The Serbian group Talija, which was very popular at the 2009 Folkmoot Festival, will perform at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 24, in the Haywood Community College auditorium.

Proceeds from the show will benefit the 2011 Folkmoot Festival Children’s Free Programs during Folkmoot USA, the state’s official international festival.

Serbian group Talija were the headliner group for the 2009 Folkmoot Festival, eliciting standing ovations everywhere they appeared. Their energetic leaps and gymnastic-like moves coupled with precise footwork and authentic costumes rival any of the Folkmoot groups throughout its 27-year history.

Talija members live in Serbia and form an organization of about 200 professional dancers and musicians who travel the world sharing their culture.

Talija performs dances that represent the heart of Serbia. Original Serbian folk dances are described as delicate and beautiful, other dances are a blend of spiritual culture and traditional stylized dances. The regional folk dances of Serbia are highly influenced by other cultures such as Bulgarian folklore in the valley of the Nisava River on the Old Mountain hillside.

The authentic national clothing was acquired from people in different parts of the country or was made by artisans to resemble cultural dress. The costumes represent the district from which the dances originate. Shepherd’s clothes made of sheep’s wool are the costumes used for The Shepherd Dances, along with walking sticks.

Asheville’s Filipino-American community dancers will open for Talija in their first Folkmoot performance.

The Filipino-American Community of Western North Carolina is a social organization bound together by a common interest in Filipino culture. Founded in Asheville more than 16 years ago, FAC-WNC has become the premier Filipino cultural dance troupe in the Carolinas. Made up of volunteers, this group, who practices almost seven months out of the year, dances to preserve and pass on the rich cultural history of the Philippines.

Topping off the evening of Folkmoot dance is an opportunity to meet the performers following the event.

$20 adult; $5 student; children 12 and under free.

www.FolkmootUSA.org or 877.365.5872.