Miami-Dade Public Library System

The Miami-Dade Public Library System presents its 11th annual Art of Storytelling (AOS) International Festival Day on Saturday, April 30, from 10:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Main Library, 101 W. Flagler Street, downtown Miami. The event is free and open to all ages.

Hear Kuniko Yamamoto of Japan and Ireland’s Niall de Burca share stories and folklore from their homelands. Also featured are Sadarri Saskill & Company and Dylan Prichett who bring an African-influenced flair to their storytelling. Heather Forest, Javier Del Sol and Matthew Sabatella will also showcase their creative storytelling techniques.

The Teen Zone area – which promises to be bigger and better - will feature an anime/magna competition, the School of Rock band and Origami activities  A cast of storybook characters will delight the hearts of little ones while the nine-feet tall puppets of the Bit’s ‘N Pieces Puppet Theatre will captivate the entire family.

Special guests performing on the plaza include Geeta Dias: Bollywood Indian Dancers, Breffni Academy of Irish Dances and the Hip Hop Kidz. The soft sounds of the Steel Away Steel Band will entertain crowds with their rhythmic tunes and all day long, the cultural plaza will be filled with entertainment including magicians, stilt-walkers, face-painting, arts and crafts, ethnic foods, and a traditional West Indian carnival parade.
 
The Library System developed AOS in 2001 in an effort to provide free, high quality, educational and cultural programming to its patrons. AOS also includes an international library-to-library exchange; storytelling workshops for educators, librarians and parents, and a Tales under the Stars showcase series. This year’s international exchange partner is the Denmark Public Libraries in Copenhagen, Denmark. Former exchange partners include libraries from Jamaica, Ghana, Ireland, the Caribbean, Brazil, France, Colombia, Canada and Argentina.

Free parking is available (while spaces last), at the Miami-Dade Cultural Center Garage, 50 NW 2nd Avenue and the Hickman Garage, 270 NW 2nd Street. For a full schedule of performances, please log on to www.mdpls.org or call 305-375-BOOK (2665). (Performers subject to change)

Media Contact:
Victoria Galan- Public Affairs Officer
Tel. 305.375.5180, galanv@mdpls.org

Jose Toledo - Marketing
Tel. 305.375.5016, toleodoj@mdpls.org