"Klumpe" is a vibrant Lithuanian Folk Dance group located in Northern Illinois with participants from both northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. Klumpe was established in 1980 by Giedre and Stasys Milasius. They led the ensemble having many successful performances until 1997 when they had to leave the midwest to move to San Diego, California. (They subsequently established a local Lithuanian dance group "Jura" in San Diego.)

Their absence was quickly filled. It was fortuitous that in 1997 Ingrida Spokas came from Lithuania to live in the United States. Upon her arrival, she started to direct Klumpe and continues to do so. Ingrida herself is an experienced dancer. In Lithuania, she had performed for the well known dance group Panevezys ensemble "Linelis".

Since its inception, Klumpe has participated annually at the International Institute of Wisconsin sponsored Holiday Folk Fair. The fair includes dance performances, cultural exhibits and a market place. Klumpe participates in all these venues. In addition to performing dances, Klumpe takes advantage of the marketplace to display and sell Lithuanian folk art and crafts. The Klumpe cultural exhibit won multiple awards at the Holiday Folk awards including 1998, 1999, 2002, 2003 and 2005. One of the most significant events for Klumpe occurred in 1987 when Klumpe was showcased as the honored folk group of the Fair.

Klumpe participated in the VI through XII Lithuanian Folk Dance Festivals in North America. Klumpe also participated in the Song and Dance Festivals in Lithuania in 1994, 1998 and 2003. In addition to local Chicago performances through the year, the group has performed more recently in Los Angeles and Minneapolis.

In the fall of 2005, Klumpe celebrated it's 25th year anniversary. It was a wonderfull event. All previous dancers were invited to dance the final dance of the program and pose for a group picture. The event was held at the European Crystal Banquet Hall in Arlington Heights, Illinois.

Connecting on a personal level.