The Han Woo-Ri festival, a Korean culture celebration, will kick off Sept. 16 under the big tent in The Commons Mall.
The event will feature contemporary and traditional performing arts, exhibits, games and food. 2011 will see the continuation of a theme established in 2007, according to the city, of showcasing technology and youth culture, which are “all key elements of the Korean Wave.”
Part of the homage to youth culture and technology will be a B-Boy team and battle, a Korean bonsai master, and performers from Korea, Los Angeles and Vancouver. There will also be plenty of food.
Federal Way is home to one of the largest Korean communities in the region. Federal Way maintains close ties to its Korean sister city, Donghae City. A delegation from Donghae City will be on hand.
Free admission to all daytime events. Schedule:
• Friday, Sept. 16: Opening Night Gala starts at 6 p.m. Tickets are $60 and can be purchased at the gate or call (253) 835-6868.
• Saturday, Sept. 17: Festival program runs 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., then 7 to 10 p.m. Evening tickets are $5.
• Sunday, Sept. 18: Festival program runs noon to 5:30 p.m. Evening program is 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $7.
Festival highlights
• Festival Village: This will include exhibits, crafts, food, calligraphy workshop, children’s activities, exquisite fabric flower display, “royal costume” photo booth and other activities.
• Main Stage: Music will be a backdrop for the entire event, with “continuous music and dance performances” that include “both traditional and contemporary groups”. Exhibitions of Tae Kwon Do will take place on the main stage, along with Korean master bonsai artists. Children’s music and dance will also get to take the stage. Plus, more Korean food.
• Karaoke Festival (Saturday, 7 p.m.) Singers will have the chance to sing songs in both Korean and English. Drinks and snacks will be on hand to give those timid souls some courage to take the stage.
• Battle of the B-Boys (Sunday, 6 p.m.) Described as Korea’s answer to hip-hop, one of Korea’s biggest teams, NEWEST, will be on hand to demonstrate their skills. They’ll host an open battle for local B-Boy groups to determine who’s the baddest of them all.
