This summer, Ethnic Dance Theatre (EDT) dives deeper into the migrational journeys of our local communities to Minnesota with Land of 10,000 Ethnicities: Volume 2.

Setting the scene with the piece “Coming to America,” EDT will examine the path of local immigrants through a mixture of dance, song, and live music, beginning with one of the most prominent groups in Minnesota – the Scandinavians. Each community’s story will be introduced with brief narration, and cultures will be brought to life by performers dressed in regionally authentic clothing. Land of 10,000 Ethnicities will feature nearly 20 dancers, Mila Vocal Ensemble, and the EDT Folk Orchestra. EDT will debut new pieces from Latvia, Ireland, and Bulgaria, as well as bring back fan favorites from Mexico (“Bailes Norteño”), Armenia (“Dugha Zahven”), and more.

Founded in 1974, by Donald LaCourse and Jonathan Frey, Ethnic Dance Theatre has been dedicated to the artistic performance and preservation of world music, song, and dance in the Twin Cities and beyond. This year, the Saturday night production (6/27) will be followed by a “Talk Back” question-and-answer segment featuring co-founder Donald LaCourse, in addition to members of the cast and production staff. Join us and ask about the beautiful costumes, for more information on a specific dance, how the show’s research was compiled, or anything else that comes to mind!

Whether learning about your own heritage or that of your neighbor’s, experience how the stories of Minnesota’s immigrants are not just pieces of our past, but part of our present and future. Be prepared to be immersed in culture as you stamp, schottische, and polka your way across our great state exploring our own backyard through the histories of the immigrants that chose to settle here.