Arts coming alive this summer
Opening ceremonies for the Idaho International Summerfest street festival kicked off Saturday at Porter Park in Rexburg.
The street festival began more than 30 years ago and has since grown into a yearly tradition. Dancers come from all around the world to share their culture through the language of dance. They also wear traditional costumes made in their native countries.
In the past the event has attracted nearly 300 different teams from 60 different countries.
Performers came from Puerto Rico, India, Russia,Polynesia, Canada and the United States to participate in this year’s Summerfest.
International Dance Council member Lata Surendar came all the way from Mumbai said she’s here to show the audience the beautiful sense of colors India has.
“India has always defined unity and diversity and what better way to do it than to gather its tradition and frame it for Rexburg and the wonderful people,” Surendar.
She also said,”Young feet gather the message of dance and art from all over the globe and blend it in a festival that gathers all of us in oneness,” Surendar.
Ulea Nosova traveled all the way from Russia to perform.”We are going to show our culture and also meet new friends from other countries,” Nosova said.
Nosova said she’s looking forward to performing for the people.
“I’m a little bit nervous. But I think it’s a very cool idea to do this festival because the atmosphere is very friendly,” Nosova said.
“We’ve been planning the entire year for this,”Cara Batchoff, a dance leader from Rexburg, said. “Our headlining act is Grammy winner LT Smooth coming to perform from New Zealand.”
Batchoff, who has been dancing for years said bringing culture to Rexburg is important.
“There’s a lot of culture but not as much as other places and this event just brings everyone together. You get to see friendships between the dancers develop, just through music and dance,” Batchoff said.
BYU-Idaho gradate Courtney Nowlin said the community needs to have more events like this.
“I think Rexburg needs more culture,” Nowlin said.
Local vendors also came out to show their support, and donations raised from the event went toward the Family Crisis Center and Shoes for Love.
The festival continues into the week with a parade on Monday starting at 5 p.m. on Main Street and a parade starting at 6:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.
Tickets will also be on sale for the matinee and the gala performances on Friday and Saturday.
