csardAs hungarian dance co.

Website: csardasdance.com

Csárdás Dance Company is a professional dance company located right here in Cleveland, OH. They present traditional and contemporary works stemming from Hungarian heritage. Founded in 1994 by Richard Graber, Csárdás has toured both locally in Ohio and internationally and has presented a repertoire that features a wide range of dance dialects and styles. Holding a unique place in Ohio's professional dance community, the Company preserves the brilliant splendor of folk elements meshed with contemporary choreography creating a rich and exciting cultural experience.

  JENNY MAY SCHOOL OF HIGHLAND DANCE

Website: jennymaydance.com

Based in Mayfield Heights, Ohio, The Jenny May School of Highland Dance is comprised of approximately 30 dancers ranging in age from 4 to 20. The dancers compete and perform in the U.S. and Canada year-round.

Students of the Jenny May School of Highland Dance are the official dancers of the Scottish Heritage Association of Northeast Ohio. The dancers also perform regularly with Cleveland Kiltie Band, North Coast Pipe Band, and Red Hackle Pipes and Drums as well as at shows at the Renaissance Hotel in Cleveland, festivals and weddings. The Jenny May School of Highland Dance is also part of the touring show "Touch of Tartan" which promotes the music, dance and culture of Scotland.

The school was recently recognized by the Northeastern Ohio Tartan Day Committee and Cleveland City Council for its work in preserving Scottish heritage in Northeast Ohio.

  madame gigi's outrageous
french cancan dancers

Website: cancan.historicdance.com

Any one of these irrepressible, high-energy dancers will tell you that the Cancan is the ultimate, “extreme sports” of the dance universe.  The dance is an athletic sprint from beginning to end, punctuated by high kicks, flying petticoats, and individual displays of dance prowess.  You’ll see for yourself why this dance would have been outlawed in Paris in older days, when a glimpse of a lady’s ankle would have been shocking!

MGORCD have been representing France at various events throughout the Midwest for the past 7 years. 

  lucina slovak folk ensemble

Website: lucina.org

The Lucina Slovak Folk Ensemble has traveled all over the US and abroad entertaining all who have an appreciation for folk dance. From their intricate routines, to their colorful dress, they are great fun to watch. Oktoberfest is excited to have them as part of our multiculural dance exposition at the International Pavilion!

  piast polish folk dance group

The "PIAST" Dance Ensemble was organized by Alliance of Poles current President John Borkowski in 1992.

The name "PIAST" is the family name of the first dynasty of Polish kings who ruled Poland from 960 to 1370 and who unified and developed the country into a powerful European state.

The "PIAST" Ensemble has different authentic costumes for each dance, most of which are imported directly from Poland and tailored especially for "PIAST".

The present group has been together for two years and features dancers ages of 13-18 who carry on the legacy of Poland through Polish song and dance. The choreographers of the "PIAST" Dance Ensemble are Agnieszka Kotlarsic and Malgorzata Kacka. Co-ordinators of the group are John and Ligia Borkowski and Ewa Trzeciak.

One of the dances performed by "PIAST" is called "Krakowiak" -- a regional dance native to Kraków, Poland. The Krakowiak is a couples group dance, led by the first couple -- in olden times, often the bride and groom. Costumes are original and traditional. Included in the dance Krakowiak is the Kraków Lajkonik -- one of the oldest Kraków folk dances, dating as far back as the 13th century.

The Alliance of Poles "PIAST" Ensemble will also perform a regional dance from Green Kurpie in north central Poland. Head pieces with colorful ribbons identify women from the Kurpie region of Poland.

Based on the traditions of the Beskidy and Zywiec regions, the "PIAST" Ensemble will also perform mountaineers' dances. The mountaineers -- gorale -- typically sing in groups, and their costumes are marked by distinctive shoes called "kierpce". Mountaineers' dances are divided into two segments: single dances ("kolomajki") and group dances ("hajduk"). The performance is centered around the mountaineer, who is characterized as hard, infatuated with his land and impulsive.

The Alliance of Poles "PIAST" Ensemble has performed by request for former Cleveland Mayors Michael R. White and Jane Campbell, the organizers of the Annual Lorain International Festival, and most recently, the Annual International Services Center Festival and Ohio State Fair in Columbus, Ohio. Thanks to their extensive repertoire, skill, and colorful authentic costumes, they are often called to perform throughout the Polish-American Community.

  SHO-jO-JI Japanese DanceRS

Website: lkwdpl.org/jacl

Sponsored by the Cleveland Japanese American Citizens League, the Sho-jo-ji Japanese Dancers have preserved, taught, and performed Japanese classical and folk dances in Ohio for over fifty years. The dancers wear the traditional costume of Japan, a vibrant kimono, dress, which is tied with a brocaded obi, belt. Brightly colored fans and delicate tissue-paper parasols are used with graceful gestures to depict the stories and moods of the classical dances. The dancers invite all to join them with folk dances that have been enjoyed for centuries.

The mission of the Sho-jo-ji Japanese Dancers is to preserve, teach, and perform classical and folk dances from Japan.

Three very talented Japanese immigrants, Linda Omura, Yoshiko Baker, and Dolly Semonco, founded the group in the late 1950’s in Cleveland. Each dancer brought their knowledge of the classical Nishikawa School of Japanese dance, experience from the Takarazuka Dance Troupe, Japanese folk dance and ballet. This eclectic blend of styles is performed by the existing members of the group. Currently the group includes of Nisei, Sansei and Yonsei, second, third, and fourth generation from Japan.

Description of art form:

The dancers wear the traditional costume of Japan, a vibrant kimono, dress, which is tied with a brocaded obi, belt. Over 200 rules of proper dress and movement in the kimono influence the art of classical dance in Japan.

Most of the Japanese Classical Dances performed by the Sho-jo-ji Japanese Dancers are from the mid 1800’s. At that time, Japanese dance underwent a reformation from the Noh and Kabuki theatres and many artists formed their own schools.  Brightly colored fans and delicate tissue-paper parasols are used with graceful gestures to depict the stories and moods of the dances.

Japanese folk dances are repeated movements danced in a circle moving in a counter clockwise manner. We encourage the members of the audience to join our circle and dance with us. These are the same folk dances that have been enjoyed at celebrations for centuries. The most well-known folk dance is Tanko Bushi, the coalminer’s dance.

  Gottscheer tanz und spielkreis

For nearly twenty years, Gottscheer Tanz Und Spielkreis has taken it as its mission to nurture and promote the tradition of Austrian folk dancing.  Located in Russell, Ohio, there is no mistaking the Gottscheer Club with its distinctly Alpine facade.  Including dance groups for both a children and adults, Gottscheer ensures that dancers of all ages can join in to celebrate the wonderful cultural heritage of Austria.  Some of the Gottscheer members also participate in an Alpine music group. 

In addition to several club functions, Gottscheer Tanz Und Spielkreis has performed at various cultural and ethnic events in the greater Cleveland area, as well as other states and in Canada.

  EL CORAZON DE MEXICO

“El Corazon de Mexico”, which in translation means, “The Heart of Mexico” is a Mexican folkloric dance group from the Toledo area.   Elaina Hernandez is the group’s director and choreographer.  She brings 21 years of Mexican dance experience to the group. She has studied under Maestro Carlos Vega of Mexico and Director Rene Cardoza of Chicago.