Labor Day Oktoberfest proceeds help benefit area non-profits, youth groups and cultural organizations. So buy a ticket, have fun and do good all at once!
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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: members.core.com/~bavaria
 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."
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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.
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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.
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Website: verlezzadance.com
Sabatino Verlezza holds an M.F.A.
(Dance) from the Univ. of Michigan, a B.A. (Dance) from the
State University of New York, and an A.A. degree. His wife, Barbara, is
Artist in Residence at Kent State, holds a
B.S. in Dance Education from the Univ. of Michigan, as well as an
M.F.A. in Dance. Both Sabatino and Barbara danced professionally with the
May O'Donnell Dance Company in New York City for 9 years as well as
with the Joyce Trisler Danscompany, Glenn-Lund Dance, and others.
In 1988, Sabatino established Verlezza Dance. He has choreographed, directed
and taught for several companies, including Joyce Trisler (NYC) and Joffrey
II (NYC). Both Sabatino and Barbara being hired as Artistic Director/ Choreographer
and Associate Artistic Director (respectively) with Dancing Wheels in Cleveland.
Sabatino and Barbara were the 2003 recipients of the CCBMR/DD Inclusion
Award and the Northern
Ohio Live Achievement Award in Dance. As Artistic Director and
choreographer of Verlezza Dance, Sabatino continues to teach and with Barbara,
co-directs the Creative Movement/Dance program (through Masterpiece Kids)
at the Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital.
In 2003 Barbara was named Outstanding Teacher in Higher Ed. by Dance Teacher
Magazine.
Verlezza Dance is currently collaborating with Alessandra Belloni
and her New York City-based Italian Folk Opera Company. A company
of dancers of all ages, Verlezza Dance is rooted in the classical modern
traditions of the May O'Donnell technique and the choreography of Sabatino
Verlezza. Committed to bringing dance to underserved populations
through its Center for Arts and Wellness, Verlezza Dance programs include
mainstage dance concerts, ongoing dance and wellness classes, educational
programs, master classes, workshops, community-based programs, and
presentations of works by other artists. The organization advocates art
as an element of healthy living and promotes the rich creative possibilities
that evolve when the traditional definition of dance is transcended.
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Website: blackbearcpb.com
Formed in February 2005 under the vision of Pipe Major Emeritus Scott MacLeod, the Black Bear Caledonia Pipe Band has been performing throughout the greater Cleveland area ever since. The band has participated in numerous community parades and festivals as well as local church and school events. The main objective of the BBCPB is to promote the arts of Scottish piping and drumming through performances and teaching while providing a place for more accomplished pipers and drummers to perform. The focus within Black Bear is always on the music and the camaraderie of working and playing together.
Black Bear Caledonia Pipe Band proudly wears the Holyrood tartan. The Holyrood tartan represents the district of Holyrood in Scotland, home to the royal palace and ruined abbey adjacent to King's Park in Edinburgh. For years it has been the Royal residence of the Scottish sovereigns, most notably Mary Queen of Scots. The Holyrood tartan was created as an adaptation of the Royal Stewart. This tartan has taken on a new relevance following the seating of the first Scottish Parliament in 300 years, based at Holyrood in 1999.
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Website: fairmountcenter.org
From the surprising Celtic flavor of Northern Galicia, to the energetic Jotas
of Aragón, down to the complex, driving rhythms of flamenco from Andalusia,
Fairmount Spanish Dancers bring the infinte variety of Spain's music and
dance to audiences all over northeast Ohio. Guitar, percussion, palmas and
song inspire the dancers. The dancers in colorful costume, respond with chattering
castanets, flashing fans, and rhythmic footwork leaving the audience clapping
and shouting, "Olé!"
Fairmount Spanish Dancers was founded in 1972 by Artistic Directory, Libby
Lubinger, who has studied with such distinguished artsts as Estelle Steinberg,
Pascual Olivera, María Alba, José Greco, Nana Lorca, Teodoro
Morca, La Conja, Ciro, La Cintia, Ramon Barrul, Carlota Santana and Ilisa
Rosal. The Fairmount Spanish Dancers are Visiting Artists in the Ohio Arts
Council's Artists in Education program. In 1990, Libby received the Cervantes
Award from Cleveland State University for her contribution to Spanish culture.
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S.t.V.
bavaria 
St.
Haralambos Hellenic Dancers 
tessie
burke school of irish dance 
verlezza
modern & italian folk dance 
The Black Bear Pipe Band 
fairmount
spanish dancers