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The Fairy House Festival at Artpark.
The Fairy House Festival at Artpark.

6th annual Fairy House Festival June 18-19 at Artpark

Submitted

Fri, May 13th 2016 10:25 pm

Featuring The Lost Wheels of Time (Israel), Circus Orange (Canada), Uta Bekaia (Georgia) and Giraffe Royal (Estonia)

Artpark's annual Fairy House Festival is always filled with whimsy and wonder. This year, the event will transform into a two-day celebration featuring performances by international street theater groups, visual and interactive art experiences, storytelling and more.

The Fairy House Festival will be presented from 2-7 p.m. Saturday, June 18, and from noon until 5 p.m. Sunday, June 19, in the Artpark lower park (enter at South Fourth Street).

The Fairy House Festival will feature favorite activities such as the Fairy House Tour, The Fairy House Art Exhibit, fairy crown construction, potion production, T-shirt silk screening, storytelling, unicorn sightings and the "Build Your Own Fairy House" workshop.

New York theater director and visual artist Carin Jean White will direct the Fairy House Festival, weaving it into a "land of enchantment; welcoming you with roaming sprites and fairy activities. From a parking fairy directing your car to its spot with a wave of a magic wand, to the exotic wandering fairies flitting about the woods and Fairy Houses, you will be transported to a magical fairy world."

Festivalgoers will encounter a diverse group of international street theater artists, including Uta Bekaia (Georgia), The Lost Wheels of Time (Israel), Circus Orange (Canada) and Giraffe Royal (Estonia).

Four Fairy Clans of Fire, Air, Water, and Earth play and make mischief in garb designed by fashion and multimedia artist Bekaia. As guests tour hundreds of tiny houses created by families and artists in the community, they will discover these magical beings performed by local actors trained by Giraffe Royal.

Artpark & Company encourages all visitors to honor their favorite fairy clan: (water/blue, air/gray, earth/green and fire/orange) by wearing their favorite color.

"The Lost Wheels of Time," a 45-minute open-air theater show by Adam Read (Cirque du Soleil) and Fyodor Makarov (Slava's "Snow Show") tells the story of friendship and a clock, where a wizard uses the audience to save his best friend. The show comes to Artpark from Israel and is inspired by Lewis Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland" and Eugene Schwartz' "Tale of Lost Time."

Circus Orange, a Canadian company known for its breathtaking spectacle, will conjure up three sky-dancing air fairies.

Giraffe Royal, a troupe specializing in French street theater for more than 25 years, will deliver mythical creatures roaming the Artpark grounds. Join Giraffe Royal on Sunday as it builds and brings a dragon to life.

Additionally, Giraffe Royal will conduct a two-week residence at Artpark working with acting students interested in street theater, one of the world's oldest theater traditions. This will be Giraffe Royal's first U.S. appearance.

On Saturday, as the afternoon melts into dusk, be prepared to stay for a Fairy Ball. Dancing, eating and a fairy good time will be had by all. Secret location will be revealed only to those in attendance on Saturday afternoon.

Sonia Clark, the new executive director at Artpark, said, "This Fairy House Festival is an all-time favorite presenting us with new opportunities to celebrate the familiar grounds of the park in the most unexpected and delightful ways."

Daily admission for the Fairy House Festival at Artpark is $10 per person (free admission for children ages 3 and under). Tickets are on sale now online at artpark.net and tickets.com; through the Artpark box office, 450 S. Fourth St., Lewiston (10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays); by phone at 1-888-223-6000; and at the entrance to the festival. Parking is included with the purchase of a ticket; additional fees apply for online and phone orders. The Fairy House Festival takes place rain or shine.

Watch the festival schedule develop online at www.artpark.net and on Artpark's Facebook page.

Be a part of the Fairy House Festival: Ways to get involved include:

•Artpark encourages festival attendees to wear the colors/costumes of their favorite Fairy Clan.

•Volunteers are needed to assist with transforming Artpark into an enchanted fairy world on Friday, June 17. Those interested may contact Tanis Winslow at [email protected].

•Up to 20 actors will be selected to train with and perform alongside Giraffe Royal Theatre troupe at the Fairy House Festival and get the opportunity to wear costumes designed by Uta Bekaia. Actors interested in learning street theater may contact Susan Stimson at [email protected]

•Create a fairy house for display at the Fairy House Tour. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three houses. Register your fairy house creation at www.artpark.net.

•Volunteer as a parking fairy. For details, email [email protected].

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