CroatiaFest to Celebrate Music, Art, Food, History of Croatia at Seattle Center, 10/4

Seattle Center Festál: CroatiaFest introduces the music, art, food, history and heritage of Croatia, 12 p.m.-8 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 4, in Seattle Center Armory. Acclaimed dance ensembles and musicians, intricate costumes, folkdance lessons, wine tasting, tourist information and historical displays showcase Croatia's rich past and vibrant present.

"Croatia: Land and People" is the theme for the 12th annual CroatiaFest. The festival's opening ceremony features invited guests Croatian Ambassador Joško Paro and Honorary Consul Dr. Frank Brozovich.

Dance performances highlighting Croatian and Eastern European folk traditions include Anar Dana, Radost Folk Ensemble, Hrvstski Vitezovi, Tamburaški Orkestar Kardinal Stepinac, Seattle Junior Tamburitzans and Vela Luka Croatian Dance Ensemble accompanied by Ruže Dalmatinke Orchestra. Festival-goers can join the fun during a participatory kolo (circle) dance with live musical accompaniment at 2:05 p.m. on the Armory's main floor.

Musical performances by Ženska Klapa Ruzmarin, Bonaca, KlapaDooWopella, Tamburaski Orkestar Kišobran, Dave & The Dalmatians and Sinovi Tamburitza Orchestra showcase traditional Croatian sounds, and a performance by contemporary group Zrinksi showcases modern trends.

A series of engaging lectures and workshops highlight the arts and crafts, food and natural beauty of Croatia. A lecture on Adriatic travel, 1 p.m. in Armory Loft 2, features representatives from Dubrovnik, Los Angeles and REI Adventure Travel and explores opportunities in Croatia for kayaking, hiking, sailing, camping and other adventurous excursions. Dr. Gordana Crnkovi? leads a discussion of Croatian film at 2 p.m. in the Armory Lofts including a screening of "What is a Man without a Moustache," by director Hrvoje Hribar.

Seven food booths offer delicious Croatian specialties including traditional BBQ lamb, grilled ?evap?i?i with ajvar (grilled meat with roasted red pepper sauce), kobasica (Croatian-style sausages), grilled wild-caught salmon, sarma (meat-filled cabbage rolls), povitica (walnut rolls) and palacinke (Croatian crepes). Cooking demonstrations run from 1 p.m.-3 p.m. and teach festival-goers to make gibanica (cheese pitas), rizi bizi (pea risotto) and squid salad.

A special tasting features a variety of imported Croatian wines, at 3 p.m. in Armory Loft 2. Tickets for the 21+ event are $10 per person and must be purchased in advance at www.croatiafest.org. Admission to the event includes five wine pours.

Other festival attractions include a display of antique regional Croatian costumes, historical displays and exhibitions, a marketplace featuring Croatian products, bobbin lace-making demonstrations, children's activities and a Croatian costume photo booth.

In 2015, Seattle Center Festál explores the "art of culture" in 23 celebrations on weekends throughout the year. The events, organized by ethnic/cultural organizations in partnership with Seattle Center, make use of indoor and outdoor spaces on the grounds and offer wide-ranging entertainment, food, visual displays and exhibits and hands-on learning opportunities. The annual series forms the bedrock of public programming at Seattle Center, captivating and enlightening festival-goers as they experience the distinct cultures that influence the character and course of our broader community.

Seattle Center Festál is a program of Seattle Center Productions. Admission is free-of-charge. For more information on CroatiaFest and other Seattle Center public programming, click on www.seattlecenter.com or call 206 684-7200.

Seattle Center Festál 2015 explores the art of culture on weekends throughout the year. The festivals highlight the diverse cultures and common threads of ethnic communities in our region with traditional and contemporary art, music, foods, youth activities, workshops, marketplaces and more. This collection of 23 cultural events is produced with the generous support of Coca-Cola, Alaska Airlines, T-Mobile, KUOW 94.9 Public Radio, Boeing, RealNetworks and 4Culture. Additional support is provided by the City of Seattle and Seattle Center Foundation.

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