New cultural experiences abounded at Wilton High School during The Festival. This Wilton High School tradition, with it's over 30 year history, exposes students to things they may only have heard about in passing, or never heard of at all before.

Among the many highlights were:

• Watching professional performers from the realms of visual, performing and literary arts talk and perform to the students. This year artist Dalton Ghetti, taiko drummers Taikoza, steel drum band lead by Wilton local Arthur Lipner, author Heather Morris (The Tattooist of Auchwitz) and Chef Prasad Chirnomula all spoke speak to students about their work.
   
• High School club presentations - A number of clubs are involved in broadening the student experience outside of the classroom. Among the presenters at The Festival were Top Inclusion Models, The German Society, Amnesty International Society, French honor society, Operation Smile and Model congress.
   
• Student Performances - The Performing Art department showcased some of the dancing that will be in the upcoming spring musical 'Newsies' The interactive presentation invited audience members on stage to learn a few dance moves of their own; The High School Talent Show, featured nine performances showcasing talent that is being nurtured in our schools. The talent show featured performers singing, playing a variety of instruments - including for the first time an accordian player and indian dancing. Freeplay, the student Improv group played two sets to a packed audience; Jazz Band - introducing Jazz standards and the history of Jazz to a wider audience.
   
• Art, Art and More Art - Many Wilton teachers gave their time to show a wider audience things such as cyanotype photography, Henna drawing, draw like Picasso, origami art, paper and fabric marbling and cartooning.

The Festival week was rounded off by 'The Concert' a group of student and teacher musicians playing a rock and pop set to an appreciative audience in the Clune Center. Who knew the English department was bursting with guitar and bass players?   

The week was a rich cultural experience for all. The shared experience of watching so many great (and brave) performances was uplifting and really brought home the importance and value of art and culture in our lives. Videos of some of the performers are available to watch on the Wilton High School YouTube channel.

View more photographs from the festival here.