Humanitas Festival
World arts festival coming to WSU Pullman Oct. 3-5
Music, dance, art, and cuisine from around the world will be featured along with plenty of fun at the inauguralHumanitas, a free, public festival co-sponsored by CAS Oct. 3-5 at WSU Pullman and Dahmen Art Barn in Uniontown, Wash.
Events range from family-friendly outdoor activities and entertainment to evening performances by internationally infused groups Step Afrika!, Okaidja and Shókoto, and Aché Brasil (see schedule below).
The event is a collaborative project of WSU Performing Arts, Beasley Coliseum, WSU International Student’s Council, WSU Student Entertainment Board–Arts, Festival Dance and Performing Arts of Moscow, Idaho, the Pullman Chamber of Commerce, and area businesses, said Gail Siegel, director of WSU Performing Arts.
“‘Humanitas’ is Latin for humanity, kindness, and compassion,” Siegel said. “We hope the festival will bring people together in this spirit to celebrate the world through the sharing of music, dance, culture, food, and fun.”
Funding for the festival includes support from CAS to present Arts for Children’s Enrichment (ACE) projects during Saturday’s outdoor festivities. The ACE educational outreach program, directed by CAS Senior Associate Dean Paul Whitney, is a partnership between the college and 4-H Youth Development to bring art to Washington youth through hands-on activities.
Among ACE projects that will be part of Humanitas are “Dots & Lines,” an exploration of Aboriginal culture from the land down under, and “Behind the Mask,” connecting youth to art through the ancient arts of mask making and storytelling. All art supplies are provided by CAS. ACE instructors this year included program coordinator and Clinical Assistant Professor of Music Mary Trotter, Assistant Professor in Fine Arts Iolanda Palmer, Clinical Assistant Professor of Music Ben Gonzales, 4-H adult and youth leaders, and volunteers from the WSU Center for Civic Engagement.
Friday’s festival schedule includes workshops and other youth outreach programs.
Saturday’s events begin at 11:00 a.m., with outdoor stages featuring world music and dance performances by local and regional artists, ethnic food concessions, a beer garden, hands-on art activities for all ages, and other family-friendly fun.
Nightly concerts are also free and open to everyone, with seating available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Additional event sponsors and volunteers are still being sought—contact Gail Siegel at 509-335-8522 or gsiegel@wsu.edu to be part of the celebration.
Find out more about Humanitas
Festival program
Thursday
7:30 p.m. – SEB-Arts presents STEP AFRIKA! at Beasley Coliseum
Friday
10:00 a.m. – OKAIDJA & SHÓKOTO youth outreach program at Dahmen Art Barn, Uniontown, Wash.
7:30 p.m. – WSU Performing Arts presents OKAIDJA & SHÓKOTO at Jones Theatre in Daggy Hall
Saturday
11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. World Cougar Party & Outdoor Festival on NE North Fairway Rd. by Beasley Coliseum. Co-sponsored by the WSU International Students’ Council, with sound and dance stages, ethnic food concessions, merchant tables, and family-friendly activities. In case of rain, events will be held inside Beasley Coliseum.
7:30 p.m. – Festival Dance and Performing Arts presents ACHÉ BRASIL at Beasley Coliseum
Other Humanitas sponsors include:
Associated Students of Washington State University (ASWSU)
Banyans on the Ridge
City of Pullman
Department of Foreign Languages and Culture, WSU
Finance and Administration, WSU
Inland Northwest Broadcasting
International Programs, WSU
Moscow Mardi Gras, Inc.
MyRadio 102.5 FM
Odom Corp
Office of the President, WSU
Office of the Provost, WSU
SEB Arts
Student Affairs and Enrollment, WSU
WSU Global Campus