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.

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.

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.

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. 

Web: mamedaiko.org

Mame Daiko was founded in 2005, and is sponsored by the Cleveland Chapter, Japanese American Citizens League (JACL). The group builds most of its own drums and equipment. The performing members consist of Adults and Youth, and members have been playing Taiko for 4 to 7 years.

Mame Daiko’s mission statement: In all cultures far and wide, youth is the key to the future. Mame Daiko seeks to inspire and challenge the youth and the young at heart through the respect, unity, discipline and entertainment inherent in the Taiko arts, promoting the Japanese American community and cultural awareness.

Mame Daiko’s style is a combination of the many styles of Taiko drumming which we have learned from our Taiko Sensei (teachers) throughout the years of learning. Our different styles of songs have also brought in the creativity, knowledge and love for Taiko from our members. We enjoy providing cultural entertainment to people of diverse interests, backgrounds and ages.

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.

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”, 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.

“El Corazon de Mexico” demonstrates the beauty and charm of the culture in performing from a repertoire of over 100 dances.  Mexico is made up of 32 states.  Each state has a unique style of music, dance and costume.   Each performance gives the audience a taste of the variety within this art.

A sincere desire to learn both Mexican dancing and tradition, along with a dedication to hard work and weekly practice throughout the entire year, are asked of all dancers. In return, they receive a new awareness of their heritage, good leadership skills and an education in both the history and culture of Mexico.  Their many talents come together to create a beautiful and exciting performance.

“El Corazon de Mexico” performs at festivals, cultural celebrations, parties, weddings, civic and religious functions and other events.

Website: syrenaohio.com

The Syrena Polish Dance Ensemble is a non-profit adult dance group. The ensemble showcases the beauty of Polish folk culture through traditional song and dance, sketches and regional dress.

Syrena's main repertoire consists of various regional folk dances and national dances, featuring authentic folk attire and music. Performances last around 45 minutes with a multitude of consume changes. Syrena also performs umorous Polish skits and colorful costume pageants. The group is also known for audience participation, recruiting on-lookers to join part of the dance--so look out!