2008 Living Traditions Festival

A celebration of salt lake’s folk and ethnic arts

We present, with the community and for the community, the twenty-third annual Living Traditions Festival.   Celebrating the authentic and traditional arts of our many ethnic groups, Living Traditions brings together people of all ages and backgrounds.   Sharing these customs in dance, music, foods and crafts, participants and audience enjoy the richness of Salt Lake’s cultural diversity.   Through these cultural traditions that are preserved through the generations, ethnic communities maintain a strong sense of identity and pride for both the group and for the individual.

Local ethnic artists – craftspeople, dancers, musicians, and chefs – are at the heart of Living Traditions.  They teach us about the techniques, styles, tools and materials that are used in their respective artforms, many of which are centuries old.  We build on our diversity by bringing featured guest artists to perform, presenting musical styles that may not be indigenous to Salt Lake and contribute to the overall celebration.

Through the Living Traditions Festival, we recognize the contributions that artists, who preserve cultural traditions in every community, make to our sense of place and our depth of cultural experiences. 

We hope that at the Living Traditions Festival you learn about and experience the many sights, sounds, and flavors presented for all to enjoy.  We invite you to join with the many Living Traditions participants – in a spirit of mutual respect and understanding – to celebrate Salt Lake’s rich cultural diversity.

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Location:  
Washington Square, Salt Lake City & County Building, 450 South 200 East
Location Map

Dates and Times
Friday, May 16, 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 17, Noon to 10:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 18, Noon to 7:00 p.m.

Admission: Free

First Aid: Adjacent to Crafts Market

Festival Information: 596-5000; www.slcgov.com/arts

Information/merchandise/community resource canopies
East side of City & County Building.  See map.

Festival Areas

Performing Arts Stages
Two stages, at north and south sides of the City & County Building

Workshop Stage
West side of City & County Building

Crafts
Friday, Saturday & Sunday
Invited demonstrating craft artists located under six canopies on the east side of the City & County Building

Crafts MarketFriday, Saturday & Sunday
Crafts made by demonstrating artists available for purchase, south of Information Canopy

Food           
Traditional ethnic cuisine prepared and sold by 20 food vendors, each representing a local nonprofit community group. Located along 200 East

Living Traditions Film Series at the Main Library
A series of films on cultural themes, presented by the Salt Lake Film Center in the
Auditorium in the Main Library

Living Traditions Kids
Interactive area for children 12 and under, accompanied by adult
Saturday & Sunday, 1:00 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Living Traditions Kitchen           
Ethnic cooking demonstrations located on 200 East
Friday, 7:00 p.m., Saturday & Sunday, 2:00-7:00 p.m.
           
Beverages
Traditional ethnic drinks at various festival food booths
Beer, wine, water and soft Drinks at Beverage Trailers
           
Water                       
Water Fountain - Center of Festival by Information Canopy

T-shirts and Other merchandise
Merchandise Canopy and Crafts Market

FESTIVAL PROGRAMS
Information Canopy, Beer Gardens
           
Parking
Street parking in surrounding blocks and private paid lots in the vicinity of the Festival
Bike racks - Located near the City & County Building

HANDICAPPED ACCES
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handicapped parking is designated on 500 South, between 200 East and State Street 

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION:           
Check UTA bus schedules, or ride TRAX and use Courthouse Station on North/South line or Library Station on University Line

Lost & Found: Information Canopy

Restrooms:
Portable toilets, including handicap-accessible units, are located on the north and south perimeters of the Festival grounds

ATM
Temporary ATMs are located on the City & County Building grounds

Public Telephones
Nearest public phones are located at Burger King, northeast corner of 400 South 200 East and at the Main Library

NO PETS ALLOWED
For their own sake, please leave your pets at home. Service animals are welcome.

ACCESSBILITY
People with disabilities may make requests for reasonable accommodations no later than 48 hours in advance in order to attend Living Traditions.  Accommodations may include alternate formats, interpreters, and other auxiliary aids.  For questions, requests, or additional information, please contact the Salt Lake City Arts Council at 596-000 or TDD at 535-6021.