35th Annual Folkmoot USA International Folk Festival

FESTIVAL DATES, JULY 19 – 29, 2018

The Folkmoot Festival calendar begins on the third Thursday each July and operates through the last Sunday of the month. Folkmoot invites performance groups from 7-9  diverse international countries along with local Cherokee and Appalachian performers each year.  Audiences can expect approximately 200+ dancers and musicians to share culture through music and dance at events throughout western North Carolina – venues between the Cherokee Qualla Boundary and Hickory, North Carolina.

Weekend events are scheduled in Haywood County, including the towns of Waynesville, Canton, Maggie Valley, Clyde and Lake Junaluska.

Weekend one includes a Gala for Friends of Folkmoot, Camp Folkmoot for youth, A Parade of Nations, Many Cultures Day and the Sunday Soiree, a new event featuring contemporary folk music and dance. Weekend two includes International Festival Day and several special seated events including the Candlelight Closing at Lake Junaluska.

2018 Festival Schedule:

July 19

7:00pm-11:00pm: Gala Under the Stars! … Annual Fundraiser for Friends of Folkmoot, $175 per couple. The Gala is the kickoff event for the festival and a fundraiser for Friends of Folkmoot, sponsors and their guests. Held in Waynesville in the field adjacent to the Friendship Center, Friends of Folkmoot members will enjoy specialty foods and beverages while cultural performers take the stage under the stars for their first appearance of the festival. Join Friends of Folkmoot here: https://goo.gl/UqUN45 Facebook event page HERE: https://www.facebook.com/events/215840138998760/

July 20

9:00am-3:00pm: Camp Folkmoot “Hands Around the Globe” … Dancers of all abilities ages 10 – 17 years who are inspired by dance and live music can learn international folk dance moves with cultural ambassadors, in Waynesville to perform at the Folkmoot Festival. Learn basic concepts and movements, gain an appreciation of the similarities and differences between cultures, and hear the timeless, captivating stories behind the dances of each international group. The day includes “make-and-take” cultural crafts and culminates in a short performance with the groups and community participants. Families and youth groups are encouraged to register. Snacks, lunch, and drinks will be provided. Discounts are available to groups of four or more if registered together. Tickets for this event are $30 per camper and will include lunch, snacks and supplies. https://www.facebook.com/events/130604477765947/

2:00pm-5:00pm: Opening Matinee … All groups will perform followed by cultural conversations with the audience and dance troupe members. Learn more by calling the Folkmoot Ticket Office, 828-452-2997. Groups of 20 or more receive a 20% discount, call 828-452-2997 for more information. https://www.facebook.com/events/536976076705171/

7:00pm-10:00pm: Grand Opening Extravaganza … Folkmoot’s Grand Opening performance will be held at Lake Junaluska’s Stuart Auditorium.
Learn more by calling the Folkmoot Ticket Office, 828-452-2997, or click our ticket link for online sales today. Groups of 20 or more receive a 20% discount, call 828-452-2997 for more information. https://www.facebook.com/events/392867817848292/

July 21

10:00am-11:30am: Waynesville Parade of Nations at Haywood County Courthouse … Join Folkmoot in a 35 year tradition and “meet the world” on Main Street. All international groups plus local groups will be in attendance. https://www.facebook.com/events/1346033862168562/

11:00am-4:00pm: Many Cultures Day … This outdoor event is in its second year, scheduled for immediately after the Parade of Nations in downtown Waynesville. The event features 30-vendors, youth activities hosted by community groups, ethnic food trucks, international performers, community dance lessons, and a youth performance stage with local youth fiddlers and dancers. There also will be two Cherokee stickball game demonstrations. The cost of this outdoor festival is $5 for individuals over 5 years old. https://www.facebook.com/events/844843742376680/

7:00pm-10:00pm: Haywood Community College … Folkmoot 2018 Performance! Experience the wonder of dance, music, costumes and culture in this ALL GROUP performance at Haywood Community College. Tix available here: https://goo.gl/qbKpm7 Learn more by calling the Folkmoot Ticket Office, 828-452-2997. Groups of 20 or more receive a 20% discount. https://www.facebook.com/events/816926601849141/

July 22

Cultural Conversations

Hickory Performance

5:00pm-8:00pm: Sunday Friendship Dinner … Join us for a lovely evening of conversation and sharing about world cultures with our visiting dancers and international food with the Blind Pig Supper Club! https://www.facebook.com/events/184968828987781/

July 24

3:00pm-6:00pm: Cherokee Ambassadors Day … Our friends and neighbors, the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians, will share with our visiting cultural ambassadors and festival attendees the unique experience, history, and endurance of the Cherokee people. Cherokee culture and traditions are among the very richest offerings Western Carolina has to share with the world. The day includes visiting the Qualla Arts & Crafts and the Museum of the Cherokee Indians, catered lunch at the Fairgrounds, and culminates in an all-group performance and cultural exchange at Cherokee Central High School, the Chief Joyce Dugan Arts & Cultural Center. Transportation is not included. Enrolled Members of the Eastern Band are admitted at no charge. Please call Cherokee Programs Coordinator Lisa Spring Wilnoty for more information at 828-452-2997. https://www.facebook.com/events/738241626565185/

7:00pm-9:00pm: Colonial Theater in Canton … Enjoy 5 groups performing at the Colonial Theater. Learn more by calling the Folkmoot Ticket Office, 828-452-2997. Groups of 20 or more receive a 20% discount, call 828-452-2997 for more information. https://www.facebook.com/events/143412489809976/

Bearwaters Brewing Company After Party

July 25

2:00pm-4:00pm: Blue Ridge Community College in Hendersonville … Experience the wonder of dance, music, costumes and culture at this all group performance. Enjoy 10 group performances with over 200 international dancers and musicians. Learn more by calling the Folkmoot Ticket Office, 828-452-2997. Groups of 20 or more receive a 20% discount, call 828-452-2997 for more information. https://www.facebook.com/events/1791253777843503/

7:00pm-10:00pm: Maggie Valley Welcome Wagon! … Enjoy a unique performance of our international dance troupes in the performance venue of Elevated Mountain Distillery and along with it the legendary friendly welcome that is Maggie Valley! Y’all come! https://www.facebook.com/events/371326850038927/

July 26

7:00pm-10:00pm: Franklin NC @ Smoky Mountain Theater … Folkmoot 2018 comes to Franklin, North Carolina for a full company performance of our visiting dance troupes from Ghana, Italy, Czech Republic, Mexico, Thailland and Northern Cyprus and Venezuela as well as Anglo Appalachian and, as always, Cherokee dancers and musicians. https://www.facebook.com/events/1958097797596260/

July 27

2:00pm-5:00pm: Matinee at Diana Wortham Theater … Folkmoot 2018 – Full performance of all international folk dance troupes in a 2 p.m. matinee performance! (followed by a 7 p.m performance). A great chance for Asheville to experience the beauty, grace & pageantry of Folkmoot! https://www.facebook.com/events/2088739401409284/

7:00pm-10:00pm: Diana Wortham Theater … Folkmoot 2018 – Full performance of all international folk dance troupes in a 7 p.m. performance! (A 2 p.m. matinee earlier in the day). A great chance for Asheville to experience the beauty, grace & pageantry of Folkmoot! https://www.facebook.com/events/118719922339119/

July 28

10:00am-5:00pm: International Festival Day on Main Street in Waynesville … A Folkmoot Festival tradition on Main Street. Folkmoot will host artisans, food vendors and our international groups on Main Street of Waynesville. https://www.facebook.com/events/562476764106882/

7:00pm-10:00pm: Haywood Community College … Full performances from all 10 dance troupes. Always one of the most popular performances of the entire festival. Get your tickets now, before they’re gone! https://www.facebook.com/events/1614939178603907/

July 29

7:00pm-10:00pm: Candle Light Closing … One of the most beautiful and emotional of all the beautiful Folkmoot performances is the traditional closing performance of all our dance troupes, closing ceremonies and candlight good night! Not to be missed! https://www.facebook.com/events/593024167745245/

Full Schedule for the 2018 Festival Schedule coming soon. Please call 828-452-2997 for more information