Main Stage Performers
About Cyril:
The streets I have walked are packed with memories and experiences. Some of them were made of packed red dirt, crowded with wild herbs and roots, which we used for curing a variety of maladies in Trinidad.
I have walked through ancient Aztec ruins and gazed at the beauty and the glories of ancient civilizations. I have climbed Celtic ruins and viewed with awe the wonders of mankind. I have stood on the edge of the Grand Canyon and beheld the wonder of nature. I have walked on the shores of several oceans and gazed serenely at sunsets. I have seen the destruction of magnificent buildings as a result of war. I have visited places where men, women and children have been destroyed, gassed, because they were outcasts. I have sung the songs of a people who were persecuted and rebuked. I have stood on the altars of Cathedrals and citadels and have sung, accompanied by thousands of human voices. I have marched in cities, arm in arm with fellow human beings for the cause of justice. I have been well schooled by my forebears in the cultural arts.
I enjoy singing with student and teachers. I enjoy sharing my stories. I enjoy teaching my Caribbean heritage. It gives me a great deal of pleasure to be a representative of my Caribbean culture. Sometimes it takes a while to understand the basics of Caribbean folklore, and the few who seem to have difficulty doing so are the ones who do not wish to be there. Thank God, they are the very few. Working with children fulfills part of my dream. My music is vivacious and energizing, and it has been my experience that children respond in kind.
Learn more about Cyril Paul on www.cyrilpaul.com
St. Paul Czech and Slovak Folk Dancers
Our group was formed in 1961 to display Czech and Slovak culture through dance. Our costumes, or kroje, represent the dress of a number of different villages throughout both the Czech (Bohemia and Moravia) and the Slovak Republics.
Danielle Daniel
Hear spellbinding folktales, stories, jokes, riddles, folk songs, and blues handed down through generations, "stories containing the wit and wisdom of the ages for all ages." Danielle's stories combined with Alphonse Bolden's unique blend of music will captivate and transport you on an exciting journey filled with adventure, suspense, and drama. Danielle believes the power of storytelling can heal and unite communities. She uses her performances as a bridge between cultures, reminding audience members of the importance of sharing their own stories. Never stilted or dull, Danielle's workshops and performances are entertaining, educational, and inspiring. Experience the magic as she unfolds the performance of our Washington Elementary students after a week's long residency!
JohnEyo
JohnEyo is a young teenage yo-yo performer from the Twin Cities. He has been on The Martha Stewart and Tony Danza Shows and has been spotlighted by both WCCO and KSTP, local TV stations. He performs and competes all over the country and is the 2005 World Offstring Champion. He is sponsored by YoYo Jam, is on their National Team and designed “The Black Knight”, his signature yo-yo from them.
John entertains audiences young and old with the yo-yo flying into incredible string tricks that seem to slip out of knots as if by magic. What seems hard to do with one yo-yo gets even harder when he pulls out the second yo-yo for some 2 handed play. When he starts with the Offstring, the jaws start dropping. He makes unbelievable catches and throws, just when you think he's going to miss it, it lands on back on his string.
John will provide 2 main stage performances and a 30-minute workshop for those interested in trying out his yo-yo’s and learning how. He will also have his yo-yo’s available for sale.
Learn more about John on www.johneyo.com
ShoeFly!
Shoe Fly! is friends and neighbors who have been kicking up their heels and vibrating their strings together for the past 15 years. Hailing from the Kickapoo Valley in SW Wisconsin, ShoeFly! presents a program of dancing, music, and rhythms that have roots in the cultures of the Appalachian mountains and Ireland. Accompanied by accomplished musicians who play American old-time and Irish dance music, Shoe Fly! members enjoy sharing their craft with people of all ages and levels.
Past performances include the Great River Festival, La Crosse; Tamarack Dance Series, Duluth; and Gays Mills Folk Festival, Gays Mills. Shoe Fly! will offer two clogging performances and one clogging workshops at CulturFest 2006.