The Labor Day Oktoberfest is excited to announce that it will
be holding an international dance exhibition featuring dance companies from
the Cleveland area and beyond. You'll see French Cancan dancers, Spanish Tango
Dancers, Irish Step Dancers, Russian Dancers, Chinese Dragon Dancers, Bavarian
Slap Dancers, and many more--all in full ethnic costume! Below is an incomplete
list of the dance companies who will be performing. Check back often or subscribe
to our newsletter to
receive updates.
Website: stvbavaria.org
 For
more than 70 years, audiences all over the U.S., Canada, and Europe, have turned
out to watch the colorful "Dirndls" twirl into the arms of Lederhosen-clad "slap
dancers" as S.T.V. Bavaria performs.
Schuhplattling in Cleveland dates back to the early 20's when four
couples joined the German-Austrian singing society "Blau Donau."
This
group of Alpine dancers, singers, and musicians would later form the Schuhplattler
und Bauerngruppe Blaue Donau.
In January of 1966, various Schuhplattler
groups from the U.S. and Canada united
to form the Gauverband
Nordamerika, which also holds a bi-annual convention and dance
competitions. On October
21, 1966, members of the Schuhplattler und Bauerngruppe Blaue Donau voted
to become independent of their parent singing society and remain in the Gau.
Thus, the Schuhplattler und Trachtenverein "Bavaria" as
it is known today, was formed.
In
May, 1972, about 1,200 dancers and guests came
to Cleveland to dedicate the club's flag at St. John's Cathedral. During
that same year, Steve Bencic started the Oktoberfest where "Bavaria"
continues to entertain hundreds of thousands every Labor Day weekend.
In 1973 STV dancers placed first in the Gaufest in
Washington, DC, and have since brought back to Cleveland 7 gold medals and
various other honors.
Bavaria consists of a children's
group and a teen through adult group, each performing dances
from the Tyrol region in Europe, wearing authentic costumes or "tracht."
Website: ichodaiko.com
Icho Daiko was founded in September 2003 by Dr. and Mrs. Roy and Aiko Ebihara of Oberlin, Ohio. The group is sponsored by the Cleveland Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League, and was named after the ginkgo trees that line Oberlin's Main Street. Icho Daiko is currently comprised of 20 members of the Cleveland, Akron, and Oberlin College communities. The group builds its own drums, including shime, chudaiko and okedo drums. Icho Daiko’s mission is to strengthen Asian American communities by instilling pride and cultural awareness, and to build bridges between Asian Americans and other groups through the dynamic cultural expression of taiko. Icho Daiko has performed for many cultural and social events since it's inception in 2003. Performances have included (but are not limited to) a half time show for the Cleveland Cavaliers Basketball team (Asian American Celebration day), Asian Festival 2005 and 2006 in Columbus, International Festival at the Allen Theatre, 2005 annual meeting of the Central Ohio Japanese Association Commerce [COJAC], 2005 Taiko conference [Taiko 10] in Los Angeles, CA., the International Folk Festival at Lakeland Community College and CultureFest at Lake Ridge Academy. Icho Daiko members encourage anyone who wants to learn about taiko and its history to visit the group rehearsals, take classes, and participate in JACL and Icho Daiko activities.
Mame Daiko, Icho Daiko's youth group was started in 2005. There are currently 7 members from the Akron-Cleveland area. The youth group is lead by Natalie and Nicole Grant, who are also performing members of Icho Daiko. Mame Daiko have composed and choreographed some of their own songs and are are currently working on many more songs to call their own. They have performed for many events since they began, including The Akron Zoo, Kidshow at Great Lakes Mall, Asian Festival 2006 in Columbus and the Cherry Blossom Festival.
To find out more about the Oberlin Taiko Drum Ensemble, Icho Daiko, check out this Article in the Morning Journal.
Oktoberfest is excited to announce that the St. Nicholas Russian Youth Dancers will again be returning to perform at this year's Oktoberfest. Dressed in full costume, a procession of dancers and flagbearers enters the hall, some holding forth offeratory loaves of bread. Once onstage, they perform original and variation folk dances from Russian, Ukranian, Gypsy, Gregorian and Carpathian cultures. Their repertoire includes ballroom dances from the tsarist era, peasant folk dances and dances born amidst the Russian population in the U.S.
Carrying on the long standing tradition of folk dancing in St. NIcholas Orthodox church, the youth dancers were organized in 1985. The troupe consists of 35 children, teens and young adults who perform at international, parochial and civic events.
A dance teacher for many years in the Akron and Pittsburgh areas, Director Rosemary Pyrch Simpson organized and has directed the ensemble since 1985.
Website: sthhd.com
The St. Haralambos Hellenic Dancers are brought together by a common love
of Greek folk dance and welcome you to experience the spirit of Greece through
traditional and modern dance. Each perfomer brings their own artistic style
into every step while the troupe strives to maintain the authenticity and spirit
of Greek folk dance in its original social, traditional and historical context.
The result is a stirring presentation highlighting the tradition of Greek dance
in a uniquely choreographed, entertaining fashion and to make them accessible
to a wider audience.
Website: burkeirishdance.com
- Featuring Two Time World Champion, Garrett Coleman
For 48 years, Cleveland native Tessie Burke has dedicated her life to teaching
Irish dance. Her years as a teacher have been rewarding for many reasons, not
the least of which has been overseeing the emergence of her first world champion,
Garrett Coleman. Garrett will be dancing toe to toe with acclaimed local talents,
Katherine Stull and Torrie Duns (also of the Burke School), as well as with younger
brother Kieran, who placed 7th in the "Worlds" held in Belfast.
Website: yintangdance.com
The Yin Tang Dance Company is comprised of students of the CCCCA Chinese School in Solon, OH. Yin Tang has been performing all over Northeast Ohio with her students since 1990.
Roughly once each summer, Miss Tang visits China and often brings back new dances for her students who perform most frequently around the Chinese New Year. Most all of the Yin Tang dancers live in the greater Cleveland area and hold Chinese ancestry.
Factoid: The Chinese character above the girl in the picture is really two characters, each meaning "Happiness." Taken together double happiness translates to "Joy," a characteristic which infuses the performances of The Yin Tang Dance Company.
Dances Include:
Tibetan Dance: "Kan Ding Love Song"
This fast-paced dance is brought to you from the beautiful Tibetan culture. The song: Kan Ding Love Song rejoices for youth and abundance.
Xin Jiang Dance: "The Ripe Grapes"
From the North comes a soulful Xin Jiang song. A woman patiently awaits for her lover who has gone away to war. He promises to return when the grapes on their grapevine are ripe.
Peacock Dance: "Bamboo Rainforest"
A dance from Thailand, water is worshipped as the source for all life. The Peacock is regarded as a god and admired for its beauty.
Mongolian Dance: "Children of the Mongol Plains"
From the Mongolian Plains comes a bevy of girls on horseback. Join them as they frolic about tending to their daily activities.
Handkerchief Dance: "Visitor From Afar, Would You Please Stay?"
The Music is from the Yi Nationality, where it is customary to make guests as comfortable as possible. The Yin Tang interpretation combines it with traditional Han spinning handkerchiefs.
Fan Dance: "Spring Flowers by a Moonlit Creek"
A song well known throughout Chinese Culture.
Website: leyladances.com
Midnight Soleil Dance Company performs middle eastern style dances from Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Saudi Arabia and throughout the Arab world. Their emphasis is on the ancient art of belly dance, and their captivating repertoire includes the use of finger cymbals, veils and swords. Leyla--the founder of Midnight Soleil--is a renowned oriental performer and teacher, with a dance studio in Akron, Ohio. Dancing since the age of 8, she has experimented with many different types of dance including jazz, ballet and Flamenco. However, when she took up belly dancing, she knew that it was the perfect form of expression for her. Now, after years of performance and instruction experience, Leyla's reputation as a true professional who respects the art of dance keeps her in high demand. Leyla & Midnight Soleil perform in venues ranging from weddings to conventions, intimate parties to large gatherings. She shares her elegant, energetic style with her students, and together they bring the mysticism of the Middle East to the Midwest.
Website: africansoulinternational.org
Founded in 1998 by a collective of artists, African Soul International seeks to discover and enhance the talents, skills and gifts of youth in the community. They have 3 primary branches-- their professional performing ensemble, their community and educational outreach, and their annual conference.
As a professional ensemble, they have performed in Los Angeles with Ms. Debbie Allen and in The Gambia, West Africa with Grammy award winning artist Youssou N'dour of Senegal.
In a state of continuous study and learning, they attend up to 5 international conferences per year, including Oakland, New York City, Washington DC, and Atlanta.
Building community through the arts, African Soul International inspires youth and their families to not only achieve greatness in drums and dance, but in their their academic, social, and community lives as well.
Founder, Executive, and Artistic Director. Sista Jewel is a recognized Master Artist by the Ohio Arts Council. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in "African Dance in Urban America" as well as two minors in "Black Studies" and "Cultural Anthropology". She has served 10 different apprenticeships with Master artists from Liberia, Guinea, Senegal and The Gambia, and has served 5 different study intensives in West Africa, as well as having frequented over 40 international conferences. Along with fellow presenters from Harvard, Yale and the Ghana Institute for Music and Development, she was a major presenter at the "Performing Africa--Visualizing Africa" conference at Ohio University. Listed as a professional artist with the Gambian Arts and Culture Bureau, she is also a member of the Mandinka Music Society in the Gambia.
As both an engine for social change and an unrelenting catalyst for the arts in Ohio, we are lucky to have Sista Jewel and African Soul International working their magic within our community, and sharing it with us at this year's Oktoberfest!
Sujatha Srinivasan (Artistic Director,
Shri Kalaa Mandhiris) is a leading exponent of Bharathanatyam, an Indian Classical dance form. With an impressive career spanning over twenty years as an accomplished performer, choreographer and teacher, her performances have been featured in major art festivals around the world. Sujatha is active in organizing, collaborating and performing in various fundraisers which benefit many different causes here and in India. Winner of several awards and titles, Sujatha frequently visits India for her shows in annual art festivals.
Based in Strongsville, Ohio, Sujatha trains several students in Bharathanatyam at her school, Shri Kalaa Mandhir. Having received integrated training here, many of her students have had their debut and have won accolades and awards for their impressive performances. Also, as a cultural ambassador, Sujatha educates students in Northeast Ohio schools about Indian art and culture with her innovative workshops and performances.
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S.t.V.
bavaria 
Icho Daiko taiko drum ensemble 
St. Nicholas russian dancers 
St.
Haralambos Hellenic DanERS
burke school of irish dance 
YIN TANG dance COMPANY 
MIDNIGHT SOLEIL dance 
AFRICAN SOUL INTERNATIONAL 
SHRI KALAA MANDHIR