TASTE of DANCE, ITALY
Celebrating the contributions of Kern County Italians throughout the decades, KDA is pleased to partner with the Kern County Museum and the Italian Heritage Dante Association by presenting Taste of Dance – Italy, a community event that coincides with the opening of the highly anticipated Italian Heritage Farmhouse at the Kern County Museum on Sunday, September 28 from 1:00 – 4:00 pm.
Nestled within the celebration of the opening of the museum’s Italian Heritage Farmhouse, Taste of Dance – Italy will feature traditional Italian folk dance performances performed by the Gypsy Folk Ensemble as well as Italian folk dance lessons where the community will learn the “tarantella”. Additionally, the event will feature Italian “tastes” provided by Reverb Coffee, GhilaDolci Bakery, Vecchio’s Pizzeria & Gelateria, and Sweet Surrender.
Taste of Dance was originally created as a pilot program by KDA Board Member, Noor El Kereamy, in 2023. Due to the success of the program, KDA has been awarded several grants to continue hosting the project. With support from California Humanities, a non-profit partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Arts Council of Kern, Taste of Dance – Italy will kick off the first of four cultures featured throughout 2025 and 2026. October will feature Taste of Dance – Philippines and 2026 programs will feature Basque and Sikh communities.
Taste of Dance seeks not only to entertain but to educate and foster a sense of community through performing and culinary arts. This event promises a vibrant atmosphere filled with rhythmic beats, wonderful tastes, and a shared community spirit. Taste of Dance is more than just an event; it’s a celebration of the cultures that enrich our community.
EVENT ITINERARY:
Sunday, September 28
Kern County Museum
1:00 Event Begins
1:30 Ribbon Cutting of the ITALIAN HERITAGE FARMHOUSE
1:45 Italian Folk Dance Performance #1
2:30 Tarantella Dance Lesson
3:45 Italian Folk Dance Performance #2
4:00 Event Ends
MEET THE ARTISTS
The Gypsy Folk Ensemble is a world dance performing company featuring the ethnic and folk dances of various cultures. GYPSY, based in Los Angeles, California, was formed in 1978 to preserve, perform and teach traditional folk dances from countries around the world.
One of our primary goals has been to use dance to foster awareness and appreciation of other cultures and peoples. Over the years, the company has built a solid reputation for professionalism and excellence.
The company was privileged to be invited to the 2009, 2014 and 2025 Estonian Dance Festival held in Tallinn, Estonia. gypsyfolkensemble.com
KDA AWARDED ONE of SEVEN STATE GRANTS for CULTURAL ARTS PROJECT
This is the first time, since 2019, the California Humanities has awarded a Humanities for All Project Grant applicant from the City of Bakersfield.
Taste of Dance: A Delectable and Rhythmic Exploration of Culture in California’s Central Valley will produce a series of free events will take place at local culinary institutions, parks, and festivals that will cultivate awareness, preserve heritage, and celebrate the contributions that four immigrant communities— Basque, Filipino, Punjabi, and Italian —have made to the rich cultural diversity of Kern County.
KDA is one of seven organizations in the state of California to receive an award. Less than 10% of all of the applicants were selected to receive a 2024 grant which totaled $174,405. KDA will join an exclusive list of awardees that represent projects up and down the state.
WHY A TASTE OF DANCE
This event celebrates not just culture, but also promotes community, education, and an appreciation for the diversity in Kern County. By showcasing different dance forms and pairing them with corresponding cuisines, we hope to enhance understanding and appreciation for the various cultures within our county. Our goal is to cultivate a more inclusive and welcoming community through this diverse celebration. As people learn more about the cultures around them, our community grows stronger and more unified.
TASTE OF DANCE CREATOR + VISIONARY - NOOR EL KEREAMY
Noor is an undergraduate student at Stanford University pursuing Material Science and Engineering. This is her fourth year serving the board after volunteering at numerous events for several years. She is recognized as the Distinguished Young Woman of California and national finalist for the class of 2024 as well as a dancer with the Cardinal Ballet Company. Following 10 years of classical training at Civic Dance Center, Noor has also gone beyond the classical realm, now joining Stanford’s only contemporary-jazz company, Innovative Styles. While training locally, Noor has also had the privilege of attending the American Ballet Theater, School of American Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet summer intensives in New York and Seattle. She has also been awarded with several awards and scholarships for classical and contemporary ballet categories based on performance at the Youth America Grand Prix.
