Seattle boldly goes for kids’ festival

Remember that episode of “Star Trek” when the crew inhales spores from a projectile plant and everyone goes batty? Spock gets a girlfriend and hangs upside down from a tree limb defying Kirk’s orders. Craaazy.

It seems the whole town of Seattle has gone space happy, too. They may or may not be hanging from trees, but they’ve got such a runaway case of spring fever they can’t find a single festival they won’t celebrate.

They’re so excited – and they just can’t hide it – they’re even doubling up.

One might think something called the “Seattle International Children’s Festival” would be all about society’s junior members. But this year’s event, May 12 to 17, plans to focus on women artists as well.

I don’t get it, but here’s what you’re in for: “exciting new galaxies of performing arts and culture.”

They’re coming from Benin, Palestine, Eritrea, Germany and the Republic of Guinea for the a multicultural extravaganza “designed to educate and entertain school groups, teachers, families and adults through music, theater, puppetry, dance and multimedia shows.”

Sensitive to children’s universal love of affordable Scandinavian furnishings, organizers have scheduled a scavenger hunt for flags from around the world and Ikea prizes and merchandise.

On Friday and Saturday, Woodland Park Zoo offers up flamingo-related activities and giveaways, and Saturday’s Earthkeepers Day Camp at Carkeek Park gets participants involved in an environmental project.

There’s oodles more fun to be had, such as the School of Acrobatics and New Circus Arts, the “Lost Luggage” game (aren’t we all playing that game every day of our lives?), a performance by hula hoop stuntman Dizzy Hips, Radio Disney karaoke, and on and on.

Read all about it at www.seattleinternational.org. Or call (206) 325-6500.

The festival bacchanal continues less than a week later with the opening of the Northwest Folklife Festival on May 23. The largest folk, ethnic and traditional arts event in North America, it runs through May 26 and organizers expect more than 250,000 of you to attend.

You’ll be joined by some 7,000 musicians, dancers, “tradition bearers” and visual artists ready to entertain you with performances, demonstrations of traditional arts, folklore exhibits, children’s activities, symposia, dance and music workshops, crafts, food, imported wares and more.

You can do more than watch. As organizers point out, “The exuberant tradition of sharing and participation at the festival encourages exploration and learning between participants and public alike.” So feel free to cut loose.

There’s a jam-packed schedule of events on the festival’s Web site, www.nwfolklife.org. You can also call (206) 684-7300 for more information.

You might imagine our next Seattle festival would offer a more sedate affair. How wrong you would be.

The 34th International Film Festival will come out swinging on May 22 with the premiere of “Battle in Seattle,” a dramatization of the protests against the World Trade Organization’s ministerial conference there in 1999.

To add to the revelry, organizers plan a red carpet welcome for director Stuart Townsend and stars Charlize Theron and Martin Henderson. They might even let you walk in the luminaries’ footsteps or attend a “fabulous gala party” with live entertainment and complimentary champagne cocktails after the screening.

The “star-studded” production also features Woody Harrelson and Ray Liotta.

The festival continues through June 15, serving up a total of 550 screenings, 170 full-length features and 140 short films.

The productions compete for prizes and awards in several juried categories: documentary, short film, new director and “new American cinema.” Audiences bestow awards for best feature, documentary, actor, actress, director and short.

Look for the full festival schedule on Thursday at www.siff.net. Tickets to the general public go on sale May 11, and you can take care of that online as well. Or you can reach the box office at (206) 324-9996.

Regional events

•Snake River Fiber Fair, May 16-18, Idaho Falls. The Fiber Arts Guild trots out weaving, spinning, dyeing, felting, knitting, rug hooking, beading and basketry for all you fiber lovers. ( www.idahofallschamber.com/ 866-365-6943)

•Wenatchee Omnium Stage Race, May 17-18, Wenatchee. Three events – the Criterium, the Malaga Road Race and the time trials – take over a 10-mile radius of the town with cycling excitement. Spectators are welcome, of course, but it’s not too late to register to compete. ( www.bikewenatchee.org)

•National Bison Range Birthday Centennial Celebration, May 23, Moiese, Mont. To mark the occasion, they’re waiving fees for scenic drives, holding an awards ceremony and trivia contest, scheduling speakers, expecting a visit from Honker the Blue Goose and serving up birthday cake. ( www.visitmt.com/ 406-644-2661)