Parks Commissioner Victoria Woodard gets choked up when she talks about Ethnic Fest.

She talks about performers such as Samoan dance crew Teine Tama Samoa, she literally gets teary. Groups such as Teine Tama, and the experiences of their audience, epitomize what Ethnic Fest is all about — all the things that make our region great occurring at once.



This year’s Ethnic Fest will provide ample opportunities to encounter what Woodard describes as the blessed diversity of Pierce County and Tacoma. If you show up, you might be lucky enough to experience what she’s talking about. Be sure to bring a handkerchief.



“Imagine you look out on the grass, and you see every ethnicity and every age, and you see this whole mix of what makes Tacoma so great, and everyone is watching this and dancing and laughing, and eating bulgogi (Korean barbecue) and hot dogs,” she says. “Nobody’s arguing. Nobody’s fighting. There are homeless people there and there are rich people there. People are wearing everything from cut-off shorts to Kabuki. And everybody is having a good time. We have this one opportunity to bring all these elements together and share them. It’s really an amazing thing.”



This year’s ethnic fest will feature a full dance stage, and two more full stages in an attempt to pack as much awesomeness as possible into the event. All the traditional favorites will be there, including reggae, dancehall, soca sensation Alex Duncan, and perennial favorite, guitarist/composer Michel Powers. Ranger & The Re-Arrangers will share the sultry art of Gypsy Jazz. Middle Eastern dance troupe Shardoba will offer the ancient art of belly dancing.



If you’re hungry, the Korean Women’s Association will offer Bulgogi and Smoky’s BBQ will offer good old Southern eats.



And that’s just a taste.



“When you talk about putting it all together — everything that is different and wonderful, this is it,” says Woodard.



Newcomers such as the Sohoyini West African dance troupe will add even more flavor.

“I ran into him at an ethnic arts booking festival in Seattle,” Metro Parks Event Coordinator Lori Crace says of Sohoyini lead dancer Awal Alshassan. “This guy is the most incredibly dynamic and energized dancer you have ever seen.”



This year, various performers will go beyond sharing talents and culture, and invite participants to engage and create in an ethnic arts demonstration tent. Participants with an adventurous spirit can learn how to dress in a kimono from the Kabuki Academy, or be introduced to the beautiful craft of Hawaiian bone carving from artist Luni Tuaimeiuta. The Roosevelt Dancers will offer an introduction to Cambodian folk dances.



“It will give people a chance to get immersed a little more,” says Crace.



More than anything, people planning on attending should be preparing for a celebration. Ultimately, celebration is what Ethnic Fest is about.



“People should bring an openness,” says Woodard. “They should come prepared to have a lot of fun. If you just like to sit and listen to music, you can do that. If you want to dance and party and have a great time, you can do that. If you want to bring your kids, come down. Ethnic fest is so diverse that whatever you are looking for, you can get it. Come with a lawn chair, bring your dancing shoes, bring money or not. You’re going to have so much fun.”

Ethnic Fest 2008

Wright Park, 501 South I St., Tacoma

Multicare Main Stage:

Saturday July 26

11:30 a.m., Sohoyini West African Dance    

1 p.m., Fathia & Les Troubadours    

2 p.m., Hybrid

3 p.m., Ocho Pies    

4 p.m., Rumbeggae    

5 p.m., Teine Tama Samoa       

6 p.m., Spirit of Oja    

7 p.m., Rumba Kings    

Comcast/Key Bank Community Stage: Saturday July 26

Noon, Shardoba    

1 p.m., Caribbean Vision    

2 p.m., Ranger & the Re-Arrangers    

3 p.m., Jug of Punch    

4 p.m., NW Korean Cultural Foundation     Music

5 p.m., Dale Russ & Mike Saunders     Irish Dance Music

Multicare Main Stage:

Sunday July 27

Noon, African All Stars    

1 p.m., Michael Powers    

2 p.m., One World Taiko    

3 p.m., The Islanders      

4 p.m., Shin Pu Ri    

5 p.m., New Age Flamenco    

6 p.m., Alex Duncan      

Comcast/Key Bank Community Stage: Sunday July 27

12:15 p.m., Kabuki Academy    

1 p.m., Kane Mathis    

2 p.m., Roosevelt Dancers-Cambodian Dance    

3 p.m., Gospel Music workshop

3:35 p.m., All Nations Dancers    

4:10 p.m., New Life Olympia    

4:45 p.m., St John Baptist    

5:20 p.m., New Beginnings Step Team    

5:50 p.m., Danell Daymond & Royalty