A colorful explosion of vibrant colors on beautifully embroidered costumes twirling in a fury of fast-moving dance steps along with boot slapping rhythms, enchanting melodies, and intricate harmonies are sure to enthrall and captivate the audience at the Cleveland Hungarian Scout Folk Ensemble’s 50th Golden Anniversary gala performance. The Ensemble will showcase 50 years of study of Hungarian dance and folk traditions on Saturday, November 18, 2023, at 7 p.m. at the Lakewood Civic Auditorium, 14100 Franklin Blvd. in Lakewood, Ohio.

A celebration that occurs only once every five years, the more than two-hour program will feature the Ensemble performing to live music by the combined members of Kalman Magyar’s band Gyanta from Toronto and Cleveland’s own Harmonia with Walter Mahovlich. Additionally, past and future members will join the current Ensemble in some of the dances.

This spectacular evening of song, dance, and music from the Hungarian homeland will be a testament not only to the richness of the Hungarian culture but also to the Hungarian youth of Cleveland who are preserving the customs and traditions of their ancestors.

The Ensemble, a group within the Hungarian scout troops of Cleveland, was organized in 1973 by Andrew and Mary Temesvary to study and teach Hungarian culture to its youth. The aim of the group is to preserve dying folk arts of the Hungarians living in the Carpathian basin, to search out the arts, make them their own, and present them to their viewing audiences. Folk dance, folk music, folk songs, folk costumes, folk art forms, ballads, instruments, and customs are areas explored in depth.

The scout troops are the sole source of membership for the Hungarian Scout Folk Ensemble co-directed by Hanna Szentkiralyi and Laszlo Tihanyi. All members must be at least 14 years old, be capable of reading, writing, and speaking fluent Hungarian and be active in their own troop’s activities. Disciplined hard work is the main entrée of the group. The Ensemble dances, makes their own costumes, sings as a choir, hand-paints eggs for Easter, and celebrates other holidays with traditional Hungarian customs. Research, woodcarving, painting, and many dance performances during the year round out highly active and rewarding experiences for each member.

The Ensemble has performed in many places including Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ontario, Quebec, Washington, D.C., Hungary, and Transylvania, as well as appearing locally at Cleveland State University, Kent State University, Canton Civic Center, Akron’s E. J. Thomas Hall, Cleveland’s Palace Theater, Blossom Music Center, and the Cleveland Museum of Art. Audiences have included many dignitaries, such as mayors, governors, ambassadors, President Ronald Reagan, and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. During the summers of 2001, 2011, 2016, and 2023 the Ensemble toured northern Hungary and Hungarian minority areas of Transylvania, the Ukraine, Slovakia, Serbia, and Moldova to perform ethnographic research and for the members to see folk culture firsthand in the villages.

Tickets for the 50th Golden Anniversary gala performance are $35 for adults and $20 for those under 18. Tickets may be purchased online at www.clevelandregos.org/en/. For event information call 440-331-0391. The performance is supported by generous grants from the Cleveland Hungarian Development Panel and the Gábor Bethlen Foundation of Hungary.