PROVO — This year's annual "Christmas Around the World" celebration at Brigham Young University will feature live yodelers and the "Living Legends" dancers, along with the International Folk Dance Ensemble.
More than 200 dancers, singers and musicians in bright, colorful costumes will perform celebratory dances and music from 17 countries, including Austria, England, Israel, Ireland, Mexico, Romania, the United States, Poland, Scotland, Spain and Ukraine. This year's theme is "Celebrate!"
"Each of these dances highlights a celebration from a different country," said director Ed Austin. "We're celebrating Christmas by bringing cultures together and helping people feel closer to their neighbors and their cultures. That's really what Christmas is all about — coming together as God's children."
Including the Living Legends group is a natural, Austin said. "Living Legends is almost like our sister organization," Austin said. "They bring so much fun color and a true representation of their culture to the stage. They give some unique authenticity to our program."
The BYU-based group features pieces from Native American, Polynesian and Latin American cultures performed by descendants of these cultures and performedwith traditional and contemporary music.
Mountain Strings, the musical ensemble for BYU's touring Folk Dance Performing Arts Company, will also make a guest appearance.
"All the groups are wonderful," Austin said. "They are going to bring down the house."
The International Folk Dance Ensemble will begin with a collection of dances from the British Isles, including a Scottish sword dance. Freshman Rylan Bateman and senior McKenzie Morrill, will perform the piece. The two have studied Scottish dancing for most of their lives.
Another piece will highlight hundreds of students and local children in a "clogging frenzy," Austin said.
The ensemble will be highlighting new choreography from India, Colombia, Russia and Serbia.
"We are also featuring a live yodeler, Kerry Christensen, who will enliven our Austrian section with his amazing abilities," said Austin.
"There really isn't another program like this in the world," he added. "We have dances from all across the globe and we have it right here. BYU has such a unique body of students from throughout the world, and now we can celebrate it together on stage."
If you go...
What: Christmas Around the World
When: Dec. 3-4, 7:30 p.m., with a 2 p.m. matinee on Dec. 4
How much: $25 for floor seating; $15 for prime lower seating; $12 for arena seating (student discount offered)
Phone: 801-422-2981
Web: byutickets.com.
e-mail: haddoc@desnews.com