2017
World Folkfest
July 31 - Aug. 5 Springville, Utah, USA Austria l Belarus l Chile Ecuador l Georgia l Indonesia Polynesia l Romania l USA
FULL DETAILS
INSIDE
Experience world cultures through dance and music
ONE WORLD - ONE STAGE Sponsored in part by
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PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID PROVO, UT 84605 PERMIT NO. 313
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Table of Contents Welcome to the World Folkfest................. Page 6 Information at a Glance............................ Page 7 Mayor & City Council Message............... Page 8 Austria....................................................... Page 9 Belarus...................................................... Page 9 Chile........................................................ Page 10 Ecuador................................................... Page 10 Georgia.................................................... Page 11 Indonesia................................................. Page 11 Polynesia................................................. Page 12 Romania.................................................. Page 12
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USA: Morning Star................................. Page 13 USA: Rocky Mountain Express.............. Page 13 World Folkfest Dance Ensemble............ Page 13 Pre-Show & Show Credits...................... Page 14 Production Committee............................ Page 14 Country Chairs........................................ Page 14 Vendor Booths......................................... Page 14 Special Thanks........................................ Page 15 World Folkfest Sponsors......................... Page 15 World Folkfest Board of Directors......... Page 15
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Welcome to the
2017 World Folkfest
The World Folkfest in Springville, Utah, invites the public to join its 31st celebration of world cultures, music and dance when visitors from around the globe present five evening performances and a free street dance during the week of July 31 to Aug. 5, 2017. Folk dancers and musicians from Austria, Belarus, Chile, Ecuador, Georgia, Indonesia and Romania are expected to participate in the 2017 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. The Folkfest 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 of their homeland. Musicians travel with the dancers to Springville to accompany the dances on unique, traditional folk instruments. The performers pay their own expenses to travel to the Folkfest, emphasizing their eagerness to share their cultures with the people of 6 • World Folkfest 2017
Utah. While here, the performers stay with volunteer host families in the Utah County area. “For more than 30 years now, Springville has played host to some of the finest international folk dance troupes. I am still impressed and surprised by the variety and excitement these groups bring to Utah,” said Lynn Elliott, chairman of the World Folkfest Board of Directors. Folkfest performances will be presented beginning Tuesday, Aug. 1, and continuing each night through Saturday, Aug. 5. Performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Spring Acres Arts Park outdoor amphitheater, 620 S. 1350 East, Springville, Utah (next to Springville High School). The Arts Park will open each night at 6 p.m. with a variety of food and craft booths available to audience members each night. Pre-show entertainment will begin at 6:45 p.m. Seating is general admission; some chair and bleacher seating is available at the Arts Park, but audience members can also bring their own lawn chairs or blankets to sit on. All groups attending this year’s Folkfest will perform during each evening performance, giving audiences the opportunity to experience cultures from around the world in just one night. For those who don’t want to miss a minute of this year’s Folkfest, World Passport passes are available for $30 per person. This pass will allow the bearer to attend every performance during Folkfest week. Many groups do different dances
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. On Monday, July 31, the Folkfest will be kicked off with a free street dance beginning at 8 p.m. in the parking lot of the Springville Museum of Art, 126 E. 400 South, Springville. The public is invited to attend this event and enjoy learning simple folk dances from our international visitors with live accompaniment by their musicians. All ages are able to enjoy this fun cultural experience. Also, the public is invited to attend free after-party dances on the festival stage on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, Aug. 3, 4 and 5, after the evening performances.
Directions to the Spring Acres Arts Park
Folkfest information at a glance
Evening Performances: Aug. 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 at 7:30 p.m.
Spring Acres Arts Park, 620 S. 1350 E., Springville. Gates open at 6 p.m.
Come enjoy food and craft vendors. Pre-Show Entertainment each night at 6:45 p.m. Admission: $10 adults; $8 students, military & senior citizens; $5 children ages 3 to 12; children under 3 free. Groups of 10 or more: $6 each. Family pass (up to two adults and four children living in the home): $30. World Passport (allows individual admission to every Folkfest performance: $30. Purchase tickets online at www.worldfolkfest.com or at the gate with a credit card or cash on the night of the performance. All groups perform at every Folkfest performance.
For more information: www.worldfolkfest.com
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Mayor & City Council Message Dear Friends: On behalf of the citizens of Springville, we welcome the dancers, musicians and audience members of the 2017 World Folkfest. We hope all enjoy this unique opportunity to experience the varying cultures of our world and create lasting friendships. We express our thanks to the Folkfest Board of Directors, its various committee members and all those who have expended so much time and effort in planning and preparing for the 2017 Folkfest. To those throughout Utah County who have opened their homes and hearts to our international guests, we thank you and express appreciation for your willingness to participate in this exciting event. We appreciate the city employees and department heads that have assisted so ably in preparing the city and the Spring Acres Arts Park for this event. To each of the performers, we express our appreciation for your willingness to share your cultures with us. To our nightly audiences, we say, “Enjoy yourselves, and come back often.” Mayor Wilford W. Clyde and the Springville City Council
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Springville City Council Back row, from left: Councilmember Chris Creer, Councilmember Rick Child, Councilmember Jason Miller. Front row, from left: Councilmember Chris Sorensen, Mayor Wilford W. Clyde, Councilmember Craig Conover
AUSTRIA
Schuhplattlergruppe
From the beautifully wooded Vorarlberg province of Austria comes the folk dance group Schuhplattlergruppe Zwischenwasser. Founded in 1968 by Modest Bachmann, the 25 active dancers of Schuhplattlergruppe Zwischenwasser are at home on both national and international stages. They have performed at festivals in countries including China, Spain, France and the USA. This summer, they bring the opulent traditions of Austria and their 23-dance repertoire to the awaiting crowds in Springville. Zwischenwasser is a municipality made up of three villages that is located on the western tip of Austria in the Austrian state of Vorarlberg. Historically rich, Zwischenwasser belonged to Bavaria between 1805 and 1814, then returned to Austrian rule in 1861. Richly wooded, this area of Austria offers numerous outdoor activities such as hiking and mountain biking. Because of a floodlight system installed in a local ski area, night skiing is also a highlight of visiting the area. Grab some Knödel and clap along with the traditional Schuhplattler dance, a high-energy dance with high leaps and hand slaps.
BELARUS
Zorachka
The folk song and dance ensemble Zorachka comes to the World Folkfest from the city of Minsk, the capital city of and largest city in Belarus with a population of more than 2 million. A land covered by beautiful forests, Belarus is bordered by Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania and Latvia. Zorachka was formed in 1963 at a national center for children’s and youth creative arts and is proud to be Belarus’ first children and youth folk ensemble. The group studies and updates traditions of Belarusian singing, dancing and musical creativity, bringing back to life ancient rites and games. The group’s traditional Belarusian costumes come from different regions of the country and have been created by leading artists. Zorachka tours frequently inside and outside Belarus, having performed in countries such as Ukraine, Moldova, Poland, Czech Republic, Germany, Cuba, France, Italy and Spain. It has won prizes for its performances in various international contests. Ensemble Zorachka brings with it lively dances such as
the Zayats, a playful dance done while jumping over sticks. As well as bringing an orchestra of accordions, pipes, violins, straws, lyres, drums and the Tsymblas, a national Belaruisan string instrument.
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CHILE
Kirqui Wayra
The country of Chile stretches along the western coast of South America with more than 3,800 miles of Pacific Ocean coastline. It is one of South America’s most stable and prosperous nations, leading Latin American nations in rankings of human development, competitiveness, income per capita, globalization, state of peace, economic freedom and low perception of corruption. Northern Chile contains a vast amount of mineral wealth, particularly copper, giving the country a steady economy. The southern areas of Chile are rich in forests and grazing lands. It also features a string of volcanoes and lakes. Its territory includes Easter Island, famous for its monumental statues known as moai. Kirqui Wayra is a traditional dance company made up of 35 young people in secondary school, university and with professional careers. It is based in the city of Iquique,
ECUADOR
Cuniburo Cultural
Located in northwestern South America, Ecuador straddles the equator and is bordered by Columbia and Peru as well as the Pacific Ocean. Ecuador is known for its diverse landscape that encompasses both Amazon jungle and Andean highlands. Ecuador is home to a large variety of Am-
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a port city located in northern Chile on the Pacific coast. In operation for 27 years, Kirqui Wayra exists to rescue, preserve and spread the regional and national culture of Chile. The company has performed in the most diverse places of Chile, from Arica to Punta Arenas, as well in international festivals of folkloric dance in Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Italy, France, Belgium, Turkey and Northern Cyprus. Kirqui Wayra means “Wind that dances” in the Aymara language, awidespread indigenous language spoken in the Andes region.
erindian groups that were incorporated into the Inca Empire during the 15th century. The Inca Empire was the largest empire in pre-Columbian America and arguably the largest empire in the world in the early 16th century. Although the political and military center of the empire was located in Peru, Ecuador encompassed a vast majority of the empire’s power and population. The traditional folk group Cuniburo Cultural was founded in 1992 and is made up of young people who are skilled in the arts of dance and music. The group includes members from the city of Cayambe, which is located in highland Ecuador at the foot of the Cayambe volcano. Members also come from Ecuador’s capital city, Quito. Their choreography is the result of very thorough and scrupulous historical research. The group has represented Ecuador at international festivals in Venezuela, Brazil, Paraguay and in Europe.
GEORGIA
Gurjaani
The country of Georgia is located at a major intersection of the globe - of Europe and Asia, of East and West, of the Christian and Muslim worlds. The history of the Georgian state goes back at least 3,300 years. Having adopted the Christian faith in 337, it is one of the first countries where the new religion was elevated to the rank of state authority. Georgia’s charms include magnificent monasteries, a beautiful sea coast, scenic mountains and wonderful cuisine. The Georgian state folk singing and dancing company Gurjaani, which is united in the Association of Culture Development and Renaissance from Georgia, was founded in 1961. The ensemble is considered one of the best groups of its type in the country. It is made up of 70 dancers and singers ages 15 and older. Gurjaani has performed in many nations across the world such as Turkey, Poland, Bulgaria, Netherlands, France, Greece, Spain, Italy, Canada and the United States.
INDONESIA
Nona Asri
Indonesia is located in southeast Asia and is made up of thousands of volcanic islands. It is home to hundreds of different ethnicities, languages, religions and cultures. The jungles of Indonesia are home to many forms of wildlife including komodo dragons, tigers, orangutans and elephants. Coming to the World Folkfest from Indonesia is the folk dance and music group Nona Asri. This group has performed on many international stages including visits to South Korea, Mexico, Australia, Malaysia, Greece, Russia, Italy and the United States. Nona Asri’s mission is to introduce the culture of Indonesia to the world and promote strong relationships and cultural exchanges with other countries. The group’s dancers come from various regions in Indonesia. They perform with a variety of instruments that are not commonly known to Western culture.
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POLYNESIA
voice of Polynesia
Pacific Generation is the professional performing team of The Voice of Polynesia, a dance school located in Orem, Utah. Made up of dancers and musicians originating from the different islands of Polynesia, Pacific Generation performers have years of experience in teaching, participating in competitions and sharing their love for Polynesian dancing and music. With the creativity of their own choreographers and the authenticity of their original songs, Pacific Generation brings audiences a new level of understanding of Polynesian cultures. From the islands of Hawaii to Samoa, Tonga, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji and the Marquesas, Pacific Generation brings the best of Polynesian dancing to the World Folkfest stage.
Pacific Generation will perform August 1, 3 and 5
ROMANIA
Somesul Napoca
Romania is located in southeastern Europe and borders the Black Sea, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Hungary, Serbia and Moldova. It is perhaps most well known as being the home of the forested region of Translyvania, which has been long associated with the legend of Count Dracula. The country
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contains many medieval towns as well as notable churches and castles that give the country an old and distinct feel. Somesul-Napoca, a folklore group from the town of Cluj Napoca, was founded in 1973. The aim of the group is to preserve and cultivate the genuine folk traditions of its country, especially those of Transylvania. Somesul-Napoca has had the opportunity to take part in many different performances around the world in countries such as Italy, England, France, Canada, Germany, Czech Republic and the United States. The group tries to express the optimism, vitality and pride of the Romanian people and brings with it to Springville a message of sincere friendship. The most complex dances in the group’s repertoire come from the Transylvanian Plain with their syncopated and asymmetrical rhythms. The dancers take turns in an imaginative dialogue on different themes. The boys’ dances provide moments of great virtuosity as they slap their boots and compete against each other. In the end, each takes a girl and spins her around for the spectator’s delight. All their dances are performed while wearing colorful and festive Romanian national costumes.
USA
Morning Star
According to ancient legend, Morning Star was the son of the Sun who took on human form and visited the earth many years ago to bring knowledge and wisdom to the human race. Today, the Morning Star continues to symbolize not only wisdom and knowledge, but also truth, strength and virtue. With this in mind, Gary Fields founded a Native American performing group in 1982 and named it after the ancient legend. Based in Utah County, Morning Star performs various Native American dances from the exciting Plains Fancy Dance to the serious Sioux Sneak Attack Dance, the humorous Mohawk Partridge Courting Dance and the thrilling and popular Hoop Dance. The dancers’ colorful costumes are authentic and represent the Chemehuevi, Cree, Hopi, Lakota Sioux, Navajo, Ojibay and Yakima nations. Morning Star has performed in more than 30 countries and has been an annual participant at the World Folkfest since the festival’s beginning.
USA
Rocky Mountain Express Based in Orem, Utah, Rocky Mountain Express Clogging Studio was formed in 1999 and is directed by Greg and Maria Tucker, both of whom have been clogging from a young age and danced as part of the Brigham Young University International Folk Dance Ensemble from 1997 to 2000. Both were choreographers for the clogging portion of the 2002 Salt Lake Olympic Opening Ceremonies. Their studio is dedicated to preserving the traditional styles and enveloping the most modern styles of clogging today. The studio currently boasts approximately 20 teams with many of them competing throughout the western United States. Its most decorated team, Rocky Mountain Premiere, has taken five national titles. Some of the styles adapted into their clogging include tap, jazz, Canadian clogging, Irish step dance and hip hop. Classes are offered from novice to professional and students range in age from 4 to 60.
Rocky Mountain Express will perform August 2, 4 and 5
World Folkfest Dance Ensemble
The World Folkfest Dance Ensemble has been a part of the World Folkfest since 2010. It is an audition/invitationbased semi-professional company. The purpose of the dance ensemble is to help welcome the international performers to our festival and increase interaction, involvement and education with local performers. If you are interested in auditioning for the Ensemble next year, please refer to the Folkfest website for upcoming information. Auditions are usually held in March/April. Ensemble Dancers Austin Allen, Jason Allen, Abram Allred, Camille Andrus, Adam Argyle, Thomas Call, Elizabeth Elliott, Emily Hatch, Jonny Hatch, Taylor Haycock, Tia Haycock, Ariel Hubbard, Clint Hubbard, Rebekah Jensen, Ginger Leishman, Emily Park, Alyssa Pehrson, Nathan Pehrson, Caleb Reidhead, Melissa Zanadrea-Tice. World Folkfest Opener Music: Sky Full of Stars (Coldplay) arranged by The Piano Guys. Choreography: Ginger Leishman
World Folkfest Closer Music: Magnificent Seven Theme by Elmer Bernstein. Chorography: Tara Eyre, Amy Slade, Emily Park World Folkfest 2017 • 13
Pre-Show & Show Credits Flag Ceremony Aug. 1: Springville Police Honor Guard Aug. 2: BYU/UVU AFROTC Color Guard Aug. 3: Pack 1456 Aug. 4: Troop 999 Aug. 5: Springville Police Honor Guard
Pre-Shows Aug. 1: Heather Broch Scottish Dancers Aug. 2: American Rhythm Folk Ensemble Aug. 3: Harp Irish Dance Company Aug. 4: World Fusion and Sonali Loomba Aug. 5: Tablado Dance Company
National Anthem Aug. 1: Amy Carlin Aug. 2: Alisha Beckstrom Aug. 3: Traci Spotten Law Aug. 4: Asia Eyre Aug. 5: Mitch and EvaLynn Bolen
Emcees Aug. 1, 2 & 5: David & Fawn Christopher Aug. 3 & 4: Daryl Tucker & Robinne Booth
Production Committee Costume Mistress: Melissa Zanandrea-Tice Stage Manager: Jakob Tice Stage Crew: Amy Carlin, Matthew Carlin, Michael Zanandrea Script: Amy Slade, Emily Park Choreography: Ginger Leishman, Amy Slade, Emily Park, Tara Eyre
Country Chairs Austria - Emily & Dirk Wilkinson Indonesia - Slim Childs Belarus - Patrice Bolen
Chile - Trudy Peck & Heather Quass Ecuador - Jenny Tippetts Romania - Toni Zaugg
Vendor Booths Food Vendors South of the Border Tacos Kona Ice Tiri Italian Pastry (Friday & Saturday only) La Carreta Allysa’s Smoothies and Goodies Emme’s Cotton Candy Best Fry Bread Holy Crepe Ginger’s Garden Café
Craft Vendors Suncrest Publishing Runa Arts Roses Polynesian Style What It Quirks Country Booths Chile Ecuador Indonesia
Folkfest Volunteers and Host Families Needed We are looking for families who would love the opportunity to host Folkfest dancers and musicians next year. If this is you, and you would like us to contact you next year, please contact Folkfest Housing Director Elissa Johnson at 801787-6530 or at Folkfesthostfamilies@gmail.com. We also need a number of volunteers to make the Folkfest a success. If you have interest in working with international groups on this wonderful event please contact general.director@ worldfolkfest.com. 14 • World Folkfest 2017
Special Thanks
Folkfest Sponsors
Springville Fire Department Springville City Staff Springville Museum of Art Springville Arts Commission Springville Youth City Council Merit Academy ASK Service Club Utah County Sheriff’s Department Elk Ridge Assisted Living Center Springville Senior Center Turn Community Services Central Utah Veterans Home CJ Gandolph & Roco’s Deli Ryan & Jennifer Carter Corey Merideth Christi Babbitt Carolyn Coombs Merrell Hansen AV Productions Liberty Press Josh Walker Karl Hale All the performing groups and their directors who have been wonderful to work with during the 2017 World Folkfest as well as our host families, without whom the Folkfest would not be possible.
Folkfest Board of Directors Lynn Elliott - General Director Donna Breckenridge - International Director Tara Eyre - Production Director Emily Wilkinson - Community Service Director Mike Farrer - Financial Director Robert Wise - Facilities Director Elissa Johnson - Hosting Director Valerie Bandmann - Vendors Director Pat Conover - Historian Jason Miller - City Representative Sound & Lighting - AV Productions Folkfest Founders: The World Folkfest Board of Directors would like to recognize the efforts of those who had the inspiration, insight and knowledge to organize our first Springville World Folkfest in 1986. These talented people were the backbone of our festival, activities, performances and other exchanges. We thank them for their many hours of hard work, making the path for those who followed easier. Founders: George Frandsen, Kristine Harrington, Mary Bee Jensen and Karl Allred
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First Board of Directors (Organized February 1987): George Frandsen, Kristine Harrington, Mary Bee Jensen, Karl Allred, Bart Skinner, Delora Bertelsen, Pete Roundy, Teddy Anderson, Brent Haymond, Colleen Drollinger, Bruce Olsen and Dennis Hill. World Folkfest 2017 • 15
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