Downtown Festival brings international perspective to Houston
by Karen Prunes
UHCLIDIAN STAFF

The 2002 International Festival comes to downtown Houston for two weekends April 19-28. This year the festival celebrates its 31st year as it highlights France. Unique to the festival will be an authentic French village showcasing three Western-Atlantic regions of France, authentic cuisine and French performers, according to Julia Humphreys, co-publicist for the Houston International Festival.

Local, regional, national and international performances will appear on 10 stages. French/ Algerian singer Cheb Mami is scheduled to appear. Mami is best known for his work with Sting on the song "Desert Rose" and is expected to draw a large crowd.

A circus stage located in lower Sam Houston Park will feature circus acts from around the globe.

Festival organizers are thrilled to host Cirque Eos of Canada. In addition, other international circus acts, spread throughout the festival, will honor the crcus arts of France.

Visitors can share the food and culture of France without leaving home. Along with French cuisine, the site will be filled with food vendors from many local restaurants, regions and cultures. At least 600 artisans from around the globe will be set up in booths throughout the 20 city blocks used by the festival.

The festival began in 1971 as a small arts celebration, located along two blocks of Main Street. The festival became known as the Houston International Festival in 1987 and is expected to draw more than 500,000 visitors this year.

Festival ticket prices are $8 in advance at HEB and online at the festival Web site, www.ifest.org, if ordered by noon on the Friday before each festival weekend. Tickets are $10 at the gate. Children under age 10 are admitted free. Parking is available in all theater district lots for $5. "I urge people to visit our Web site for more information about the festival," Humphries said. "It is easy to use and very comprehensive. People can use the Web site to customize their festival visit by clicking on event, entertainment and customize schedule." This site allows people to select the types of entertainment they enjoy and gives them a printable schedule of the day's events.

People attending the festival April 27 will receive an added bonus as the annual Art Car Parade will wind its way through the festival site. The Orange Show Foundation produces the highly anticipated parade that begins at noon. The parade and festival dates coincide, so the two groups collaborate on the logistics. The parade features more than 250 vehicles decorated in everything from Pez dispensers, dolls and recycled items to heavy armor.

Bryan Taylor drives a Santa Claus car and has been involved with the parade since its inception in 1988. Taylor says he drives his car everyday and designed it based on his love of Santa and the response he receives from children and adults. According to Taylor, spectators can enjoy more of the same along with new and improved cars. "Nothing is ever the same for the Art Car Parade," said Taylor. "Always new and fresh and bizarre - just like Houston. And this is coming from a person who not only easily recognizes bizarre, but fully appreciates it also."

It has been estimated that the parade alone draws 250,000 spectators and another 250,000 watch the televised event. The parade began with 40 cars in 1988 and has blossomed into an event that now attracts participants from all across the nation with worldwide attendance by spectators and media.

"We have entries from all over the country and Canada and Mexico," said Christine Jelson of the Orange Show Foundation. "People come from all over the world to see the parade - it coincides and rolls through Houston's International Festival."

Something different this year is that the foundation is throwing a party immediately after the parade at Eleanor Tinsley Park, located on Allen Parkway between Taft and downtown. All the cars will be there for close viewing. "There will be live music and the Art Car Awards Ceremony. It is a big, open and free street party and tailgater like no other" Jelson said.

For more information on Art Car Weekend go to www.orangeshow.org.