Previous Story
3-day Flame Tree Arts Festival kicks off today
The 33rd Annual Flame Tree Arts Festival kicks off today, featuring its yearly display of arts, performances, and entertainment.
The event, scheduled for three days at the Civic Center Park in Susupe, starts today from 6pm to 10pm, tomorrow from 9am to 11pm, and on Sunday, April 27, from 10am to 11pm.
The Flame Tree Arts Festival celebrates the rich art and cultural heritage of the Commonwealth and takes place usually in late April during the blossoming of flame tree flowers after which the event was named. The annual festival features a wide selection of artwork from the CNMI, Guam, Rota, and visiting artists.
According to the Commonwealth Council for Arts and Culture executive director Angel S. Hocog, this year’s edition will feature 64 artists who will showcase a combination of contemporary, traditional, and visual art.
Delegates will include 44 from Rota, 26 from Guam, nine from two different areas of Southern California, and four from Michigan.
Today, the festival will open with the Umang Glee Club from Koblerville Elementary School at 6pm, followed by performances from the Saipan Awaodori Team, Black Sands, Tae Kwondo Blue Dragon, Marianas High School (Poksai Guma Chamorro), and Saipan Southern Warriors.
The festival will showcase tomorrow and on Sunday performances by delegations hailing from Guam, San Diego, and Rota as well as numbers from Ukulele Jammers, Pau Hinano, Uncle Ben’s Music and Dance, Alana la, Anna Glushko’s, Reunion Te Kanahau Nui, Hugs and Kisses, and Project Blue.
“This year’s festival marks its 33rd year celebration of one of the biggest cultural events here in the CNMI that promotes, perpetuates, and preserves the knowledge and skills of our gifted artists by providing programs such as this yearly [event] to demonstrate and display their beautiful arts and crafts for all to experience,” said festival coordinator Parker Y. Yobei.
Hocog noted that there would also be four dedications to be presented to the families of Chris M. Kaipat, Herman Del Rosario Kapileo, Vicente Sablan, and Shawnda DLC Taisacan from Rota.
“We invite each and everyone in the community to support this annual event which will showcase many talents and groups and will also include a remembrance of art friends that have passed away,” Hocog said.
