World Arts Celebration Rescheduled for August 4

Explore over thirty cultures from around the world at the World Arts Celebration on Saturday, August 4, 2018 from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. around the fountain at City Center at Oyster Point (735 Town Center Drive).  A stroll around the fountain will transport you through a curated world tour of hands-on exhibits, art demonstrations, entertainment and culinary delights to tantalize your senses.

This year’s headliner is the Junkanoo Commandos, a traditional Junkanoo performance troop, flying straight from Nassau, Bahamas for a riveting and colorful performance at 7:00 p.m.  You can pick up free bells and whistles to join with the performance and you can try on authentic festival headpieces.

Throughout the afternoon, visit exhibits from a variety of countries including Taiwan, South Africa, Germany, China, Japan, France, Mali, Egypt, West Indian Islands, Mexico, Greece, Vietnam, Polynesia, America and Cambodia.  Free children’s activities include face painting, henna designs, and international “make and take” crafts. Families can take photos with artistic props representing a variety of countries from around the world.  Free necklaces, mini totes and Chinese fans will be given away while supplies last.  Vendors will sell artwork and crafts from Ecuador, Kenya, Nepal, Uganda, Bangladesh, the Philippines, South Africa, the Bahamas and America.

Folkdance, music, and martial arts performances will fill three stages.  The World Stage features the ACT Dance Theatre at 4:30 p.m., the Peninsula Chinese American Association (Tai-chi Team) at 5:00 p.m., Jow Ga Kung Fu Association’s Lion Dance at 6:00 p.m., and the Junkanoo Commandos at 7:00 p.m.

The Gazebo Stage will feature Tom Teasley (Global Percussion) at 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.  and a Pipa performance by the William & Mary Confucius Institute at 5:00 p.m.  Performances on the NN Love Stage include the Cumascaigh School of Irish Dance at 4:00 p.m., the Latin Dancers of Hampton Roads at 4:30 p.m., the Ohana Arts Hula at 5:00 p.m., and a performance by Sentiminetos Y Raices Del Peru by Bailes do Monde at 5:30 p.m.  The Mosaic Steel Orquestra will perform throughout the day.

International food vendors will sell food representing  Puerto Rico (El Coqui Puerto Rican Cuisine), the Caribbean Islands (MP Island Café), the Mediterranean (Grapevine Restaurant, Made for U Italian Ice, Over the Moon Pizza, 4 Spices Mediterranean, Fruity Smoothies), Asia (Taste of Asia) and Europe (Couture Cakes by Nika).

The World Arts Celebration is presented by the City of Newport News, Newport News Sister Cities, and the Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center.  Admission and parking are free.    For additional information, call 757-926-1400.  Updates and announcements (including weather-related announcements) will be posted on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/NewportNewsFestivals and Twitter @nnfestivals.

Additional Info…