FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Dave Amoroso • Ron Sonntag Public Relations, Inc.
(414) 354-0200, ext. 108 • dave@rspr.com
MILWAUKEE, WI – Dancers, vocalists, and musicians representing cultures from around the world will perform daily at the 76th annual Holiday Folk Fair International, America’s premiere multi-cultural festival, to be held Fri., Nov. 22 – Sun., Nov. 24, 2018, at the State Fair Park Exposition Center in West Allis, Wis.
The All Nations Theater, sponsored by Fields Auto Group, will host the opening and closing ceremonies along with dancing by over 30 ethnic groups, including groups representing Bulgaria, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Turkey, and the Ukraine.
The special guest performing on the stage will be an Indonesian dance group sponsored by the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Chicago and by the Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia. During the three days of Folk Fair, the group will perform two different dances. The first titled Pendet is a traditional dance in which floral offerings are made to purify the area as a prelude to ceremonies or other dances. Typically performed by young girls carrying bowls of flower petals, handfuls of which are cast into the air at various times in the dance, Pendet can be thought of as a dance of greeting, to welcome the audience and invite spirits to enjoy a performance. The second dance to be performed is titled Cendrawasih, with by two female dancers, one portraying a male bird of paradise, and the other a female. The dance takes the form of a mating ritual as the dancers are dressed in headdresses with feathers, as well as long flowing scarves or skirts with a pink stripe. The skirts serve as the colorful tails of the birds and when held give the impression of wings. The fluttering of the skirts when running give an impression of flight.
The Tanzhaus (Music Pavilion), presented by GEICO, will allow attendees to dance and sing along to a variety of musical styles. New in 2019 will be Polish Fusion, a high energy polka band with Polish and honky style and attitude. Instruments played by band members include trumpet, concertina, keyboard, fiddle, accordion, bass guitar, and drums. Returning to the Tanzhaus in 2019 will be Ocean Rush, performing “Jawaiian” music, a combination of Hawaiian and reggae; the Bob Breuer Polka Band; the Orkestar Sloboda, specializing in Serbian and Balkan music; Paddygrass, playing Irish, bluegrass,, and gospel; and Prazna Flasa, featuring Balkan music.
In addition, an extensive collection of ethnic groups will dance in the Tanzhaus throughout Folk Fair, including African American, Bavarian, Chinese, Croatian, and Pomeranian.
The Young People’s Showcase on Sun., Nov. 24, presented by The Salvation Army of Milwaukee County, will offer performances at 11:15 a.m. and 12:45 a.m. in the All Nations Theater, with the dancing talent of 18 young ethnic groups, including Czech, Greek, Norwegian, and Polish. Youth will also perform throughout the weekend on the International Stage, sponsored by AT&T, including those representing the Donauschwaben, Irish, Mexican, and Slovak cultural groups.
The Coffee House, presented by Chiro-one Wellness Centers, provides those in attendance the opportunity to enjoy a cup of coffee or tea and baked goods, such as Italian biscotti or a Scottish scone, while listening to talented musicians from throughout the world. New groups to the stage in 2019 include Kapela Syrena (Polish), Pivari (Croatian/Bosnian/Serbian), and Klezmer (Jewish). Groups returning to the Coffee House include Brian Bauman (German), Greg Herriges (Balkan/Mediterranean), Hawaiian Civics Club (Hawaiian), Michelangelo (Variety), and Pommersche Tanzdell (Pomeranian).
A program of the International Institute of Wisconsin (IIW), Holiday Folk Fair International celebrates the cultural heritage of the people living in southeastern Wisconsin. The 2019 theme, “Celebrate the Culture of Language – Indigenous and Heritage,” will allow Fair-goers the opportunity to explore how the language of those from around the world shape how they communicate and what they share with the next generation.
Special attractions in 2019 include invited international performers and artisans, photographic exhibits, the Artisan corner, a display of traditional apparel from different cultures, the Kohl’s Color Wheels display, the Dirty Kettle Native American interactive display, a Milwaukee Public Museum display, the Wisconsin Woodturners, a bonsai exhibit, the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile on Fri., Nov. 22, a Wisconsin Scholastic Chess Federation tournament on Sat., Nov. 23, and an interdenominational religious service Sun., Nov. 24, at 10:30 a.m. in the Coffeehouse.
The three-day event features the All Nations Theater with traditional music and dance, the World Café offering traditional dishes, the International Stage where young people perform their ethnic dances, the Tanzhauz where attendees dance and sing along with a variety of musical styling’s, the Coffee House where patrons enjoy a beverage and baked goods while listening to talented musicians, Heritage Lane with unique traditions and customs through interactive exhibits, the International Bazaar where cultural artifacts create a unique shopping experience, and the Chef’s Stage featuring local chefs preparing traditional cuisine.
Hours on Fri., Nov. 22 are 2 p.m. – 9 p.m.; 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. on Sat., Nov. 23; and 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Sun., Nov. 24.
Advance tickets can be purchased for $10 through Thursday, Nov. 21, at the International Institute of Wisconsin, 1110 N. Old World Third St., Suite 420 in Milwaukee; from all participating ethnic groups; and by phone (414-225-6225 or 1-800-FAIR-INTL); fax (414-225-6235); or on-line at www.folkfair.org. In addition to the individual tickets, family four-packs are available for $36.
Admission at the gate will be $14 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 2019 Holiday Folk Fair International, visit www.folkfair.org or call 414-225-6225.