Seattle Center Festal's IRANIAN FESTIVAL Set for Next Month at the Armory

Seattle Center Festál: Iranian Festival underscores a history of "unity in diversity" through performances, poetry and authentic cuisine, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 8, in Seattle Center Armory. Music and dance, Rumi poetry and face painting provide a glimpse into this culturally opulent and expressive culture.

The ninth annual Iranian Festival takes on a theme of Celebrating the Shahnameh (The Book of Kings). Hamid Rahmanian, an award-winning filmmaker and graphic artist, presents his illustrations for an edition of the epic manuscript. Based on the pictorial tradition of the Persianate world from the 14th to 19th centuries, Rahmanian's intricate illustrations invite viewers to discover the rich visual traditions of Persian culture.

Performance highlights include classical Persian music played by Sahba Motallebi, Vandad Massahzadeh and Mehdi Bagheri, and dances based on traditional Iranian folklore by Vancouver Pars National Ballet. Iranian-American comedian K-Von brings stand-up performances to the festival. A screening of K-Von's documentary film "Nowruz: Lost & Found," an exploration of the dancing, food, clothing and traditions surrounding Persian New Year, follows the festival on August 9 (5:30 p.m., King County Library -- Bellevue Branch).

A vibrant marketplace offers books, handmade jewelry, artwork and an assortment of delicious Persian stews. Workshops on Persian calligraphy and language offer fun and educational experiences for all ages.

In 2015, Seattle Center Festál explores the "art of culture" in 23 celebrations on weekends throughout the year. The events, organized by ethnic/cultural organizations in partnership with Seattle Center, make use of indoor and outdoor spaces on the grounds and offer wide-ranging entertainment, food, visual displays and exhibits and hands-on learning opportunities. The annual series forms the bedrock of public programming at Seattle Center, captivating and enlightening festival-goers as they experience the distinct cultures that influence the character and course of our broader community.

Seattle Center Festál is a program of Seattle Center Productions. Admission is free-of-charge. For more information on Iranian Festival and other Seattle Center public programming, click on www.seattlecenter.com or call 206 684-7200.

Seattle Center Festál 2015 explores the art of culture on weekends throughout the year. The festivals highlight the diverse cultures and common threads of ethnic communities in our region with traditional and contemporary art, music, foods, youth activities, workshops, marketplaces and more. This collection of 23 cultural events is produced with the generous support of Coca-Cola, Alaska Airlines, T-Mobile, KUOW 94.9 Public Radio, Boeing, RealNetworks and 4Culture. Additional support is provided by the City of Seattle and Seattle Center Foundation.