20th International Festival of Arts & Ideas Kicks Off in New Haven

20th International Festival of Arts & Ideas Kicks Off in New Haven

Comcast and NBC Connecticut join forces to enhance visitor experience bringing Xfinity Wi-Fi and NBC Connecticut's First Alert 1 to Festival

NEW HAVEN, Conn., June 10, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Comcast and NBC Connecticut are partnering as one of this year's Marquee Sponsors for the International Festival of Arts & Ideas, which kicks off Friday, June 12(th) and runs through June 27(th) at venues across the Elm City. This year marks the 20(th) anniversary of the 15-day celebration, which will again be presenting a wide variety of entertainment including free concerts, exclusive performances, walking tours and tons of family fun and which is expected to attract over 100,000 visitors to the area.

"Comcast has played a defining role in shaping the future of media and technology, and we pride ourselves on bringing the most innovative products to our customers," said Mary McLaughlin, Senior Vice President of Comcast's Western New England Region, which is headquartered in Berlin. "In addition to offering quality TV, the nation's fastest Internet and in-home Wi-Fi, we are also committed to supporting diverse and cultural local attractions such as this year's International Festival of Arts & Ideas and using our technology to drive innovation deeper into the heart of New Haven."

Throughout the Festival, Comcast and NBC Connecticut will be joining forces to provide state-of-the-art technology, including the availability of free Xfinity Wi-Fi on the New Haven Green and the Xfinity Zone at the Festival Info Center. Festival-goers can relax at the Xfinity Zone, search the schedule of Festival events, charge their devices at the Xfinity docking stations or kick back and check out the innovative Xfinity products and services, including the X1 Operating System.

In addition, NBC Connecticut on-air talent will be appearing with the First Alert 1 mobile weather Jeep during Family Fun Day on the New Haven Green Sunday, June 14(th) from 3 to 7pm. NBC Connecticut's New Haven bureau will be reporting regularly from The Green so watch for coverage throughout the Festival.

With over 100 Festival events to choose from, Xfinity Wi-Fi makes it convenient for you to download the NBC Connecticut News app or visit NBCConnecticut.com to conveniently check the schedule of events, as well as making it easy to Facebook, tweet or Instagram about the day's activities. Xfinity's Wi-Fi network will be open free to the public on the lower New Haven Green for the duration of the Festival. The Xfinity Zone at the Festival Info Center will be open on Saturdays and Sundays.

About Comcast Cable:
Comcast Cable is the nation's largest video, high-speed Internet and phone provider to residential customers under the XFINITY brand and also provides these services to businesses. Comcast has invested in technology to build an advanced network that delivers among the fastest broadband speeds, and brings customers personalized video, communications and home management offerings. Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) is a global media and technology company. Visit http://www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.

About Comcast in Connecticut:
Comcast is committed to providing an unparalleled entertainment experience to residents and businesses in the 83 communities the company serves in Connecticut. Comcast's Western New England Region, which includes five states, is headquartered in Berlin, Connecticut, and customers are served by a team of over 1,200 Connecticut employees. Comcast also boasts a call center in Enfield, Connecticut, service centers throughout the state, and six state-of-the-art Xfinity Stores where customers can experience Comcast's Xfinity products and services firsthand. Comcast's popular Xfinity brand is also featured on the Xfinity Theatre, one of Hartford's premier music venues. The company helps to strengthen the communities where its customers and employees live and work by supporting local nonprofit organizations. In 2014, Comcast provided more than $1.3 million to community partners in the state, in the form of Comcast Foundation grants, sponsorships, volunteer hours, courtesy services and in-kind donations.

About NBC Connecticut:
Owned by NBCUniversal, NBC Connecticut / WVIT serves its audience with local news and weather information across multiple platforms. This includes more than 35 hours of newscasts each week on WVIT, news segments on CT COZI TV and digital content on NBCConnecticut.com. The station is Connecticut's leader with Facebook and Twitter followers and provides mobile users on-the-go breaking news updates and weather information through its customized applications. NBC Connecticut's commitment to excellence in journalism has been recognized with numerous Emmy Awards and the prestigious Peabody Award. NBC Connecticut supports the community through its signature Partners in a Caring Community initiative.

About the International Festival of Arts & Ideas:
The International Festival of Arts & Ideas is a 15-day festival of performing arts, lectures, and conversations that celebrates the greatest artists and thinkers from around the world. Each June, the Festival takes over the theaters, open spaces, and courtyards of New Haven, Connecticut, with performances and dialogues that tickle the senses, engage the mind, and inspire the soul. More than 80% of Festival programs are completely free to the public, including events that feature some of the most prestigious jazz, classical, dance, and theater artists in the world. The Festival's programs have an impact throughout the year, including engagement and educational programming such as the Festival Fellowship Program for underserved youth, and the Visionary Leadership Award held in winter each year.

SOURCE Comcast Cable

Comcast Cable

CONTACT: Kristen Roberts / Comcast / Office: (860) 505-2075 / Kristen_Roberts@cable.comcast.com

Web Site: http://www.comcastcorporation.com


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