Chicago Sister Cities International Program
Natalie Campbell
Phone: 312.744.2172
E-mail: natalie.campbell@cityofchicago.org
JUNE 5 MARKS BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND DAY AT CHICAGO SISTER CITIES INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL ON DALEY PLAZA
Birmingham Day to Feature Performers from the UK, British Bobbies, Soccer Demonstrations and a Local Marching Band
Visitors to Birmingham Day on Daley Plaza can watch performers straight from England, as well as visit the official Birmingham tent on the Plaza, which will feature a photo exhibit of the City of Birmingham.
The day will kick off at noon with a flag raising ceremony followed by two exciting performances on the main stage.
PHOTO OPPS FOR PRESS
Thursday, June 5, 2008
12 – 12:30 p.m.: Flag Raising Ceremony with remarks from Councilor Summerfield and delegation. The ceremony will feature Thomas Kelly High School’s seventy-piece band, one of Chicago’s most respected and honored bands, led by Benjamin Craine. The band will be playing music by the English composer Sir Edward Elgar including his famous Pomp & Circumstance march.
12:30 – 1 p.m.:Kathak Dancers – Kathak is a Classical Indian dance form from South Asia, the national dance of Pakistan and is popular in Birmingham, England (who has a large Pakistani population). It is a partially narrative dance form characterized by fast footwork (tatkar), spins (chakkar) and innovative use of bhav in Abhinaya. The name Kathak is derived from the Sanskrit word katha meaning story, and katthaka in Sanskrit means s/he who tells a story.
1:15 – 2 p.m.: Soweto Kinch Performance
Award winning alto-saxophonist and MC Soweto Kinch is one of the most exciting and versatile young musicians in both the British jazz and hip hop scenes. Undoubtedly, one of the few artists in either genre with a degree in Modern History from Oxford University, he has amassed an impressive list of accolades and awards on both sides of the Atlantic. Most recently he won his second MOBO Award in October 2007, at the O2 Arena, London where he was announced as the winner in the Best Jazz Act category.
The Birmingham tent at the festival will be open throughout the festival (June 2 -6) and will feature a character dressed as the British Police, popularly known as “bobbies.” British Bobby will be available for photos, and visitors can obtain their pictures by visiting www.visitbirmingham.com/chicago08.
The Birmingham tent will also feature a juggler who will be dressed in Shakespearian costume to pay homage to Stratford-on-Avon, which is near Birmingham, England.
There will also be a soccer demonstration with two coaches from the Chicago Fire soccer team from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Thursday, June 5 in a specially cordoned off area adjacent to the Birmingham tent.
CSCIP Title Sponsors include The Boeing Co. and United Airlines.
About CSCIP
The Chicago Sister Cities International Program provides leadership to develop, manage, and coordinate comprehensive programs and projects with Chicago’s sister cities. It aims to increase international trade, promote economic development and support exchanges in the fields of culture, education, medicine, social services, environment, and technology with its sister cities for the benefit of the City of Chicago, its residents and businesses. For more information about the Chicago Sister Cities International Program, please call (312) 744-2172 or visit www.chicagosistercities.com.
