FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 7, 2018
MILWAUKEE, WI – Entertainers that span the globe will play a significant role in the 75th annual Holiday Folk Fair International, America’s premiere multi-cultural festival, to be held Fri., Nov. 16 – Sun., Nov. 18, 2018, at the State Fair Park Exposition Center in West Allis, Wis.
The All Nations Theater, sponsored by Fields Auto Group, will serve as the venue for the opening and closing ceremonies along with dancing by more than 30 ethnic groups, including groups representing China, Greece, Latvia, Norway, Poland, and Thailand.
The Tanzhaus (Music Pavilion), presented by Leaf Filter, will once again enable attendees to dance and sing along to a variety of musical styles. New in 2018 will be Tamborazo Santa Cecila playing Mexican music. Returning to the Tanzhaus in 2018 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, a vast array of ethnic groups will dance in the Tanzhaus throughout Folk Fair, including Donauschwaben, Italian, Mexican, Polynesian, Romanian, and Serbian.
The Young People’s Showcase on Sun., Nov. 18, 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 groups, including Czech, Greek, Pomeranian, and Slovak. Youth will also perform throughout the weekend on the International Stage, including those representing the African American, Nepalese, Irish, Lithuanian and Ukrainian cultural groups.
The Coffee House, sponsored by Renewal by Andersen, 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. Groups returning to the Coffee House include Abandin All Hope, Brian Bauman (American Folk), Ethnictricity (multi ethnic), Garlic Mustard Pickers (Gaelic), Greg Herriges (Balkan/Mediterranean), Hawaiian Civics Club (Hawaiian), Michelangelo, Peasants Abroad (Turkish Fusion), and Pommersche Spaldeel (Pomeranian).
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 Diversity,” will allow Fair-goers the opportunity to honor a community of people bound together by common ties, such as language, customs and beliefs, by what they think, how they behave, what they value, and what they pass on to the next generation.
Special attractions in 2018 include invited international performers and artisans, photographic exhibits, the Artisan corner, presented by Debra Stefl, the Milwaukee Art Museum presents Kohl’s Color Wheels, the Wisconsin Woodturners, the Dirty Kettle Native American interactive display, a bonsai exhibit, the Holiday Folk Fair Cinema, with viewings during the weekend of the Milwaukee PBS documentary “A Hope for Tomorrow” and “This Is Home,” the winner of the 2018 Sundance Audience Award: World Cinema Documentary, Milwaukee Public Museum on the Move daily presentations, and the annual Naturalization Ceremony on Fri., Nov. 16, at 2:30 p.m.
The three-day event features the World Café, offering traditional dishes, Heritage Lane, presented by Everdry, with unique traditions and customs through interactive exhibits, the International Bazaar, sponsored by Bath Fitter, where cultural artifacts create a unique shopping experience, and the Callen Construction Chef’s Stage featuring local chefs preparing traditional cuisine.
Hours on Fri., Nov. 16 are 2 p.m. – 9 p.m.; 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. on Sat., Nov. 17; and 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Sun., Nov. 18.
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 2018 Holiday Folk Fair International, visit www.folkfair.org or call the IIW at 414-225-6225.