Web: stvbavaria.org

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."

Oktoberfest is excited to announce that the St. Nicholas Russian Youth Dancers will again be returning to perform at this year's Oktoberfest. Dressed in full costume, a procession of dancers and flagbearers enters the hall, some holding forth offeratory loaves of bread. Once onstage, they perform original and variation folk dances from Russian, Ukranian, Gypsy, Gregorian and Carpathian cultures. Their repertoire includes ballroom dances from the tsarist era, peasant folk dances and dances born amidst the Russian population in the U.S.

Carrying on the long standing tradition of folk dancing in St. NIcholas Orthodox church, the youth dancers were organized in 1985. The troupe consists of 35 children, teens and young adults who perform at international, parochial and civic events.

A dance teacher for many years in the Akron and Pittsburgh areas, Director Rosemary Pyrch Simpson organized and has directed the ensemble since 1985.

Joining the marching band was pretty much out of the question when Laura Nelson made the fateful decision to study alphorn--and are we lucky she did! More than just a prop in Ricolah commercials, the alphorn is a beautiful instrument with a rich and fascinating cultural history.

A graduate of Baldwin-Wallace College Conservatory of Music, Laura Nelson studied Horn with AL Schmitter. She also studied Alphorn at the Schweizeralphornschule in Switzerland. Her teachers have included Fritz Frautschi and William Hopson. In 2011 Laura attended the North American Alphorn Festival where she took first place in the solo competition playing her own composition.  She also premiered a piece for six alphorns.

Constructed of spruce wrapped with rattan, the alphorn is 11' 7" in length--its bell painted with alpine flowers and the Swiss Cross. Prepare to be blown away!

Web: 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.

Web: burkeirishdance.com

Web: yintangdance.com

The Yin Tang Dance Company is comprised of students of the CCCCA Chinese School in Solon, OH. Yin Tang has been performing all over Northeast Ohio with her students since 1990.

Roughly once each summer, Miss Tang visits China and often brings back new dances for her students who perform most frequently around the Chinese New Year. Most all of the Yin Tang dancers live in the greater Cleveland area and hold Chinese ancestry.

Factoid: The Chinese character above the girl in the picture is really two characters, each meaning "Happiness." Taken together double happiness translates to "Joy," a characteristic which infuses the performances of The Yin Tang Dance Company.

Dances Include:

Tibetan Dance: "Kan Ding Love Song"

This fast-paced dance is brought to you from the beautiful Tibetan culture. The song: Kan Ding Love Song rejoices for youth and abundance.

Xin Jiang Dance: "The Ripe Grapes"

From the North comes a soulful Xin Jiang song. A woman patiently awaits for her lover who has gone away to war. He promises to return when the grapes on their grapevine are ripe.

Peacock Dance: "Bamboo Rainforest"

A dance from Thailand, water is worshipped as the source for all life. The Peacock is regarded as a god and admired for its beauty.

Mongolian Dance: "Children of the Mongol Plains"

From the Mongolian Plains comes a bevy of girls on horseback. Join them as they frolic about tending to their daily activities.

Handkerchief Dance: "Visitor From Afar, Would You Please Stay?"

The Music is from the Yi Nationality, where it is customary to make guests as comfortable as possible. The Yin Tang interpretation combines it with traditional Han spinning handkerchiefs.

Fan Dance: "Spring Flowers by a Moonlit Creek"

A song well known throughout Chinese Culture.

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.      

Web: angelfire.com/oh2/danceisraeli/

Dance Israeli! was established in 2006, by Stuart Meyer, to capture and bring the excitement and flavor of Israeli dance to live audiences in the Northeast Ohio community. Delivering a fresh folk-based approach to performance, this professional group delivers Israeli culture with every step.

Dance Israeli! offers performances and workshops in Israeli dance.