Dolly Helps Celebrate Dollywood Opening, Gives Wildwood Grove Update

Posted by: Candice Fitzgibbons in Attractions, Entertainment March 16, 2019 Comments Off on Dolly Helps Celebrate Dollywood Opening, Gives Wildwood Grove Update

Dolly Parton surprised season passholders attending a special preview Friday for the opening of Dollywood’s 34th season, which promises to be the biggest year in park history with the Wildwood Grove expansion.

Season passholders were the first to experience performances of this year’s Festival of Nations acts. Gathered in Dolly Parton’s Celebrity Theater, the show began with a routine by Lizt Alfonso Dance Cuba, a fusion dance and music company that mixes Hispanic and Caribbean cultures into each performance. Considered to include some of the best performers from Cuba, the group has been together for more than 25 years and has entertained on five continents.

Dollywood’s Festival of Nations, running now through April 14, allows guests to travel the world without leaving the Smokies. Cultures from around the globe come together in this festive event, which offers the excitement of traditional music, dance, food and art from a wide array of countries.

Dollywood’s 2019 Festival of Nations lineup also includes the following shows and acts:

· Invaders Steel Orchestra – One of the world’s oldest and most respected steel drum bands, Invaders Steel Orchestra celebrates more than 75 years of creating festive music for audiences around the world. This guest-favorite group returns to Dollywood to bring the tropical sounds of the Caribbean to the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. While the songs they play are familiar, the unique sounds of Invaders Steel Orchestra’s drums will transport guests to a sandy beach far away. Location: The Valley Theater (Performing March 20-April 14)

· Atahualpa – Hailing from Ecuador, Atahualpa combines native Incan instruments with contemporary backups to celebrate the history and culture of the Andes Mountains. Atahualpa’s mix of songs includes contemporary music, South American dance rhythms, and the traditional music of the Andes. Through their sharing of music, culture and heritage, Atahualpa hopes to promote brotherhood, friendship and peace to all the people of the world. Location: Showstreet Gazebo

· De Temps Antan – Traveling from Quebec, Canada, De Temps Antan explores and performs the time-honored melodies from Quebec’s musical past. This talented trio combines contemporary music, uncontrolled laughter, deep-routed couplets and sudden, impromptu shifts for memorable songs that speak to the familiar rhythms of yesteryear. Location: Back Porch Theater (Performing March 16- 24)

· Les Grands Hurleurs – Les Grands Hurleurs of Quebec, Canada has pushed boundaries and incorporate a variety of musical influences for their own special sound. Paying respect to their traditional roots while creating original music, this trio flirts with classical, Manouche, electronica and folk music for shows that bring audiences alive. Prepare to experience a musical journey with groovy, energetic and swing styles. Location: Back Porch Theater (Performing March 27- April 14)

· GoGaucho Duo – GoGaucho Duo is an exciting, fast-paced show which blends the traditional folk dancing of Argentina with the thrill of modern showmanship. This duo wows audiences with unique and entertaining dances, music and the mesmerizing skills of champion boleadoras dancers. Location: The Valley Theater (Performing March 16-18)

To the crowd’s surprise, Dolly then walked on stage accompanied by Chef Pepin, a well-known celebrity chef from Cuba. She welcomed guests and introduced Drumstruck, who performed a heart pounding drum routine. The group will be appearing in the Showstreet Theater with a show billed as the first interactive drum-theater experience. As guests enter, they will find drums placed in each seat throughout the venue. Members of the audience use these drums to become part of the performance. This high-energy production weaves South African music and culture with West African rhythms.

“As we become more and more disconnected as people, it is more important than ever that we continue to reach out and to remind ourselves that music is truly an international language,” Dolly said. “It brings people closer together.”

Chef Pepin will be hosting several cooking demonstrations during the opening weekend of the festival, while additional chefs share their secrets each subsequent weekend during Festival of Nations. Cooking demonstrations currently are scheduled to take place each Saturday and Sunday at noon and 2 p.m. in Dollywood’s Market Square area.

Dolly is busier than ever and spoke of her recent endeavors, including projects on Netflix such as the movie “Dumplin'” starring Jennifer Aniston, eight Dolly songs made into movies, and a Christmas musical in the works.

Dolly was recently named 2019 MusiCares^® Person of the Year for her involvement in the Imagination Library and Smoky Mountain Rise, which benefited the My People Fund to aid victims of the 2016 wildfires in Sevier County.

World Choice Investments, the operating partner of Dolly Parton’s dinner theaters, purchased Comedy Barn Theater, the Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud Theater, and The Smoky Mountain Opry Theater from Fee/Hedrick Family Entertainment Group earlier this year. The company is also opening Pirates Voyage in Pigeon Forge adjacent to The Island this summer.

An update was given about Dollywood’s new Wildwood Grove, opening in May 2019. The $37 million expansion is the largest in Dollywood history. Guests will enter Wildwood Grove near the existing Mystery Mine ride.

Media were given a behind the scenes tour of Wildwood Grove. Despite the mud from the recent rain, heavy equipment regularly rumbled through and crews were busy as construction and landscaping progressed across the entire expansion area. Buildings and rides were taking shape.