New international theater, film and stories abound during this year’s Kids Euro Festival for children aged 4-12 and their families in Washington DC, with more than 100 free events in total.  The British Embassy joins 26 other European Union embassies in Washington, DC and more than twenty major local cultural institutions for this year’s program. 

    Creative UK delights in the 2009 Kids Euro Festival:

Arts in Health

Experienced “clown doctor” Frankalele arrives from London, bringing playful improvisation to children and families in hospital alongside in-depth clowning workshops for students in local schools.  Frankalele will also perform his new show on the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage – see below for details.

The UK has a strong tradition of excellence in the area of arts in healthcare settings.  Frankalele has worked in the past for Hearts&Minds, a decade-old Scottish charity that brings laughter to children 6 months to 18 years who are in hospital or hospice care.  

Arts Council England has a report on the value of Arts in Health - you can also view an audio slideshow by the BBC of some current projects in and around London or take a look at some highlights from ArtsCare in Northern Ireland.

Frankalele: Hopefool

UK clown and physical comedian Frankalele performs Hopefool, the story of a man working in a confetti factory who builds a dream world of fame, family and fun.  A feast of visual humour, physical theater, slapstick and magic, Hopefool is dangerously spontaneous - with lots of confetti!
http://www.kennedy-center.org/programs/millennium/

FREE PERFORMANCE
October 22, 2009
6:00 p.m.
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts: Millennium Stage
Washington, DC

Animated Delights

Screening in local schools is the latest triumph from Aardman Animation - Wallace and Gromit: A Matter of Loaf and Death.  Wallace and Gromit are the beloved dynamic duo of man and dog, Claymation characters that have appeared in multiple Aardman films by four-time Academy Award-winning director Nick Park.

Aardman Animation has developed a reputation for being a world leader in model animation, winning many international awards and releasing major feature films such as Chicken Run and Flushed Away.  Aardman is headquartered in the UK city of Bristol, a major hub for contemporary animation (including training and university education) – learn more about UK animation on the British Council’s BritFilms website: http://www.britfilms.com/resources/animation  

Contemporary Stories

Stories by beloved British children’s author Michael Rosen will be read during the festival.

Michael Rosen was the UK’s Children’s Laureate from 2007-2009 and has dedicated his life to exciting children about literature with his passion for books and poetry.  Born in Middlesex in 1946, Michael studied at Oxford University and has worked for the BBC and the National Film School.  His distinguished career includes writing, performing, teaching and radio/television appearances.

Two modern classics

Little Rabbit Foo Foo

He's wild, he's wicked, he's Little Rabbit Foo-Foo! The bully-boy bunny likes nothing better than to ride through the forest bopping everyone on the head. Wriggly worms, tigers, no one is safe. But here comes the Good Fairy - and she is not amused!

We're Going On A Bear Hunt

Follow a family's excitement as they wade through the grass, splash through the river and squelch through the mud in search of the bear. What a surprise awaits in the cave on the other side of the dark forest!

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