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Universe of Fun Multicultural Arts Festival


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Published: Aug 5, 2008

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Sun., Aug. 10, 3-7 p.m., $2 (free for children under 14), the Rotunda, 4012 Walnut St., 215-573-3234, therotunda.org

One of the great drudgeries of summer (or so we hear) is dealing with bored kids. After all, there are only so many times you can send the rugrats out for ice cream or over to a friend's house before little Johnny has a paunch and Betty Sue has organized the neighborhood moms against you. But at the Universe of Fun Multicultural Arts Festival, parents can channel their kids' energy into something productive, educational and entertaining. Sponsored by North City Arts, a nonprofit that provides free art programs to underserved youth, this mouthful of an event aims to kick-start creativity while educating kids about multicultural traditions and identities.

Designed for goldfish-like attention spans, the festival will feature a circuit of activities that includes instrument-making, a storytelling drum circle and a collective art project, in which participants of all ages get to slap their mark on a giant canvas. Kids will also have the chance to explore their ethnic identities with a multicultural brides and princesses workshop as well as a make-your-own superhero craft. As for grown-ups, they can kick back and enjoy music, spoken word, dance and even mime.

In addition to curing summer boredom, organizer Karan Rogers hopes that the festival will provide a low-stress venue for children to bond with their big people. "It's going to be a very open forum. It's not just for kids, but they can come out with their families or caregivers and just kind of lose themselves for the time they're there." Proceeds will benefit North City Arts' free percussion and literacy programs.