By: Karen Bloom
Think of it as a mini "World's Fair" for families. "We want to showcase the multicultural community of Long Island and Queens," said Edith Doron, LICM's Director of Programs. We are offering visitors an opportunity to experience the cultures of families who have made Long Island their home."The festival represents "A Day In The Life" of a family's daily routine, experienced through hands-on activities, games and crafts, along with music and dance, and international foods. Children and parents will travel down a "global Main Street," in which they will take part in traditional activities that capture the key elements of a typical day, from morning through evening. Along the way, visitors can sample an international array of breakfast, lunch and dinner foods."One of the most attractive characteristics of Long Island is the amazing diversity of its people," said LICM Executive Director Bonnie Dixon. By attending our festival, children and their parents can learn about the varied cultures that are part of many local communities."The stroll along Main Street, begins, of course, with morning activities. The representative cuisine to start the day features a rice dish, granola, breads and pastries.
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African Hair Braiding - An ancient art handed down from generation to generation, it is demonstrated by a team of stylists from Maximus Hair Salons. Children can have their hair braided in such styles as box braids, flat twists and corn rows.
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Tai Chi Chuan - Tai Chuan masters, from West Hempstead's Chinese Center, of Long Island present demonstations and clinics of the ancient martial art.
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Baby Yoga - Playful yoga poses, breathing exercises, and imaginative relaxation techniques help energize children's bodies and minds. Exercises are led by a professional instructor from Yogan Haven of Queens.
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Lobsters of Long Island - Learn about Long Island's age-old lobstering trade, by experiencing the morning rituals of fisherman, with live lobsters provided by Freeport's Two Cousins Fish Market.
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Teas of the World - Enjoy the scents, colors and textures of whole teas - green, white, black, and herbal - during a "create your own" tea bag session.The scene becomes even more lively at "noontime." Vistors can play Double Dutch, try East Indian dance, learn Jujitsu, practice Chinese and Japanese calligraphy and origami, and even make a pizza! The menu includes pizza bagels and plaintains with refried beans.
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Double Dutch - Children can test their skill between the ropes, as they enjoy the popular rope skipping game that was all the rage in the 1940s and '50s.
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Bharatanatym - Discover the original 'street dancing,' a 3,000 year old East Indian dance form, characterized by intricate movements and hand gestures. Master dancer Kama Narayan and her students from Sree Vharata Kamalalaya perform in full costume and lead mini-lessons.
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Jujitsu - The Japanese martial art, based on suppleness, flexibility and gentleness, is presented by Adam Levine and students from Kings Point's Nokodo School.
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Calligraphy and Origami - Practice writing the oriental alphabet and learn about the ancient art of folded paper sculpture with teachers from the Sakura Japanese Language and Cultural Center.
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Pizza - Pizza, today, is as American as baseball and apple pie. Mario's Pizza of Westbury teaches pizza making skills to festival-goers as participants can try to knead, flatten and shape a pizza crust from real dough. Then watch the professional spin pizzas in the air.The day winds down as families prepare for the night. Playing dominoes, making amulets and worry dolls, along with drinking hot chocolate are just some of night time activities to experience. Try some evening foods, which include potato latkes, chicken curry, rice pudding, and apple strudel.
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Dominican Dominoes - Learn basic strategies of this popular Dominican past time.
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Swing Dancing - The dance form that originated during the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s continues to be popular among popular among people of all backgrounds. Kids and adults can hit the floor with LICM's Christine Terzella and learn dance basics.
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Hamsa Amulets - The hamsa (Arabic) or hamesh (Hebrew) hand is an old and still popular amulet for protection against envy or the evil eye. Make your own to bring home fortune and prosperity!
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Guatemalan Worry Dolls - According to legend, worry dolls have the ability to remove worries from sleeping children. Children can make their own out of wooden pegs and yarn and whisper their worries away.
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The Curry Trail - Experience the history of the spice trade and explore the role of spices in cooking. Grind spices to take home, along with a packet of rice, to make a curry.
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Mexican Hot Chocolate - Learn how to make a cup of this distinctive drink.Throughout the afternoon, vistors can enjoy performances on the festival stage that include Irish, Greek and traditional Chinese dancing, as well as an an LICM favorite, "The El Louie Show," with Louis Miranda. The day concludes with a Chinese Dragon Dance, in which children 8 and up can help "wake up the dragon" as they dance with dragon through Main Street.
Long Island Children's Museum's Friends Around The World Festival
Sunday, Oct. 3, 1-5 p.m. Tickets $20 per person. All proceeds support LICM exhibits and programming. It is suggested that tickets be purchased in advance, by calling (516) 224-5848 or www.licm.org.
Hofstra University's Physical Fitness Center, Hempstead.
