For one week out of the summer, Murfreesboro becomes the unofficial capital of arts and dance when the International Folk Festival puts on its annual show.
This will be the festival’s 27th year of bringing families and groups of dancers representing their countries and cultures to Rutherford County during the week of June 14 – 21.
The International Folk Festival is a production to bring education, entertainment and appreciation to anyone who enjoys learning about the cultures of other nations.
The festival has brought music and dance groups from over 50 different countries to Murfreesboro over the years. The performers come dressed in their traditional attire, perform popular dances, and give audiences a feel for visiting another country in their own city. This year the festival will be hosting groups from Germany, Belgium, Italy and Jordan.
“This festival was the first international festival to start in the United States, and it began here in Murfreesboro,” said Steve Cates from the International Folkloric Society.
The International Folkloric Society is the main coordinator of the festival. Formed in 1986, the society has been a part of sending and hosting dancers and musicians to different festivals around the world.
The IFS has helped send US dancers to different countries, and in return the IFS gives out hospitality to visitors during the festival.
“The groups have to pay for their airfare here, but once they get in town we provide lodging, transportation and food,” Cates said. The performers can go back to the countries afterward and say they experienced some authentic Southern hospitality with their trip.
Murfreesboro’s own Appalachian dance group, the Cripple Creek Cloggers, and Nashville bluegrass performers, The Rigney Family Band, have been a part of the IFS and will both be performing at the International Folk Festival as well.
The week will be spent with performances in different parts of Murfreesboro.
On Monday, June 15th, the day will be spent giving a tour of the city to everyone in town for the festival.
On Tuesday, June 16th, The Center for the Arts will host performances at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 17, will be at the Central Christian Church at 7 p.m.
Friday, June 19, the show will take place at the Courthouse Square from 5 – 10 p.m.
The last day of performances, Saturday, June 20th, will take place at the Stones River Mall from 12 – 5 p.m.
More information about times, dates and directions can be found at mboro-international-folkfest.org.
If you have not checked out the Cripple Creek Cloggers or the Rigney Family Band, go support these local performers as well as the amazing talents of the international performers coming to town.
If you go:
Who: International Folk Fest
Where: Locations vary, see story for more details
When: June 14 – 21
Website: mboro-international-folkfest.org
