Seattle Center Winterfest Offers Worldfest, Winter Train and Village, Ice Rink & More

Seattle Center Winterfest presented by KOMO 4 TV opens with an inspiring performance by Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra. Seattle Deputy Mayor Darryl Smith officially ushers in Winterfest at 1 p.m. The weekend continues with Winter Worldfest and a full schedule of performances by the region"s most entertaining ethnic artists. The MoodSwings takes to Center House Stage Saturday evening for big band dancing with Arthur Murray Dance. All of these events are free and open to the public.

The full festival, which runs Nov. 26 - Dec. 31, offers Saturday afternoon ice sculpting and fireside sing-alongs. Winter Train and Village returns this year, along with Winterfest Ice Rink. Seattle Center Winterfest is promoted as part of Holidays in the City, a marketing collaboration of the Downtown Seattle Association/ Metropolitan Improvement District, Seattle"s Convention and Visitors Bureau and Seattle Center, highlights the unique and enriching holiday experience of Seattle"s City Center, from Seattle Center to Pioneer Square.

Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra: Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra, one of the nation"s largest and most noteworthy youth orchestras, performs the traditional opening of Seattle Center Winterfest and the Student Showcase Series with a selection of seasonal works sure to engage and inspire! Friday, Nov. 26, 11 a.m., Center House.

Winterfest Opening Ceremony: Winterfest officially opens with the noble drone of the Keith Highlanders Pipe Band. Join us to herald in five weeks of spirited seasonal festivities. Friday, Nov. 26, 1 p.m., Center House.

Winter Worldfest: this cultural festival features some of the region's best ethnic entertainment. Watch as the world comes to life in music and dance. The Holiday World Market offers goods from Russia, China and Istanbul. Nov. 26, 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.; Nov. 27 and 28, 12 noon - 5 p.m., in Center House. Photos available at: www.pbase.com/jal and click on Winter Worldfest. Learn more at:www.ethnicheritagecouncil.org.

Friday, Nov. 26
1:00* - 1:45 Keith Highlanders Pipe Band and Bentzen School of Highland Dance
* Seattle Center Winterfest Opening Ceremony
2:00 - 2:45 Te Fare O Tamatoa, legend of Punaauia in Tahitian dance & drumming
3:00 - 3:45 "One Crazy Raven," Native American storytelling, flute, music and dance
4:00 - 4:30 Juliana & PAVA, ancient Russian folk songs and instruments
4:45 - 5:00 Kalalaya School for the Performing Arts, Indian classical dance solo
5:15 - 6:00 Ocheami - Traditional Ghanaian dance, music and storytelling

Saturday, Nov. 27
12:00 - 12:30 Kisbetyárok Family Dance Group, Hungarian dance for all ages
12:45 - 1:15 Filipiniana Dance Company, traditional folk dance and songs of the Philippines
1:30 - 2:00 Katrilli Finnish Folkdancers, Lucia procession, holiday dances of Finland
2:15 - 2:45 Kabuki Academy, Japanese dance and Shamisen music
3:00 - 3:30 Karavans Dance Troupe,
folkloric and tribal dances from the Mid-East, North Africa and Persia
3:30 - 4:00 Urvasi, Odissi classical Indian dance
4:15 - 5:00 Barvinok Ukrainian Dance Team, Ukrainian folk dance and songs

Sunday, Nov. 28
12:00 - 12:30 Jacquelina's "Dances of Spain"
12:45 - 1:30 Melody Dance Group, Chinese folk, modern and traditional dance
1:45 - 2:15 Enzian Schuhplattler, German Bavarian Schuhplattler and Alpine dance
2:30 - 3:00 Joyas Mestizas, Mexican folkdance
3:15 - 4:00 Vela Luka Croatian Dance Ensemble and Ruze Dalmatinke,
music and dance of Croatia
4:15 - 5:00 Comerford School of Irish Dance, traditional Irish step dance

Schedule subject to change

Ice Sculpting: award-winning artists create seasonal sculptures. Watch while they work or stop by later to see the glistening result. Each Saturday an ice master will carve a different design. Saturday, Nov. 27, 12 noon - 2 p.m., outside Fisher Pavilion, free.

Fireside Singing: share in warmth and music around the crackling flames of a bonfire. Folksingers lead passers-by in a mix of original, traditional and contemporary folk holiday songs as embers illuminate the night. Saturday, Nov. 27, 5 p.m. - 7 p.m., outside Fisher Pavilion, free.

Big Band Dance with Arthur Murray and The MoodSwings: a lively evening with Arthur Murray Dance begins with 30-minute classes and demonstrations designed for beginning to advanced dancers, followed by dancing to the brassy tunes of The MoodSwings, an all-female band specializing in vintage big band and jazz music from the 1930s to the 1950s. Saturday, Nov. 27, 6:30 p.m. class; 8 p.m., dance, Center House, free.

For more information on Seattle Center Winterfest presented by KOMO 4 TV, parking and directions to the Center, visit www.seattlecenter.com/winterfest or call 206-684-7200.

About Seattle Center Winterfest

Connect to the sights, sounds and spirit of the season at Seattle Center Winterfest presented by KOMO 4 TV: five weeks of FREE and affordable, fun-filled activities and entertainment, Nov. 26 - Dec. 31. Visit Center House - displaying its winter finest - or explore the enchanting Winter Train and Village. The Ice Rink returns, along with music and comedy, jazz and dance, cultural celebrations, ice sculpting, fireside singing, student showcases and more. Seattle Center Winterfest is part of Holidays in the City, and is sponsored by the City of Seattle, Seattle Center Foundation, Seattle Weekly and KOMO 4 TV.

 

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