Hands-On Culture

With an objective of promoting cultural awareness at a young age, the Children’s Celebration of the Arts kicks off Friday at Ventura’s Mission Park.

This year’s 12th annual event--continuing through Saturday--features an “Art of the Americas” theme and offers children and families the chance to experience visual and performing arts through actual participation.

“We want to raise the awareness of the indigenous cultures that exist on these continents,” said event coordinator Sonia Tower.

Beginning 6:30 p.m. Friday, families can gather and enjoy a performance by children’s recording artist “Mister Bob and the Crayon Sky.” The concert features participatory songs, dancing and sign language. Then at 7:15 p.m., Latin American culture will be highlighted with “Ballet Folclorico do Brasil.” The group blends the African, indigenous Brazilian and Portuguese musical influences that helped shape that nation.

A parade at 10 a.m. Saturday kicks off a day of festivities, which include workshops providing hands-on activities.

“The workshops are the specialty of the event,” said Tower, who is cultural arts coordinator for the city of Ventura. “The kids will learn from actual professional artists.” Fifteen workshops will include Eskimo finger mask-making, yarn-doll making, Chumash lore and Aztec face painting.

“The important thing is to get the kids exposed to the arts at an early age and actually get them involved so they will continue to participate in later years,” Tower said. “That’s our goal.”

Saturday’s activities go until 3 p.m. and include a performance by the “Arco Iris Music Ensemble.” The group performs music from Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Peru and Brazil, using an array of native instruments.

“We’ll have continual entertainment geared toward children throughout the day,” said Tower. It will include an interactive play staged at 10:15 a.m. by Actors for Children (Xanadu Theatre Company).

All activities are free. Mission Park is on Main Street, located in front of Mission San Buenaventura. For more information, call 658-4726.