Seattle fest has new name: Giant Magnet

Hoping for some giant pull, the longtime spring arts event Seattle International Children's Festival (SICF) today announced its new name — Giant Magnet: Global Attractions Playing Locally.

In an e-mailed release, executive director Andrea Wagner said the original name was too long — and misleading. The name didn't "conjure images of world-class artistic programs, nor imply the rich educational resources and in-school residency programs," Wagner said.

Countless student field trips to SICF have been a part of Seattle Center for decades; according to its Web site, SICF was founded in 1986 as a Seattle Center project, and became an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit in 1991. The organization brings in dozens of international artists for shows attended by students and Seattle families every spring.

The 2009 festival is set for May 12-16 at Seattle Center and May 17 and 18 at the Broadway Center for the Arts in Tacoma. Tickets for the public go on sale April 1 (at www.giantmagnet.org); tickets for student groups and home-schoolers are on sale now (contact 206-684-7336).