Fiery Spanish guitar riffs, staccato flamenco heel clicks and rhythmic beats of Argentinian bombo drums announce the beginning of a global cornucopia of cultures and entertainment as World-Fest kicks off at Silver Dollar City on April 5.
America’s largest international festival, World-Fest brings performers from around the world, presenting the rich entertainment traditions that helped build our nation as the park presents “Celebrate America.”
New this year, World-Fest features a showcase of Spanish/Flamenco music and dance in the park’s largest presentation hall, Spanish-inspired street entertainment, plus a new show of lively gypsy music from the Ukraine, all running April 5 – May 4 at the Branson, Missouri theme park.
The new show “Benise – The Spanish Guitar” features Spanish guitarist Roni Benise with a band of top musicians and dancers, pushing the boundaries of traditional Spanish/Flamenco music. The show includes rapid-fire Spanish flamenco, Brazilian samba and Cuban salsa rhythms and dance starring Benise, who has taken his show around the world, from China to Brazil to television’s Dancing with the Stars, also winning anEmmy Award for a television special. Spanish-inspired theatrics fill the Festa de Espana courtyard, with costumed entertainers, living statues portraying iconic figures from Christopher Columbus to Don Quixote, and living puppet “marionetas” all interact with park guests.
Also new is Via Romen, lively gypsy music from the Ukraine. The popular show Amamos Argentina returns, starring the Los Pampas Gauchos who play traditional bombo drums, dance and perform with boleros, plus Argentinian dancers perform the tango. Island Fire presents the rhythms, music and dances from Samoa, Fiji and the South Sea Islands, and features world-champion fire-knife dancers. Additional performers include Ireland’s premier harpist Dearbhail Finnegan and English musician Robin Slater, Austrian yodeler Kerry Christensen,plus the melodic pan flute music of Ecuador Manta.
Even the food goes global for World-Fest at Tastes of the World, a pavilion of international specialties. Guests can feast on selections from 20 countries, plus unique combinations from Irish Tacos to Polynesian Calzones.
World-Fest, April 5 – May 4, is open Wednesdays through Sundays (closed Easter Sunday, April 20). Information: 800-831-4FUN(386) orwww.silverdollarcity.com. World-Fest is presented by Humana.
