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New Brunswick's State Theatre is presenting the 4th annual Hub City Carnivale, a four-week winter festival of the imagination at play, January 30 - February 28, 2010, with performances, workshops, social events, and more, for families and kids ages 1 to 100.

The festival kicked off with two performances of One-Man Star Wars Trilogy (1/30/10). In a little over an hour, actor Charles Ross singlehandedly covered the entire Star Wars story - all of the characters, the action, special effects, and even excerpts from John Williams' majestic score. Special opening festivities included appearances by over 30 costumed Star Wars characters provided by 501st Legion and The Rebel Legion. The following week features a week of residency activities and performances by Scrap Arts Music (2/2/5/10).

A one-of-a-kind blend of intricate rhythms, athletic choreography, raw energy, and theatrical flair, Scrap Arts Music performs on more than 140 invented instruments crafted from industrial scrap-ranging from accordion parts to artillery shells-delivering an adrenaline-laced power-percussion performance rooted in street performance, jazz, and world music traditions.

Other Hub City Carnivale highlights include performances by Ani DiFranco, co-presented with Concerts East (2/2/10); dance group Urban Bush Women, co-presented with Mason Gross School of the Arts (2/9/10); Glen Burtnik & Friends Celebrate the Music of The Who-The Complete "Who's Next" and Other Legendary Hits (2/13/10); a romantic Valentine's Day performance by the Moscow State Radio Symphony Orchestra (2/14/10); three performances of Fan Yang's "Gazillion Bubble Show" Stage Spectacular

(2/15/10); Tomas Kubinek , certified lunatic and master of the impossible (2/19/10); Jesus Christ Superstar starring Ted Neeley(2/20/10); and My Mother's Italian, My Father's Jewish, and I'm in Therapy! (2/21/10). The festival concludes with three performances of Le Grand Cirque, accompanied by a pizza party and other surprises prior to the Feb. 28, 2pm performance (2/27-2/28/10).

Continuing a Hub City Carnivale tradition, Presidents Day (2/15) is Family Day at the State Theatre. Families can spend the school-day holiday enjoying dozens of performances, workshops, and hands-on activities - many of them free - plus costumed characters, the Philadelphia Zoo's Zoo on Wheels, face painting, balloon animals, a live deejay, food, and more. The festival, which runs from 10am to 4pm, features multiple venues: the State Theatre, George Street Playhouse, Crossroads Theatre, and the popular Hub City Big Top, an enormous tent set up in front of the State Theatre. Family Day is geared to children ages 3+ and their families.

The featured Family Day event is Fan Yang's "Gazillion Bubble Show" Stage Spectacular featuring Guinness World Record Holder Ana Yang "The World's Greatest Female Bubble Artist" at the State Theatre at 11am, 1pm, and 3pm.Additionally, there will be free performances in Crossroads Theatre including storyteller Julie Pasqual (10am, 11:30am, 1pm); sing-a-longs with singer/guitarist Big Jeff (10:45am, 1:45pm, 3:15pm); and comedy, magic, and juggling by Al Grout (12:15pm, 2:30pm).A variety of hands-on workshops take place throughout the day, including "Hand-in-Hand" (10am, 12:30pm), "Bubble, Bubble, Dance!" (11:15am), and "Hip-Hop Dance" (1:45pm, 3pm), led by American Repertory Ballet; "Create a Character Mask" (10am, 11:30am); "From Page to Stage" (1pm) and "Intro to Improv," led by the George Street Playhouse; "Musical Story Time" (10:30am, 11:45am), "Musical Recycling" (1:30pm), and "The Language of Music" (3pm); "Make a Monster Visor" (10am), "Build Lincoln's Cabin" (11:15am), "Junk-Mail Jewelry" (12:30pm), "Create a Sock Puppet" (1:45pm), and "Make a Bubble-Print T-shirt" (3pm).

Registration for all workshops is $8 and can be purchased by calling 732-246-SHOW (7469), ext. 545.

Festival partners and event sponsors include American Repertory Ballet, The Blanche & Irving Laurie Foundation, Concerts East, Gannett Foundation, The Garback Agency, George Street Playhouse, Mason Gross School of the Arts, Miller's Rentals, the Philadelphia Zoo, PSE&G Foundation, MomsLikeMe.com, Roberts Florals, and Rutgers Student Life.

— ANDY LAGOMARSINO, NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM