| Middletown's Middfest Celebration Begins This Weekend October 2, 2009 |
| Tuesday, September 29, 2009 10:41:43 AM - Middletown Ohio |
NEWS RELEASE
September 29, 2009
MIDDFEST'S INDONESIAN CELEBRATION READY TO GO IN MIDDLETOWN THIS WEEKEND
Middfest International celebrated its 2009 Exhibit Opening and Artists Reception on Sunday September 27 at the Middletown City Building in Middletown. Volunteers, friends and
sponsors were able to see a sneak preview of exhibits as preparations are made for Middfest International's Celebration of Indonesia this weekend October 2, 3, and 4.
The event culminated with a fashion show featuring traditional and modern Indonesian dress and an artists' reception. Video coverage of the Exhibit Opening is posted on Middfest's website, www.middfest.com, and may be used for broadcast purposes.
This week Middfest International sponsors student tours of the exhibits in the Middletown City Building. Visiting performers will also tour area schools to meet students and preview what will be seen at Middfest this year.
The Indonesia Business Day at the Manchester Inn in Middletown on Friday, October 2 is co-sponsored by Middfest International 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. Indonesian Ambassador Sudjanan Parnohadiningrat will give the keynote address and preview the new comprehensive partnership between Indonesia and the US which President Obama will sign this Fall.
The Business Exchange on September 30 and October 1 allows businesses and educational institutions in the area to host visiting Indonesian professionals in matching industry sectors and build business relationships. This event will feature a discussion at the University of Cincinnati at 1:30 pm on Thursday, October 1 by Dr. Totok Suprayitno, Education Attache at the US Embassy in Indonesia. Middfest Internatonal will also host a special Governors Program on Thursday at the Hilton Cincinnati Netherlands Plaza with four visiting Indonesian Province Governors and Governor Strickland's representatives to discuss economic development and trade iniatives between the two countries and their effect on the region and the state.
Middfest International's 2009 Celebration of Indonesia officially kicks off on Friday, October 2 at 5:30 pm with the Opening Ceremony on the Miller Coors Brewing Stage. The celebration continues through Sunday, October 4. Exhibits close on Sunday at 6pm, with the Indonesian Finale set for 8pm. Entry is $5, which is good for the entire weekend. Children 12 and under are admitted free.
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.
The Culture Exhibit is housed throughout all four floors of the City Building and is named, “The Islands: Artistic Expression.” An Indonesian Fashion Show, which will occur several times during the weekend, will feature modern and traditional variations on Indonesia’s national dress.
Visitors will also see displays of wayang kulit, or shadow puppets, which are such a large part of Indonesian culture. Also on display will be Ambassador and Anne La Porta’s batik collection.
The ornate patterns found in batik, the wax-resist dyed cloth which is synonymous with Indonesia, are deeply sacred and reflect the Hindu view of the universe. 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 volcano, which symbolizes the massive Krakatau volcano eruption of 1883. Other examples of Indonesia’s unique biodiversity include a life-sized komodo dragon and a replica of the world’s largest flower, the Raffesia Arnoldi.
The Center for the Religions of Indonesia will house the exhibit entitled “Islam and Religions of Indonesia: Unity and Diversity” and 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 showing of religious artifacts from each of the six formally recognized religions of Indonesia and an explanation of the required Indonesian identity which all citizens carry that must have the cardholder’s religion on it.
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 International Food Court offers visitors foods from all over the world and will feature an Indonesian food booth. 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 sponsored by Target and 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.
This year’s performances will include a traditional puppet show by the visiting dalang, or puppet master, an energetic performance by the Jabali Acrobats and traditional Indonesian dances performed by the visiting Sumatran group Cindai. 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.
Middfest International receives support from Miller Coors, Target Stores, Artists in Residency, Arts Midwest, Cincinnati Fine Arts Fund, Fondersmith Fund for Youth, Dave & Carole Schul Fund, and the Ohio Arts Council.
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