Music and Dance Featured at Holiday Folk Fair International

MILWAUKEE, WI ¾ Dancers, vocalists, and musicians representing cultures from around the world will perform daily at the 81^st annual Holiday Folk Fair International, America’s premiere multi-cultural festival, to be held Fri., Nov. 22 – Sun., Nov. 24, 2024, at Exposition Center at Wisconsin State Fair Park in West Allis, Wis.

 The All Nations Theater, which will also host the opening and closing ceremonies, features dancing by more than 20 adult and youth performance groups, including the Chinese, Croatian, Irish, Lithuanian, Polynesian, and Thai. In addition, a special “Grand Entry” dance will be done daily at select times featuring performers from the participating adult dance groups.

 Special guests performing in the All Nations Theater all three days are Folk Ensemble Lindjo from Croatia and Rocky Mountain Express from Orem, Utah.

 The Folk Ensemble Lindjo, founded in 1965, is a Croatian performance group comprised of dancers, musicians, and vocalists. The variety of the dance repertoire, the different dance dynamics, musical traditions, and the exotic folk costumes are highlights of the group’s performances. Making their first appearance at the Holiday Folk Fair International, an integral part of the Linđjo Folklore Ensemble dance performances are its vocal renditions of traditional Croatian songs, whether sung a capella or to the accompaniment of musicians.

 Rocky Mountain Express is directed by husband and wife Greg and Maria Tucker, seven-time National Duet Champions who hold over 20 overall clogging duet titles. The reigning National Clogging Champions, the Rocky Mountain Express cloggers have performed all around the world, representing the United States at this year’s World Folkfest. Making their initial appearance at Holiday Folk Fair International, more than 20 cloggers will dance, including some of the Tucker’s four children.

The Young People’s Showcase on Sun., Nov. 24, will offer performances at 11:15 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. in the All Nations Theater, with the dancing talent of children from 16 groups, including the Nefertari (African American), Chinese, Donauschwaben, Greek, Italian, and Serbian.

The Tanzhaus (Music Pavilion) will allow attendees to dance and sing along to a variety of musical styles. The Bluegrass Thunder band, affiliated with the Rocky Mountain Express, is a bluegrass group from the Utah Valley. Specializing in bluegrass, old Western, and folk music, the band will take the Tanzhaus stage on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Returning to the Folk Fair Tanzhaus stage will be the Bob Breuer Polka Band; Paddygrass, performing Irish, bluegrass, and gospel; the Orkestar Sloboda, specializing in Serbian and Balkan music; Polish Fusion, a high-energy polka band; and Prazna Flasa, featuring Balkan music.

In addition, adult, youth, and children’s groups will dance in the Tanzhaus throughout the weekend, including Filipino, Latvian, Mexican, Polish, Scottish, and Ukrainian.

The Coffee House provides those in attendance the opportunity to enjoy a cup of coffee or tea and baked goods while listening to talented musicians and singers from throughout the world. Groups performing during Holiday Folk Fair International include new performers, the Bluegrass Thunder band performing daily, the Filipino-American Himig Cultural Choir singing on Friday and Saturday, Mariachi Sirenas, Chicago’s first all-women mariachi band, playing on Saturday and Sunday, and Martial Arts United conducting taekwondo demonstrations on Saturday afternoon.

In addition, Brian Bauman (German), Michelangelo (Variety), and a group performing traditional Rohingya music are returning to the Coffeehouse stage.

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 Traditional Art,” will allow Fairgoers to explore how traditional art represents one’s cultural heritage, as it conveys traditions, values, and beliefs. The featured food at the 2024 event will be traditional desserts, which have a historical significance to many cultural groups.

Special attractions in 2024 include photographic exhibits, cultural murals produced by Milwaukee Public Schools students, the Artisan Corner, the Dirty Kettle Native American interactive display, the Wisconsin Woodturners, a Children’s Area presented by Leafguard, a bonsai exhibit, a Naturalization Ceremony on Nov. 22, a Youth Chess Tournament on Nov. 23, and an Interdenominational Religious Service on Nov. 24.

The three-day event features the All Nations Theater with traditional music and dance; the World Café offering traditional dishes; the Tanzhauz, where attendees dance and sing along with a variety of musical stylings; 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 American Culinary Federation Chefs of Milwaukee Chefs Stage presented by TightSeal Exteriors and Baths featuring local chefs preparing traditional cuisine.

Hours are 2 p.m. – 9 p.m. on Fri., Nov. 22; 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 $13 through Thursday, Nov. 21, at the Folk Fair website (https://folkfair.org/admission/) and from all participating ethnic groups. There are no refunds. Admission at the gate is $16 for ages 8 – 61, with children up to age seven admitted at no charge. Those 62 and over will be admitted for $14, and all military personnel with a military ID card will be admitted free.

For more information on the 2024 Holiday Folk Fair International, visit www.folkfair.org or call 414-225-6225.