Packard Highland Dancers & Nittany Highlanders (Destination Europe)
10:00 a.m.; Park
Join the Packard Highland Dancers & the Nittany Highlanders bagpipers as they represent Scottish culture through dance and music. The Packard Highland Dancers and Nittany Highlanders will be performing culturally significant music and dances such as the Highland Fling, Sword Dance, and several others.
Joyful Vibrations: A Fun-Filled Family Kirtan Experience
11:00 a.m.; Park
Join us for an unforgettable interactive Kirtan session that will bring the entire family together in a joyful celebration of music, movement, and togetherness! Immerse yourselves in this lively and uplifting ancient practice of devotional call-and-response chanting, perfect for all ages.
Our family-friendly Kirtan experience will have children, youth, and parents alike clapping, singing, and dancing to upbeat rhythms and soul-stirring mantras. This vibrant, engaging, and inclusive event is all about creating connection, fostering self-expression, and embracing the present moment.
Here’s what you can expect from our Kirtan session:
- Easy-to-learn, kid-friendly mantras set to catchy melodies that will have everyone singing along in no time.
- An energetic and dynamic atmosphere that encourages participation and movement, with plenty of space for children to dance and twirl.
- Live music performed by “The Haribols”, a talented and passionate group of musicians who love sharing the transformative power of Kirtan.
- A lively call-and-response format that fosters a sense of unity and connection as the audience responds to the leader’s chants.
- Fun opportunities for the audience to join in, including playing simple instruments or leading a mantra.
- A break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, allowing your family to connect, bond, and create cherished memories together.
Come and discover the magic of Kirtan at Arts Fest Children and Youth Day! Prepare for laughter, music, and a whole lot of fun as you and your loved ones open your hearts, let go of inhibitions, and immerse yourselves in the joyful vibrations of this enchanting musical experience.
Penn State Asian Classical Music Club
11:45 a.m.; Park
Xiangyi Liu, Chen Xia, and Yin Yang will be showcasing their talents on traditional Chinese instruments. They will play the Pipa, Guzheng, and Erhu respectively. The performance will consist of solo performances and an ensemble performance of these traditional Chinese instruments.
- Horse Racing, Erhu by Yin Yang
- Ambush from Ten Sides, Pipa by Xiangyi Liu
- A Flowery Moonlit Night on Spring River, Ying Yang, Xiangyi Liu, and Chen Xia
Dance4Joy (Destination Caribbean, Latin/South America)
12:30 p.m.; Park
Put on your dancing shoes and get ready to move your body to some Latin beats! You will experience a variety of Latin dance styles and have an opportunity to learn basic steps to participate!
Roots of Life: Celebrating Community through West African Dance and Rhythms (Destination Africa)
1:30 p.m.; Park
Bio: Roots of Life is an arts-education program that offers elementary, middle and high school students the opportunity to learn and engage in West African dance, drumming, and community building through these and other diverse arts. Students also broaden horizons and form lasting bonds across grade levels and schools. Roots of Life is co-directed by Penn State Professor of Theatre/Dance, Kikora Franklin, Learning Enrichment teacher, Debra Daggs, and Director of Music, Jeffrey Martin. The group is supported by the State College Area School’s Office of Equity, Inclusivity and Belonging.
Black Cat Belly Dance (Destination Africa)
2:20 p.m.; Park
Shannon is a professional Egyptian-style dancer based in State College, PA and the Artistic Director of Black Cat Belly Dance, central Pennsylvania’s only dance school devoted to Egyptian dance. Since 2006 she has been the region’s only instructor of Egyptian Raqs Sharqi (belly dance) as well as Raqs Baladi and the folkloric dances of Egypt and the Middle East, including Saidi, Fellahi, Khaleegy, Melaya Leff, Ghawazee, Nubian, Shaabi, Simsimayya and more.