Events generally in Northern California
Regretfully, we announce our decision to postpone Statewide this year initially set to take place Memorial Day Weekend, May 22-24, 2020 in Petaluma. This was not an easy decision but ultimately we felt that postponement was the best decision to protect the public amid the COVID-19 outbreak and community recommendations of social distancing.
The good news is that Statewide plans to meet next year, May 21-23, 2021 (one week before Memorial Day weekend), in Petaluma, exactly as planned this year. The hall (Hermann Sons Hall), all instructors (Ahmet Lüleci, Gergana Panova, and Bruce Hamilton), and the band (Chubritza), have all committed to Statewide 2021.
People who have already registered for Statewide 2020 have the option of either (1) rolling over their registration fee to next year or (2) requesting a full refund any time before Statewide 2021. For those choosing to roll over their registration, no action need be taken and no additional fees will be charged should there be a fee increase next year.
All events take place at the Hermann Sons Hall, Petaluma, CA.
All events take place at the Hermann Sons Hall, Petaluma, CA.
She graduated in Dance Pedagogy, Ethnochoreology, Choreography and Direction (Bulgaria), and Kinetography and Communicative Sciences (Germany) and has completed a Doctorate with “Summa cum laude” and awarded the prize “Dissertation 2004” from the Technical University of Dortmund (Germany) in the area of Cultural Philosophy. The title of her thesis is “Dance after Perestroika. The Communication between Eastern and Western Europe through the Bulgarian Folkdances.” Gergana qualified in Ethnochoreology and Communication in 2011 in Sofia.
She performed as a solo dancer and choreographer at the National Ensemble for Folksongs and Folkdances (Philip Koutev) in Sofia from 1988 to 1994, was a Choreographer for different Bulgarian and international Theater Projects, was a Senior Fellow and Associate Professor for Ethnochoreology at the Institute for Art Studies at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences in Sofia, and has lectured at the Technical University of Dortmund, the Humboldt University, Berlin, the University in Zurich, the University of Music, Vienna, and the New Bulgarian University, Sofia.
Starting in 1994, she has conducted over 300 seminars and summer academies in folk dances in Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Holland, Israel, Japan, Norway, Switzerland, and the United States.
She has published numerous articles and has written two books on various aspects of Bulgarian traditional dance. Besides organizing annual summer seminars in Bulgaria, Gergana has taught workshops in many countries: Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Israel, Norway, Netherlands, Belgium, Brazil, Argentina and North America. Read more…
Statewide 2020 will be happening in Petaluma during Memorial Day Weekend. Motel prices will be going through the roof on that weekend so please book your rooms early. Only one hotel has been willing to contract with us (so far)
The Hampton Inn and Suites in Rohnert Park, group price is $195 a night (one bed or two beds) plus tax. It is a high-end hotel with beautiful rooms, and it includes free wi-fi, a fridge, a microwave, a couple of free upgrades to a king suite with a pull-out couch, and a complete hot breakfast (eggs, waffles, fruit, juice, yoghurt, oatmeal, etc.). The breakfast is self-serve in a motel style manner, since the hotel does not have a restaurant. To reserve, call 855-283-5831 or use the button below.
Our second motel is Motel 6 on 6145 Commerce Blvd, Rohnert Park, 94928. For reservations, call 1-800-544-4866 and either mention Statewide 2020, or give the ID code: GP96KST778. Rates will be considerably lower if you’re a senior (60 and over), a AAA member, or an AARP member. WIFI and free coffee included.
Other hotels close to Petaluma that we researched and visited and are still available at reasonable rates (search the Internet for the best rates) if reservations are made soon.
Statewide 2021 will be held in the charming town of Petaluma in Northern California’s Sonoma County. Petaluma, once known as “the egg basket of the world”, continues to have a strong connection to its farming past—more recently, with the planting of vineyards which produce some of the finest wines in the world. Petaluma, and the larger Sonoma County of which it is a part, is just an hour north of San Francisco, and offers visitors so many options to enjoy “the bounty of the County” that you may want to enjoy an extended stay—or plan a time to revisit this beautiful part of the world.
If you saw the movies American Graffiti or Peggy Sue Got Married, then you have seen a bit of Petaluma. And if you are a Hitchcock fan, then a trip to the towns of Bodega and Bodega Bay may suit you fine—come see the birds!—or visit the library in Santa Rosa, where Uncle Charlie left a “shadow of a doubt“.
Sonoma County extends from just west of Napa all the way to the Pacific Ocean. You can visit the ocean and the redwoods easily in one afternoon. Armstrong Redwoods has very accessible trails, and a stroll among these ancient giants can be enjoyed by all ages. Or, if you prefer some retail therapy, coupled with charming restaurants, visit the town of Healdsburg a half-hour north.
Exit Hwy 101 at East Washington St. / Central Petaluma
Turn left at the stop light, continue straight on Washington St. (becomes Bodega Ave) for 1.8 miles to N. Webster St.
Turn left on N. Webster St., continue 0.3 miles to intersection with Western Ave.
HSH is on the corner of Western and N. Webster
Exit Hwy 101 at East Washington St. / Central Petaluma
Turn right at the stop light, continue straight on Washington St. (becomes Bodega Ave) for 1.8 miles to N. Webster St.
Turn left on N. Webster St., continue 0.3 miles to intersection with Western Ave.
HSH is on the corner of Western and N. Webster
Exit Hwy 101 at exit 427A – Petaluma Blvd. South
Turn right at first stop light, then immediately left at the second stop light
Continue straight on Petaluma Blvd S. for 2.1 miles to Western Ave
Turn left on Western Ave and continue for 0.6 miles
HSH is on the corner of Western and N. Webster
Exit Hwy 101 at exit 476 – Petaluma Blvd. North / Penngrove
Turn right at stop light, continue straight on Petaluma Blvd N. for 3.0 miles to Washington St.
Turn right onto Washington St.
Continue straight on Washington St (becomes Bodega Ave) for 0.7 mi to N. Webster St.
Turn left on N. Webster St. and continue 0.3 miles to intersection with Western Ave.
HSH is on the corner of Western and N Webster
Registration has been suspended and will resume later in preparation for Statewide 2021 scheduled on May 21-23, 2021
Lodging should be purchased separately. Recommended group pricing available at Hampton Inn and Suites, Rohnert Park.
Children under 13 are admitted free with a paying adult. Young adults aged 13-21 will receive a 50% discount, but may be required to volunteer from 1-2 hours during the festival. Work scholarships available. For details contact Marina Troost.
Print and complete registration form and send with your check (made payable to Folk Dance Federation) to:
Statewide Registrar
Sabine Zappe
153 Race Street
San Jose, CA 95126.
Federation members can add or update their upcoming dance events to the calendar by sending event details to events@folkdance.com