Christmas Around the World

'Tapestry of Peace' to feature lively variety of songs, dances

Published: Thursday, Nov. 29 2007 12:14 a.m. MST

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The International Folk Dance Ensemble will perform at BYU.

Mark A. Philbrick, BYU

Summary

"A Tapestry of Peace" will feature a cast of more than 200 talented dancers, singers and musicians that will combine a variety of rhythm, costumes and movements to create a cultural feast representing more than a dozen countries.

PROVO — "A Tapestry of Peace" will feature a cast of more than 200 talented dancers, singers and musicians that will combine a variety of rhythm, costumes and movements to create a cultural feast representing more than a dozen countries.

This year, the ensemble will perform a number of new pieces, including an exotic umbrella dance from the People's Republic of China, an interpretation from Turkey's Black Sea coast, a heart-racing Ukrainian Hutsul dance and a precision clogging number representing the United States.

The program will also feature pieces representing the Philippines, Ireland, Hungary, Russia, Slovakia, Romania, Austria and Scandinavia. Live music for the presentation will be provided by the Mountain Strings Folk Music Ensemble.

This year's audiences will also be treated to a deviation from what has become the production's customary grand finale, said Ed Austin, producer and artistic director for the show. "I think the audience will be pleasantly surprised by a new twist were adding to the end of the show," he said.

"We've stayed with the traditional Ukrainian theme, but we've added some new vibrant and energetic choreography that will give the ending of this year's show a fresh look and feel."

Austin is joined on the production staff by Benjamin Sanders, production and design director; Mark Ohran, technical director; Diane Allen, costume designer; and Mark Geslison, folk music director.

According to Austin, this year's theme, "A Tapestry of Peace," is deeply rooted in the Christmas holiday. "Christmas is all about the Savior and his birth," he said. "He was the Prince of Peace, and this performance is a tapestry of cultures on stage celebrating him and his message."

After the holidays, the International Folk Dance Ensemble will hit the road with a series of performances in Idaho and Washington state. In the summer, the group will tour Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Poland, Belarus and Ukraine.

If you go . . .

What: "A Tapestry of Peace," 48th Annual Christmas Around the World performance

Where: Marriott Center, BYU campus, Provo

When: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 30, Dec. 1; 2 p.m. matinee Dec. 1

Cost: $25 floor seats/$12 arena seats/$10 matinee

Phone: 422-BYU1 or 1-800-322-BYU1

Web: performances.byu.edu

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