Great River Folk Fest Dance Tent 2010
Dance Performers
Visit the Dance Tent often! There will be a variety of ethnic and traditional dances to watch, and many opportunities to participate. Here are the talented groups and individuals appearing this year.
Saturday
The La Crosse Hmong Dancers started in 2000, led by Gina Ly Yang. They promote and preserve Hmong cultural dance and enhance and enrich Hmong girls' knowledge, interest and pride in their culture and heritage. Come watch and learn a few basic moves during their performance Saturday, 12:00-12:45.
ClogJam Cloggers features Appalachian-style clogging to bluegrass music, also taking this folk dance into pop, country and Irish music. Together for over 6 years this diverse group has performed at Riverfest, Irishfest, Catfish Days, Relay for Life, Steppin Out in Pink, Applefest, Loggers Games, Mardi Gras and Downtown Historic Days. Visit their website www.clogjam.com for free lessons, fall schedule of classes or to set up a performance. Leaders: Christi Pfaff/Tracy Mullaney 608 792-0064. They'll be glad to teach you a few steps and have you join them in kicking up your heels on Saturday 12:45-1:45pm.
Rince Mo Chroi Irish Dancers Rince Mo Chroi (pronounced Rinka mo kree), translates to “dance, my love”. They are an Irish dance school that encourages self confidence and creativity on and off the stage. Based out of Southwest Wisconsin, Rince Mo Chroi Irish Dancers are folks of all ages that gather for the enjoyment of learning both traditional and modern Irish dance styles. Did you ever wish that you knew an Irish Jig? How about a Ceili dance? Join us to learn a dance, learn about the dance and culture or just watch a floating Slip Jig or a thunderous Treble Reel! Saturday 1:45-2:45
Misty's Dance Unlimited of Onalaska, WI is home to almost 700 students in Onalaska and offers classes in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, pointe, and ballroom. Today Misty's is offering a hip hop demonstration and hip hop mini-lesson. All ages are encouraged to attend! Saturday 2:45-3:15
Watch as the versatile Winona International Dancers perform dances from places far and wide, such as Greece, Norway, Poland, Germany and America. The audience can step lively into our diverse dance heritage as the group teaches some fun and easy-to-learn dances. For more information contact Barb DuFresne: Winona International Dancers; or Sue O'Brien, sobrien@winonacotter.org. Catch them Saturday, 3:15-4:15
La Crosse area traditional string band Grand Picnic will play for an old-time dance to close out Saturday’s activities in the dance tent. This talented and community-spirited band has hosted the Fest’s Midwinter Benefit Dance for the past eight years. Dances will be taught and called; no experience necessary! Join the fun Saturday from 4:15 to 5:45.
Sunday
Sahara Desert Dancers was formed in 1992. The group promotes Middle Eastern Dance (Belly Dance) as a form of art. Belly Dance is a way of expressing yourself through music. The practice of Belly Dancing is shaped by each woman's personality, her intuition and creativity. For more information about classes and group performances contact Barb Albrechtson at 608-790-6496 or tzigane2@hotmail.com and also Amanda's Academy of Dance www.amandasacademy.com. The dancers will perform and invite audience participation in basic movements, Sunday 12:00-1:00
Stan Breitlow has been teaching Ballroom and Latin dance in La Crosse and Winona for 11 years. For the Great River Folk Festival he will be performing and teaching to live music from members of ¡Que Flavor!. This Madison-based ensemble specializes in Afro-Cuban and Latin rhythms. Members come from Cuba and Puerto Rico, as well as the US mainland. They bring rich and varied musical backgrounds which blend to create a cornucopia of sound, comprising Rumba, Guaguanco, Son-Montuno, Mambo, Cha-cha-cha, Guaracha, Timba, Bolero, Salsa, Merengue, and Cumbia. Don’t miss this session Sunday 1:15-2:30
Four Potatoes is dedicated to preserving and performing traditional music and dance by teaching it to young people. Founded and directed by Judson Steinback, they will be playing for a family friendly square dance called and taught by Tim Jenkins. Tim has been involved in old time dancing, tune-playing, and teaching and calling since his first trip to North Carolina in 1973. He has been hired to call at numerous community dances, weddings, family events, and festivals in every corner of our country. Join Tim and Four Potatoes Sunday 2:45-4:45.
Great River Folk Festival
PO Box 1434 La Crosse, WI 54602-1434
Phone: 608-784-3033
Email: grff@greatriverfolkfest.org
