World Folkfest celebrates 30 years of folk dance
The World Folkfest in Springville, Utah, invites the public to join its 30th celebration of world cultures, music and dance when visitors from around the globe present five evening performances July 26-30, 2016.
Folk dancers and musicians from Bolivia, Bulgaria, Colombia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, India, Korea, Mongolia, the Netherlands, Puerto Rico, Poland and the Republic of Georgia are expected to participate in the 2016 World Folkfest. They will be joined by the Rocky Mountain Express clogging team and the Native American performing group Morning Star, who will both represent the United States, and Pacific Generation, who will represent the island cultures of the Pacific Ocean on the final night.
This year is the 30th anniversary of the Folkfest, which 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, the World Folkfest annually attracts talented folk dance troupes from around the world to Springville where they showcase their cultures through the exciting and vibrant mediums of folk dance and music.
The groups perform their dances in beautifully crafted and authentic costumes Springville High School). The Arts Park of their homeland. Musicians travel with will open each night at 6 p.m. with a variety the dancers to Springville to accompany of food and craft booths available to the dances on unique, traditional folk instruments. audience members before the show each The performers pay their own night. Pre-show entertainment will begin expenses to travel to the Folkfest, emphasizing at 6:45 p.m. Seating is general admission; their eagerness to share their cultures some seating is available at the Arts Park, with the people of Utah. While here, but audience members can also bring their the performers stay with own lawn chairs or blankets to sit on. volunteer host families in All groups attending this year’s Folkfest the Utah County area. will perform during each evening performance,
“After 30 years I am giving audiences the opportunity still impressed at the variety to experience cultures from around the and excitement these world in just one night. international groups bring Admission is $ 10 for adults; $ 8 for to Springville. It is a wonderful students, military members and senior chance to see and citizens; $ 5 for children ages 3 to 12; feel international culture and free for children under 3. Groups at its best,” said Lynn Elliott, of 10 or more may purchase tickets for chairman of the World $ 6 each. A family pass ( up to two adults Folkfest Board of Directors. and four children) is available for $ 30.
Folkfest performances Tickets can be purchased online at www. will be presented beginning worldfolkfest. com or at the gate with a Tuesday, July 26, credit card or cash on the night of the and continuing each night performance. through Saturday, July 30. For those who don’t want to miss a Performances will at 7:30 minute of this year’s Folkfest, World p.m. at the Spring Acres Passport passes are available for $30 per Arts Park outdoor amphitheater, person. This pass will allow the bearer to 620 S. 1350 East, attend every performance during Folkfest Springville, Utah (next to week. Many groups do different dances on each night of the Folkfest and bring a variety of costumes, making each evening performance unique. Audience members are guaranteed to see something different and new every night.
Because Monday, July 25, is a state holiday, the Folkfest Street Dance traditionally held on the Monday of Folkfest week will not be held this year. Instead, the Folkfest dancers and musicians will appear in the Spanish Fork Fiesta Days Grand Parade, which will begin at 9 a.m. on July 25 and travel down Spanish Fork’s Center and Main Streets.
Also, the public is invited to attend free after-party dances on the festival stage on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, July 27, 28 and 29, after the evening performances.
Host families are currently being sought to house from two to four dancers during the week of the Folkfest. Host families are asked to provide room, board and transportation to Folkfest events for their international visitors. This is a wonderful opportunity for families to experience first-hand another culture and to share the culture of the USA with their guests. For information on becoming a host family or to sign up, contact Folkfest Housing Coordinator Elissa Caron Johnson at 801-787- 6530.