Holiday Folk Fair International held in Wisconsin for 71st Year

Music and Dance in Abundance at Holiday Folk Fair International November 21 – November 23, 2014 —

Entertainers that span the globe will play a major role in the 71st annual Holiday Folk Fair International, America’s premiere multi-cultural festival, to be held Friday, November 21 – Sunday, November 23, 2014, at the Wisconsin Exposition Center at State Fair Park in West Allis, Wisconsin. Among the Scandinavian participants is the Lekspel group, which will perform at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, November 21 and at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 22.

The All Nations Theater will serve as the venue for the opening and closing ceremonies along with dancing by more than 25 ethnic groups, including groups representing Czechoslovakia, Greece, Italy, Norway, Poland, Spain, and Ukraine.

The featured guest group for all three days in the All Nations Theater is BFH Ballet Folklorico Huehuecoyotl from Elgin, Illinois. Established in 1996, the group started as one of numerous activities youth in the area did to keep active. As the group learned more about Mexican folkloric dance, they felt the need to continue learning of Mexico’s rich heritage and share their knowledge and experience year round to a broader audience. The children’s group was created in 2000 so that the knowledge gained could be shared and passed onto the younger generations, giving them the opportunity to learn about their heritage while engaging in a healthy activity. In its history, the group has received the Elgin Latino Arts Award and competed in competitions throughout the country, including the International Folkloric Dance Competition in New York.

In addition, La Troupe Jeunesse, a French Canadian music and dance troupe comprised of teens and pre-teens, will perform throughout Folk Fair’s three-day run. A variety of artistic disciplines comprise the group, including violin, piano, guitar, bass, percussion and voice, classical ballet, jazz, tap, modern, hip-hop, musical theatre and of traditional French-Canadian gigue, a lively baroque dance originating from the British jig.

Since the group of young people began performing together in 2011, they have participated in a wide variety of shows and have been featured at the Festival du Voyageur (Winnipeg), Festival de la Saint-Jean-Baptiste (Quebec), and Folklorama (Winnipeg).

The Tanzhaus (Music Pavilion) will once again enable attendees to dance and sing along to a variety of musical styles. New to Folk Fair is Ocean Rush, performing “Jawaiian” music, a combination of Hawaiian and reggae, who will join returning performers the Talisman band, featuring traditional European folk music with a little rock and roll mixed in; the Bob Breuer Polka Band; the Elegant Gypsies, with a repertoire that includes ancient Celtic through modern Mediterranean music and timeless American standards,the Orkestar Sloboda, specializing in Serbian and Balkan music; and Prazna Flasa, featuring Balkan music.

In addition, a vast array of ethnic groups will dance in the Tanzhaus throughout Folk Fair, including African American, Chinese, Irish, Latvian, Romanian, and Polynesian.

The Young People’s Showcase on Sunday, November 23, presented by The Salvation Army of Milwaukee County, will offer performances at 11:15 a.m. and 12:45 a.m., with the dancing talent of 18 young ethnic group members, including Bavarian, Filipino, Greek, Pomeranian, and Slovak. Youth will also perform throughout the weekend on the International Stage, including those representing the Chinese, Donauschwaben, Mexican, Slovak, and Turkish ethnic groups.

The Coffee House provides those in attendance the opportunity to enjoy a cup of coffee, espresso, or tea and baked goods, such as Italian biscotti or a Scottish scone, while listening to talented musicians from throughout the world. Acts scheduled to perform include Brian Bauman (American Folk), Elegant Gypsies (Celtic and Mediterranean), Ethnictricity ((multi ethnic), Garlic Mustard Pickers (Gaelic), Hawaiian Civic Club, Greg Herriges (World/Eclectic), Lekspel (Scandinavian), Pommersche Spaldeel (Pomeranian), and Tuuletargad (Estonian).

A program of the International Institute of Wisconsin, Holiday Folk Fair International celebrates the cultural heritage of the people living in southeastern Wisconsin. This year’s theme, “Celebrate the Culture of the Artisan,” will allow Fair-goers the opportunity to learn the ways in which artisans use manual and artistic skills to share the stories of their backgrounds, along with how music, food, dance, and art bring together people from different life experiences.

Special attractions in 2014 include invited international performers and artisans representing Canada, Ecuador, Japan, and Ukraine, the “Connect Globally. Thrive Locally.” Sisters Cities International art exhibit, the Kohl’s Color Wheels display, the Wisconsin Woodturners, and a bonsai exhibit.

The three-day event features the World Café presented by Associated Bank offering a wide assortment of delicacies from around the world, Heritage Lane with traditional customs from diverse cultures brought to life, the International Bazaar where cultural artifacts create a unique shopping experience, and the Callen Construction Chef’s Stage presented by Edible Milwaukee Magazine, featuring local chefs preparing traditional cuisine.

Holiday Folk Fair International will also host a Naturalization Ceremony on Nov. 21 at 2:30 p.m., the “Around the World” 5K Run/Walk benefitting The Salvation Army of Milwaukee County on Nov. 23 at 9:00 a.m., and an interdenominational religious service at 10:30 a.m. on Nov. 23.

Hours on Fri., Nov. 21 are 2 p.m. – 10 p.m.; 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. on Sat., Nov. 22; and 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. on Sun., Nov. 23. Advance tickets will be sold for $10 each, with family four-packs for $36, and available for purchase on-line at www.folkfair.org.

Admission at the gate will be $12 for adults; $8 for children ages 6 to 12; children under the age of five will be admitted at no charge. Those 62 and over will be admitted for $10, and all military personnel with a military ID card will be admitted free.

For more information on the 2014 Holiday Folk Fair International, visit www.folkfair.org or call the International Institute of Wisconsin at 414-225-6220.

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