VSA arts Start With the Arts Family Festival Calendar of Events June 9, 10, 11

VSA arts Start With the Arts Family Festival Calendar of Events June 9, 10, 11

THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2005: Singer/songwriter/guitarist Raul Midon Country Music singer/songwriter Laura Dodd 12 p.m. - 2 p.m., FREE CONCERT McPherson Square Park, 2 blocks from the White House

5:00 p.m. - 7 p.m. CONGRESSIONAL RECEPTION for "Discover What Art Is..." award recipients and their Representatives & Senators Dirksen Senate Office Building Room G-11

FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2005: 9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m., Art activities, DC schools & parents Union Station 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m., CELEBRITY STORY HOUR Congressman James R. Langevin (D-RI); Actor, Hill Harper; Miss DC, Terese Lizardo; Ms. Wheelchair DC, Florence Rainey; Ms. Wheelchair America, Juliette Rizzo will read to area children Union Station

SATURDAY, JUNE 11, 2005: Live stage performances by Joint Forces Dance Company, Peter Cook, Kids on the Block, Dave Biro and Imagination Stage performing "Perfectly Persephone.

"Discover What Art Is ... " Art Exhibit, 10 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. - Union Station through June 26th.

VSA arts Start With the Arts Family Festival highlights the importance of the arts in learning, beginning in early childhood. The festival will give children interactive art experience and provide parents and teachers with ideas and instructional materials to help their children learn at home and in the classroom.

Raul Midon who makes his label recording debut with the release of the Manhattan Records CD, State of Mind and VSA arts artists: award-winning country music singer/songwriter, Laura Dodd, co-produced an acoustic album with Tom Walker combining country blues, pop and folk genres.

"Discover What Art Is ... " a children's art exhibit -- the result of a nationwide call for art -- will be on display. Ten artists will represent their artwork while meeting Congressmen during the Congressional Reception.

VSA arts is an international nonprofit organization founded in 1974 by Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith to create a society where people with disabilities learn through, participate in and enjoy the arts. Today as a leader in arts-based teaching and learning, working through a nationwide affiliate network and in over sixty countries, VSA arts serves more than five million people around the world, VSA arts' programs support key national education goals: literacy and school readiness, teacher training, and parental involvement in education.

CONTACT: Marcia Rhodes, +1-202-628-2800 ext. 3883, or Matthew Coffman, +1-202-628-2800 ext. 3898, both of VSA arts.

PRNewswire -- June 2

Source: VSA arts

Web site: http://www.vsarts.org/

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