24th Living Traditions - Best Kept Secret in Salt Lake City

A Weekend of Authentic Showcase of International Folk and Ethnic Displays of Arts & Traditions

Spring is in the air, and so is music and the aroma of food.

The weather is perfect to usher in the great festivities of the Living Traditions and Dine O'Round - both taking place in May, 2009.

Next weekend, the best kept secret in Salt Lake City is taking place at clock tower County Building at 500 South State Street, one block east of the city library in downtown. This FREE 24th annual Living Traditions Festival could not be a more welcome change in this downturn economy. Some may think there is no diversity in Salt Lake City, and they couldn't be more wrong,.

Friday, May 15 through Sunday, May 17, this city will showcase ethnic music and dance: rhythms, movements, instruments and vocals that entertain and engage the audience. Swaying and dancing to the performances are encouraged. Some 40 ethnic communities perform traditional songs and dances learned in various classes and rehearsals, and comprise of traditionally dressed folks of various ages ranging from children, young people and seniors.

Some traditional favorites from the list of performers include:
Maori Dance by the New Zealand-American Society
Tongan Singers
Swiss Chorus Edelweiss
Salt Lake Scots
Los del Sur (from South America)
Ballet Folklorico Citlali & Sol de Jalisco Mariachi
Tahitian dancers
I lived and attended school in Hawaii, and was acquainted with the Polynesian dancers from the Polynesian Cultural Center, and some of them dance at this festival.

There are featured Guest Artists presented all three evenings

Friday: Pine Leaf Boys (Cajun sounds of Louisiana from fiddles, accordion, bass, and drum);

Saturday: The Rebirth Brass Band (Rebirth brass band with incorporation of funk, jazz, soul and hip hop from New Orleans)

Saturday: Lifesavas (Hip hop group from Oregon)

Sunday: Mike Seeger (home music from the south

Categories of the Living Traditions include:
Performing Arts (described above)

Workshopshttp://www.ci.slc.ut.us/arts/livingtraditions/workshops.html
Artistes offer lectures, demonstration and interactive discussions Irish sing-along and Hindu threshold painting; these are two of seven of these workshops.