Arts Center Family Festival celebrates Hmong culture

Bring the whole family to experience the food, traditions and folklore of the Hmong culture from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14. Part of the John Michael Kohler Arts Center’s Family Festivals series, this event includes hands-on activities and performances by local residents designed to captivate all ages.

A highlight of the festival will be a performance created for Family Festivals by I.C.E. (Infusing Cultures Entertainment), which is a Sheboygan-based ensemble comprised mostly of young people. The show deftly intertwines dance, music and theatre to convey the history and culture of the Hmong people.

Aside from performances, visitors can also participate in hands-on workshops making Hmong-inspired wire necklaces, storycloths and hats; listen to fascinating folktales told by members of the Sheboygan Hmong community; and watch demonstrations of Hmong artistry, such as metalsmithing, needlework and qeej music. The Arts Center and the Hmong Mutual Assistance Association are working in partnership to involve the Sheboygan community in this Family Festival.

A sample of the traditional Hmong foods offered at Family Festival includes sweet rice, Hmong sausages, mustard greens soup and homemade tofu. Hmong cuisine will be available at the event for a small charge. For those less eager to try unfamiliar foods, the ARTcafe will offer its usual menu of soups, sandwiches, salads and sweets.

“Come when you can, and stay as long as you like,” said Performing Arts Coordinator Ann Brusky of the Arts Center. “Most Family Festival performances and activities are repeated at least twice so families can work around naptimes and mealtimes without missing any of the activities.”

For more information, call (920) 458-6144 or visit www.jmkac.org and click on “events.”

The Arts Center acknowledges the support of Alliant Energy Foundation and Target for Family Festivals with additional support provided by the Gannett Foundation and Sheboygan Service Foundation Inc. This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.