WELCOME TO THE 37th ANNUAL LIVING TRADITIONS FESTIVAL!
This year’s festival promises to be a wonderful celebration of the diverse cultural traditions that make Salt Lake City such a fantastic place to live. We have an incredible lineup of both new and veteran performers and artists from a wide range of backgrounds, sharing the music, dance, crafts, food, and storytelling that shape our incredible city and state.
As we gather together to enjoy this festival, let us remember the importance of continuing cultural traditions in a rapidly diversifying United States. In an inclusive city that embraces belonging and understanding of others, cultural traditions are a source of pride, connection, and shared experience. They help us to see the world through new eyes, and to understand and appreciate the diverse perspectives and experiences of those around us. They bring us together, and help us to build stronger, more resilient communities.
I would like to take a moment to also thank our funders and sponsors whose support indicates a serious commitment to diversity, inclusion, and access in our communities. Their contributions are essential to making this festival remain free and accessible in Salt Lake City. Additionally, we thank all of our volunteers who provide an invaluable service to the operation of this festival and contribute to the spirit of Living Traditions. We thank our volunteers for their time, support, and positivity!
Join us in celebrating our city’s cultural traditions with joy and pride, knowing that they are a vital part of who we are and who we can become. And let us look to the future with hope and optimism, knowing that the rich tapestry of our cultural bearers will continue to thrive and inspire generations to come.
Sincerely,
Dawn Borchardt
Living Traditions Program Coordinator
Felicia Baca
Executive Director Salt Lake City Arts Council-Department of Economic Development
We want to acknowledge that this land, which is named for the Ute Tribe, is the traditional and ancestral homeland of the Shoshone, Paiute, Goshute, and Ute Tribes.
Dear Salt Lakers & Visitors to the Living Traditions Festival,
Welcome to the long-awaited and cherished 2023 Living Traditions Festival, one of the most lively and engaging outdoor events in Salt Lake City! I love this time of year because it’s a time for us all to come together and celebrate the diversity, culture, and traditions of our communities that make Salt Lake City unlike any other. It’s an honor to welcome you to what is sure to be a memorable experience for you and your family.
This year, we are bringing you more than 85 cultural performances of music and dance across three stages, 18 food vendors from around the world, and dozens of craft artisans keeping their cultural practices alive for future generations.
We want to ensure that our city’s diversity is visible and honored, and we will continue to celebrate through the Living Traditions Festival as our city grows for generations to come. We look forward to another 37 years of this city tradition!
This festival wouldn’t be possible without the performers, craft artists, our festival sponsors, community partners, staff, and volunteers who support it. We are grateful for each one of you! Thank you for supporting our beloved Living Traditions Festival.
Let’s come together, have fun, and celebrate!
Happy Living Traditions!
Mayor Erin Mendenhall
The Salt Lake City Arts Council and the Living Traditions Festival thank all of those who contribute to the success of the annual celebration of our community. We would like to acknowledge the following for their commitment to the festival and for their contributions of time, effort, and generous financial support.
TITLE SPONSORS
Salt Lake City Arts Council
Salt Lake City
Department of Economic Development
Utah Division of Arts and Museums
Salt Lake County ZAP
National Endowment for the Arts – NEA
George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation
PRESENTING SPONSORS
Salt Lake Public Library- Main Branch
Google Fiber
Marathon Petroleum
PARTNER SPONSORS
Bohemian
General Distributing
Xmission
Weber State University
Downtown Alliance
Visit Salt Lake
Ken Garff
Green Bike
Lawrence T & Janet T Dee Foundation
Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation
Rio Tinto/Kennecot
FRIEND SPONSORS
U of U Health Plans
Molina Healthcare of Utah
Intermountain Healthcare / Select Health
T-Mobile
Pepsi
Utah Transit Authority
Now Playing Utah
ATMM
Rocky Mountain Power
Charles Redd Center for Western Studies
MEDIA PARTNERS
Salt Lake Magazine
Salt Lake City Weekly
Slug Magazine
West View Media
99.9 FM KUAA
90.1 FM KUER
90.0 FM KRCL
Univision
Telemundo Utah
PBS
SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS
Film Screenings
Join us for another medium to celebrate living traditions – film! These screenings will be located in the auditorium on the main level of the library.
SATURDAY
4:30pm & 5:00pm Sundance Institute Locals Lens Short Film Program
A collection of Sundance shorts from the 2023 Sundance Film Festival.
SUNDAY
2:00pm 12 Minutes Max
Curated by the Salt Lake City Public Library, this monthly series presents three original pieces in a varied mix, chosen from music, dance, film, theater, performance art, writing, and the like — each 12 minutes or less.
4:30pm & 5:00pm Sundance Institute Locals Lens Short Film Program
A collection of Sundance shorts from the 2023 Sundance Film Festival.
Food Demos & Tastings
Do you love watching cooking shows? Then join us for these in-person food demonstrations led by chefs featuring cuisine from around the world. Located in the old comic book shop on Library Square.
SATURDAY
3-4 pm Razem presents Polish Pierogies
4:30-5:30 pm Prime Corn presents Aztec & Mayan Recipes
6-7:30 pm Delicius presents Venezuelan Dishes
SUNDAY
1-2pm/2:30-3:30pm Bohemian Brewery presents History of Old-World Lager Brewing (pre-registration required)
Hosted near the South beverage station in the Food Market
Panels
Join us for three exciting panels on how tradition continues and changes, how organizations advocate for their communities through art, the role dress, regalia, and attire act as a form of empowerment and pride in self-expression. Located in the Salt Lake Public Library Comic Book Space.
SUNDAY
Passing it Down: The Continuation of Tradition
1:15pm – 2:15pm
Ways of Being: Advocacy in the Traditional Arts
2:30 – 3:30pm
Dress, Regalia, Attire: Traditional Expressions of Identity
4 – 5pm
Workshops
Take a break from the outdoors and join us for hands-on workshops in the lower level of the Library!
SATURDAY
12:30 – 1:30pm Mexican Paper Flowers – Frances Rogers – Classroom A in downstairs Library
1:30 – 2:30pm Argentinian Tango – Pablo Montes – Classroom B in downstairs Library
2:30-3:30pm – Chinese Calligraphy – Xu Wu – Classroom A in downstairs Library
SUNDAY
12:30 – 1:30pm Ukrainian Dolls – Kateryna Zelensky – Classroom C in downstairs library
FAMILY ACTIVITIES
LIVING TRADITIONS KIDS
Youth are invited to visit the Living Traditions Kids Area where they can make their own fun and colorful craft. Local traditional artists share the story behind their craft and show youth how to create their own artwork to take home.
LIVING TRADITIONS KIDS HOURS • SATURDAY & SUNDAY NOON – 5PM
PLEASE NOTE: CHILDREN MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT AT ALL TIMES
Year of the Rabbit Kite – Jo-Ann Wong (Sunday Noon-5pm)
Children will learn to build a kite, celebrating the Chinese Year of the Rabbit. Kites are a colorful component of many Asian traditional celebrations.
Mexican Paper Flowers – Dolores Paredes-Pozas (Noon-4pm in Library downstairs classrooms C (Saturday) and A (Sunday)
Using tissue paper, a staple in Mexican crafts, children will learn the traditional skill of creating paper flowers.
One Shape Piñata – Clara Amezcua
Piñatas have been a tradition in Mexican culture for hundreds of years and have their roots in Aztec practices wherein piñatas would be made to honor the god Hutzilopochtli. In this craft, children will make their own piñata out of cardboard and crepe paper.
Hawaiian Lei Making – Halau Ku Pono I Kamalani
In Hawaiian culture, leis represent welcoming, friendship, and celebration. For this activity, children will make their own lei they will get to wear proudly around the festival and take home.
FRIDAY BONUS:
Utah Flight Activity – The Leonardo (Friday 5pm-8pm)
Come learn about how the people of Utah helped progress the world of flight through their inventions and test out your own flight designs!
LIVING TRADITIONS KIDS IS LOCATED IN THE EAST LAWN AREA ON LIBRARY SQUARE,
ADJACENT TO THE BOCCE BALL COURT.
BOCCE BALL
This ancient game was first documented in 5200 BCE and later popularized by the Roman Empire. Nowadays, it most closely resembles bowling and is played around the world! It requires skill, strategy and just a little luck. Members of the Utah Bocce Ball Association set up the courts at Living Traditions and provide instruction on the game throughout the festival.
BOCCE BALL HOURS • FRIDAY, 5 – 8 PM • SATURDAY, NOON – 8 PM • SUNDAY, NOON – 7 PM
BOCCE BALL COURTS ARE LOCATED IN THE EAST LAWN AREA ON LIBRARY SQUARE ADJACENT TO LIVING TRADITIONS KIDS.
Produced by the Salt Lake City Arts Council in partnership with the Utah
Division of Arts & Museums, the Living Traditions Festival is a three-day
multicultural festival celebrating the traditional music, dance, crafts and
foods of Salt Lake City’s contemporary ethnic communities.
saltlakearts.org – (801) 596-5000
LOCATION
Washington Square and Library
Square • 451 South 200 East
DATES & TIMES
Friday, May 19, 5:00p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 20, Noon – 10:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 21, Noon – 7:00 p.m.
INFORMATION
Located on the horseshoe East side of the Salt Lake City & County Building
(801) 596-5000
livingtraditionsfestival.com
FIRST AID
Located on the horseshoe East side of the Salt Lake City & County Building. Adjacent to the Information booth and 200 E.
LOST & FOUND
Located in the Information booth
PERFORMING ARTS STAGES
North Stage – North end of 200 East
South Stage – South side of Salt Lake City & County Building
Amphitheater – Library Square outdoor amphitheater
CRAFT ARTISTS
29 craft artists are located throughout the festival in booths.
PANELS & FOOD DEMOS
Located inside the old comic book shop on Library Square.
WORKSHOPS
Located inside the lower level of the Library.
FILM SCREENINGS
Located inside the auditorium on the main level of the Library.
FOOD MARKET
Traditional cuisine prepared and sold by 18 food vendors. Booths are located at the south end of 200 East.
BEVERAGES
Traditional drinks at various festival food booths.
Soft drinks are available at the beverage tent in the middle of 200 East.
Beer and wine are available for purchase for patrons 21 and older in tents in the middle of 200 East.
FREE WATER
Free, filtered water will be located near the food market on 200 East and the kids area canopy
Please bring your refillable water bottles to use throughout the event.
RESTROOMS
Portable toilets, including handicap accessible units, are located on the southwest side of the City & County building and the south side of Library square. North of the Leonardo Museum.
ATMS
There will be ATMs by the beverage booths and the food market on 200 East.
NO PETS / NO SMOKING
For their own sake, please leave your pets at home. Service animals are welcome. In accordance with Salt Lake City Ordinance, smoking or vaping is not permitted on the festival grounds.
PARKING & PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
We encourage our patrons to use alternative transportation such as Trax, UTA buses, Uber, Green Bike, or ride your own bike and park in our designated bike valet located at the East entrance of the festival! There is limited parking throughout the surrounding blocks in pay lots and metered stalls. Metered street parking downtown is free on Sundays.
ACCESSIBILITY
Restrooms, stages, inside the Library and all vendor booths are ADA accessible.
There is ADA parking available on 500 South at 200 East.
For an ADA accommodation, questions, or additional information, please contact Shawnee Johnson at the Salt Lake City Arts Council – (801) 535-6519 or . People with disabilities may make requests for reasonable accommodations no later than 48 hours in advance of intended attendance.
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
FRIDAY, MAY 19th
NORTH STAGE
5:15 – 5:45 pm
Ballet Folkloriko de las Americas
6:00 – 6:45 pm
Harp Irish Dance Company
7:00-7:30 pm
Ballet Folklorico Quetzalcoatl
7:45– 8:15 pm
Ballet Folklorico Sabor Latino
8:30 – 9:00 pm
Danza y Color Utah
9:15 – 10:00 pm
Malialole Polynesian Cultural Arts Ensemble
SOUTH STAGE
5:15-5:45
Celtic Country Dancers
6:00-6:30 pm
Nitya Nritya Dance Company
6:45-7:15
West Side Dance Company
7:30-8:00
Ballet Folclórico Linaje Latino
8:15-8:30
Siphya Dance Group
8:45-9:15
Mountain West Highland Association
9:30-10:00
Salt Lake Casineros
AMPHITHEATER STAGE
5:15 – 5:45 pm
Yunen Carillo Utah
6:00 – 6:45 pm
Red Branch
7:30-8:00
Rinceoiri Don Spraoi Irish Dancers
8:30-9:00
Carnaval de Barranquilla Utah USA
SATURDAY, MAY 20th
NORTH STAGE
12:15 – 12:45 pm
Ballet Folklorico Eck Juvenil
1:00-1:15
Rangtaali
1:30-2:00
Utah Tibetan Association
2:15-2:45 pm
New Zealand American Society- Hiona
3:00-3:30 pm
Utah Okinawa Kenjinkai
3:45-4:15 pm
Tutulli Ballet Folklorico
4:30-5:00 pm
Tausala Polynesian Dance School
5:15-5:45 pm
Danzas Chile
6:00-6:45 pm
Halau Ku Pono I Kamalani
7:00-7:30 pm
Viva Peru Dance
7:45-8:15 pm
Chaskis Peruvian Traditions
8:30-9:00 pm
Divya School of Dance
9:15-10:00 pm
Rumba Libre
SOUTH STAGE
12:15 – 12:45 pm
Iranian American Society of Utah
1:00 – 1:30 pm
Aquarela do Brasil
1:45 – 2:15 pm
South Sudanese Nuer Group
2:30 – 3:00 pm
Kaldaharaa
3:15 – 3:45 pm
Kargi Kala Kendra
4:00 – 4:30 pm
Salt Lake Capoeira
4:45-5:15 pm
Weber State University Ballet Folklorico
5:30-6:00 pm
Nuevas Raíces de Bolivia
6:15-6:45 pm
Grupo de Colores
7:00-7:30 pm
Bulgarka
7:45-8:15 pm
Los Hermanos de los Andes
8:30-9:00 pm
Caporales Mi Viejo San Simón Utah – Alma Latina
9:15-10:00 pm
Sabor Tropical
AMPHITHEATER STAGE
12:15 – 12:45 pm
Madhu Sravanthi
1:15-2:00 pm
Kechi Music Group- Utah Turkish American Association
2:15 – 2:45 pm
Kulturang Philppino Ensemble of Utah
3:00-3:45 pm
Venezuela Cantando
4:00 – 4:30 pm
Thai Dance and Performance Club
4:45 – 5:15 pm
Nepalese Association of Utah
5:30 – 6:00 pm
Thai Dance and Performance Club
6:15 – 6:45 pm
World Dance Company
7:00 – 8:00 pm
Neon Nativez
8:15-9:00 pm
Pennyland
KIDS AREA LAWN
1:00-2:00 pm
Hopi Dance Group
3:00 – 3:30 pm
Wasatch & District Pipe Band
SUNDAY, MAY 21st
NORTH STAGE
12:15 – 12:45 pm
Anton Family Band
1:00 – 1:30 pm
Utah’ko Triskalariak
1:45-2:15 pm
Chitrakaavya Dance
2:30-3:00 pm
Kenshin Taiko
3:15-3:45 pm
Ulhaas – Bengali Association of Utah
4:00-4:30 pm
Team Dhauli
4:45-5:15 pm
Viva Chile Utah
5:30-6:00 pm
KUD Rasko
6:15-7:00 pm
Bomba Marilé
SOUTH STAGE
12:00 – 12:30 pm
Mariachi Aguilas de la Esperanza
12:45-1:15 pm
Utah Punjabi Arts Academy
1:30-2:00 pm
Salt Lake Scandinavian Music & Dance
2:15-2:45 pm
Khemera Dance Troupe
3:00-4:00 pm
P & M Productions (Intertribal Pow Wow)
4:15-4:45 pm
Salt Lake Chinese Dance Art
5:00-5:30 pm
Ballet Folklorico Newara
5:45-6:00 pm
Community Building Services
6:15-7:00 pm
Desert Wind
AMPHITHEATER STAGE
12:15 – 1:00 pm
Music of Chris Dokos
1:30 – 2:15 pm
Pennyland
2:30-3:00 pm
Madhu Sravanthi
3:30-4:30 pm
Rob “Little Owl” Martin
4:45-5:30 pm
Bazeen
6:15-7:00 pm
Wasatch Alphorns
CRAFT ARTISTS
Alli Arocho
Puerto Rican Vejigante Masks
Diane & Julia Moffat
Armenian Hand-knotted Carpets
Marla Love & Arte Primero
Mexican Day of the Dead Art
Brent Kartchner
Woodcarving
Clara Amezcua
Mexican Piñatas
Claudine Niyonsenga & Eugenia Barigenera
Burundian Baskets
Donato Raimondo
South Sudanese Clay Bulls
Ecologic Arts
Peruvian Weaving
Zulma Arevalo
Latin American Folk Jewelry
Frances Rogers, Amanda Ontiveros, Kristina Martinez
Mexican Paper Flowers
Judy & Kendall Mansfield
Native Beadwork & Traditional Basketry
FRIDAY SATURDAY ONLY
Halau Ku Pono I Kamalani
Hawaiian Leis & Crafts
Chue Thao
Hmong Embroidery
Ingrid Hersman
European-style Decorated Eggs
Katherine Poleviyaoma
Acoma Pueblo Pottery & Hopi Arts
Ken Yamane & Judy Iwamoto
Japanese Origami & Bonsai
Maria Elena Lowe & Hermanas Lu’um
Mayan Weaving
Ana Brooks, Elda Hernandez, Gloria Hernández
Mata Ortiz Pottery
Nikolay Motro
Belarusian Woodcarving
Ferrell Peterson
Western Woodcarving
Puruhà Arts
Ecuadorian Wood & Nut Carving
Rupali Munot
Indian Henna Art
South Pacific Island Art
Tongan Bone Carving & Polynesian Crafts
Elizabeth Peterson
Bobbin Lace
Tohahani Beadwork & Sewing
Navajo, Ute and Hopi Beadwork & Sewing
Salt Lake Eastern Art Club
Chinese Calligraphy & Painting
Walker Custom Boots
Western Boot Making
Friday & Saturday Only
Zeynep Kariparduc
Turkish Crafts
FOOD MARKET
8th Street Greek Food
Greek gyros & plates: chicken, traditional lamb
African Spice
Sierra-Leonean & Ghanaian spicy chicken, samosas, plantains
Asociación de Colombianos en el exterior de Utah
Colombian arepas, chorizo, empanadas, avena, café de Colombiano
Basque Club of Utah
Basque chorizo, ham croquetas, churros
Italian-American Civic League
Italian sausage sandwiches, cannoli, cornetti nutella, Italian soda
La Garnacha
Mexican street tacos, huaraches, quesadillas, agua fresca
Mama Africa Kitoko
Congolese combo plates, samosas, beignets
Manka Family Restaurant + Midvale Community Building Community
Bolivian saltenas, tucumanas, silpancho, chicha morada
National Tongan American Society
Tongan sapasui, lu pulu, kalua pork, kumala, mango otai
Nepalese Association of Utah
Nepalese curry, masala, samosas, chicken momo, mango lassi
Pakistani Association
Pakistani samosas, curry, kebabs, daal, lassi, chai
Peruvian Traditions
Peruvian rotisserie chicken, lomo saltado, salchipapas, papa ala huancaina
Sobe Eats Culinary Concepts
Mexican rice bowls with carnitas, tinga, shrimp, or poke
St. Archangel Michael Serbian Orthodox Church
Serbian stuffed cabbage, meat stew, sausages, salad, Balkan pita
Thai Association of Utah
Thai potstickers, chicken lollipops, pad Thai tofu, Thai iced tea
Utah Argentina Alliance
Argentine empanadas, flan, mini-alfajores, yerba mate
Utah Tibetan Association
Tibetan momo, chicken curry, veggie fried rice, mango lassi
Vietnamese Volunteer Youth Association
Vietnamese spring rolls, pot stickers, bánh mì, lychee limeade