Folkmoot: North Carolina's international folk festival - July 16-26

Folkmoot USA is proud to present the 32^nd annual International Folk Festival, July 16 – 26, 2015.  Named by USA Today as one of the Top Twenty Festivals in North Carolina, Folkmoot is a ten-day event featuring more than 200 international performers from ten countries with performances in 12 Western North Carolina communities. 

Folkmoot performers are primarily college students who are acting as cultural ambassadors for their home countries.  In 2015, Folkmoot is expecting musicians and dancers from Indonesia, Bangladesh, Estonia, Puerto Rico, Philippines, Canada, Ecuador, Chile, and the Eastern Band of Cherokee plus several regional bluegrass and clogging groups representing Appalachian culture. 

Folkmoot, literally a “meeting of the people” provides programs based on cultural exchange, designed to build global relationships, foster cultural understanding and develop community prosperity. Folkmoot creates opportunities for individuals and communities across the globe to build a deeper sense of connection, mutual respect and shared purpose. 

What’s new for 2015?  Folkmoot recruits new countries each year.  In Folkmoot’s 32-year history, we’ve hosted almost 8,000 performers from more than 200 countries. 

“Say Hello” is a new educational and interactive component of Folkmoot performances. In order to enhance and personalize Folkmoot events, emcees and group directors will engage audiences in learning how to pronounce basic greetings in the languages of our performers.  Different words and facilitators will be part of each performance and Say Hello will be a feature in our commemorative guidebook.

“Kids by the Carload” is a new event for Folkmoot, held on Thursday, July 23 from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm at the Haywood County Fairgrounds in Clyde. For just $20, families, church groups, senior centers and others are invited to drive a vehicle full of friends to see and interact with three international performance groups, purchase local and international handicrafts, and enjoy low cost pizza, drinks and ice cream. 

Dress in your best cultural regalia for Folkmoot performances! The public is encouraged to join the fun by sharing their own cultural heritage at all Folkmoot events in 2015. As an example, individuals with Scottish heritage are invited to wear a kilt to any Folkmoot performances. At each event, the “best dressed” will be chosen and this audience member will win a Folkmoot t-shirt. Folkmoot will also feature a photo of these individuals on our Instagram and Facebook accounts.

How to get involved? 

Folkmoot USA is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that relies upon donations, sponsorships, Friends of Folkmoot members, ticket sales and grants to hold the Folkmoot Festival each year. Everyone can celebrate and support Folkmoot USA programs by becoming a member through the Friends of Folkmoot on our website, www.FolkmootUSA.org. Your donations support community-building events for kids and families and support our international guests during their stay in Waynesville at the Folkmoot Friendship Center. Pick up a brochure at your local Visitor Center or go online to FolkmootUSA.org to learn more.

Volunteers Needed - Volunteer groups are still needed to prepare the Folkmoot Center for the Festival. If you, your company, church or civic group would like to help, please contact Doug Garrett at 828-452-2997 to find out how you can help. 

Tickets are now on sale for all performances and can be purchased on the Folkmoot website folkmootusa.org, in person at the Folkmoot Center, or by calling toll free 877-365-5872.  A complete schedule can be viewed on Folkmoot’s website. Like us on Facebook: “Folkmoot USA, The “Official” North Carolina International Folk Festival” to take advantage of special ticket promotions. 

The festival schedule is as follows:

Festival Event Schedule*
*This schedule is subject to change. Please visit FolkmootUSA.org for additions or cancellations or call the ticket office, 828-452-2997.  The number of performance groups are included for each venue.

Thursday, July 16

 7:30 pm—Folkmoot Gala Champagne & Dessert Reception, Stompin’ Ground, Maggie Valley. (All Groups) Private event for Friends of Folkmoot, donors and sponsors

Friday, July 17

1:00 pm—Folkmoot Parade of Nations, Waynesville. Beginning on N. Main St. & finishing at Historic Waynesville Court House. (All groups) Free Event

7:30 pm – Folkmoot Grand Opening, Stompin’ Ground, Maggie Valley. (All groups) Reserved seating adults: $30-$25; General admission adults: $20; Students & children: $5

Saturday, July 18

10am- 5pm —International Festival Day, A World-Class Arts Event, Main Street, Waynesville. All Folkmoot groups perform to benefit Haywood County Arts Council. Info@haywoodarts.org or 828-452-0593. (free event)

7:30 – Haywood Community College, Clyde. (All groups) Reserved seating adults: $30-$25, General Admission adults: $20, Students & Children: $5

Sunday, July 19

1:30 pm – Diana Wortham Theatre, Asheville. (All groups) 828-257-4530, General admission adults: $30; Children (12 & under): Half price

7:00 pm – World Friendship Day, Stuart Auditorium, Lake Junaluska. (4 groups) Reserved Seating Adults: $25-$20; General Admission Adults: $15; Students & Children: $5

7:00 pm – SALT Block Auditorium, Hickory. (3 groups) Hickory International Council 828-234-6330. General Admission Adults: $16; Children (12 & under): half price

Monday, July 20

7:30 pm – Franklin High School, Franklin. (3 groups) General Admission Adults: $18; Children (12 & under): half price

Tuesday, July 21

7:30 pm – Colonial Theatre, Canton. (3 groups) General Admission Adults $16; Students & Children $5

7:30 pm – Swain High School, Bryson City. (3 groups) Adults: $16; Children (12 & under): half price

Wednesday, July 22

2:00 pm – Blue Ridge Community College, Flat Rock. (All groups) General Admission: $30; Children (12& under): half price

7:30 pm - Blue Ridge Community College, Flat Rock. (All groups) General Admission: $30; Children (12& under): half price

Thursday, July 23

2:00 pm – Town Center, Burnsville. (2 groups) General Admission Adults: $16; Children (12 & under): half price

4:00 pm – Haywood County Fairgrounds, Waynesville (3 groups) General Admission Carload: $18

7:00 pm – Jewish Community Center, Asheville. 236 Charlotte St., 828-253-0701, (2 groups) General Admission Adults: $18; Children (12 & under): half price

Friday, July 24

2:00 – Extravaganza Matinee, Stompin’ Ground, Maggie Valley. (All groups) Reserved Seating Adults: $30-$25; General Admission Adults: $20; Students & Children: $5

6:30 pm – Folkmoot Group Guest Appearance at Mountain Street Dance, Main Street, Waynesville. Free event

7:30 pm – Extravaganza, Stompin’ Ground, Maggie Valley. (All groups) Reserved Seating Adults: $30-$25; General Admission Adults: $20; Students & Children: $5

Saturday, July 25

3:00 pm – Cherokee Indian Fairgrounds, Cherokee. 800-438-1601, (1 Cherokee and 1 Folkmoot group) General Admission Adults: $10, Students & Children: $5

3:00 pm – Western Carolina University Theater, Cullowhee. (3 groups) Reserved Seating Adults: $16, Students & Children: $5

7:30 pm – Haywood Community College, Clyde. (All Groups) Reserved Seating Adults: $30-$25; General Admission Adults: $20; Students & Children $5

Sunday, July 26

1:30 pm – Diana Wortham Theatre, Asheville, 828-257-4530. (All Groups) General Admission Adults: $30; Children (12 & under): half price

7:00 pm – Candlelight Closing, Stuart Auditorium, Lake Junaluska. (All Groups) Reserved Seating Adults: $30-$25; General Admission Adults: $20; Children (12 & under): half price

            

Haywood County students are admitted to all performances, except the Grand Opening and Candlelight Closing for $5.