This year’s Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival (HKDBF) on Aug. 11 and 12, in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park will feature a diverse schedule of exciting performances representing the cultural influences of many countries and people. Admission to the HKDBF is free and is scheduled rain-or-shine. Free shuttle bus service is provided from Flushing to the race site.

Saturday, Aug. 11

10:30 a.m.

Long Island Taiko Drummers are lead by Janet Youngblood. The group is trained by a former member of Ondekoza, Marco Lienhard.

Taiko is an ancient art form used in Buddhist and Shinto rites in Japan. After World War II taiko as a folk art was revived and brought to the United States in 1968. The style changed and became a type of ensemble, much like a jazz ensemble, in which the instruments take different parts and improvisation is encouraged in solos.

11 a.m.

Dragon Boat dancers lead the team parade for the official opening ceremonies of 2001 Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York.

12: 30 p.m.

Chinese music ensemble and kung-fu demonstrations by Wassing, Inc. Center for Chinese.

1 p.m.

Esencia Vallenata performs Cumbia, the folkloric music of the Atlantic coast of Columbia. Cumbia is an Afro-Colombian music and dance that was originally performed with an indigenous flute (la Gaita), drums (Ilanador and tambora) and a distinct bamboo scraper (guachareca).

After the arrival of the German diatonic accordion in Columbia during the late 1800’s the flute was eventually replaced in the Cumbia and a new music emerged known as musica de acordeon emerged. In the ‘50s this new form was called Vallenato after the town of Vallendupar.

Esencia Vallenata is the official musical ensemble of the dance group Ballet Folklorico Colombiano.

2 p.m.

Queens Symphony Brass Quintet of the Queens Symphony Orchestra (QSO), now in its 49th season, is the oldest, largest and only professional orchestra in the borough of Queens. Led by internationally recognized Music Director Arthur Fagen, the QSO not only presents critically acclaimed classical concerts, but is also home to the vibrant Youth Gospel Choir and a vital Arts-In-Education program.

3 p.m.

Lisa Brigantino, singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, writes and performs her original, eclectic mix of folk, blues, pop and rock as a soloist or with husband guitarist, Tomi Millioto. Brigantino performs regularly at well-known venues throughout the Northeast. She received a Citation of Merit Award from Brooklyn Borough President Howard Golden for her work and efforts as a Brooklyn-based musician.

4 p.m.

The New York Boys Choir, formerly known as The East Harlem Boys Choir, was conceived in 1974 and founded in 1978 by the Reverend Dr. Gregory Anton McCants. The choir has been featured on major networks and news programs such as Rosie O’Donnell, The Late Show with David Letterman, Diana Ross show and ABC’s 50th Birthday Special honoring "The Greatest," Muhammed Ali. Command performances included programs for former-Presidents Ronald Regan and George Bush, and the Archbishop of Cantebury. They have responded to many international invitations and participated in shows and events with entertainers such as Ella Fitzgerald, Stevie Wonder, Dionne Warwick, Bill Cosby and many more. Mayor Giuliani selected the choir as the official choir of the New York City Milennium Council.

Sunday, Aug. 12

10:30 a.m.

Long Island Taiko Drummers lead by Janet Youngblood.

11 a.m. to noon

Chinese cultural dancers with vocal accompaniment and Kung-Fu demonstration by the Center for Development of International Education and Cultural Exchange. Chinese program.

Noon

Amarurbana presents music from the Andes. Natives of Equador and Peru, this group has been performing their local music throughout the United States and Canada, keeping their culture alive through their music.

1 p.m.

Elizabeth Rose and the Pollinators. Blues guitarist, singer, songwriter and keyboard player Elizabeth Rose is an artist with TV, film and stage credits.

2 p.m.

Crowd Control. This band is made up of an eclectic group of people who have accomplished backgrounds in Broadway, television and concerts with featured artists such as Chuck Berry, Travis Tritt and Chubby Checker. Their music includes doo wop, jazz, rock and roll and musicals.

3:00 p.m.

Jorge Amorim, drummer, percussionist and composer, is the leader of Tribo, a world music group. From Rio de Janeiro, Amorim spent his early years playing Afro-Brazilian percussion and Samba. In recent years he has been recording, playing in jazz festivals and touring in Europe with such bands as Trio Rio, Sambanditos, Graham Haynes, Nicky Marrero, Racine Tatane.

4 p.m.

Salrumba. A hot new sound has hit the busy street of the city. Salrumba is a mix of diverse influences blended to give the music industry a fresh alternative.

Salrumba’s touring appearances have included many clubs and festivals throughout the Northeast and they have been showcased on numerous radio and television stations. Their last concert at the AT&T Latino Arts Festival in Queens played to a sold out house.

For more information, call 539-8974 or visit online at www.hkdbf-ny.org.

Sponsors include: Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, HSBC, Verizon, Chase Manhattan Bank, American Express, Dah Chong Hong USA, Goldman Sachs, Con Edison, Deloitte & Touche, LLP, Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Prudential, Queens County Savings Bank, Shanghai Commercial Bank, UE Enterprises Inc., Admerasia, The New York Times, WNBC TV4, Time Warner Cable, Ming Pao Daily News, SINO TV/AM 1430/SINOCAST and the Times Ledger.