The Folklorama season is nearly upon us, and there’s no better way to ignite the cultural spirit than with the Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries Folklorama Kick-off, which will be hitting the Scotiabank Stage on July 27 with a full day of cultural activities and entertainment.
The fun gets going at 4:00 p.m. with the MTS Ethnic Market, which brings more than a dozen ethnic vendors together, stocking ingredients, household items and other goods from around the world for sale. Kids’ activities and giveaways will also be set up throughout the day, ensuring that there’s something for everyone to do.
1031 Virgin Radio’s Chrissy Troy and CTV’s Karen Rocznik host the mainstage show, which gets underway at 7:00 p.m. with a dazzling display of colour and culture as more than 180 Ambassadors from all 46 of Folklorama 2013’s pavilions take the stage in the Ambassador Parade.
Following the Ambassador Parade, settle in for an evening of vivid cultural entertainment with local and international performing groups from nine different Folklorama pavilions, including Manitoba Korean Dance Group (Korean Pavilion), Beatriz Barceló and Sol de España Spanish Folk Dancers (Pabellón de España – Spain Pavilion), Africa Pavilion Dancers (Africa Pavilion), Tamil Pavilion Dancers (Tamil Pavilion), Chile Lucha y Canta (Chilean Pavilion), Rozmai Ukrainian Dance Ensemble (Ukraine-Kyiv Pavilion), Brady Academy of Irish Dance (Celtic Ireland Pavilion), and Viva Brasil (Brazilian Pavilion). Spanish songstress Osdalgia and her band Voces Mixtas will also be arriving directly from Cuba to round out the evening. The Festivities will conclude with a presentation from Archangel Fireworks at 10:45 p.m.
For more information on the Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries Folklorama Kick-off and the 2013 Folklorama Festival, visit www.folklorama.ca.