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Your Passport To Adventure! |
This entertainment programming has been made possible in part by grants from the Alabama State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.
The Mobile International Festival
is continuously lining up the very best cultural entertainment. In addition
to our own members with their special folk dances and songs, some spectacular
entertainment has been scheduled to perform for the 2011 Mobile
International Festival in November!
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MATSURIZA JAPANESE TRADITIONAL TAIKO DRUMMERS Matsuriza means “festival” in Japanese. “Taiko” means drum. The principles of Matsuriza are “Shin” (to develop pure spirit), “Gi” (improve skills), “Tai” (keep healthy body) and “Rei” (observe proper decorum). As in many Oriental philosophies, “mind and body” are important for a man’s whole well-being. Matsuriza Japanese Taiko Drummers build focus; develop a habit of caring for each other in teamwork; shape up by building physical strength; and communicate without words but through sounds and minds. Music began with man banging an object like a drum. The discovery of different rhythms through the drum beat started the history of music. The history of Taiko goes back many centuries. It began in religious ceremonies in shrines and changed throughout the years. Drums were used in festivals to pray for rain and by soldiers in battlefields. Since the ancient times, people expressed the sounds of nature, such as wind, water, fire and so on with taiko. Matsuriza (a leading taiko group in Japan) migrated from Sukeroku-daiko and is influenced by leader Yoshihisa Ishikura of Kanto-abare-daiko. Playing traditional music, as well as self-composed arrangements, they performed in Walt Disney World and various countries for cultural events. In 1983, Takemasa Ishikura started to perform as a member of Kanto-abare-daiko led by Yoshihisa Ishikura at the EPCOT Center Japan pavilion of Walt Disney World. In 1998, leader Yoshihisa returned to Japan to resume his team there. Takemasa Ishikura took the over the leadership and formed Matsuriza Japanese Traditional Taiko Drummers. Matsuriza continues to perform at EPCOT Japan pavilion every week. Yuko Ishikura, one of drummers, also plays the shakuhachi, which is a Japanese end-blown flute that is traditionally made of bamboo, as an intro to some of their musical arrangements. It is an interesting musical contrast before the percussive drums. Mobile International Festival is fortunate to have Takemasa Ishikura and Matsuriza Japanese Traditional Taiko Drummers perform since 1997. MIF is proud to be the only venue where they perform in Lower Alabama. They have a following of fans who attend the festival just to see them perform. Matsuriza drummers have fascinated children and adults alike with their precision, discipline, expertise, professionalism and showmanship when they perform. After their performance, they share with the public the historical background of taiko, Matsuriza and shakuhachi.. Experience
Japan and its culture. Come and see Matsuriza Japanese Traditional
Taiko Drumming at Mobile International Festival.
On the web:
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Born near Mombasa, Kenya, on the Indian Ocean, the six wowing Kenyans first met in 1997 as students at the school of Juma Bora Mwalenga, one of Kenya’s top acrobatic coaches. Within two years, they had formed their own troupe and soon were performing in hotels and resorts throughout their homeland. In 2000, they were invited to appear in a circus in Detroit, Michigan, and six of the troupe ventured to America, and from there, says troupe leader Kalama Ngumbao, “America opened its arms to us.” Their coast-to-coast bookings include everything from state fairs and casinos to NBA halftime shows in Boston, Dallas and Indianapolis and all through the USA. Says Kenya Acrobatic, Muga Kisambu: “American audiences are great. They seem so amazed by us.” Watching these Kenyans in action, one quickly understands why. The Kenya Boys are, well, wizards in the art of acrobatic construction – specifically human towers, all of them clever, complex and colossal. With a mixture of mirth and bravado, they literally hurl themselves into their work, swiftly erecting five- and six-man structures with names like “The Hilton,” “Star Full,” “The Airplane” and “Sudanese.” Along the way come classical flips and dance steps commemorating their Bantu heritage, each performed, in the Wizard manner, at warp speed. Comments Kombe Charo: “I guess you could say we’re six young guys with energy to spare.” Right. And talent to burn, joy to share – enough to make one say, “I’ve seen everything!” "We will bring a new style of Bantu and Massai acrobatics to America", says Kenyan Muga Kisambu. “Our new style will knock the socks off Americans" he continues. The Kenya Safari Acrobats are known to perform and bring repeat crowds at each show. "Acrobatics is our life", says Karanja Kamuri. "We put 100 percent into each and every show performed. This year, Tanzanians will also be performing with the Kenyans in Mobile International Festival.
If you are looking for a show that will astound you …
make you smile … make you laugh … wow you …
then you need to check out this amazing group of acrobats.
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TUNA de DERECHO “Tuna” is the term given to a group of singers who sing romantic Spanish songs and melodies with the accompaniment of mandolin and guitars. The singers enjoy singing and keeping this old tradition of serenading the ladies in the evening. They evoke the bohemian lifestyle of serenading when they travel to different places. Their actions depict the traditional way of serenading the maiden from the balcony. As a gesture of appreciation, the maiden pulls the ribbon from her hair and pins this to the cape of the singer. Today, ribbons and other objects like pins and other remembrances are pinned on their capes from families, friends, fellow students, admirers and fans. Can you imagine a group of lawyers and law students from the Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon in Monterrey, Mexico, dressed like they are from the medieval times and serenading the crowd at Mobile International Festival? Tuna singers and musicians are dressed in black with a matching cape which is typical of the period dating back during the Spanish conquest. Wearing a cape signifies the longevity of the singer’s membership to the group. Also, the leaders wear the green sashes. To this day, the group continues this tradition of serenading as they visit other cities in Mexico and other countries. Mobile International Festival is proud to have Tuna de Derecho again for three days. Catch them on stage or in the cultural exhibits booth of Mexico or as they stroll down the corridors.
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Above image photo credit: J Black
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JOHN JARAMILLO During the Student Days, John Jaramillo brings the ancient Aztec civilization history of Mexico to Mobile International Festival. Learn about it through his performances. John Jaramillo is a performing artist since 1983. He has performed regionally, nationally and internationally and taught at theatres, festivals and throughout the United States like the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian in New York and the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque to name a few. In 1996, John produced “Old Man Kokopeli”, a work inspired by his Pueblo Indian American heritage. It is a masked theatre and puppetry production and was featured as part of the famed NYC International Fringe Festival in 1997. He also created and tours ”Aztec Dance Mexico”, “Flamenco Dance of Spain”, and the “Pueblo World – Old Man Kokopeli and Stories from Southwest” to universities, schools, libraries, senior centers, festivals, art centers and cultural centers. On Saturday’s Family Day, John shows his versatility through the passionate dance of Spain’s Flamenco. The audience will be treated to the gypsy rhythms and precision of authentic Flamenco. See John as he is poised to dance the fiery Flamenco dance steps across the floor, tapping his feet and clapping his hands for the “contra” to the mesmerizing sound of the guitar! He has performed professionally as a principal dancer with Maria Benitez Teatro Flamenco/Segundo Compania, Ritmo Flamenco, Dance Espana and Danzantes. John’s education and training include drama, visual art, architecture, ballet, modern, jazz and flamenco from the University of New Mexico, Institute of American Indian Arts, College of Santa Fe and Amor de Dios School of Dance in Madrid, Spain. He was an artist-in-residence in many cities around the United States and continues to teach at various schools in the South. He has a Study Guide for Teachers which can be accessed at http://johnjaramillo.com/AztecStudyguide.html. John is a
well-rounded performing artist and Mobile International Festival
is proud to have him perform Mexico’s Aztec and Spainish
Flamenco dances for everyone!
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RED
MCWILLIAMS
Red McWilliams will be performing all three days of the Festival at the Scottish Society of Mobile's "Scotland" table. With close to 275 performances to his credit in 1997, Red McWilliams has taken the right steps to become one of the most recognized names in Celtic music in the south and southwest. Combining a percussive guitar with a rich baritone voice and a positive attitude has created the perfect blend of "entertainer", the fact of which has been proven by being awarded "Celtic Entertainer of the Year, '97" by the Celtic Heritage Society of East Texas and the "Johnny Hailstones Entertainer of the Year, '97" from the Scottish Clans of North Texas, Ft. Worth. Ready to play at the drop of a hat (with some loose change in it), he keeps his calendar full, due in the most part to the way he moves from ballads to bawdy, from patriotic to parody, historical to hysterical, only to be punctuated by off-the-wall comments, jokes, ribald humor and snide remarks caused by something in his nature that drives him to "entertain" his audiences and participation is highly encouraged. Red has been known to get people from the crowd to sing a song, tell a story, dance or just sing along.
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GIOVANNI
DECHIARO
John debuted in 1978 in a Carnegie Recital Hall performance which brought a rave notice from the New York Times. He has performed in many parts of the world including for the late Pope John Paul II in the Vatican, Rome, and former President Bill Clinton at a special Christmas function at the White House. In 1989, NASA commissioned him to compose an original classical guitar number for the Shuttle Space Program. He also recorded two nationally televised special programs for the PBS Network. His recordings of Scott Joplin can be heard nationally over the National Public Radio’s syndicated program, “Performance Today.” John is also a teacher. He taught at the College of St. Elizabeth in Convent Station, NJ, while pursuing his own graduate studies at New York University. He was on the music faculty of University of Southern Mississippi. Right now he teaches at the Louisiana State University. He is the music director of St. Martin Catholic Church, Mary Mother of Jesus Catholic Church in Central, Louisiana and of the Carlow Choir, a vocal ensemble composed of 155 people who will be singing for Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican in Rome in October 2008. In addition to his teaching and performing schedule, John arranges and transcribes for the guitar. He has published a five-volume set of teaching materials and numerous transcriptions with the Willis Music Company of Cincinnati, OH. Mel Bay Publications of Pacific, MO, has released his transcriptions of several Spanish Classics in an anthology entitled, “Treasures of the Spanish Guitar”. With John’s accomplishment and love for teaching, it is no wonder that he enjoys being part of Mobile International Festival where he can share his classical guitar music with everyone. He will be playing at the Lobby Stage, cultural exhibits areas and Storytelling Room as he talks about his techniques.
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MITHRIL Since its first concert in 2003, Mithril has become one of the most sought after Celtic/World music groups on the concert series scene. The band’s unique progressive style has its roots in traditional Celtic music but moves far beyond that, weaving such diverse influences as American folk, classical and Middle Eastern melodies into their full tapestry of sound. With Tom Morley on fiddle, bouzouki and tenor banjo, Andra Bohnet on Irish flute, whistle and Celtic harp, Ben Harper on guitar, and David Hughes on percussion and keyboards, Mithril has been featured on arts and concert series and festivals throughout the Southeast and beyond. As guest artists with Mobile Symphony, Mithril set an all-time attendance record for a pops series and have since performed as guest artists with symphonies in Pennsylvania, Mississippi, Florida, Oklahoma, Michigan, and California. The members of Mithril have embraced Celtic music with passion and enthusiasm and have traveled from Nova Scotia to Ireland to play and research it. Collectively and individually, they have studied with and performed alongside some of the most, well-respected musicians in the Celtic music world. Mithril has five CDs on Flying Frog Music including their newest release, Tangled Up. For additional information (and to learn the word origins of the name Mithril), visit www.mithril.us. Mobile International Festival is proud to have Mobile’s own, Mithril, perform again this year.
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Photo credit: Irwin Funes, Funes Photography
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ROMAN STREET Roman Street is a energetic band born and raised out of Mobile, AL dabbling in the arts of “new” flamenco, smooth and not-so-smooth jazz, and its own brand of fusion style music with a youthful and spontaneous approach to musical expression.
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ARIK CHRISTOPHER AS CAPTAIN JACK SPARROW Born on a pirate ship in the middle of a raging typhoon on the Indian Ocean, Captain Jack Sparrow was born into piracy, unlike so many before him who were free to choose the lifestyle. As a youngster, he was taught to fence by a skilled Italian swordsman, and sailed aboard a ship known as “The Barnacle” for most of his young life. Some would be surprised to learn that as a young adult, Jack Sparrow tried to leave the pirate life and was actually an employee of The East India Trading Company. He captained a ship then known as the “Wicked Wench”, and was hired to transport spices and merchandise for Lord Cutler Becket. One day, Lord Becket commanded Jack to instead transport slaves with his ship. This didn’t sit well with Jack, and he refused to be involved in the slave trade. This angered Becket, and for his refusal, Jack was branded a pirate once more. Cutler Becket immediately sent out a command that Jack’s ship, the “Wicked Wench”, was to be burned and sunk to the depths of the ocean. Jack was devastated by the loss of his ship. Labeled an outlaw, Jack Sparrow was promptly fired by the East India Trading Company. It was then that the he decided there had to be some way to recover his precious ship, now charred and wrecked beneath the ocean depths. Jack went in search of Davey Jones, hoping to strike a bargain with him. In exchange for servitude on the “Flying Dutchman” upon his death, Jack could have the “Wicked Wench” raised from her watery tomb and restored to him. When his ship was raised, she was no longer the colorful and flamboyant galleon she had once been. The fires that sunk her had turned her sails black as pitch, and the coral pink paint of her body had peeled away to the dark hull beneath. Jack Sparrow took one look at her, and winced. She would need a new name befitting her current state and rebirth. It was then that Jack Sparrow re-christened her as “The Black Pearl” and took his ship back as captain. Come meet Captain Jack and hear his tales of life upon the ocean before he sails away once again on one of his many adventures! Captain Jack Sparrow is portrayed by professional Johnny Depp look-alike and actor, Arik Christopher, who is always available to bring the good Captain to life for private and corporate events, parties, faires, festivals, film and television. Arik Christopher has been name the Official Captain Jack Sparrow of the USS KIDD Veteran’s Memorial and the Museum of Mobile, and was honored by Mayor Kip Holden of Baton Rouge by being named an Honorary Mayor President of the City for his amazing work as Captain Jack for the city. As the Captain, he is dead on accurate both in look and mannerism, and is one of the most actively workingpuck Jack Sparrow actors in the business. He travels nationally, but is internationally-known and recognized for his work with TBS, Coca-Cola, RTV Russian Television and PBS France.
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MCGUIRE IRISH BAND McGuire's Pipes and Drums was formed in 1988 under the sponsorship of McGuire's Irish Pub and Restaurant. The band was begun and led by Mr. Jack Dasinger until his tragic death in July of 2003. Currently under the leadership of Pipe Major Wayne Willis and Drum Major Michael Zipay, this group of dedicated pipers and drummers are renowned throughout the southeast for their crisp military appearance, their precision marching and their wide repertoire of music, ranging from traditional Scottish/Irish tunes to classic show tunes and everything in between. The band has performed at every major Highland game and Celtic festival in the southeast and has won top band honors in their category at games in Alabama, Stone Mountain, Orlando, and Sarasota. In addition they have played for the Vice President of the United States, the Secretary of the Navy, and appeared with Charlton Heston, Danny Glover, Gerald Rainey, plus others, at the St. Anne's Roundup. They have been featured in nationwide broadcasts on ESPN, The Discovery Channel, The Travel Channel, and CBS.
On the web:
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BORDELLO
RHYTHM
Bordello Rhythm is a jazz duo consisting of Kent
Murdick (jazz banjo) and Frank Jellett (valve trombone) that specializes
in playing music from the classic jazz era (1900-1930). Kent Murdick,
a graduate of Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, has performed
on the guitar, banjo and saxophone for over 40 years throughout
the Southeast. Frank Jellett, who holds a Ph.D. in mathematics
from Oxford England, has played jazz on trombone, trumpet and
vibes for over 45 years throughout England and the Southeast United
States. This is the first time that Bordello Rhythm will perform at Mobile International Festival.
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PUPPET ARTS THEATRE Artistic Director for Puppet Arts Theatre, Peter Zapletal, grew up in former Czechoslovakia, recognized as the world center of modern puppetry. After graduating with a Master’s Degree in Puppetry from the Academy of the Performing Arts in Prague, he joined the professional puppet theatre in Zilina, Slovakia. Soon afterward he and his family emigrated to New York where he immediately started to produce puppet performances. By 1970 he was recognized in a New York Times article as a talent to watch. But his path took a turn South - literally - and he moved to Jackson, Mississippi, where he joined the local PBS station as a puppeteer in residence. During the next 32 years he created many instructional and special programs with and without puppets. His instructional programs were seen in classrooms across the United States and special programs, from Beauty and the Beast, to Steadfast Tin Soldier with Burl Ives, to Bolero (a ballet special) were broadcast by PBS stations. In addition to his television work, he also produced many shows that Puppet Arts Theatre tours throughout the Southeast offering magical and exciting theatrical experiences. The MIF presentation, Magical Mystical Musical Miniatures, is based on the full length Carnival of the Animals that's been in the company repertoire for many years and has been performed over 130 times since its premiere. Magic acts, trained chickens, rabbits, monsters, clowns are part of this fast paced program. A stop at the Lobby Stage to see this show is a must during your field trip. Puppet Arts Theatre is part of the Mississippi Arts Commission Artist Roster and also on the roster of Alabama Council on the Arts that makes schools, libraries and other arts related organizations eligible for grants that pay up to one half of the company fee. For more information contact peter@mspuppetry.com.
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AKBAR IMHOTEP Akbar Imhotep has been a professional storyteller since 1985 and has performed throughout Metro-Atlanta and the Southeast. For nineteen (19) years, he was storyteller-in-residence at the Wren’s Nests and worked for six years as a storyteller for Project discovery at Zoo Atlanta. Before wearing the mantle and garments of a storyteller, he was a puppeteer-in-residence aT the Center for Puppetry Arts and toured nationally with the Vagabond Marionettes. He began his artistic career as an actor with the Proposition Theatre Company under the direction of Walter Dallas. Key artistic influences include Vincent Anthony, Executive Director of the Center for Puppetry Arts; Ebon Dooley, his first writing instructor; and J.C. Taylor, his college drama instructor. For more information, please visit www.akbarstories.com.
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VIVA
PANAMÁ-USA
Viva Panamá-USA are a group of dancers for the preservation of music traditions and folklore from Panamá. They express this in their music, education, poetry, stories, and dances. The members
and dancers, both adult and children, are from: Previous performances
include: City of Jacksonville, - JAX-N.A.S.- Knights of Columbus,
UNF, V.F.W.,
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ACCORDIONIST JULIE COUNCIL One hears the accordion and you are easily transported to Europe. You can be in a platz in Switzerland or Germany or a piazza in Italy or a plaza in Spain. Or, you can be dancing the polka in Poland or Slovakia. Or be serenaded in a café in France. The accordion has a long history associated with international music! Julie Council has performed for the festival in the past. She also performs in many venues in New Orleans, Slidell and Houma (Louisiana) and Mobile, Daphne and Elberta (Alabama). She was at the Italian Village during the New Orleans World’s Fair. She has toured Northern France as an accompanist for Komenka Ethnic Dance Ensemble. She has performed in the pit orchestras for “Fiddler on the Roof” and the “Carnival” productions and in various Oktoberfests. Julie is happy to accompany her grandsons in their musical endeavors, too. At this year's Festival, her grandson, Christopher Conger, joins her. Two years
ago, Julie was part of the Jubilee German Band that played oom-pa-pa
music at the festival. This year, Julie is playing solo with her
accordion. Follow the sound of the accordion, and you know that
you are in Europe. Julie will be strolling with her accordion
playing European music in different countries in the European
corridor and rooms of Mobile International Festival.
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BREATH OF BALLROOM DANCERS
Breath of Ballroom dance group is a program of Teen Ballroom Dance, a 501c(3) public charity founded in January, 2010, in Mobile, Alabama. The TBD mission is to help young people develop skills needed to be healthy emotionally, mentally, and physically.
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ARIRANG PUNGMULORY TROUPE Most performances are outside, with dozens of players, all in constant motion. Samul Nori, originally the name of a group founded in 1978, has become popular as a genre, even overseas. It is based on Pungmul musical rhythmic patterns and uses the same instruments, but is faster and usually played while sitting down.
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“Citra Indonesia”
The group consists of male, female and children, from the Indonesian community or local citizens-at-large. It specializes in traditional dances from all over Indonesia’s provinces and islands such as Sumatra, Java, Bali, Kalimantan (known as Borneo) and Sulawesi (known as Celebes). Besides traditional dances, we have volunteers who would be happy to teach you how to play the Indonesian traditional music instrument such as “gamelan” (Central Java), “angklung” (West Java), “kolintang” and “arumba” (Sulawesi). We welcome everyone, who is interested to learn the Indonesian traditional dances and instruments to join the Citra Indonesia. The Citra Indonesia is scheduled to perform for the second time at the Mobile International Festival, Mobile, Alabama on November 17-19, 2011. Their dance performances will include the Wira Pertiwi dance, Yapong dance, Cendrawasih dance, Merak dance and the Incling Incling Jangget dance. Tari Wira Pertiwi (Wira Pertiwi dance) represents a woman warrior armed with a bow and arrow. “Wira” means warrior and “Pertiwi” means homeland. This dance originally comes from Central Java. Tari Yapong is a contemporary dance from Jakarta, Indonesia, that was created by Bagong Kussudiardjo, a famous choreographer from Yogyakarta, Java, in 1970. “Yapong” is based on “Betawi” traditional style for female dancers. The music is very lively. It is a combination of new Javanese melodic gamelan-style music with a modern beat. Another dance is Tari Cendrawasih from Bali. Cendrawasih is a famous name of a bird, well-known as a paradise bird. I it is usually performed in groups. They are playing and chatting to each other by showing off their beauty and colorful feathers. Tari Merak (Merak dance) which is from Central Java means peacock. The dance was inspired by the beautiful movements of a peacock. The gestures of a peacock are beautifully blended together with the classical movements of the Javanese dance and thus making the dance a colorful expression of the proud peacock which is showing its beautiful feathers. The last dance is Tari Incling Incling Jangget, a new creation dance from Surabaya, East Java, which is based from Javanese culture describing about the happy youth life. This dance is usually performed for welcoming the guests.
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DAVIDSON HIGH SCHOOL JAZZ BAND
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CRANFORD BURNS MIDDLE SCHOOL STEP TEAM DUNBAR MIDDLE SCHOOL JAZZ AND DANCE
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The Mobile International Festival boasts some exceptionally talented people. Check back soon to see who is lined up for entertainment at the 2011 festival.
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DID YOU KNOW?
For years artists
from around the world have come to the festival to perform. Artists
from Poland, Greece, Philippines, Mexico, Indonesia, Bulgaria, Canada,
Slovakia, Cambodia and France, as well as a number of states in the
U.S. have traveled to Mobile gracing our community with their talents
and educating Mobilians of the variety of music found globally. Some
of these artists include:
Other Countries
Phillipines: Manila Vocal Ensemble (singers & dancers)
Mindanao, Philippines and New York: Kinding Sindaw,
a Muslim dance and instruments ensemble
Beijing, China: Miss Bao Xiao Hui, a classical dancer, Mr.
Yi Ling (MIF artist-in-residence) and Yu Xiao Yan, photographer, movie
and TV producer/director
Beijing, China: Grand Master Shi De Yang of Shaolin
Martial Arts
Katowice, Poland: Tysiaclatki Dance Group and Ateneum Puppet
Theater
Megara, Greece: Lykeio Ellenithon Megaron folk dancers
Baja California, Mexico: Floriadores
Bali, Indonesia: Nyoman Sedana (Balinese dancer)
Kosice, Slovakia: Dagmar Fricka (accordionist), Rudolf
Hofer (sculptor), Michaela Laurincove (folk dancer), Petra and Oto
Prokop (singers), and Michal Koscelansky (artist and designer)
Canada: Brasse Camarade (rock group)
Bulgaria: The Kolev Ensemble (Bulgarion folk musicians)
Cambodia: dancer and singer
France and USA: Les Statues Vivante
Russia: World re-knowned Russian poet Yevgeny Yevtushenko
Monterey,
Mexico: Tuna de Derecha, singers
United States:
Alabama:
Riverboat John Ferguson
Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko U.S.A.
Zivah Saphirah
Karamawen
Parapluie Contemporary Dancers
Charles Grant of The Platters
Mariachi band
Hicks Twins Contemporary Dancers with Down Syndrome
California:
Fred Burri - Swiss yodeler and accordionist
Florida:
Matsuriza
Traditional Japanese Drummers
Thai dancers
Pele's
Polynesian Revue
Ohana Hawaiian
dancers and musicians
Maori Hafa
performer
Creek Indian
Flying Eagles Dancers
Caribe, Caribbean band
Sweet Prospect Celtic Band
McGuire Irish Pipes and Drums Band
McAlysters Contemporary and Country Singers
Mai-No-Kai International Japanese Folk Dancers
Panamanian dancers
Flamenco dancer
Georgia:
Troika Balalaikas
Tim Morris, the Didgman (didgeridoo player)
Akbar Imhotep (storyteller)
Louisiana:
Hunter
Hayes, cajun singer
Papillon
Cajun Storyteller and band
US Navy
Steel Band
Waylon
Thibodeaux's Cajun Zydeco Band
Brasilliance
(Samba dancers)
Royal Marionettes
La Touche Cajun dancers
Fredy Omar Con Su Banda
Alianza Flamenca dancers
Cajun Dance Company
Mississippi:
Queen Mockojumbie
Giovanni DeChiaro (classical guitarist)
Filipino dancers from Keesler AFB
New
York:
George Borowiec, Pysanky artist (Ukraine Easter egg)
North Carolina:
Kenya Safari Acrobats
Tennessee:
Runa Pacha
Inka
Kimberly Fisher
Polish dancers
Texas:
Muy Thai boxers
Balinese dancers
Balinese Gamelan orchestra
Wayang Kulit (puppeteers)
Indonesian Gamelan Orchestra
In addition, many guests and family members journey to Mobile each year to assist with various exhibits. Past participants include people from Mexico, Costa Rica, Colombia, and Slovakia.