Registration under way for palm-weaving event

The Middlesex County Cultural and Heritage Commission and the Folklife Program for New Jersey will present "Palaspas: Traditional Filipino Palm Weaving Workshop" from2-3:30 p.m. onMarch 15 at East Jersey Olde Towne Village, 1050 River Road, Piscataway.

"Palaspas," whichmeans palm-weaving in the Philippine language, is a centuriesold tradition practiced in preparation for Palm Sunday. Coconut palm fronds are woven into intricate designs, brought to church to be blessed, and then traditionally displayed in the home for protection. Filipino families have preserved their own weaving patterns by passing them down orally from one generation to the next.

Participants in the hands-on workshop will learn how to create the folk craft, under the instruction of master artists from Samahan Cultural Heritage, Eastern Seaboard Inc. The event will be presented in a bilingual format, with an interpreter speaking English and Tagalog, the official language of the Philippines.

Admission is free of charge, but advance registration is required. Space is limited. To register, call (732) 745-4489. Individuals with hearing disabilities may dial (732) 745-3888 (TTY users only) or 711, via the New Jersey Relay System.

East Jersey Olde Towne Village is a fully accessible site; An assistive-listening system is available and will be in use during the program. Wheelchairs are available upon request for visitors who may need assistance from the parking lot to the program. In case of inclement weather the day of the program, call (732) 296-8966.

Funding for the program is provided by the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the Middlesex County Cultural and Heritage Commission and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.