Pigeon Forge, TN (Top40 Charts/ Dollywood) New and exciting cultures from around the globe, including China's acrobatic pageantry in Cirque Shanghai and the enchantment of
India in Mystic India, are on display during Dollywood's Festival of Nations presented by Humana, March 23 through April 22.
"I love having them entertain during my Festival of Nations so that folks can come and experience all the beautiful sights and sounds of this big ole world right here in my Smoky Mountain home."
More than 25 countries are represented through their respective heritages of music, dance, food and art in this delightfully diverse event. Authentic cuisine and ethnic activities allow guests added insight of other cultures.
"During all my travels, I've seen so many amazingly talented performers," said Dolly Parton. "I love having them entertain during my Festival of Nations so that folks can come and experience all the beautiful sights and sounds of this big ole world right here in my Smoky Mountain home."
Several new shows highlight the exciting lineup of acts, illustrating the festival's extreme diversity. Located in DP's Celebrity Theatre, Cirque Shanghai combines traditional and modern Chinese acrobatics alongside amazing displays of physical strength and incredible feats of balance. This heart-pounding production features beautifully costumed performers and a visual feast of breathtaking white-knuckle stunts. All Festival of Nations shows are included with park admission.
Also new, Mystic
India takes audiences on a celebratory journey through
India via a stunning performance which fuses dance, theatre and visual effects into an amazing explosion of color and energy. Mystic
India takes the Showstreet Palace Theatre stage.
Dollywood's 2013 Festival of Nations lineup also includes the new shows:
Mariachi Divas (March 23 - April 22) - A multi-cultural, all-female ensemble, Mexico's Mariachi Divas are three-time Grammy Award winners with unique songs infused with the Latin sounds of mariachi.
Glass Duo (March 23 - April 22) - Classically trained musicians using crystal glassware as their instrument of choice, Poland's Glass Duo flawlessly performs a wide repertoire of amazing music.
Pause Café (March 23 - April 22) - The French duo "Pause Café" performs traditional and modern folk music on a variety of instruments, including the rare hang drum.
Ugandan Children's Choir - From the Royal School and Orphanage of Mityana, Uganda, the Ugandan Children's Choir features children ages 8- 15, performing Ugandan drum songs. Two groups, Ugandan
Thunder (March 23 - 29) and Suubi Tribe (April 1 - 7), perform during Festival of Nations.
Hodman and Sally (March 23 - April 22) - This interactive street act features two wanderers, Hodman Dodmanott and Sally Forth, traversing the park while trying to understand the new and baffling world around them.
Rolla Bolla (March 23 - April 22) - This highly-skilled performer displays amazing feats of balance and concentration, along with a large dose of humor, atop a rolling balance board.
Scottish Bagpiper (Selected Dates, March 23 - April 22) - A roving bagpiper fills the Smoky Mountain air with the beautiful sounds of the Scottish highlands.
Returning favorites are:
Atahualpa (March 23 - April 22) - From Ecuador, Atahualpa combines Native Incan instruments with contemporary backups to celebrate the history and culture of the Andes Mountains.
Zambian Vocal Group (March 23 - April 22) - Five young men from Zambia combine traditional African rhythms, vocal percussion and complex harmonies to deliver a message of unity, hope and blessings.
Swoon Sway Pole Act (March 23 - April 22) - This Melbourne, Australia- based group fuses theatre, dance, circus and comedy into a unique act. Perched atop 15-foot high flexible poles, the troupe bends and sways in the air, engaging the audience in absolute fascination.
Zebra Stelzentheater (March 23 - April 22) -
Zebra Stelzentheater features stilt dancers in original Bavarian folk costumes interacting with guests throughout the streets of Dollywood.
Each day, Dollywood's One World Celebration unites all Festival of Nations' visiting performers in a unique musical and colorful bash throughout Showstreet. Dressed in their colorful native costumes, the international cast enthralls guests with this engaging street celebration that sets the stage for a festive jubilee.
A plethora of tasty and unique food options awaits guests thanks to the new World Passport to Food, an expanded international menu. Upon arrival, guests pick up a passport and use it to navigate their way to the delectable delights found throughout the park. At all international food locations, guests' passports are stamped to signify their visit to each country. Dollywood's new World Passport to Food provides a gateway to experience the culinary highlights of cultures from around the globe. (Food is an additional fee.)
A 150-acre family adventure park located in the Smoky Mountains, Dollywood is the 2010 Applause Award winner, the theme park industry's highest accolade. Open nine months a year (March 23 - Jan. 4, 2014), Dollywood offers rides and attractions; award-winning live entertainment featuring country, bluegrass, gospel and mountain music; and a dozen crafters authentic to the East Tennessee region. The neighboring 35-acre Dollywood's Splash Country, which operates Memorial Day to Labor Day, features RiverRush, Tennessee's first and only water coaster. Dollywood Vacations offers all-inclusive vacation planning that features lodging and tickets for Dollywood and Dollywood's Splash Country. For more information, call 1-800-DOLLYWOOD or visit dollywood.com. Operating days and hours vary.
For B-roll, photography and more information, check the Dollywood Media Room at https://www.dollywood.com/Media/Media-Room.aspx.
