DOWNLOAD, print, and share this flier!

“Gateway to the Sierras” is a weekend of folk dance workshops and parties with master instructors Steve Kotansky and Bruce Hamilton and parties with live dance music by Chubritza. Steve Kotansky will teach Balkan line dances and Bruce Hamilton will teach English Country Dances. Special events include Saturday Balkan party with an exhibition of Croatian dances and singing by Skalinada.

Schedule and Syllabus

All events take place at the Masonic Temple, 1123 J Street, Sacramento, CA.

FRIDAY 5/18:
6:30 pm	Doors open
7:00 pm	Warm up dances
7:30 pm	Chubritza starts. Teachers will be introduced during the evening
10:30 pm	Doors close
SATURDAY 5/19:
9:00 am	Doors open
9:15 am	Warm up
9:45 am	Steve Kotansky
11:15 am	Bruce Hamilton
12:25 pm	Lunch, on your own. Google Restaurant Guide | Downtown Restaurant List c/o Barbara Bevan
2:00 pm	Bruce Hamilton
3:30 pm	Steve Kotansky
5:00 pm	Past President’s Reception
6:00 pm	Balkan Dinner, catered meal with an emphasis on Russian cuisine. Purchase in advance separately.
7:15 pm	Balkan Party with Chubritza and other special events. Following the Balkan Dinner will be an exhibition of Croatian dances and singing by Skalinada. Chubritza will then start the dance program. Several of the dances introduced by our guest teachers will be done during the evening. Be sure to wear something Balkan for the program. It will be a party to remember!
10:30 pm	Doors close
SUNDAY 5/20:
9:30 am	Doors open and warm up
10:00 am – 12:20 pm	Teacher reviews with Steve Kotansky and Bruce Hamilton
12:20 pm	Mexican Luncheon. Purchase in advance separately.
2:00 – 5:00 pm	All Request Program

Instructors and Band

Steve Kotansky – Balkan Line Dances

Steve has taught folk dance in Western Europe and organized workshops in Hungary, Macedonia, and Serbia. In the late 1970s, Steve returned to Hungary and studied with dance master, Timár Sándor, among others. Steve has taught at every major North American festival and camp, often with his wife, Susy. Their work continues to be an expression of their love and passion for dance, finding time to teach dance to children K-12 in New York City area public and private schools. Steve also serves as a consultant to several Hungarian folk ensembles. Most recently, Steve has been researching Albanian and Roma dance from the Diaspora and continues his work and research in Balkan and Central European countries. He is particularly interested in dance culture as it has evolved since the “fall of the Wall” in these countries. More details…
 

Bruce Hamilton – English Country Dances​

Bruce has taught English and Scottish country dancing in the Bay Area for many years. He has become one of the country’s most popular English dance leaders, with invitations to many festivals and summer dance camps each year. In the spring of 1993, Bruce was featured dance leader with the band Bare Necessities on a sell-out dance tour of England. He has served on the board of directors of the Country Dance and Song Society since the 1990s and is the current president of the organization.
More details…
 

Chubritza – Traditional Balkan and International Folk Music

Chubritza is well known throughout California as they have been featured in several dance camps as well as past Statewide Festivals. They are known for their variety and mixture of international musical tastes and textures, while retaining a Balkan and Eastern European emphasis. Chubritza is Janet Finney-Krull, Meadow Lo, Jim Case, Linnea Mandell, Rick Kruse, and Craig Kurumada.
More details…
 

Venue and Hotel

Sacramento Masonic Temple

This site will be 100 years old in 2018. It has a large beautiful ballroom dance floor with a dining room next to it where you can meet and greet old friends. This historic building is in a great location in the heart of downtown Sacramento with shopping and restaurants nearby. More details…
 
 
 
 

Headquarters

Best Western Sutter House, 1100 H Street, Sacramento. Special room rates will be available starting in March. Contact the motel at (916) 441-1314. The final day reservation can be made with the special rate will be April. 18, 2018. Be sure to tell them it’s for the Statewide Dance Festival. All rooms have two queen beds. It has a very good morning breakfast. You will have free parking. It is an easy walk from the motel to the Masonic Temple (two blocks). A good plan to save some money would be to share a room and walk to the dance site. More details…
 

Parking and Street Closures

Although 2018 Statewide event will be several blocks away, the City of Sacramento encourages motorists to plan ahead for this year’s AMGEN Tour of California bicycle race on Saturday, May 19, which features the world’s most elite bicycle racing teams. Also, there are multiple events scheduled downtown for May 19. To help residents and event attendees plan ahead, please read below:

Road closures are Friday, May 18 Afternoon through Saturday, May 19 11:59 p.m.:

• L Street from 9th to 19h streets
• Capitol Mall from 3rd to 10th
• N Street from 7th to 15th
• Q Street from 14th to 19th Street
• 18th Street from L to Q
• 10th Street from J to P streets
• 11th street from N to P streets (on-street parking restricted)
• 12th Street from N to O Streets (on-street parking restricted
• 15th street from J to R

Link and MAP of street closures.

The city of Sacramento suggests for city events to RESERVE A SPACE AT ONE OF THE NEARBY CITY PARKING GARAGES. You can only reserve space for the city-listed events and you would have to get an additional ticket for extra time beyond the reservation. Contact the city at 916-264-5011.

There is a high rise parking garage at 10th and I Street behind the Masonic Temple. There other parking facilities in the area. Parking on the streets is expensive. Note: The streets in downtown Sacramento are named with letters A-Z (west to east) and with numbers 1-65 (north to south).

Meals

Meals are purchased separately from the program in advance with registration.

Saturday Balkan Dinner

The Saturday Balkan Dinner will be catered by the “Citrus Plaza Catering Service”. Menu: Greek Salad (v); Olive appetizer; Provencial Cabbage Salad (v); Eggplant Rolls (v); Puff Pastry Triangles; Special Ukrainian Plate; Koreyskava Morkava (v); Cabbage Rolls (v); Chicken Kabobs; Mashed Potatoes and Gravy (v); Rice Pilaf with Beef; German Bread; and to top it all off, Russian Napolean Cake. (“v” indicates vegetarian dishes).

Sunday Mexican Lunch

The Sunday Mexican Lunch will be catered by “Martha’s Taqueria” Menu: You will be able to make your tacos with Carnitas, tinga (shredded chicken), Fritos and rice and finally chips with two different salsas.

Registration

Register before Friday May 11, 2018 to obtain the special all event package pricing of $100, otherwise pay $110 at the door. Lodging should be purchased separately. Recommended group pricing available at Best Western Sutter House, (916) 441-1314.

Young adults under the age of 23 may register for any or all events at 1/2 price (excludes meals). Contact Barbara Bevan or call (916) 923-1555 for details.

Mail-In Registration

Mail-in registration has ended.

Online Registration

Register and pay online at http://statewide2018.bpt.me. Badges will be available by will-call.
 

Register Online