Seattle Center Festal to Celebrate Cultures this Month

Seattle Center Festál showcases three of the region's dynamic and varied cultures on weekends during the month of August. The 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.

Seattle Center Festál: Indigenous Cultures Day, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 16, in Seattle Center Armory and Mural Amphitheatre, explores the cultural roots and contemporary influences of Indigenous people of the world through dance, music, arts and crafts, film, food, and children's activities.

The focus this year, on Native American Indian and Alaska Native communities, brings together performers, artists and tribes from across North America to entertain - and educate - visitors on the richness of their cultures. The one-day event features a mini pow wow, flute circle with Native flutist Peter Ali, traditional food gathering demonstrations and arts and craft activities for children. Indigenous Cultures Day is produced by the Seattle Indian Health Board in partnership with Seattle Center. For more information, visit: sihb.org.

Seattle Center Festál: BrasilFest, 12 p.m. - 7 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 17, in Seattle Center Armory, Mural Amphitheatre and Fisher Rooftop, celebrates the diversity of this South American cultural melting pot, exploring its African, Portuguese and indigenous roots through classical guitar, Brazilian dances, samba rhythms and the percussive beats of traditional folk music.

Festival-goers will enjoy Brazilian foods, dance workshops, children's activities and live Brazilian music performed on instruments up to 500 years old. Show Brazil will perform, along with Choro Tocando and colorful Brazilian dancers. Visitor will also find intricate arts and crafts on display and films on Brazilian martial arts. BrasilFest is produced by Brazil Center and Show Brazil Productions in partnership with Seattle Center. For more information, visit: brasilfest.org

Seattle Center Festál: Tibet Fest, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Aug. 23 and 24, in Seattle Center Armory, weaves together ancient and modern history into a two-day festival that seeks to preserve this centuries-old culture. Live performances, visual arts and crafts, hands-on activities, traditional foods, games and a lively marketplace illuminate Tibet's extraordinary past and present.Tibet Fest is produced in partnership with Tibetan Association of Washington. For more information on Tibet Fest, visit: washingtontibet.org.

Seattle Center Festál, a series of 22 weekend celebrations throughout 2014, is presented at Seattle Center in partnership with ethnic organizations in our region. Each event offers moving entertainment and fascinating insight into a different culture of the world. For a full event schedule as well as information other Seattle Center public programs, click on www.seattlecenter.com or call 206 684-7200.