13-Apr-09 0:00 AM CST

iFest Transforms Downtown Houston into an Irish Paradise

2009 HOUSTON INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL TRANSFORMS

DOWNTOWN HOUSTON INTO AN IRISH countryside

iFest Spotlights Ireland, April 18-26

HOUSTON – Downtown Houston will be abuzz this April, as the 38^th annual Houston International Festival spotlights Ireland April 18-19 and 25-26, 2009, with outstanding musical performances,

art markets and craft demonstrations, interactive exhibits and plenty of food and fun for all.

The Houston International Festival will continue its tradition as one of the largest presenters of

world music anywhere on the planet. The 2009 event will feature hundreds of internationally acclaimed artists on 12 performance venues, the most stages to date, throughout the festival site.

Stretching across 16 acres of downtown parks and streets including City Hall, Bagby Street,

and Tranquility and Sam Houston Parks, this year’s event will feature seven international entertainment-themed zones including Ireland, International, Target Kids, Texas/Latin, Louisiana, Jamaica presented by Jamaica Tourist Board and African/Caribbean.

IRELAND ZONE

The centerpiece of this year’s event, the Ireland Zone, will bring the rich culture and history of

the country to life as City Hall and Upper Sam Houston Park become an Irish paradise with traditional Irish dancers, literary readings, a reproduction of the Blarney Castle and calligraphy and blacksmithing demonstrations.

Center Stage, a highlight of the Ireland Zone built across the Reflection Pool in front of City Hall,

will showcase traditional Celtic music and dance. Beoga, a five-piece traditional band from County Down will take the stage as well as Cherish the Ladies, and Scotland’s enchanting Gaelic thrush, Julie Fowlis. These incredible artists will be joined each night by an all-star team of Houston’s Championship Irish dancers, drawn from the local troupes McTeggart, O’Maoileidigh and Cass. In addition, guests will enjoy a traditional Irish pub situated across from Center Stage, serving the best in Irish pub grub and brew, with performances by regional Celtic and Irish artists.

Upper Sam Houston Park transforms into the Chevron Ireland Living Museum featuring one of the

most stunning wonders of the Festival as it provides a cultural journey and celebration of Ireland. A 20-ft. tall replica of the legendary Blarney Castle, a world landmark built nearly 600 years ago by one

of Ireland’s greatest chieftains. As part of the Festival’s reproduction, visitors will be allowed to kiss the Blarney Stone, which entails hanging upside-down to kiss the stone and is said to endow the kisser with the gift of eloquence. The Ancient Ireland exhibit will feature a reproduction of an Irish Crannog, an ancient settlement/artificial island built for fortification; as well as blacksmith demonstrations; exhibits on ancient Irish history; and wattling demonstrations, the traditional method of weaving walls and fences. Guests will also enjoy the Gaelic Stage honoring the ongoing ancestral connections between Ireland and the Irish in America with step-dance lessons, story-telling bards, harps and marching bagpipe parades. Additional displays in the Chevron Living Museum will showcase the Golden Age of Christianity depicting the history of religion in Ireland; the Flight of the Earls representing the end of the old Gaelic era; an Irish literature station with four literary readings daily, the history of the Gaelic language and listening stations; and Ireland today featuring contemporary Ireland with information on northern Ireland, the troubles and samples of famous murals.

The H-E-B Cultural Stage will showcase dance performances, cuisines of Ireland and Irish

dance costumes dating back to the Book of Kells. Celebrity and local chefs will present cooking demonstrations and readings during multiple daily performances. In any area of the Ireland Zone, visitors will be given a taste of the fascinating traditions of the Irish culture.

INTERNATIONAL MARKETS AND FOOD

More than 500 artists from around the world will exhibit and sell a huge array of handmade arts and crafts in eight unique arts markets scattered throughout several blocks of the Festival site. Tempting food from more than 50 of Houston's restaurants and caterers will offer a kaleidoscope of international cuisine.

EVENTS

The Festival will also host several additional events including the Opening Ceremony to kick off

the Festival at 11 a.m. Friday, April 17 followed by a free lunchtime concert at City Hall. The Mayor’s Gala, a fundraiser for the Festival’s year-round arts, education and outreach programs, will be held Thursday, April 16.

FESTIVAL HOURS

The Festival will take place Saturdays Noon – 10 p.m. and Sundays Noon – 9 p.m.

FESTIVAL ADMISSION

Tickets go on sale Sunday, March 1 online at www.ifest.org. Beginning April 1, tickets will also

be available for purchase at H-E-B stores. All proceeds benefit Festival arts and education programs.

ADMISSION PRICES

· St. Patty’s ½ Price Ticket Special: $7.50 until March 31, online only

· Early Bird Discount: $10 from April 1 until April 13, online and H-E-B stores

· Regular Admission: $15 April 14 until April 26, at the gate, online and H-E-B stores

· Target Kids Free: Kids 12 and under are FREE

· Group Tickets: $7.50 (until March 31)/$9 each with a minimum purchase of 50

For more information on the 2009 Houston International Festival call 713.654.8808 or access