Camp Nirkoda Ba'Kerem 2024
2024-09-12 - 2024-09-15 | DoubleTree Sacramento, 2001 Point W Way, Sacramento, 95815, United States
Set in the relaxed landscape of California wine country, Nirkoda Ba’Kerem is all about community. Come join your friends — some you’ve known for years, and some you’ve yet to meet — for a fun-filled weekend of nonstop Israeli dancing. Don’t miss it!
Staff
Yaron Carmel is back! At NBK 2022, we saw firsthand why he is one of the best-regarded teachers in the Israeli folk dance world! He started dancing at the age of 8, and hasn’t stopped since then. He performed with Dado Kraus’s troupe and danced at sessions led by Meir Shem-Tov, Shuki Terem, and Beber Shushan. Just after completing his military service, he opened his first harkada in 1995 in Karmiel, followed by Mayaan Tzvi and Misgav. Today, he runs five weekly sessions, marthons, special events, and an annual trip to Masada, as well as having been a guest teacher at camps all over the world for more than 20 years!
Ilai Szpiezak is an award-winning producer, choreographer, master of ceremonies, and educator who has performed for audiences all over the world. Half Argentinian, half Israeli, he has been living in London since 2011. In 2020, during the pandemic founded HARKALIVE: the first-ever online Israeli Dance platform, developing a new form of folk dance education. As a choreographer, he has created more than 70 dances as well as numerous stage choreographies and won several awards including 1st place in the Karmiel Festival 2019 for Bereshit. Other dances include Yom Hashishi, Ein Mehushar Mimeni, Fata Morgana, Batuach, Even Al Even, Morocco, and more. His high energy, precise teaching, and friendly smile will keep you dancing all night long!
Her Excellency, Latishya Steele, PhD, returns as our Mistress of the Computer, our Granter of Requests, our Voice Upon the Microphone — in other words, our incomparable DJ and assistant director. She will keep you on your feet all night long — and well into the morning! Latishya started her dancing career in Boston and Chicago, and she is now one of the leaders of the Nirkoda Le’Chayim session in Northern California, where she showcases her incredibly deep repertoire and talent for keeping the party going.
Aaron Alpert is your camp director and host for the weekend. His main job is to ensure that you’re having an awesome time! A second-generation dancer, he was dancing before he could walk. He started teaching in 2007 at the UC Berkeley DeCal class, and then started branching out to the other Bay Area dance events. Today, he runs Nirkoda Le’Chayim with Latishya every Thursday in Palo Alto. Let him know if there’s anything that can make your camp experience better.
Dance Hall
We will dance in the California Ballroom, a modern space with air conditioning and heating, good acoustics, and even a small patio. More importantly, we will dance on a professional wood floor, complete with sprung features to make it easy on the knees.
Food
Lunch and dinner will be catered by the DoubleTree, allowing dancers a choice of gourmet dishes. They can accommodate most dietary needs, but please contact us if you have questions or require a highly specialized diet. Note that breakfast is on-your-own, (i.e., it is not included). However, the hotel has a full restaurant, Twigs, and a coffee bar with items to-go, as well as being very near the Arden West Mall and several other eateries.
Accommodations and Parking
DoubleTree by Hilton, Sacramento is a completely remodeled hotel, with renovations completed in January 2024. The well-appointed, modern rooms feature one king or two queen beds with elegant decor highlighting art from California’s capital city. Each room has a mini fridge, TV, balcony, free in-room WiFi, USB and regular power outlets, toiletries, linens. There is a bright and clean bathroom for each room as well.
Details and Registration
Contact registration@nirkoda.com for answers to any questions.
