THE 9th Shanghai Baoshan International Folk Arts Festival kicks off today and will run until No­vember 15. The one-month art extravaganza includes more than 180 performances and events from foreign and Chinese artists. All events are open free to the public.

The event will showcase a wide variety of local folk cus­toms and products, as well as dances troupes from countries such as Latvia, Mexico and the United States.

The festival was first organized by the Baoshan International Folk Arts Exchange and Re­search Center in 1995 with the aim of developing international cultural exchanges.

To date, more than 100 art troupes and about 3,000 artists from over 50 countries and re­gions have traveled to Baoshan District to take part in the festival.

Highlights of this year's event include a dragon boat display at the Lake Meilan Art Gallery square (October 19, 2pm), a Yuepu Town Gong and Drum performance at Yuepu Middle School (October 18, 2pm), and a "blow painting" show at the Yanghang Town culture center with American artist Michael Reed (October 18, 9:30am).

The Yuepu Town Gong and Drum troupe has also participat­ed in cultural events in Belgium, Holland and New Zealand.

"Percussion music was born in primitive times," says Zhang Yongming, 72, artistic director of the troupe. "It is the music of ordinary people."

Yuepu gong and drum music is classified as a part of Shanghai’s intangible cultural heritage. This style features a melange of elements and characteristics of gong-and-drum schools from across the country.

The festival will also include a number of foreign acts, in­cluding folk dance ensemble Teiksma from Latvia.

Pro Dance Elite Team from the US will perform hip-hop, jazz and other American-style dances. Based in Illinois, the group regularly performs for the Chicago Bulls basketball team and the Chicago White Sox baseball team.

The McCann School of Irish Dance, from Scotland, is also slated to perform. Its young members regularly perform in cultural festivals and events throughout Scotland and Ire­land, including the annual RAF Leuchars Air Show, and have racked up an impressive collec­tions of awards and trophies along the way.

Ballet Folklorico Yaocuauhtli from Mexico will be showing off the country's rich and diverse culture with its cheerful music and traditional dances.

In addition to overseas troupes, Chinese folk artists are also descending on Baoshan to take part in the event. The Yunnan Province Weixi Na­tional Culture Art Troupe will be showing off the province's local folk dances and songs. The troupe has been committed to preserving traditional practices for over four decades.

Apart from an extensive line-up of stage performances, the festival will feature a host of ex­hibitions and hands-on events. For instance, visitors can learn about dragon boat making from artists at the Dragon Boat Art Festival in Luodian Town, play drums at the Gong and Drum Festival in Yuepu Town and read their own poetry at the Poem Festival in Gucun Town.

Exhibitions of ancient Chi­nese calligraphy, ink paintings, antiques, wood sculptures, red soil pottery and many other objects will further enrich the festival.

The Float Parade The festival is set to kick off with a float parade. A total of 31 art troupes from 11 countries will ride specially decorated vehicles down Mudanjiang Road. Date: October 17, 1:30pm Venue: Mudanjiang Rd Gala of Folk Arts from Home and Abroad This gala is meant to be a get-together where folk artists can meet and show off their talents. During the first hour, Chinese artists will work hand-in-hand on a stage show. Then comes a “happy hour” where domestic and overseas artists can gather around a bonfire for more casual talk. Date: October 22, 6pm Venue: Beike Square, Wetland Park of Wusong Port Dragon Boat Art Festival Luodian Town has earned a reputation as the hometown of the dragon boat. Locals have carried on the tradition of making these boats for almost 400 years. During the festival an array of beautifully-decorated boats will be on view at Lake Meilan Art Gallery, where visitors can admire them up close. Date: October 19, 2pm Venue: the square of Lake Meilan Art Gallery