Celebrate Eastern European Heritage

The Eastern European Folk Festival is a vibrant celebration of the rich cultural heritage, music, and dance traditions of Eastern Europe. Held at the Phoenix Center for the Arts on September 13, from 12 PM to 6 PM, the festival brings together communities, artists, and cultural enthusiasts from across the region and beyond.

This inaugural event features a dynamic program, offering participants an immersive experience of the rhythms, stories, and spirit of the Balkans.

A highlight of the festival is a special appearance by Elsie Ivancich Dunin—Professor Emerita at UCLA, dance ethnologist, and curator of the Cross-Cultural Dance Resources (CCDR) Collections at Arizona State University. With decades of pioneering work on Croatian, Romani, and Macedonian dance traditions, Dunin will share her insights into the deep connections between movement, identity, and culture.

Festival guests will also enjoy Balkan Folk Dance Master Classes led by three distinguished choreographers:Tanya Dimitrov, Jelena Djordjevic, and Jasmin Mesic.These engaging sessions will explore a variety of styles…