The 4th Annual Marco Polo Festival

Take a symbolic journey down the Silk Road!

From October 16-20, 2012, Two Bridges will host the fourth annual Marco Polo Festival, celebrating the Chinatown & Little Italy Historic District, and the special relationship between the Chinese and Italian American communities of Manhattan’s Chinatown & Little Italy.

This year’s festivities commence with the inaugural Marco Polo Festival History Colloquium, co-sponsored with the Museum of Chinese in America. The elegant Silk Road Ambassador Awards Gala Dinner, and ever-popular Marco Polo Pageant & Cultural Performances round out the festival celebrations.

See below for full festival schedule and details!

October 16, 2012

Marco Polo Festival History Colloquium

6:00PM - 8:00PM
Open to the Public. RSVP to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

A panel of noted historians of the immigrant experience will discuss Chinese and Italian immigration and related topics.

Location:

The Museum of Chinese in America
Between Howard and Grand Streets

215 Centre Street New York, NY

October 18, 2012

The Silk Road Ambassador Awards Gala Dinner

6:30PM – 9:00PM
Tickets Required.  SOLD OUT!

Join us at our annual gala dinner honoring those who have made significant contributions to the life and culture of Chinatown & Little Italy.

Honoring Chinatown & Little Italy Silk Road Ambassadors:

Jack Eng, Senior Advisor, Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association

Rosa Casiello, Principal, Public School 42, Benjamin Altman

Location:
S.P.Q.R Restaurant
133 Mulberry Street,
New York, NY

OCTOBER 20, 2012

Marco Polo Festival Pageant
& Hester Street Stage Cultural Performances

11:00AM – 2:00PM
Free & Open to the Public. Rain or Shine.

Witness the breathtaking procession of giant marionettes and magnificent Silk Road banner parade through the streets of Chinatown & Little Italy! The pageant procession ends at the Hester Street Stage, where a unique mixture of music and cultural performances commences. Programming includes traditional Chinese & Italian Opera, folk dances, contemporary Chinese & Italian instrumental performances, acrobatics and more!

Location of Activities:
Procession begins at 62 Mott Street, New York, NY

Performances take place on the Hester Street Stage between Mott & Mulberry Streets

Check out photos from previous Marco Polo festivals on our Flickr site:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tbnc/sets/72157631637749548/show/

For information or 2012 sponsorship opportunities, please contact:

Two Bridges Neighborhood Council is a 501(c)3 nonprofit.

During the festival week check out these amazing performances by The Chen Dance Center:

Chen Dance Center presents H.T. Chen & Dancers inTeahouse Performances: Digging for Gold

Teahouse Performances

"Digging for Gold"

Explore the rich culture of early Chinese workers lured to America by the promise of gold. Delight as this beautifully historic tale unfolds through traditional and contemporary dance.

Chen Dance Center, 70 Mulberry Street, Floor 2