Explore Tradition, Culture and Personal Histories at CroatiaFest

Acclaimed dance ensembles, art exhibits, foods, tourism information, intricate costumes and historical displays explore this rich culture atSeattle Center Festál: CroatiaFest, 12 p.m.-6 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 2, in Seattle Center Armory.

The 13th annual festival celebrates and shares the theme - The Croatian Immigrant Experience. Join moderator Rosana Sabli? in Armory Loft 4 for a series of interviews exploring the personal stories of Croatian immigrants, 1 p.m.-3 p.m.

A kick-off celebration begins the festival with a participatory dance and sing-along featuring music by Rakija Bend and Sinovi at the Russian Community Center, 6 p.m.-11:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 1. The music continues on Sunday in performances by Tamburaški Orkestar Kardinal Stepinac, Dave and the Dalmatians, Kišobran, Rakija Bend and Sinovi Tamburitza Orchestra. Dancers and musicians in vibrant costumes present traditional folk dances in performances by Zavi?aj, Seattle Junior Tamburitizans, Skalinada, Vela Luka Croatian Dance Ensemble with Ruže Dalmatinke, Žumber?ani and Radost Folk Ensemble. Participatory kolo (circle) dancing invites festival-goers to take a turn on the Armory dance floor, 2:55 p.m.-3:15 p.m.

Engaging lectures, film screenings, interviews and demonstrations in the Armory Lofts offer learning opportunities throughout the afternoon. Moderator Gordona Crnkovi? leads a discussion following a screening of "Ti Mene Nosiš" ("You Carry Me"), 3:30 p.m. Explore "Marriage Records: The Link Across Generations" in a lecture by genealogist Barbara Starkey, 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. Two interviews conducted via Skype allow guests to interact directly with master craftspeople living and working in Croatia, with a demonstration of the traditional art of coral jewelry making, 1:30 p.m., and a discussion of the traditional silk costumes of the Konavle region, 2:30 p.m. Learn recipes for brudet sa kumpirima (Dalmatian-style fish and potato stew) and puži (snail shaped cookies) in cooking demonstrations at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.

A lively marketplace serves delicious Croatian cuisine including sarma (meat stuffed cabbage rolls), povitica (walnut bread), pala?inke (Croatian-style crepes), kobasica (sausage with a bread roll), burek (meat or cheese filled savory pastry), pe?ena janjetina (barbecue lamb sandwiches) and ?evap?i?i (sausage on pita bread). Festival-goers 21 and over may attend a Croatian wine tasting presented by Tom Kuker with live music by Bonaca and Dave and the Dalmatians, $15, doors open at 2 p.m.

Other festival attractions include a reading by Chicago-based author Rosemary Babich Gard, bobbin lace making demonstrations, a display of Croatian folk costumes, booths offering Croatian handcrafts and children's arts and crafts activities.

As Seattle Center Festál prepares for a milestone in 2017, the 20th anniversary of this illuminating series of ethnic cultural events at Seattle Center, we celebrate the diverse arts, crafts, foods and family activities presented on weekends throughout the year. The 23 Festál events, organized by ethnic/cultural organizations in partnership with Seattle Center, form the bedrock of our free, public offerings, 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 this collection of ethnic cultural events and other Seattle Center public programming, visit www.seattlecenter.com or call 206 684-7200. Learn more about Seattle Center Festál: CroatiaFest at www.croatiafest.org.

About Seattle Center Festál

Seattle Center Festál 2016, a collection of 23 cultural events presented on weekends throughout the year, highlights 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. Seattle Center Festál is produced with the generous support of KUOW 94.9 Public Radio, Coca-Cola, Alaska Airlines, T-Mobile, RealNetworks, 4Culture and ArtsWA. Additional support is provided by the City of Seattle and Seattle Center Foundation.

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