Press Room
Tuesday 1st August 2006 | PR
GH Foundation and Barnes & Noble present Tales from the Far East
GRACE Heritage and Barnes & Noble proudly present Tales from the Far East: Stories and folklore from Southeast Asia told by Margaret Read McDonald. This free event invites children of all ages to traverse Southeast Asia through a week-long Photography Exhibition at Barnes & Noble in Tysons Corner Center I (August 14-20). Traditional folklore and stories told by Margaret Read McDonald (August 18-20) will also transport little ones to a world of exciting adventures.
Folklorist Margaret Read MacDonald travels the world telling stories. She has offered her audience-participation workshops in Brunei, Sabah, Sarawak, Sumatra, Java, Bali, Banjarmasin, Penang, Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur, Laos, Manila, Singapore and throughout Thailand. MacDonald is author of over 45 books on storytelling and folklore topics, including the award-winning picture book The Girl Who Wore Too Much: A Folktale From Thailand and Go To Sleep Gecko: A Folktale From Bali.
McDonald will thrill young readers with a storytelling session at two local libraries. The first Southeast Asian Story Time will be held at the Georgetown Neighborhood Library at Wisconsin Avenue, NW D.C on August 18th, 2006. A second session, sponsored by the Friends of the Arlington Public Library will take place in the Arlington Central Library Auditorium on North Quincy Street on August 19th, 2006. Both Story Times are scheduled to begin at 1:30pm and last an hour long.
The finale on August 20th promises to be a treat for everyone. Hosted by Barnes & Noble in Tysons Corner Center I, this day-long extravaganza will kick off with a Story Time, followed by a book-signing where parents and children can meet and chat with Margaret Read McDonald. The highlight of this event will be a Kids’ Talent Showcase, hosted by young vivacious emcees Avellino Ernestanto and Teresa Chelsea Hartanto. They will present to audiences a group of delightful young dancers performing traditional Southeast Asian dances: an Umbrella Dance from West Sumatra, Indonesia and Rabum Dok Bua (Lotus Dance) from Thailand. These dazzling dances will lead into a Fashion Show of Traditional Costumes for children and will feature rich and unique national costumes from Indonesia, Laos, Phillipines, Thailand and Vietnam. A second Story Time and book signing will be held for more children to enjoy the colorful and exotic Southeast Asian stories narrated by McDonald.
An accompanying photography exhibition featuring the works of Iwan Bagus and Don Gurewitz will be held at Barnes & Noble at Tysons Corner Center I from August 14-August 20. Barnes & Noble will also be issuing vouchers in support of the GRACE Heritage’s many cultural programs through a contribution of a percentage of net sales. Other supporters of this project include the Royal Embassy of Cambodia, the Embassy of Indonesia, the Royal Thai Embassy and the Malaysian Tourism Board. All events are free to the public.
About ASEAN
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is comprised of ten countries in Southeast Asia, the region straddling continental Asia and Australia and bordering both the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Diversity is a part of life for ASEAN's 575 million citizen who are more likely than not multi-lingual, living in a multi-ethnic and multi-religious community. ASEAN members are Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Timor Leste, the only non-ASEAN member in Southeast Asia is a candidate for membership.
About UACP
US-ASEAN Creative Project (UACP) is the arm of GH Foundation to carry out its mission in promoting Southeast Asian culture and heritage. Since 2002, GH Foundation has organized various events in arts, entertainment, literature, and sports to raise awareness of the diverse cultures and traditions of Southeast Asia. Its flagship event, the US-ASEAN Film Festival, has been running annually since 2003. It was the first film festival to celebrate films from the region.
Contact Information
US-ASEAN Creative Project by GH Foundation
1701 16th Street NW Suite 218
Washington, DC 20009
USA
+1 (202) 262-3775
info@thegraceheritage.org
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