2010 CHILDREN OF THE WORLD IN HARMONY

18th International Youth Choir & Dance MiniFest

July 18-23, 2010

About the Festival

CHILDREN OF THE WORLD IN HARMONY MINIFEST IN JULY

The Children of the World in Harmony International Youth Choir & Dance Festival returns to northern Michigan July 18-23, 2010. This is the second festival to be presented in Michigan by Voices Without Borders, Inc. (VWB). Performing groups from the United States, Canada, and Vietnam will participate. While officially designated a MiniFest by the sponsors, the festival will present over 150 singers, dancers, and instrumentalists in more than ten concerts. Special events will be presented throughout the Tip of the Mitt area including performances in Petoskey, Bay View, Harbor Springs, Charlevoix, Beaver Island, Boyne City and Mackinac Island.

The following groups have been selected to participate in the 2010 MiniFest. Sol Arts Centre Traditional Music and Dance Ensemble from Hanoi, Vietnam will present dance and instrumental folk music ensembles and soloists. Singers of the group will join with other choirs in the Voices Without Borders Choir. SolArts Center helps pass on traditions and preserves traditional Vietnamese folk music and dance. Mariachi los Rebeldes of Phoenix was very popular with festival audiences last year and returns to the festival for a second year. The group helps young persons of Mexican decent learn about and perform traditional Mariachi music of Mexico.

Afrika Yetu, Youth Ambassadors, an African dance and music ensemble from Pittsburgh helps African-American youth learn about the music and dance of Central Africa. On Thursday, July 22nd, Director, Elie Kihonia will lead all of the performers and community members in a Drum Circle as one of the festival special events. The Winnipeg Children’s Choir (Manitoba, Canada) sings music in several languages from many cultures around the world. Each of these groups reinforces the traditions of the past and provides a connection for their members with those traditions.

Two local groups will also be participating. Dancers Without Borders of northern Michigan explores the history and tradition of American dance from early folk dance to hip-hop and jazz and along the way, they learn of the influence other cultures have had on our own national dance forms. The second local group is the Little Traverse Youth Choir, also of northern Michigan. The choir learns music from around the world in several languages to expand their understanding of the music and people of the world. Cynthia Anthony directs the Dancers Without Borders ensemble and Heather Marvin, directs the Little Traverse Youth Choir. Both groups had highly successful premiere concerts this May.

The truest expression of a people is in its dance and in its music. ~Agnes de Mille

Festival Mission:

The mission of the festival is to promote appreciation for and understanding of children’s and youth choral singing and dancing and to promote cultural preservation through the performing arts.

Festival Objectives:

• To present to the Little Traverse Bay and Northern Michigan community outstanding youth choirs and dance ensembles

• To involve the Little Traverse Bay and northern Michigan area in the joy of opening their community and their homes to visiting young people in a gesture of friendship and understanding

• To bring together children and youth choirs and other performing groups in order to share music and dance, exchange cultural ideas and experiences, and promote peace and understanding among the participants

• To create an opportunity for dialogue through joint concerts, social activities and home stays
Click here to view the most current festival schedule.

Click here to view the most current festival schedule.

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