Event: Thai Cultural Day
FREE
FREE
When: Sun., 9/21 11a.m.-5p.m. (Monks Alms Offering Ceremony starts 8:30 a.m.)
Where: Barnsdall Art Park
Barnsdall Park, 4800 Hollywood Blvd. , Los Angeles, CA 90027
(West of Vermont on South side) - Red Line Metro
More Info & Map for Free Kaiser Parking: http://www.thaiculturalcenter.org/events.html
When I asked a Thai American friend who does not live near L.A's Thai Town if he plans to go to the 22nd Annual Thai Cultural Day at Barnsdall Art Park on Sun., Sep. 21, he said, "Sounds interesting, I could maybe take my son. He doesn't know much about Thai culture."
When I showed the poster to my Thai neighbor who could not read the English, my attempts to explain failed. She seemed to get that it had something to do with Thailand, but she looked relieved when our conversation ended.
In fact, Thai Cultural Day is a cross-cultural event that welcomes anyone who would like to participate. Thai Town resident and businessman, Carl Percival--a London-born American is one of the many Angelenos who volunteer year after year. "I visited Thailand years ago," Percival said. "And I fell in love with the art." Percival moved to Thai Town to reap the benefits of Thai culture without a passport. "The people are warm and friendly...the food is terrific...and the art is just beautiful."
Carl Percival with the banner he made for 2014
Percival, who only gives his age as "you wouldn't believe it," is one of the festival's most enthusiastic promoters and organizers, as well as its Chief Decorator. Here are some photos of his meticulous craftsmanship featured at past festivals. They will be on display once again for all to enjoy.
The front entrance of Barnsdall Art Park (a multi-arts facility public park donated to L.A. by the Barnsdall family) is quite nice, but it doesn't usually look like this:
No Thai Cultural Day would be complete without a Spirit House, and Percival enjoys building them.
The origins of the spirit house are older than the Buddhist religion practiced in Thailand. They originate from the practice of animism, which is the very ancient belief that spirits, or souls, reside not only in humans, but in animals, plants, mountains, rivers and other inanimate objects. Thai people believe that the spirit of the land must be appeased through offerings made to the spirits who reside in the spirit house.
If all you know about Thailand, you learned from watching The King and I or getting a Thai massage, or ordering delicious curries off a menu, then you are in for a multi-layered treat. Thai Cultural Day is not restricted in any way. People of all walks of life, cultures and religions are welcome.
"It's a free fun-time day on the grassy hill that was given to the citizens of Los Angeles by the Barnsdall family," said Percival.
The activities are listed below. Some take place outside in booths and on a stage. Others will happen inside the Barnsdall (200+ seat) Theater.
Before the family and artistic events begin, there is an "Food and Alms Offering Ceremony" for Thai Buddhist monks who arrive at 8 a.m. and offer a gratitude prayer. Donations are not required. And just as you don't have to be Jewish to love Kosher rye bread, you don't have to be Buddhist to come to the ceremony.
Here's the info from the Thai Cultural Center website at http://www.thaiculturalcenter.org/events.html. You can also follow them and the "22nd Annual Thai Cultural Day" on Faeebook.
Thai Community Arts and Cultural Center
“To preserve and promote Thai culture”
22nd Annual Thai Cultural Day
Barnsdall Park, 4800 Hollywood Blvd. , Los Angeles, CA 90027
Admission & Parking
-Free Admission and Free Parking
(Limited spaces at Barnsdall Art Park)
-Local Line #2, #180, #181
-Kaiser Parking Structure at
1549 Edgemont St., Los Angeles, CA 90027
-Metro Station (Red Line): Sunset & Vermont
Cultural Activities
-Thai Massage
-Thai Antiques, Thai Art & Craft, Thai Silk
-Cultural Demonstrations by E-san Association
-Thai Kickboxing
-Children's Activities
-Thai Painting Exhibit/Demonstration
Other Booths and Activities
-Preserve America Anniversary
-California Telephone Access Program
-Thai Town Rotary Club
-Asian Pacific Health Care Venture
-Thai American Chamber of Commerce of California
-Tourism Authority of Thailand
Planned Program
Thai Traditional Dancing & Music
And Thai bands:
Costume Contests:
Ice Sculpture:
Thai Kickboxing:
And last, but certainly not at all least, Thai carvings from Carl Percival's Thai Wood Carving Collection will be exhibited. Here's a couple of samples of what you'll see:
LEFT: An intricate teak carving of the face of Buddha surrounded by teak candleholders, some eggs of different Thai hard woods and teak flowers.
RIGHT: Top - a buffalo neck adornment, teak buffalo neck bell and a teak window. Middle - a large teak tray for making sticky rice, a teak celestial dancer, and a teak gold panning dish. Front - some Teak roof decorations and a Teak Tray.
More will be revealed in this year's festival program where you will find an entertaining article by Percival. So come on down and get cultured the Thai way!
#IloveThaiTown
Project Partners:
Dept. of Cultural Affairs
Team Thailand
Thai Community Development Center
Clean & Green
Rotary Club of Thai Town
Thai Association of Southern California
Alliance for California Traditional Arts
2 comments:
Thai Cultural Day is awesome. My kids and I have been there several times. Last time we went the kids won a genuine kid's china tea set. It was so cute.They always bring out that set whenever they play tea time! It's a great day soaking up Thai culture w/o having to fly there. I highly recommend it.
Thank you for your endorsement of this unique L.A. festival. I hope to see you there, Julie! Just one more day...
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