Celebration of Nations Featured Performances

The Good Bellows

The Good Bellows “combine the misfit instruments of the musical world...accordion, banjo, tuba, and clarinet. Throw in just enough saxophone, trumpet, percussion, Irish whistle, guitar, kazoo, recorder, drums, and vocals to play your favorite polkas and waltzes. They mix in a healthy dose of pop, standards, jazz, and country for everyone's sanity” (Home - Good Bellows Polka Band, 2024).
Reference: Home - Good Bellows Polka Band. (2024, July 29). Good Bellows Polka Band. https://goodbellows.com/

African Nashville Yeli Ensemble

African Nashville Yeli Ensemble: “Promoting cross cultural relationships between celebrated African and American artists and providing hands-on artistic and educational exchanges from their respective cultures through music and dance. We aspire to train the upcoming generation of dancers & drummers within the Nashville community and help African music find its rightful place in Music City” (African Nashville, n.d.).
Reference: African Nashville. African Nashville (n.d.) https://www.africanashville.com/

Pegah Kadivar

Tarakemeh woman's solo (Azerbaijani) dance of tribespeople. Those who are dancing extend their arms and may go back and forth in different directions with their heads up. This dance is filled with the feelings of freedom and expansiveness. Both men and women perform it. Women's movements are feminine and gender specific.

Music City TRAD

Music City TRAD is a “group comprised of excellent musicians in middle Tennessee, this talented band brings together a diverse range of musical styles and expertise to cater to various occasions. With a commitment to delivering high-quality performances, this band is available for all sorts of events, ensuring that each occasion is infused with rhythm and joy” (Home - Middle Tennessee Irish Music and Dance, 2024).
Reference: Home - Middle Tennessee Irish Music and Dance. (2024, July 29). Middle Tennessee Irish Music and Dance. https://middletnirish.org/

Mel'Keta Raghba

Enjoy the grace and timelessness of Egyptian style Raqs Sharqi through performances by International Performing Artist and Instructor, Mel'Keta Raghba and the Nashville Raqs Sharqi Troupe. A celebration of life and expression enveloped in palpable passion that resonates through every intricate move. Evoking deep human emotion with the power to transcend cultural boundaries speaking the universal language of passion, connection and beauty.  From the modal intricacies of classics like Umm Kalthoum to the modern poise of Mohammad Nour.

Lilios Folklorico

Enter a world of vibrant colors and lively rhythms from the Lilios Folklorico. Where the beauty of our roots is expressed with passion.

Sister Cities Celebration of Nations 2025

Video credit City of Franklin. Thank you Matt Brown for being the Master of Ceremonies for the Celebration of Nations.