Mark Your Calendars: Art and Culture Fest Ahead

Seabright Morris - Photo by Cliff Warner.

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News from Jennifer Radakovich, SC Ethnic Dance Festival Organizer:

Celebrate the diversity and richness of our community at the 2015 Santa Cruz Ethnic Dance Festival.

This year, the Tannery World Dance & Cultural Center presents free public family performances on Saturday, September 19th and free workshops on Sunday, September 20th.

Featuring new and beloved local and Bay Area artists, we seek to celebrate the diversity and richness of our community.

Experience dance and music from Brazil, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Bali, India, Hawai’i, Spain, Japan, Egypt, Senegal, England, America, Cambodia and more! Enjoy a special collaborative performance with three of our Santa Cruz Hula Halau, honoring master teacher, Kumu Clark Bolivar and a post­ festival Salsa Party hosted by Salsa by the Sea!

This year’s festival features Free Festival Family Day Workshops hosted by the SC Public Libraries in the weeks leading up to the main festival.

Ethnic Dance Festival Schedule of Activities:

• August 29th ­ Puerto Rican Music & Dance! w​ith Ali Luna at the Capitola Library (11-­noon) Join Ali Luna on the congas, barriles, and maracas. Learn call and response style singing, traditional drumming rhythms and the movements of Bomba!

• Sept. 5th ­ Baile Folklórico! ​with Malena Vega at the Scotts Valley Library (11-­noon) Explore calentamiento (body warm­ups), técnica (footwork), rhythmic patterns and vocabulary. Learn a fun choreography, history and culture ­­ all through music and dance!
• Sept. 12th ­ Hawaiian Style Music and Dance! ​with Leolani Lowry at the Downtown Library Grab your grass skirts, kick off your shoes and have some fun! Leolani of the Hula School of Santa Cruz will be sharing songs and dances of Hawai’i for kids of all ages. Join us! (11-­noon)

• Sept. 19th ­ Free Dance and Music Performances ​at the Tannery Arts Center 11am­-7pm
• Sept. 19th ­ Salsa Party! ​hosted by Salsa by the Sea in the TWDCC studio from 7:30-­9:30pm
• Sept. 20th ­ Classes ​with Ethnic Dance Festival Artists in the TWDCC Studio from 10am-­ 5pm

Tannery World Dance and Cultural Center (TWDCC) is a home for world and contemporary dance artists. We allow traditional art forms to flourish while encouraging artists to take risks, probe traditional definitions and forge new ideas. At TWDCC, we are committed to equity, access and excellence in all of our programming. Your support helps our organization serve as a unique hub that brings together and celebrates the vibrancy of our community.

For more information and the full schedule of events visit TanneryWorldDance.com and Santa Cruz Ethnic Dance Festival on FACEBOOK.