CDBF 2011 This weekend!

Here are some highlights of the 11th Annual Colorado Dragon Boat Festival:

NEW: Japanese Obon Dance:

To pay tribute to the victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, we'll have a Japanese Obon or Bon Odori Dance, in which the public can dance along following the movements of the Denver Buddhist Temple Minyo Kai dance troupe. It's fun - like Japanese line dancing, but in a circle! More on the Obon Dance:
http://www.cdbf.org/new-get-your-obon-dance-on-at-cdbf-2011/

NEW: Wellness Village:

This new area will offer free screenings and health education at the festival. Our focus is keeping the community healthy by providing different alternatives for health. List of participating health organizations:
http://www.cdbf.org/marketplace/new-wellness-village/

NEW: imaginAsian Mural Collaboration:

Our first-ever interactive art project is a collaboration of local artists and the public to create four unique projects with the theme "Ode to Japan." The organizations include Arts Street, the Ladies Fancywork Society, Rawh Expressions and Squidworks comic artists. Festival visitors have been submitting ideas for the Arts Street mural in advance, and visitors will be able to contribute to most of the art during the festival. More about the mural project:

http://www.cdbf.org/performance/imaginasian-mural-collaboration/

NEW: Asian Food Truck Stop:

Food Trucks are hot, and we've invited Denver's first Asian food truck to the festival. A cultural celebration for the tastebuds. Manna from Heaven will serve up their delicious version of traditional Vietnamese Banh Mi sandwiches at the event's first food truck. Manna from Heaven will be parked in our first-ever Taste of Asia Food Truck Stop. The other trucks are Route 40, serving great Argentinian food, and Colorado Buffalo Grill. Full list of Taste of Asia vendors:

http://www.cdbf.org/marketplace/2011-taste-of-asia-vendors/

Dragon Boat Races:

These exciting competitions celebrate the ancient Chinese tradition and athletic test of endurance and teamwork. Races begin at 8:00 am each day. In addition to the event's first international team from Toronto, the races will feature a team from Portland consisting of all seniors over the age of 50, including the most senior competitor out there, who is 94 years young. Imagine paddling and beating much younger competitors at that age! Full list of teams:

http://www.cdbf.org/racing/2011-race-teams

Performances: A variety of inspiring cultural performances will take place throughout the weekend. The Main Performing Arts Stage will feature dancers and music from a variety of cultures and backgrounds. Ranging from traditional Chinese dance to alternative rock, Japanese Taiko drummers and even hip hop and martial arts, these performances reflect a breadth of talent locally in Colorado. Gateway to Asia will feature more intimate performances and showcases interactive educational exhibits. Full Main Performing Arts Stage lineup is available online at:

http://www.cdbf.org/performance/main-performing-arts-stage/2011-main-stage-performers/

Dragonland:

Since the very first Colorado Dragon Boat Festival, we've included an area for children so they can be introduced to Asian cultures with fun activities, guided by volunteers from such organizations as Girl Scouts and the Denver Art Museum. This year we're introducing some kid-friendly games in Dragonland to keep children even more entertained. For 2011, CDBF is also proud to announce a new Dragonland stage that will feature children's performers and storytellers to enhance the "edutainment" available for young people at the festival. More Dragonland details:

http://www.cdbf.org/performance/dragonland/

Gateway to Asia:

The Gateway to Asia stages will highlight Japanese performers for our festival theme. "Gambare Japan" ("Persevere, Japan"), and we'll have a tent all about Japanese culture and traditions, as well as a separate exhibit about the Japanese American Experience, including information about Amache, the World War II Japanese American internment camp in southeast Colorado. This exhibit will also feature special guests the Amache Preservation Society, a group of students from Granada Undivided High School who work on preserving and restoring the Amache site. Full Gateway performers and schedule online:

http://www.cdbf.org/performance/gateway-to-asia/2011-gateway-to-asia-performers/

Cultural Unity:

Our popular hip-hop showcase is bigger than ever this year, so everyone can get a great view of the eye-popping dance moves going on under the tent. Did you know that there are local DJs in Denver that have national reputations? Come out and get an introduction to the hip-hop scene this weekend! Here's the full Cultural Unity schedule:

http://www.cdbf.org/performance/cultural-unity/2011-cultural-unity-performers/

Taste of Asia:

A variety of Asian cuisines will be available in the Taste of Asia Food Pavilion, representing Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, Hawai'ian, Laotian, Indian, and more. For those who may not be adventurous diners, there'll be typical festival fare such as hot dogs, funnel cakes and pizza. But who wants to miss fresh squeezed sugar cane juice from Tropical Paradise (Laotian), or try the new Bento Box from Kokoro (Japanese)? Bam-Bu, a winning booth from last year's Culinary Contest , is serving a new item this year: Korean Kalbi Burgers. Or for dessert, try one of 21 flavors of Mochi Ice Cream from a first-time vendor, Smooch? Complete list of Taste of Asia vendors: http://www.cdbf.org/marketplace/2011-taste-of-asia-vendors/

Asian Marketplace:

Every year, our Marketplace is a virtual international bazaar of Asian gifts, art, jewelry,toys, fashions and accessories for all ages. From cool hip t-shirts to incredible massage chairs; from information about Panda bears to handmade hats from Madagascar that help fund educational efforts across the globe, you'll be able to shop 'til you drop. Full list of Marketplace exhibitors here:
http://www.cdbf.org/marketplace/2011-marketplace/

AUGUST