Photography courtesy of Roger Popwell/International Institute
Dance Caledonia
In a city as rich with festivals as St. Louis, trying to choose the best one is a weighty task. But the International Institute’s Festival of Nations is a pretty safe bet to be near the top of anyone’s list. This weekend, hop on a round-the-world flight without leaving Tower Grove Park.
For more than two decades, the festival has highlighted St. Louis' immigrant community through food, dance, crafts, and other cultural events. With the festival spread across two days, three stages, a Village Green, and assorted craft and sports demonstrations, you’re sure to find something fascinating to watch, eat, or do.
If you’re the kind of traveler who likes every detail sorted out before you head to the airport, visit the website, and plot a course from Tibetan Monks Sacred Arts to Drum and Dance of the Congo to the Welsh Heritage Choir of Greater St. Louis. Or if you’re more of the wander-and-see variety, just show up at the park on Saturday or Sunday and stroll; maybe you’ll catch a demonstration of Chinese Calligraphy with Shu-Ching Shiu, happen upon some Viking Chess, or take in some Indian dance with Aparna Kalyanaraman.
Whatever you do, come hungry. More than 40 booths will offer such items as Native American fry bread, Polish pierogis, and Cuban empañadas. Dishes sell out as the day progresses, so don’t wait if you see something you want to try.
Pace yourself, though. You have a lot to see.
A favorite festival offering is Dance Caledonia (pictured), a Scottish dance troupe that’s been at the festival since its inception. The troupe performs its classic Highland dancing on Saturday at 1 p.m. on the Enterprise Forest Stage.
“I have watched it from being a very small-performance show to become a huge, ever-blossoming production,” says troupe director Sandra Brown. “It’s something that Dance Caledonia looks forward to every year. We never tire of it. As the festival has grown in size, the atmosphere has become more magic.”
Brown says that the festival is especially sweet to her as a Scottish immigrant who traveled the world as a professional dancer in Europe before settling in the Midwest. “Some of the people at the festival, I’ve danced in their countries: Turkey, Iran, Greece..." she says. "It makes it interesting."
The troupe is dedicated to traditional steps, but Brown sees room to evolve. “I always look for music that’s tilted in a Celtic direction,” she says. “I do choreography. Even though it’s choreography, it’s still the traditional steps and a different kind of music, more so the kind you might want to tap your toes to.”
She’s had dancers start with her at age 4 and return after college, so expect everything from adorable wee ones to accomplished pros.
New this year at the festival is secured off-site parking. Leave your car at Saint Louis University’s Marie Curie Parking Lot, at 1100 Carr Lane Avenue, and take a shuttle to the festival.
Visit festivalofnationsstl.org for more information, including schedules and maps. Admission and performances are free, but bring money for food and crafts.
