Cleveland International Folk Festival July 18, 2010 Wade Oval, University Circle
After 20 years, the annual International Folk Festival moved outside. The 21st annual event was held at Wade Oval in University Circle.
The International Folk Festival is sponsored by the International Services Center (ISC) which was established in 1916 as a non-sectarian, private non-profit refugee resettlement and social services agency.
Executive Director Karin Wishner says "ISC is dedicated to assisting refugees, immigrants and other new citizens in overcoming social, cultural and economic barriers."
Moving the Festival outside was a great success, even on a scorching Sunday in July. Several hundred people visited Wade Oval to hear the music, watch the performers and taste the ethnic foods.
Pipers Mike Slater and Jesse Tucker and drummer Chris Kingsbury of the Cleveland Kiltie Band kicked off the annual International Folk Festival with a march through the grass to the stage.
Ken Kovach and Asim Datta of the International Services Center board served as event MCs.
Ken Kovach
Asim Datta
The sun was so hot that the first performers had to dance on the grass in front of the stage instead of the burning stage material.
Guru Vandana - An invocation to the Gods. Shweta's Kathak students of Tarangini School of Kathak Dance
American music was next on the bill as Jack Mizenko of the Roots of American Music Association played Woody Guthrie's This Land is Your Land and other folk standards.
The next performance was called A Touch of Tartan with young students from the Jenny May School of Highland Dance.
Broad Sword dance performed by the award-winning Heather Belles
