The Milwaukee Post

November 17, 2017 • Milwaukee County Post • 17 ENTERTAINMENT By CATHERINE JOZWIK And TOM JOZWIK Special to the Post Since the time of World War II, the Holiday Folk Fair International has ushered in the holiday season for any number of residents of the region. Traditionally staged on the weekend before Thanksgiving, this year's 74th annual Folk Fair runs Friday through Sunday at the State Fair Park Exposition Center, 8200 W. Greenfield Ave., West Allis. With its theme of "Celebrate the Culture of Welcome," the 2017 festival will again feature ethnic dancers and musicians, foods emblematic of more than a score of cultures, demonstrations by profes- sional chefs, a Coffee House and an International Bazaar. Some 60 "ethnic communi- ties" will be represented at Folk Fair, according to Al Durtka, president of the three-day event's sponsoring organization — the International Institute of Wisconsin. Fairgoers will be able to polka in the Tanzhaus area so as to work up an appetite for Bavarian bratwurst, Greek lemon rice soup, Chinese chicken on a stick, assorted Italian and German cookies and delicacies from about 15 other places, includ- ing France, Egypt and — new this year — Nepal. Between 2 p.m. Friday and 7 p.m. Sunday, cultural exhibits will co-exist with sale booths. A "very formal" and "very impressive ceremony," in Durtka's words, will effectu- ally kick off the 74th edition. A naturalization ritual, dur- ing which a judge will administer the oath of citi- zenship to a group that could exceed 200 individuals, is slated for 2:30 p.m. Friday. Folk Fair's original purpose, still operative after seven decades, has been helping immigrants become part of the community "and expos- ing the rest of the communi- ty to who they are (with regard to) their cultural background, beliefs and val- ues," Durtka noted. "No question about that," the IIW's president for the past 33 years said to the sug- gestion that the Folk Fair seems to be a festival for all age groups. Fairgoers will experience "some new food, entertainment and prod- ucts," he said. Nearly 48,000 attended last year's Folk Fair, said Durtka, and a sim- ilar turnout is anticipated in 2017. Waukesha's Angelica Escamilla, a naturalized citi- zen and co-founder with hus- band Javier of the Ballet Folklorico Nacional Aztec and Mexican dance group for youngsters and adults, spoke to the significance of Folk Fair in her life. "An amazing vehicle to open more doors for us," mused the native of Mexico. "The festival is a great opportuni- ty for people of all ethnic groups to get together and share aspects of their cul- ture." Escamilla added that the event "definitely" promotes the welcoming, fostering-of- inclusiveness implied in this year's aforementioned slo- gan. "Folk Fair is a great way to bring people of all backgrounds and cultures under one roof," she explained. "It gives kids a chance to learn about the amazing melting pot of cul- tures, not only in Wisconsin but around the world. The kids in our group are just mesmerized by all of the dif- ferent (groups') dances." She added that dancers "of all ethnicities are welcome in our group; we have African-Americans, Cubans, Puerto Ricans, etc. If you want to dance, we can teach you." For Gokhan Kula of Brookfield, "Folk Fair is a chance to show my heritage, which I'm very proud of, to others. I really enjoy danc- ing in the Turam Turkish group." A naturalized citizen, Kula came from Turkey with his wife, Ayse, a doctor, to the United States in 2000 and to the Milwaukee area four years later. Residing in Chicago in his early American years and trained as an engineer, Kula recalled, "I had positive experiences in the work- place (yet) a few negative experiences with people in shopping malls, etc. But that could happen anywhere. Overall, people in the Midwest are pretty nice." Although Turks are gener- ally identified with the Muslim faith, Kula "was raised in a very secular fam- ily ... . I only attended a mosque several times (for funerals and such). Personally, I haven't experi- enced any (religion-related) problems in the U.S., but of course I couldn't say the same for others who are Muslim." How have the Kulas transi- tioned to American culture while retaining the heritage of their homeland? "We eat a lot of Turkish food," the Brookfield man said. "A typical American diet contains a lot of meat and we are used to lots of vegetables. Fried zucchini chips, vegetable salad with tomato paste and olive oil, lentil soups, beans and dif- ferent puddings are favorite Turkish meal staples. They are quick and easy to make." Gokhan Kula, right, dances with the Turam Turkish group at the 2012 Holiday Folk Fair International. Ethnic roots nourished at Holiday Folk Fair 74th annual Holiday Folk Fair International Who: International Institute of Wisconsin What: It features dancing and singing, exhibits, and ethnic foods and sales booths Where: State Fair Park Exposition Center, 8200 W. Greenfield Ave., West Allis When: 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday Tickets: $10 in advance (www.folkfair.org ), $12 at door, discounts available for young- sters and seniors, free for chil- dren younger than 5 and mili- tary with ID More info: www.folkfair.org or 414-225-6225 At a glance Trick roper Javier Escamilla shares the stage with his dancer wife, Angelica. The Mexico natives' Waukesha/Milwaukee Ballet Folklorico Nacional group will perform at Holiday Folk Fair International. Submitted photo Submitted photo IN BRIEF The Domes ushers in season with floral show MILWAUKEE — The Naughty or Nice Holiday Show begins Saturday and runs through Jan. 7 at the Mitchell Park Domes, 524 S. Layton Blvd.See the scenes of Santa's elves working, Santa's mailbox, a plethora of poinsettias and a 25-foot holiday tree. For more infor- mation, call 414-257-5611. Thanksgiving concert at downtown cathedral MILWAUKEE — Present Music's annual Thanksgiving concert at 4 p.m. Sunday will include the world premiere of a piece commissioned from composer Ingram Marshall, who will be present. Present Music's Hearing Voices vocal ensemble, the Reagan and Arrowhead high schools choirs, the Present Music Ensemble, the Bucks Native American Singing and Drumming Group, and soloist Lindsay Kesselman, soprano, will perform at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, 831 N. Van Buren St., under artis- tic director Kevin Stalheim.

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