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From the ’41st Beskidy Highlanders Week of Culture’ in Bielsko-Biala, Poland to the ‘29th Festival del Folklore’ in Aviano/Pordenone, Italy, CLOG AMERICA will represent the USA during the summer of 2007 in two of the largest and most established annual folklore festivals in Europe. The internationally-known folklore ensemble from Salt Lake City, will depart in July for its 20th International Folklore Festival tour.

CLOG AMERICA is comprised of award-winning dancers and musicians who have had the great honor of representing the United States in over 44 major festivals and events throughout Europe, Canada, Mexico, Korea, China, South America and the USA over the past 16 years. The ensemble has appeared on national television in Germany, the Czech Republic, France, the Netherlands, Macedonia, Hungary, Brazil and the USA.

In a joint resolution, the 2004 Utah State Legislature recognized the CLOG AMERICA INTERNATIONAL FOLKLORE FESTIVAL ENSEMBLE as a “Utah cultural treasure” and “Ambassadors of Peace and Friendship to the World.” Regarding the importance of CLOG AMERICA participating in the 2007 Aviano Festival, Dr. Piergiorgio Tomasini, Unione Folclorica Italiana, said: “The presence of an important U.S. Air Force Base in Aviano since 1954 with an American Community ranging from 6,000 to 9,000 people, has developed continuous good relations with the local authorities and the population. Our organization is sure the presence of CLOG AMERICA will undoubtedly strengthen the friendship between our peoples being it widely felt as a must in a period such as the present when mutual respect and understanding are the basis for development of peace all over the world.”

The opportunity to participate in the Aviano Festival will not only provide an opportunity to celebrate peace while sharing cultures with the Italian people and other international groups, it will provide an opportunity to uplift the spirits of American military personnel serving our country far from home.

In addition to the prestigious festivals in Poland and Italy, CLOG AMERICA will proudly carry the flag of the USA in the 25th Festival del Folklore “Sciampitta” and the 22nd Festival del Folklore Ittiri in Sardinia.

Sunday, August 13, 2006 to Sunday, August 27, 2006

CLOG AMERICA represents the USA in Brazil during August 2006 Read the rest of this entry »

Monday, August 7, 2006

CLOG AMERICA in summer concert

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Folk art, which comes from the ground up, unites people and defines culture in ways few other things can. “Immigrants from many lands brought to America their own cultural heritage and together wove a tapestry of culture unique in all the world,” says Shawnda Bishop, founder and director of one of America’s premier folk-art groups, Clog America, based in West Valley City. “Generations of Americans have expressed their hearts and minds through the music, dance and other folk art that make up this cultural tapestry,” Bishop says. “But this tapestry is beginning to unravel. Young Americans are growing up without knowing or experiencing our traditional American folk art.” To counteract that trend, Clog America has launched a couple of initiatives. For one, Clog America is spearheading a campaign to build an American Cultural Heritage Institute. “ACHI” will be dedicated to the preservation and cultivation of such American folk arts as dance, music, craftsmanship art and poetry. The facility will be a center for classes and workshops and will have dance studios, music rooms, office space, costume-storage space and a Preservation Hall for community performances. Among programs on the agenda will be a free monthly Kids Culture Club that will help expose children to American folk arts. Read More at DeseretNews.com

From performing in USO shows as a child for wounded World War II veterans to currently producing “Salute to American Country Music” in the Czech Republic, Rex Burdette has devoted a lifetime of work to preserving and promoting American Folk Art. On March 11, CLOG AMERICA and the Utah Cultural Celebration Center will honor Rex Burdett’s life-time achievements by presenting ‘The Preservation of American Folk Art Award’ at CLOG AMERICA’S “Culture Fest 2006”.

Presently serving as President and United States Delegate for CIOFF-USA (Council International Organization of Festivals and Folk Art), Rex is also an inductee into the Old Time Country Music Hall of Fame. He has been in the Entertainment business since the age of 5 and performed all forms of American dance for minstrel shows through the 50’s as well as performing jig/clog on the nationally televised show, Ozark Jubilee starring Red Foley, for seven years.

After establishing his family which includes four children, The Burdett Family Dancers performed ‘The History of Dance’ for schools across the Midwest in 1970 and 1971, then joined the Bob-O-Links Country Music Show in Branson Missouri for eleven years. Rex began Producing, Directing and Entertainment Management in Silver Dollar City in 1983 where he produced and directed the Echo Hollow Amphitheater for nine years and the Great American Music Festival for nineteen years.

Rex created ‘World-Fest’, the largest International Festival in the USA in 1990 and still produces and directs this festival. He also assists in the development of Dollywood’s Festival of Nations. In addition, he is presently the President of World Music Events, USA and World Music Events Bulgaria, LTD.

In August 2005, Rex was recognized internationally as he was awarded the Silver Medal of Honor symbolizing the Golden Age of Bulgaria and an Honorary Diploma by the Bulgarian Ministry of Culture. He will be accompanied by Helen, his wife of 43 years, as he travels to Salt Lake City from Branson, Missouri to accept ‘The Preservation of America Folk Award’ sponsored by CLOG AMERICA and the Utah Cultural Celebration Center on March 11, 2006.

PRESERVE AMERICAN FOLK ART

Introducing the “AMERICAN CULTURAL HERITAGE INSTITUTE”

Generations of Americans have expressed their hearts and minds through music, dance and other folk art. Immigrants from many lands brought to America their own cultural heritage and together wove a tapestry of culture unique in all the world. However this beautiful tapestry is beginning to unravel. Young Americans in this modern age are growing up without knowing or experiencing our traditional American Folk Art and believing there is nothing special about being an American!

Folk art conquers time and space. Embodying the collective wisdom and experience of a people, it expresses that which matters most to the common man. Through neglect, America is in danger of losing its folk art, creating a condition similar to developing amnesia…losing one’s memory. At risk is a vital link connecting the hearts of our children to us and to our American ancestors.

In the crossroads of the American West, the urgency of preserving our precious American Folk Arts is felt intensely. American folk musicians, dancers, poets, artists and craftsmen are coming together to establish a central location where American Folk Art can be preserved, taught, experienced and celebrated.

CLOG AMERICA, the internationally known American Folk Ensemble, is spearheading the campaign to build the “AMERICAN CULTURAL HERITAGE INSTITUTE” in the Salt Lake Valley. ACHI will be dedicated to the preservation and cultivation of American Folk Arts including dance, music, craftsmanship, art and poetry. Through its diverse programming, ACHI will reach out to people of all ages, backgrounds and community.

The “AMERICAN CULTURAL HERITAGE INSTITUE” will offer experiences and instruction in:

• Dance including clogging, square dance, contra, reels, and pioneer dances
• Music including guitar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, and harmonica.
• American folk crafts such as leather tooling, wood carving and quilting

ACHI will feature a Kids’ Culture Club , a free monthly program providing children an opportunity to learn about, experience and enjoy American Folk Arts. ACHI will also be a venue for community social events and mini-concerts featuring local American Folk Artists.

Become a force in preserving our country’s tapestry of culture. Help us strengthen the cultural link between past and future generations. Join CLOG AMERICA’s non-profit organization in building the “AMERICAN CULTURAL HERITAGE INSTITUTE”

For further information contact Shawnda Bishop at 254-6947.

Thursday, September 1, 2005 to Monday, September 12, 2005

Clog America

Folklore groups from each World War II Allied Nation will be featured in special ceremonies at the Kremlin.

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Sunday, July 31, 2005 to Monday, August 8, 2005

Clog America

CLOG AMERICA has been invited to represent the United States in “X Festival Zacatecas” in Zacatecas, Mexico. This festival is the largest festival in the Western Hemisphere.

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