FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Dave Amoroso • Ron Sonntag Public Relations
414-354-0200, ext. 108 • dave@rspr.com
MILWAUKEE, WI – Organizers of the 76th annual Holiday Folk Fair International at the State Fair Park Exposition Center, West Allis, Wis., Fri., Nov. 22 – Sun., Nov. 24, 2019 announced that Gina Jorgensen will serve as the honorary chairperson of the 2019 event.
“I am honored to serve in this capacity for the 2019 Holiday Folk Fair International, as this is my twentieth year participating in Folk Fair,” Jorgensen said. “I started dancing at the event in 2000 with the Italian folk dance group and have been part of each event since. I am also involved with the Italian food booth in the World Café, as we offer items we know everyone likes, but also something new every year.”
A lifelong Milwaukee resident, Jorgensen grew up in a very Italian household, the heritage of her father. The family owned different restaurants over several years, primarily Sciortino’s on the southside of Milwaukee.
As the Italian dancer’s practice weekly at the Italian Community Center, she became involved in the organization, for which she serves as the Cultural Committee chairperson. “Being an art teacher, culture has always been a passion and strong interest. We learn about other cultures, including how they lived, dressed, ate, and what was important to them through their art, whether it be written or visual,” she said. “The Culture Committee plans several events at the Italian Community Center annually, including Student Immersion Day, music concerts, and activities for Italian Heritage Month.” She has also served as the parade manager for Festa Italiana for four years.
Jorgensen, who teaches art in the Milwaukee Public School system, has Bachelor of Arts degrees in both Art Education and Art Therapy from Alverno College and a Master’s degree in Visual Studies from Cardinal Stritch University. “I am certified to teach any aged child but prefer to teach older students so we can create more complex and meaningful art that expresses one’s views of the world,” she said. “I am committed to providing engaging and authentic experiences for my students.”
When it comes to Folk Fair, Jorgensen’s favorite part of the event is the dancing on the three stages. “I love watching all the dancing,” she said. “I want to learn and participate in all the groups.”
In describing what Folk Fair means to her, Jorgensen said, “It is a place where people from all backgrounds and walks of life come together to celebrate culture, customs, dance, food, and traditions that can be experienced and explored. It brings people together where visitors can find similarities in beliefs, customs, and values but also to recognize each culture’s specific and unique qualities. I can’t wait to participate every year, as I look forward to seeing the friends I have made from many of the groups.”
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 <a href=”https://folkfair.org/”>www.folkfair.org</a> or call 414-225-6225.