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CULTURAL ARTS WORKSHOPS for ALL AGES
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Cultural arts programs have been developed in close collaboration with cultural experts and are tailored for audiences from preschool to adult. Programs are customized to fit existing curriculum. Optional special program features include: - slide show or video photographed on location - cooking class with tasting party - guest artists from the cultures presented.
Choose activities from the culture of your choice or mix and match for a workshop on international dance, storytelling, games or crafts. Cultures and countries include:
Seneca Indian Council
The Seneca Children's Council, or the Council of the We (Wee) People, recreates the training of Seneca children, exploring the world with hands-on, kinesthetic and sensory activities. Medicine Wheel teachings, traditional arts, nature crafts, stories, games, songs and dances are introduced as well as skills in nature observation and primitive living. In Council meetings children discuss age-specific topics and learn to respect all their relations and to live a life in harmony and balance. |
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Wisdom of Ghana
Build a simulated village community considering many of the elements which go into the daily and family life: gender and age-specific roles and responsibilities, naming, games, songs, stories. Create a storytheater performance of an Ananci story with songs, rhythm clapping, drumming, dance High Life and dress-up in African costumes. Make Adinkra cloth and learn the meaning of Adinkra symbols, weave Kente cloth, make and play rhythm instruments, form an Akuaba out of clay and make beads to wear.
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Wisdom of Mexico
Create a Seed Painting, learn the meaning of the Sun Calendar, eat tacos and enchiladas, dance the Aztec Dance of the four Elements, celebrate the Day of the Dead.
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Wisdom of Puerto Rico
Mask and instrument making from Loiza, Puerto Rico, songs, stories, Salsa and games.
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Wisdom of China
Practice 5-Element Tai Chi (short form), Smiling Eye based on 5 element system of the body, paper-cutting, Chinese calligraphy, Taoist stories, Yin and Yang, consult the I Ching , learn a ribbon dance, make a lantern, play Chinese jumprope, dance with the lion mask and celebrate Chinese New Year. |
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Wisdom of Japan
Make table top dry zen gardens, eat sushi and drink green tea, practice shiatsu (finger accupressure massage), watch and make kamishibai (paper theater). Compose Haiku, participate in a viewing party (special way to appreciate the beauty of nature), make an origami Ikebana (flower arrangement), make an abacus and learn to add and substract, celebrate Boy's Day, Girl's Day and Tanabata. |
Wisdom of Greece
Study the Odyssey as a template of your own heroic journey, eat spanikipita, dance the Sailor's Dance. Make a l ife-size maze with a live minotar.
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Wisdom of Russia
Tell, examine and characterize Russian fairytales as ancient initiation rites, then paint a fairytale mural or minature box. Dance the Troyka or take a Russian ballet class.
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Wisdom of India
Demonstrate Rongoli, the ceremony for welcoming the day, learn about the chakras, enjoy a slide presentation on mandalas and draw one of your own, practice yoga postures, relaxation and breathing exercises, learn folk lore and chants. Dress up in a sari or doti or make your own with tie-dye, batik or block printing. Celebrate Dwali or Holi and learn a peace prayer with hand gestures.
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Wisdom of Israel
Unravel the meaning of ancient symbols, the Menorah, Shield of David, the Tree of Life. Act out Brother Stories, a metaphor for conflict resolution. Create a Shabbath celebration. Eat falafel or blinzes. Make a seal, a dreidle, an oil lamp or work copper. Dance a hora. Experience the characteristics and interactions of the four elements in Hebrew tradition. Each participant will create, with the knowledge gained, a song, painting, poem, essay, story or dance.
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Wisdom of Egypt
Take a belly dance class or learn a Nubian folk dance, write your name with hieroglyphics, study the 5 Pillars of Islam and learn the Koran's interpretation of some of the Bible's stories, eat Egyptian salads, try on a jalaba and celebrate the end of Ramadan.
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Wisdom of Hawaii
Learn a traditional hula and song, hear the story of Maui and how his kite was swept away by the strong wind from the calabash of winds, make a kite with a Hawaiian design, see videos of ancient Hawaii produced by the Bishop Museum in Oahu for national television, play ancient Hawaiian games, learn how tapa (cloth) was made by pounding bark and hear how Hina, known for her skill in making tapa, saved herself from a mo-o (giant lizard) with her magic.
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