By Scott Tidwell
This year, you can travel around the world with no passport, no long plane rides and no hefty budget. How? Simply take your vacation at Dollywood in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee.
Dollywood is host to many festivals during the year. Yet, one of the most popular events is the Festival of Nations that lets you experience several cultures without ever leaving Pigeon Forge. Song, dance, food and art from around the world are only part of what makes the Festival of Nations a smorgasbord for the senses.
The new headline show, Samaia: Legend of the Caucasus, is a stunning extravaganza. Step inside to catch the clash of swords in mock battle or marvel over the intricacy of the dances performed by these performers from Georgia, Russia.
Outside, a world of sounds, smells and sights swirls around you. As you stroll along the streets in Dollywood, flags of the worlds nations wave proudly in the breeze. Around a corner, you catch a glimpse of color and the melodies of exotic music fill the air. The Invaders, hailing from Trinidad and Tobago, are back entertaining you with their marvelous blend of reggae, salsa, calypso, pop, gospel and American big band tunes. As you turn to go, the rhythms of this steel orchestra continue to echo in your head and put a little bounce in your step. The entire park at Dollywood is alive with the sounds of faraway cultures.
Traveling from distant Africa comes the Zambian Vocal Group. The members are from different tribes on this continent, yet they come together to create a unique, collective sound. Complex harmonies and intriguing vocalization craft everything they sing. Harmonizing in a cappella, they touch your soul with their African rhythmic renditions of traditional gospel hymns and original tunes.
The intensity of emotion is matched over and over again, as you spend your day in the park. On a brilliantly lit stage, the performance by DRUM! weaves together the Aboriginal, Black, Celtic and Acadian cultures of its members. For 45 minutes, you are absorbed in a seamless blend of dance, music, poetry, song and video.
The music pulls at your heart and soul, as you journey through the streets charged by the Celtic musical blend of Oisre and the rhythmic fusions of the Andes by the Ecuadorian group Atahualpa. “What’s that unique style percussion?” you ask. It is the “hang drum” created in Switzerland in 2000 and played with distinction by the musician Keona.
For a different type of wholesome family entertainment, you take your crowd to catch Los Pampas Gauchos. Furiously fast paced, this Argentinean group amuses and amazes with their lively and colorful dances. A traditional popular dance is highlighted with the brandishing of a brightly colored cape or the flash of a knife. The crack of a whip or the heavy beat of drums draws you in to enjoy the entire performance (possibly more than once!).
From March 26 through May 2, 2011, Dollywood’s Festival of Nations truly puts the world at your feet. For a brief point in time, you can leap from continent to continent, exploring numerous countries and the wonders each has to offer. Whether for spring break, summer vacation or an entertaining and educational weekend, make plans now for an international getaway via the Smoky Mountains.
