Seattle Center Festal: Hmong New Year Celebration Set for 11/3

Seattle Center Festál: Hmong New Year Celebration, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., on Saturday, Nov. 3, in Seattle Center Armory, explores the cultural roots and contemporary influences of the people from the hilltops of China, Laos, and Thailand through live performances, cultural displays, children's activities, food, games, and a lively marketplace.

Gain insights into the customary courtship ritual of ball tossing and participate in flower cloth sessions, a needlepoint craft dating back 2,000 in Hmong life in Loas, Thailand, and Vietnam. Performances by regional artists provide entertainment for all ages ranging from folklore music on hand-made Hmong musical instruments such as the "qeej" (pronounced "kheng") to contemporary music and dance. The festival includes vendors selling Hmong music, movies, and food.

This year's Celebration hosts musical artists Jerry Yang and Ling Lee. While best known as a World Series of Poker champion, Yang is also a philanthropist, entrepeneur, and has a deep passion for music. Lee made her debut in 2007 when she performed at the Hmong New Year in her hometown in the Guang Xi Province in China. Since then, she has become a sensation in the Hmong community worldwide. Ling currently resides in Salt Lake City with an au pair family while studying English.

There is also an evening of live music from 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. provided by Forever Band, a local group that supported the Seattle Hmong community since the late 1980's.

The 20 Seattle Center Festál cultural celebrations highlight The Common forms of tradition and expression among ethnic communities in the Pacific Northwest, while underscoring their unique creative contributions, customs, foods and ideals. Each event offers moving entertainment and fascinating insight into a different culture of the world. Admission is free and open to the public.

Hmong New Year Celebration is part of The Next Fifty at Seattle Center in 2012. The Festival is produced by Hmong Association of Washington in partnership with Seattle Center. For a full event schedule, visit www.hmongofwa.org, and for more information on this cultural series and other Seattle Center public programming, click on www.seattlecenter.com.