Explore Asia at Morton Arboretum festival
Explore fascinating Eastern cultures with traditional Asian music and dance, arts and athletic demonstrations, and authentic cuisine at the Morton Arboretum's second annual Destination Asia Festival.
The festival is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 1 and 2, at Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle.
Destination Asia includes demonstrations to learn more about the ancient Japanese art of bonsai - sculpturing and pruning trees for ornamental purposes - and flower arrangement known as ikebana, as an opportunity to explore the arboretum's diverse collection of trees from China, Japan and Korea.
All activities take place both Saturday and Sunday, unless otherwise noted. Three performance areas will showcase a range of talent including:
• 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. - Performer Kerry Leung is a "one man band" playing authentic Chinese music.
• 10 a.m. - Witness the graceful techniques of Shinkendo Japanese swordsmanship.
• 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. - Performer KimBirdlee Fadner brings ancient Chinese fairy tales and poetry to life in a bilingual performance of song, spoken word and movement.
• 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. - Experience the beat of Japanese culture with the Tsukasa Taiko Drummers as they play traditional taiko drums.
• Noon and 3 p.m. - See 600-pound sumo wrestler Yama, believed to be the heaviest Japanese man on record, face off against fellow Sumo champion Byamba of Mongolia. Witness a sumo match and even take part in the action.
• 1 p.m. - Enjoy a Philippine dance performance from Piyesta Pinoy.
• 1 p.m. - Learn Kung Fu and Tai Chi moves from the Illinois Shaolin Kung Fu School.
• 2 p.m. - Watch traditional dance pieces from Thai Cultural Arts Institute.
• 2 p.m. - Hear the music of Java and Bali as the Friends of Gamelan perform and speak about the variety of instrument the group plays.
• 2 p.m. - Follow the Chinese Lion Dance as performed by the Chicago Dragon's Athletic Association.
Destination Asia also will feature storytelling and activities highlighting Asian culture.
• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Grab a racket and play badminton, a popular sport in Asia.
• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday only - Try your hand at the game of cricket, a sport similar to American baseball and found throughout India and other Asian nations.
• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Experience yoga elevated into the trees with Aviana Aerial Yoga.
• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Learn how to make intricate creations from paper in an origami workshop.
• 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. - Explore the art of henna tattoo and learn more about its history.
Visitors also can take self-guided hikes to the arboretum's collections from China and Japan, or stop by the Destination Asia Discovery Cart and select an object to hear a story about one of the trees in the Asian tree collections.
Asian cuisine will be for sale throughout the weekend.
The festival is free with regular arboretum admission of $14 adults, $12 seniors 65 and older, $9 ages 2 to 17, and free for younger children and members. For information, see mortonarb.org.
If you go
What: Destination Asia Festival
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 1 and 2
Where: Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle
Cost: Free with regular admission of $14 adults, $12 seniors 65 and older, $9 ages 2 to 17, free for younger children and members
Info: mortonarb.org