PlayhouseSquare's 3rd Annual International Children's Festival Set for May 1-5

The third annual PNC International Children's Festival presented by Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital is set for May 1-5, 2012 at PlayhouseSquare. The International Children's Festival is a fun and interactive experience featuring performances, workshops and a large-scale art installation on the Hanna Building in The PlayhouseSquare District. Many of the Festival activities are free of charge. More than 15,000 students and families participated in the second International Children's Festival held in May 2011.

Tickets for International Children's Festival performances are on sale now at The PlayhouseSquare Ticket Office (1510 Euclid Ave.), online at playhousesquare.org/childrensfestival or by phone at (216) 241-6000. Tickets for each performance are $14. Tickets for free activities are not required.

The 2012 International Children's Festival Public Performances:
Squirm Burpee
Handsome Little Devils (USA)
May 4-5, 2012 – Performances on May 5 are sold out

Squirm Burpee is a one-of-a-kind, Vaudeville Nouveau meets-Wylie E. Coyote, all-American, ¼ European, contraption-riddled, quirky, character-driven, RISK-TAKING, expectation-breaking, object-manipulating, CIRCUS-infused, standing-ovation-inducing, THEATRICAL EXTRAVAGANZA featuring classic routines from slapstick to juggling, serenading to swing dancing, the Ladder of Love, the Human Cannonball and more! Funding for this presentation of Squirm Burpee is provided by Kathy and Jim Pender and the Michael Pender Fund.

Baobob
Le Théâtre Motus (Canada)
May 4-5, 2012

In this region of West Africa where a drought has been persisting for a very long time, stands a big ancient baobab tree. One day, the ancient baobab brings forth an egg and from this egg is born a little boy. The people in the village discover that he is the only one who can free the source of water. Then begins a quest during which only the courage of a child might change the history of the World. In this sunny environment where shade provides a soothing break, the African percussions turn into animals while masks and puppets become genies or witches. Let the great griot guide you in this fabulous story inspired from African legends.

Emilio and the Enchanted Cow
Marionetas de la Esquina (Mexico)
May 4-5, 2012

This is a story about a boy named Emilio who fears the changes that resulted from his parents' separation. He is faced with going to a new school, trying to make friends, and living in a new home without his father. Luckily, Emilio has a vivid imagination and an imaginary friend called Cow.

World of Rhythm
Drums United
(Bangladesh, Senegal, Spain, Germany, The Netherlands, Surinam and Venezuela)
May 4-5, 2012

Drums United is an explosive and exciting world-percussion group led by drummer Lucas van Merwijk, that brings together rhythms and percussionists from all directions. Drums United is made up of nine percussionists from seven different countries - Bangladesh, Senegal, Spain, Germany, The Netherlands, Surinam and Venezuela - but is much more than just a drum group. It's an energetic live band that not only gives the audience an opportunity of listening to and watching top players, but also imparts the underlying message that people from widely varying nationalities can work well together. Drums United occupies a unique place in the world of percussion groups by combining elements of the rich traditions of percussion with song and dance.

Zorro
Visible Fictions (Scotland)
May 4-5, 2012

A mysterious figure has arrived in town. A flurry of a cape, the glint of a sword and a flash of a mask; who is this baffling character? Exciting friend or formidable foe? If you're looking for some swashbuckling fun, come and lock swords with Zorro. Watch as our masked champion ricochets from one sticky situation to another in a world where justice is the name and adventure is the game! Watch out for 'Zs scratched into the ground, it might mark the start of a thrilling escapade.

Additional Activities
14th Street World Stage - Free
Families can enjoy free performances by local bands on the tented, outdoor 14th Street World Stage throughout the day on Saturday, May 5. The 14th Street World Stage schedule is as follows:
11:30 a.m. – 12:40 p.m. – Grupo Fuego
1:10 p.m. – 2:20 p.m. – Heartbeat Africa
2:50 p.m. – 4 p.m. – The New Barleycorn

Art Walk – Free
The 2012 Art Walk animates The PlayhouseSquare District by showcasing the youth of Northeast Ohio through a photography-based art project. This year, we had local students create art by becoming a piece of artwork themselves. Working with a talented team of local artists (Gabriel Gonzalez, Eric Mull and Toni Starinsky), we captured images of students who traveled from all over Cleveland and the surrounding areas to attend Children's Theater Series performances at PlayhouseSquare. These images will be installed during the week of April 16 on flags lining Euclid Avenue and on a large-scale display on the Hanna Building and will remain on view through the week of the Festival. Funding for the Art Walk provided by The George Gund Foundation.

Children's Workshops - Free
On Saturday, May 5, children are invited to participate in a variety of fun and free take-home craft activities in the Idea Center at PlayhouseSquare. Children will be able to make sock puppets, flip books, drums and hats.

Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital Wellness Walk - Free
Throughout The PlayhouseSquare District, Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital will have "Wellness Walk" stations. At each, children may take part in a fitness activity. Once they have completed the Wellness Walk, children and their families can visit the Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital booth on E. 14th Street to be entered to win a Wii and Wii Fit package.

Family Activities - Free
Families will find face painting, balloon animals and the opportunity to decorate an eco-friendly shopping bag to take home at the Festival on Saturday, May 5.

International Children's Short Films – Free
This year we are introducing children's short films to our Festival. The showing will be a compilation of short children's films from all over the world. Families are encouraged to stop in and enjoy some popcorn and some shorts! Films will be shown in the George Gund Dance Studio in the Idea Center at PlayhouseSquare on Saturday, May 5 from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Les moutons – Free
CORPUS (Canada)
14th Street World Stage
May 5, 2012
12:40 – 1:10 p.m. and 2:20 – 2:50 p.m.
Reality meets fantasy in this wordless live installation that recreates a bucolic country scene in a typical urban setting. Travel to a strange and hilarious universe as CORPUS takes you through a carefully studied, surrealistic overview of sheep behavior. Meet Julie, Marie-louise, Bernadette and César, three healthy ewes and a young ram. Routine activities include: shearing, feeding, milking and many more... This truly innovative performance twists reality in surprising ways and takes audience interaction to new heights!

School Field Trips
Reservations are now being taken for school field trips to the International Children's Festival. Educators can visit playhousesquare.org/fieldtrips or call 216-348-7909 to find out more.

The International Children's Festival is made possible in part by support from PNC, Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital, Kathy & Jim Pender and the Michael Pender Fund, the Children's Theater Endowment established by The Junior League of Cleveland, The Huntington National Bank, Lake Ridge Academy, the Laub Foundation, Medical Mutual, the Ohio Arts Council, Playground World, the William N. Skirball Endowment Fund, the Billie Howland Steffee Fund and is generously supported by the public through a grant from Cuyahoga Arts and Culture.

PlayhouseSquare understands its vital role as an educator in our community, and is committed to providing arts learning opportunities of the highest quality to enrich the lives of students, families, teachers and adults. PlayhouseSquare's Community Engagement & Education Department is unique in the performing arts industry for the variety of programs it offers, the partnerships it initiates and the access it provides students, educators and aspiring artists to performing arts professionals. Since its inception in 1998, the Community Engagement & Education Department has offered thousands of events, workshops, classes and more, most with minimal or no fees, to people of all ages from all areas of Northeast Ohio. The generous support of individual and corporate donors and foundations makes it all possible.