| Indonesian Fashion Show Highlights Middfest International Exhibit Opening |
| Friday, September 18, 2009 9:26:02 AM - Middletown Ohio |
NEWS RELEASE
September 19, 2009
INDONESIAN FASHION SHOW HIGHLIGHTS MIDDFEST INTERNATIONAL EXHIBIT OPENING
Middfest International will mark the official opening of its exhibits reflecting Indonesian culture and life on Sunday, September 27 at 2:30 pm. The event will kick off a week of activities leading up to Middfest's weekend celebration of Indonesia October 2-4 on and around Middletown's Donham Plaza.
The Exhibit Opening will include a special Indonesian Fashion Show. The traditional dress of Indonesia is the kain-kebaya, which consists of an ornate blouse worn over a batik sarong. Members of the local Indonesian community will model the traditional and modern variations of the kain-kebaya as well as other pieces from the country.
Visitors will have a chance to preview the Culture Exhibit which is housed throughout all four floors of the City Building and is named, “The Islands: Artistic Expression.” Artist Mario Blanco, son of the famed Balinese painter Don Antonio Blanco, will travel from Bali to display his own paintings and photography.
This year, Middfest International’s Science and History Exhibits are combined and will study how exotic spices and unique geography helped build lucrative trade routes and shape the modern nation of Indonesia. Additional notable features include a 20-foot working volcano which symbolizes the massive Krakatau volcano eruption of 1883.
The Center for the Religions of Indonesia will include a series of presentations by Southeast Asia scholars from Ohio University on the history and forms of various religions, particularly Islam, in Indonesia and their impact on religious tolerance and governance with resulting implications throughout the region and world. It will also include a special exhibit of religious artifacts from each of the six formally recognized religions of Indonesia.
Puppetry, a distinguishing characteristic of Indonesian cultural arts, will be explored during Middfest weekend through performances of traditional shadow and rod puppets accompanied by a traditional gamelan orchestra and a special theatrical offering by Das Puppsenspiel in the Indonesian Puppet and Music Center located in the former Middletown Senior Center. Indonesian puppet shows will be accompanied by a gamelan orchestra, an Indonesian musical ensemble made up of various percussion and stringed instruments. Its unique sound captivated Claude Debussy at the Paris World Exhibition in 1889 and influenced some of his compositions, helping to spark interest in Europe and the Americas.
The Indonesia Business Day at the Manchester Inn on October 2 is co-sponsored by Middfest and the Chamber of Commerce serving Middletown, Monroe and Trenton. Indonesian business and government officials will participate in panel discussions with local, regional and state business and government leaders and explore commercial opportunities between the two countries. The Business Exchange September 30 and October 1 allows businesses in the area to host visiting Indonesian professionals in matching industry sectors and build business relationships.
The Middfest weekend celebration starts at 5:30 pm on Friday, October 2 with the Opening Ceremony. In addition to constant live entertainment on several stages throughout the weekend by local, national and international acts including Dayton’s Rhythm In Shoes and the Jabali Acrobats from Mombassa, Kenya, Middfest will also welcome a traditional Indonesian dance troupe—Cindai—from North Sumatra, Indonesia.
Some of the many performing acts will be touring local schools during the week prior to Middfest weekend to showcase their talents and introduce youth to different cultures.
The International Food Court offers visitors foods from all over the world. A special Indonesian Market will offer shoppers the chance to browse and purchase unique Indonesian handicrafts such as batik, silver jewelry, leather goods, fashion accessories and rattan furniture.
Children are invited to participate in Super Saturday, a special offering designed for youngsters to view exhibits and see performances on the Saturday morning of Middfest weekend prior to the event’s opening to the general public. Youth Park will have a special ‘Jungle Quest’ theme this year to emphasize Indonesia’s unique ecology. The park is open throughout the weekend with special children’s activities, games and performances, including demonstrations of badminton, Indonesia’s national sport.
The Exhibit Opening on Sunday, September 27 is free. Admission to Middfest’s weekend celebration of Indonesia October 2-4 is $5, which includes a keepsake badge bearing a traditional batik design, and is good for entry all weekend. Children 12 and under are admitted free. Visit www.middfest.com or call 513-425-7707 for additional information.
For media inquiries, please contact Christina Papakirk, christina.papakirk@gmail.com, 513-460-6647
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