Department of Cultural Affairs

One of the most eagerly-awaited children’s programs every summer, the Taipei Children’s Arts Festival, will be unveiled tonight with the first day of a four-day program in the lawn area of Dahu Forest Park, featuring various performances blended with local flavors.

As a move to preview the upcoming Taipei International Flora Exposition in November, organizer Taipei City Government and co-hosts Department of Cultural Affairs and Taipei Culture Foundation have created a special wonderland in Dahu Park where children and parents can appreciate artistic performances in the midst of nature.

Tonight at seven thirty, the Golden Bough Theater presents “Midsummer Night’s Dream,” adapted from Shakespeare’s work of the same name, a comedy that blends fire dancing, variety and songs.

On July 9 the Chio-Ting Folk Drums & Arts Troupe is to perform its Taiwanese Culture Show, which is based on temple drumming rituals. Under the midsummer sky, urban children will have the chance to experience the heart-beating tempos of the drum group.

The following two days will feature outdoor concerts of diverse styles. The Aboriginal Amis Kakeng Musical Group will present a Happy Days concert on July 10, featuring traditional instruments and tribal songs.

On July 11, a rock’ n’ roll concert, Baby Rock in Wonderland, will draw a perfect ending to the four-day program. The performance is being billed as the first-ever parent-kid rock’ n’ roll concert in Taiwan.

Several other bands that devote themselves to original music such as Wan Fu, Cosmic Man and Magic Power, will join hands in the hope of overwhelming the idea some parents may have regarding rock’ n ’roll.

In the wake of the four-day grand-opening program, up until August 7, there will be 83 more programs in local communities as well as 132 screenings of seven films. All performances are free of charge.