‘Circle the Square’ Thursday, Sept. 19

Circle the World at Circle the Square’s final event of the season where we’ll be highlighting performers and activities from around the world. We’ll have free music, performances, art, and activities for all ages throughout Medford Square from 3-7 PM on Thursday September 19, as well as activities and discounts at many area businesses.

Hear the sounds of the world ranging from African singing and drumming with Balla Kouyate, to salsa music from the Black Sea Combo, to Brazilian and South American music from Trio Amaranth, to Haitian vocals and piano from Rebecca Zama, to world music percussion from Rob Duquette. Dance around the globe with traditional Indian dance from Upasana Odissi and fromTufts Bhangra, Chinese youth dancers from the Cambridge Center for Chinese Culture, salsa dancing from Eileen and Raul, belly dancing from Sardis, hip-hop and jazz dance from the Dance Studio, and interactive hula hooping and dancing with Pinto Bella Hoops.

For the artist in you, you can make origami animals with Artwork In2Shades, or participate in the Something City recycled art project with Miranda Aisling. There will be artists showing and selling their wares, including mosaics from Susan Altman, eco-friendly clothes and toys from Anne Anninger, jewelry from Jeanette Dion and Esmerelda Lambert, photography from Paul Nguyen, goats milk soap from Andrea Corkum, perfume, soaps and creams from Lillian Coolidge, and quilts, bags and accessories from Beverly Hinckley. Watch art-in-the-making as artists from the Mystic Art Gallery hold a Paint Out setting up to paint throughout the Square to capture the activity in original artwork, and get a henna tattoo with Manisha. Also, enjoy an art exhibit by Allison Rabin at Mystic Coffee Roaster while sipping samples of their coffees and smoothies.

For the kid in you, follow the ?Handa’s Surprise? Story Walk led by Marie Cassidy through the Square. Learn about the adventures of a Kenyan girl as she journeys to visit her friend with a basket of fruit. Medford Family Network will have crafts, activities and cultural information from India, Haiti, Brazil and Morocco. Children’s book character, Spot, will make an appearance at Bestsellers Café along with a book reading of Eric Hill’s “Spot” books led by Audrey Stanwood. Bestsellers will also have an appearance by Barbara Whitesides, author of “Sugar Comes From Arabic”, who will guide you as you learn how to write your name using Arabic letters. Visit Next Step Living’s table to see a map of how the US measures up against other countries in energy use, and learn what you can do to help conserve our world’s resources. Kids can get a temporary tattoo to remind them to save energy! And learn about Cambridge Family and Children’s Service, a non-profit foster care organization.

For the athlete in you, the New England Revolution will return with their Speed Kick Goal, as well as giveaways and a raffle for a pair of tickets to a game.. We’ll also have mini-demos and workshops from Parkour Generations, lacrosse demos from Crosse Nation, martial arts demos from Oom Yum Doe and Xtreme Ninja, as well as rowing demos from the Friends of Medford Rowing. At Bestsellers Café, local Marathon runner Ray Charbonneau, will be available to chat with you about “The 27th Mile”, a new book written by a group of runners, with all proceeds going to The One Fund Boston. Roland’s Jewelry will also have a raffle to win a “Boston Strong” bracelet, and XTreme Ninja will have a raffle to win a free month of training.

For the hunger in you, enjoy pizza and soft drinks or visit the beer garden, all provided by Salvatore’s Restaurant. There will also be seafood specialties at Carroll’s, sparking juices from IZZE, summer treats from Medford Square Diner, tastings at Grapevine Travelers, $1 slices at Wellington’s Pizzeria, Japanese specialties at Blue Fuji, and a range of farm-fresh goodies at the Medford Farmers Market accompanied by the original folk/pop tunes of Sarah Blackler.

Say Hello from the World with our new scavenger hunt. Complete your game card by visiting Medford Square businesses to find out how to say “hello” in different languages to be eligible to win gift certificates from Blue Fuji and Alamo Roast Beef.

Be sure to stop by the CACHE information table on River Street to pick up a brochure for Arts Across Medford, our month-long celebration of arts and culture in Medford in October, including the Mystic River Celebration at the Condon Shell. You can also purchase our new Medford Saves Key Tag to support CACHE’s programming, including Circle the Square, and get discounts at more than 50 local businesses. For more information go to http://www.cacheinmedford.org/medford_saves.html And the first five people to show their Medford Saves Key-Tag at Mystic Coffee Roaster during Circle the Square will win a free Mystic Coffee/Medford Square T-shirt.

Schedules, maps and scavenger hunt game cards will all be available at the Circle the Square Welcome Table at the corner of Riverside Avenue and River Street. Visit our web site www.circlethesquare.org for more information about our schedule of events, or visit us on Facebook or Twitter.

Circle the Square is supported in part by the Medford Arts Council, a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the Tufts Neighborhood Service Fund, Medford Health Matters and Mt. Auburn Hospital, and the Cummings Foundation, as well as the sponsorship of RE/MAX Andrew Realty and Carroll’s Restaurant.

– Submitted by Laurel Siegel