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LINDA GOSS, STORYTELLER
Born Linda McNear, near the Smoky Mountains in Alcoa, Tennessee, she lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where she is the Official Storyteller of the city. Linda Goss is also the co-founder of The National Association of Black Storytellers, Inc. She is co-author, along with her husband, Clay Goss, of The Baby Leopard book and cassette tape. They are also authors of It's Kwanzaa Time and Jump Up and Say, an anthology of African-American Storytelling. Linda is sure to put fun and excitement into your event as she captures the spirit of diversity in her unique and creative stories.

WOMEN'S SEKERE ENSEMBLE
The Women's Sekere Ensemble is an elegant and energetic group of percussionists and singers dedicated to the preservation of African music. The Ensemble captures the essence of both secular and sacred music from Africa and the African diaspora, including the music of Brazil, Cuba, Haiti, and Puerto Rico, using the inticately beaded gourds called sekeres.

From its base in Philadelphia, the Women's Sekere Ensemble has performed in many different situations, including schools and colleges, museums and libraries, conventions, luncheons, dinners, parades and festivals such as the AfricAmericas Festival and the annual Odunde Festival. In addition to concert presentations, the Ensemble provides residencies, workshops, and individual classes for all ages.

SYNTHESIS - LATIN & WORLDBEAT
Synthesis is a hot group that combines Latin, jazz and rock elements and plays authentic Latin and World Beat music. For over twenty years, Synthesis has performed in Mexico and the United States.Formed in Vera Cruz, Mexico by guitarist, vocalist, percussionist and composer Lazaro Herrera, they have become known for bringing irresistible Latin and Caribbean rhythms to local dance floors! The group's influences include Cuban, Brazilian, Mexican, South and Central American, and Jamaican music. Salsa, cumbia, merengue, bossa nova, samba, rhumba, mambo, cha cha, reggae and calypso, as well as jazz and rock, are all combined into a unique Synthesis of styles.

LOS AMIGOS MARIACHI BAND
Mariachi Los Amigos, founded in 1979, is the Washington DC area's longest existing mariachi ensemble. As its name implies, it was formed by a group of friends who shared a passion for the lively, extraverted sound of the mariachi and for the wide range of music that it plays. The traditional mariachi ensemble emerged in the 1800s in several western states of Mexico, including Jalisco, Nayarit, Colima, and Michoacán, found at weddings, birthdays, saint’s day celebrations, rural dances, and many other social occasions. The rise of recordings, radio, films, and television in the twentieth century took mariachi music to audiences throughout Mexican, Latin America, and beyond.

WAIKIKI HAWAIIAN REVIEW
The Waikiki Hawaiian Review performs hawaiian music as well as a wide range of party music. They serve the Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware areas and beyond!

Their dancers perform authentic polynesian numbers from the islands of Hawaii, Tahiti, Fiji, Samoa, and New Zealand. The Waikiki dancers are availble to perform their show with the live band or for smaller functions, they will also work with pre-recorded music. Audience participation is encouraged and this group is ready to teach your guests the Hula Dance and even how to swing traditional Poi Balls.

JT ORCHESTRAS -
GERMAN OOMPAH BAND
The J. T. Orchestra was started over 40 years ago by Jakob Titz. Since that time they have been providing the best in German-American Music and entertainment for audiences throughout the Tri-State area. They perform in costume with authentic German Lederhosen and Dirndls. They also like to get the audience involved by participating in the Alphorn Contest and by doing the "Schnitzelbank". The Chicken Dance and the Hochzeits Marsch are also current favorites. The J. T. Orchestra takes part each summer in the Penn's Landing "Sommerfest" and also in the Steuben parade held in Philadelphia each year. Whether they are singing, dancing, swaying or just tapping their foot to the beat -- Everyone is happy. The music of the J. T. Orchestra makes you want to dance, whether they are playing the old German Beer-drinking songs, the newest hits out of German today or favorite American standards.

When Spanish native Julia Lopez arrived in the United States, she brought with her what she knew and what she loved - flamenco! Founded in 1986, Flamenco Ole! is the only company in the region dedicated to flamenco. It is known for seeking and exploring new trends and influences in flamenco while celebrating the tradition of classical dance. This exciting ensemble becomes an instant favorite among presenters and audiences wherever they go. Flamenco Ole! has toured extensively up and down the East Coast and Midwest, dazzling audiences of all ages with their creative choreography and diverse programming.

Whether performing in concert, for schools, festivals, cultural organizations or corporate functions, Flamenco Ole! strives to capture the essence of flamenco each time they perform.