April 29, 2005

Everyone who has lived in what is now Michigan has roots somewhere else.  The importance of those far-reaching roots will be celebrated in colorful style at the Michigan Historical Museum's Ethnic Festival on Saturday, May 7, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  The festival offers a full day of exploring music, food, art and traditions from the many different cultures that have made a home in Michigan.

The Ethnic Festival compliments Movers and Seekers: Michigan Immigrants and Migrants, a special exhibit at the museum, which takes a thoughtful look at the experiences, dreams and legacies of people who made their way to Michigan in the 20th century.  The museum is located inside the Michigan Library and Historical Center, 702 W. Kalamazoo St., in downtown Lansing.  Admission and weekend parking are free.

"Everyone at the Michigan Historical Museum is proud to bring Ethnic Fest to the people of mid-Michigan," said Phil Kwiatkowski, director of the Michigan Historical Museum system.  "By experiencing the sights, sounds and traditions of cultures other than their own, people are able to appreciate not only each other's differences but also the common things that draw them together."

Emceed by Bob Blackman of Folk Traditions on WKAR-FM, music and main-stage acts include

11 a.m. to Noon - Music of Our Culture
Josh White Jr., singer-songwriter and educator

Noon to 12:30 p.m.  - Japanese Swordsmanship Iaijutsu
Michael Alexanian, head instructor, United States Tamiya Ryu Iaijutsu, and Jeffery Karwowski

12:30 to 2 p.m. - Fusion Klezmer Band
Yiddish/Klezmer, Israeli/Hebrew music and Israeli dance; Neil Alexander, lead guitarist and vocalist

2:30 to 4 p.m. - Randy Wrozek's Jackson Hy-Notes Polka Band of Jackson, Mich.
And Polish Alliance Dancers and POLANIE Song and Dance Ensemble

Other activities occurring throughout the day include:

STORYTELLING - Gabriel Richard Room, First Floor

11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. - So This Is the Fire

A mixed-media performance about African Americans' escape from slavery with Denise Miller, instructor, English, Language and Literature, Kalamazoo Valley Community College; and Michelle Johnson, Freedom Trail coordinator, Michigan Historical Center

12:30 to 1:30 p.m. - "The Indians of Hungry Hollow"* and more

Marcia Fountain-Blacklidge, co-author

*A 2005 Michigan Notable Books selection

1:30 to 2:30 p.m. - "Eight Steamers: Sailing Through the Sixties"*

Patrick Livingston, author

*A 2005 Michigan Notable Books selection

ARTS AND CRAFTS WORKSHOPS - Education Room, First Floor

11 a.m. to Noon - Japanese Daruma Doll Making
Van Nguyen, outreach coordinator, Michigan State University Asian Studies Center

11:30 a.m. to Noon - The Art of Henna (Mehndi)

Anshu Varma creates fun temporary tattoos of your artistic creations

Noon to 1 p.m. - Wcinanki Paper Cut Design

Bob Mende, instructor

Noon to 1 p.m. - Pisanki Egg Art Design

Dan Czeski, instructor

1 to 2 p.m. - Japanese Origami

Chikako Maruyama, instructor

2 to 4 p.m. - Making 'Medicine Wheel' Bracelets

Megan McCullen, Nokomis Learning Center, a Native American Cultural Cente

ARTS and CRAFTS, MUSIC and DANCE DEMONSTRATIONS - 2nd Floor

11:30 a.m. to Noon - Japanese Flower Arranging (traditional and non-traditional)

Mary Ishino

Noon to 1 p.m. - Stara Krcma Kapela (The Old Tavern Band)

Czech music with the Krcmarik Family

Ongoing - Wood Sculpting

Alexandria Simoes Ferreira and Sergio da Mata Simione, Mozambique

3 to 4 p.m. - Iranian Dancing

Nina Maghsoodi, Shiva Thompson and Shilan Sadiq, Okemos High School; Nahal, Shooka Rafizadeh and Nazila Jamalifard, Chippewa Middle School

3 to 4 p.m. - Indian Dancing

Maya Saxena and Raji Singh, Chippewa Middle School

In addition, a limited supply of ethnic food samples will be available provided by Aladdin's Delight, Okemos; New Aladdin's (Frandor), Lansing; Altu's Ethiopian Restaurant, Lansing; Dimitri's Restaurant, Lansing; and the Polish National Alliance (wrapped Polish candy).

The Michigan Historical Museum is located inside the Michigan Library and Historical Center, 702 W. Kalamazoo St., two blocks west of the State Capitol in downtown Lansing.  The main entrance and visitor parking are located off of Kalamazoo Street, just east of M.L. King Boulevard.  Museum hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m.  The museum is closed on official state holidays.  Admission and weekend parking are free.  For more information visit www.michiganhistory.org or call (517) 373-3559 or TDD (517) 373-1592.

Movers and Seekers: Michigan Immigrants and Migrants and associated programming is sponsored in part by the Michigan Humanities Council, the Luis and Helen Padnos Foundation, the Esther and Seymour Padnos Fund of the Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area, and the Friends of Michigan History.

The Michigan Historical Museum System is a division of the Michigan Historical Center, an agency of the Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries, whose mission is to enrich the quality of life for Michigan residents and strengthen the economy by providing access to information, preserving and promoting Michigan's heritage and fostering cultural creativity.  The department also includes the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, the Library of Michigan, the Michigan Film Office and the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs.

Read more press releases from the Department of History, Arts and Libraries.