.m.: West Los AngeLes Children's Choir
• 1:00 - 1:30 p.m.: Stunt Kids of Hollywood
• 1:45 - 2:15 p.m.: Lac Hong Vietnamese Dance
• 2:30 - 3:00 p.m.: Jim Gamble Puppet Productions
• 3:15 - 3:45 p.m.: Arty LoOn, Magician
• 4:00 - 4:30 p.m.: Plaza de la Raza Folklorico Ensemble
• The schedule is subject to change without notice.

Workshop Artists at this year's Festival will include:

• 12:00-Noon - 4:30 p.m.: Jenny Nissenson, "Puppet-Making"
• 12:00-Noon - 2:00 p.m.: Patty Sue Jones, "Nature Windsocks"
• 12:00-Noon - 2:00 p.m.: Imani Afi, "Beaded Bracelets"
• 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.: Nicola Vruwink, "Paper Pinwheels"
• 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.: Howard Marshall, "Postcards"
• 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.: Molly Meng, "Building Spaceships"
• 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.: Quan Yen Trang, TBA
• 2:30 - 4:30 p.m. and Gayle Gale, "Maker A Shaker for Love"

Impressionist Elaine Horn will make a personal appearance as Dorothy Gale from "The Wizard of Oz," along with Toto, too! Favorite Looney Tunes characters courtesy of Six Flags Magic Mountain and special celebrity guests will be available for photos and autographs. Festival attendees can get their picture taken on the Red Carpet inside the Paramount Theatre. Face painting will also be available. Members of the Los Angeles Police Department Hollywood Division Cadets will be on hand to say hello. Actors from theScreen Actors Guild Foundation will conduct their popular BookPALs story readings. Raffle Drawings will also be held for valuable prizes.

This year's Children's Festival of the Arts sponsors include: Paramount Pictures, City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, Wen Hair and Body Care, Alliance Residential, Discover Hollywood Magazine, Central Hollywood Neighborhood Council, East Hollywood Neighborhood Council, Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, Art Laboe Foundation, Hollywood Hotel, Sunset Gower + Sunset Bronson Studios, Hollywood Hills West Neighborhood Council, Hollywood Studio District Neighborhood Council, Paramount Contractors, Barnsdall Arts, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Councilmember Tom LaBonge and Councilmember
Mitch O'Farrell.

The Children's Festival of the Arts is presented by the Hollywood Arts Council, a community-based organization founded in 1978 to promote, nurture, and support the arts in Hollywood. The FREE annual Children's Festival of the Arts is one of many projects and events presented by the Council to enhance the quality of life in the city and promote the arts. The Council's projects also include Project SOAR (Students Overcoming All Risks), an after school art program presented in Hollywood area elementary schools.

Paramount Pictures is located at 5555 Melrose Avenue (between Van Ness Street and Gower Street), Hollywood 90038. Enter at the Bronson Gate off of Melrose Avenue. There is ample free parking on site. For more information, call (323) 871-2787 or visit the website www.hollywoodartscouncil.org.

Pictured: Kids at the Hollywood Arts Council's 2012 Children's Festival of the Arts. Photo courtesy of the Hollywood Arts Council.