See the world in one night at the Springville World Folkfest
The World Folkfest in Springville, Utah, invites the public to join its celebration of world cultures, music and dance when visitors from around the globe present five evening performances July 27-Aug. 1, 2015.
Folk dancers and musicians from Belgium, Chile, Colombia, Georgia, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Latvia, Lithuania, Nepal, Peru, Poland and Taiwan are expected to participate in the 2015 World Folkfest. They will be joined by Native American performing group Morning Star, which will represent the United States. The week-long festival will also include a free street dance on Monday, July 27, where the public can learn simple folk dances from the Folkfest’s international visitors with accompaniment by live musicians.
With its first performances held in 1986, the World Folkfest has grown to become one of the most prominent festivals of folk dance and music in the United States. In the tradition of popular European folk dance festivals that attract thousands of visitors, the World Folkfest annually invites talented folk dance troupes from around the world to travel to Springville and showcase their cultures through the exciting and vibrant medium of folk dance.
The groups perform in beautifully crafted costumes of their homeland and to music provided by live musicians playing unique traditional instruments. The performers pay their own expenses to travel to the Folkfest, underlining their eagerness to share their cultures with the people of Utah. While here, the performers stay with volunteer host families in the Utah County area, providing local families
with a unique opportunity to experience another culture first-hand.
All groups attending this year’s Folkfest will perform during each evening performance, giving audiences a trip around the world in one night.
Performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. on July 28, 29, 30 and 31 and Aug. 1 at the Spring Acres Arts Park outdoor amphitheater, 620 S. 1350 East, Springville, Utah. Prior to performances, there will be a variety of food and craft booths available to audience member as well as pre-show entertainment. Some seating is available at the Arts Park, but audience members can also bring their own lawn chairs or blankets to sit on.
Admission is $10 for adults; $8 for students, military members and senior citizens; $5 for children ages 3 to 12; and free for children under 3. Groups of 10 or more may purchase tickets for $6 each. A family pass is available for $30. Tickets can be purchased at the gate with a credit card or cash on the night of the performance. For more information, visit www.worldfolkfest.com.