More than 230 dancers and performance artists from nine different countries will be providing spell-binding international cultural entertainment tonight, July 21 through Saturday, July 23 at the Magic Valley Folk Festival. It’s a must-see event.
“They are here to perform, and they really put on an amazing show,” says Amy Young, co-chair of the Magic Valley Folk Festival. “They have beautiful, colorful authentic costumes and each team has different dances planned that fit their culture. Each show will be different.“
The gala performances will be held at the Burley King Fine Arts Center tonight and Saturday, and at the Roper Auditorium at Twin Falls High School on Friday night. Tickets cost $10 for premium seating, $7 for adults, and $5 for children at the King Fine Arts Center, and $10 for adults and $5 for children at Roper Auditorium. The performances begin at 7 p.m., but you won’t want to miss the pre-shows with local talent, which start at 6:30 p.m. each evening.
“We have a preshow to showcase local talent — bagpipes, fiddlers, singing and piano performances and more,” Young says.
And then, get ready for an evening full of unique international cultural entertainment that’s rare to see in the state of Idaho. Nine countries, including Bolivia, Czech Republic, Germany, Japan, France, Netherlands, Mongolia and Puerto Rico, are participating. Each team performs for about 10 minutes each.
“It’s such a cultural experience,” she says. “It’s really a world-class event. They come to share their culture and heritage right here in Southern Idaho. It’s a celebration of culture and diversity.”
Organizers of the Magic Valley Folk Festival raise funds throughout the year to make the event possible. The teams pay their own air fare, but once they land in Salt Lake City, the Festival takes care of their transportation and meals for the duration of their week-long stay. They line up host families in the Magic Valley to host all of the performers.
“Even though there are language barriers and political barriers, you realize that there are good people all over the world who want peace and happiness,” Young says. “We can celebrate that together.”
Each gala performance will be different if people want to attend more than one night, she said. “Visually and musically, it is truly an awesome event.”
For more information, go to magicvalleyfolkfestival.com or see the Festival’s Facebook page.
