Number three for Han Woo Ri
Tue, 08/14/2007
The 2007 Han Woo-Ri Northwest Korean Sports and Cultural Festival - a colorful and cultural event that celebrates all things Korean -will be held Sept. 21-23 in Federal Way.
The three-day event features contemporary and traditional music and dance performed by top international and U.S. artists as well as exhibits, demonstrations, crafts, sports, games and food.
This year's festival is timed to coincide with Chusok, the Korean Thanksgiving/harvest celebration and one of the most popular holidays in Korea.
The opening night gala begins at 6:30 p.m. on Fri., Sept. 21, when performers take to the main stage at the Festival Village, located at the Commons Mall in Federal Way.
Over the weekend, the Festival Village, showcasing dozens of exhibits, crafts booths and
food vendors, is open 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sept. 22 and 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sept. 23.
Hands-on activities and demonstrations will include the latest high-tech video games, calligraphy workshops, children's activities, art displays and more. There will also be a fun run/walk on Saturday.
Throughout the weekend, the main festival stage will resound with dance and music performances, tae kwon do demonstrations, a Korean jindo dog show, a traditional Korean hairstyle show and a Korean Idol competition.
On Sat., Sept. 22 at 7 p.m., Korea's "Sin Moung" traditional drumming troupe and the stunning traditional dancers "Ko Suhee" from Los Angeles will take to the festival stage for a not-to-be-missed special performance.
On Sunday evening, Sept., 23, the festival gives itself over to the B-Boy competition.
These hip-hop breakdancers are Korea's hottest cultural export.
They spin on their heads, twist their bodies like pretzels and flip effortlessly through the air. Han Woo-Ri's B-Boy competition will feature the top Korean team "Newest," as well as B-Boy teams from around the Pacific Northwest.
Also featured will be local Korean-American pop music bands and finalists from the Korean Idol contest.
Most events are open and free to the public except for the Friday night gala and the special evening performances on Saturday and Sunday nights.
Federal Way is home to one of the largest Korean-American communities in the
Pacific Northwest. The city also maintains ties with Korea through its sister city, Donghae City, located in the province of Gangwon.
The Han Woo-Ri Festival is now in its third year. The presenting sponsor of this year's
event is Wal-Mart, joined by the City of Federal Way, Pal-Do World Grocery Stores, American Family Insurance, Armstrong Homecare, Korean Airlines, The Commons, Gateway Center Shops, Verizon and King County.