Folk Dance Federation of California

Statewide 2018
2018-05-18 - 2018-05-20 | Sacramento Masonic Temple, 1123 J Street, Sacramento, CA, 95814, United States
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“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.
Statewide 2018 Program
Statewide 2018 Syllabus

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
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
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
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
Masonic Temple
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…

Best Western Sutter House
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
Parking and Street Closure Notices 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.
Print and Mail Registration Form
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

Dance Party with Staro Vino
2018-06-01 20:00 - 23:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | All Saints’ Episcopal, 555 Waverley St., Palo Alto, CA, 94301, United States
Live Balkan music dance party with Staro Vino! Come dance to the music of Bulgaria, Greece, and Macedonia. Only the finest vintages! They play dance tunes and table songs from Bulgaria, Macedonia, Serbia, and Bosnia.
Staro Vino is Andrew Cohen (accordion), Joey Friedman (saxophone), Greg Masaki Jenkins (clarinet, tsouras, and vocals), and Mark Jenkins (percussion and vocals). They play dance tunes from Bulgaria, Greece, Macedonia, and Serbia.
Bring some light refreshments and non-alcoholic beverages to help make it a party, and tips for the band.

Balkan Chili Trio
2018-06-02 19:00 - 23:00 | All Saints’ Episcopal, 555 Waverley St., Palo Alto, CA, 94301, United States
Balkan Chili Trio, a ethnic band from Varna, Bulgaria, performs live music for dancing.
6:45pm Doors open
7:00-8:00pm Balkan workshop with Lon Radin and Lucy Chang. Request dancing.
8:00-11:00pm Balkan Chili Trio, tips greatly appreciated!
Punch, coffee, and tea provided. Bring snacks to share. Send dance requests to Lucy Chang. We are looking forward to seeing and dancing with you at this special workshop and live music event!
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Balkan Chili Trio
Balkan Chili Trio
The Balkan Chili Trio plays authentic Bulgarian dance music from all regions of Bulgaria. The goal of the musicians is to preserve and recreate the authentic sound of Bulgarian national music, as it was played in working-bees, and round dances in town squares and celebrations. Performances include vocals, Jura & Kaba gaidas (bagpipes), keyboards, tupan (drum), and accordion. Members of the band have graduated from prestigious Bulgarian music and dance institutes and are multi-instrumentalists. They perform extensively in Bulgaria and worldwide for weddings or other celebrations while maintaining busy teaching careers in their home town, abroad, and thru the internet. Read more…

Balkan Chili Trio playing Elenino Horo for dancers

Balkan Chili Live!
2018-06-08 20:00 - 22:30 | Strawberry Recreation Center, 118 E. Strawberry Drive, Mill Valley, CA, 94941, United States
Direct from Varna, Bulgaria, Balkan Chili Trio plays authentic dance music from all regions of Bulgaria. Spacious sprung wood floor. Lots of free parking.
DOWNLOAD, print, and share an event flier.
Balkan Chili Trio
Balkan Chili Trio
The Balkan Chili Trio plays authentic Bulgarian dance music from all regions of Bulgaria. The goal of the musicians is to preserve and recreate the authentic sound of Bulgarian national music, as it was played in working-bees, and round dances in town squares and celebrations. Performances include vocals, Jura & Kaba gaidas (bagpipes), keyboards, tupan (drum), and accordion. Members of the band have graduated from prestigious Bulgarian music and dance institutes and are multi-instrumentalists. They perform extensively in Bulgaria and worldwide for weddings or other celebrations while maintaining busy teaching careers in their home town, abroad, and thru the internet.

Balkan Chili Trio playing Elenino Horo for dancers

Klezmer Dance Party
2018-08-03 19:30 - 22:00 | Bethany Lutheran Church, 1095 Cloud Avenue, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, United States
Klezmer and classic Israeli dance party with live music provided by Majorly Minor. Donna Frankel will help lead dances.
Bring some light refreshments and non-alcoholic beverages to help make it a party, and tips for the band.
Photos from a recent Klezmer and Israeli dance party.

Majorly Minor

Majorly Minor plays Klezmer, Eastern European, and Israeli tunes for dancing. Members include Stella Bonilla (violin), Ginny Snyder (bass), Larry Light (clarinet), and Naomi Zamir (accordion).

Kick-Off Party with Chubritza
2018-09-15 19:00 - 23:00 | All Saints’ Episcopal, 555 Waverley St., Palo Alto, CA, 94301, United States
Opening dance party with Chubritza in celebration of Chang’s Folk Dancers 80th anniversary. Live music dance party preceded by short dance workshop by Marina Troost (Divcibarsko, Serbia) and Clem Dickey (Amelias, England- style). Refreshments provided!
Bring tips for the band!
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6:45 pm
Doors open

7:00 pm
Workshop with the Moveable Feet Team

8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Dancing to music played by Chubritza

Chubritza
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…

Chang's 80th Birthday Celebration
2018-09-16 13:00 - 19:00 | City College of San Francisco, Wellness Center, 50 Frida Kahlo Way, San Francisco, CA, 94112, United States
Celebrate 80 Years of Dance in San Francisco
with Changs International Folk Dancers
Featuring

Live international dance music by Chubritza and Da! Mozhem
Live Scottish dance music by Stringfire!
Refreshments
Fun and friends

Bring a snack to share
Admission
$10-20 suggested donation. Children and students free!
Parking
Campus parking $3.
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Greek Glendi (Party) with Hohlax Trio
2018-09-17 19:00 - 21:30 | Joe Goode Annex, 401 Alabama at 17th Street, San Francisco, CA, 94110, United States
GreekFeet was pleased to have Hohlax play for us on their first West coast tour in 2009 and we are even more delighted to have the Holax Trio play for us again for their upcoming 2018 California tour. That’s right, come and checkout Hohlax for an amazing night of Greek music and dancing.
7:00 pm – Potluck, bring a dish to share
7:30 pm – Music and Dancing Begins
Join the Hohlax Trio on a musical journey to Greece, from the backstreets of Pireus to the magical islands of the Aegean. With Jaime Smith on violin, Orestis Koletsos on bouzouki and vocals, and visiting guest from Greece Giannis on vocals and guitar. The trio plays a unique blend of traditional Greek music and contemporary urban riffs.
Note: Ring the bell at the gate to enter
Hohlax Trio
Jaime Smith grew up in Sacramento, studied violin at the New England Conservatory of Music and studied and performed in Greece for more than a decade. Orestis Koletsos, born in Paris and raised in Athens, began playing bouzouki at the age of 15 and has been performing, recording, and writing songs for more than a decade. Joining Jaime and Orestis is Giannis on guitar and vocals. Giannis was born in the village of Kiriaki, Boeotia, in central Greece. His earliest exposure to folk music came from his father, who was a folk singer. This influence, and the constant contact of the local folk bands led Giannis to a career of singing folk, traditional and rembetiko songs.

Bulgarika - Bulgarian Folk Dance Party
2018-10-19 20:00 - 22:30 | Strawberry Recreation Center, 118 E. Strawberry Drive, Mill Valley, CA, 94941, United States
Join us for BULGARIKA’s first stop in the Bay Area on their national tour! Come dance to the haunting melodies and fiery dance tempos of four master musicians, all steeped in Bulgarian music and rhythms from a young age.
Admission: $15. Students half-price, kids free with adult.
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Bulgarika
Bulgarika presents traditional Bulgarian songs and tunes. The band is led by husband and wife team, Nikolay (gadulka, a fiddle) and Donka Kolev (vocalist), award-winning performers from Folk Music Conservatories in Bulgaria. They are joined by Stoyan Kostov (tambura and vocals) and Michael Ginsburg (tapan).
Nikolay Kolev
Nikolay Kolev (gadulka)
Nikolay Kolev is a native of the Thracian Rose Valley village of Karavelovo, has been playing gadulka since age 10. After graduating from the National School of Folk Arts in Shiroka Luka, Bulgaria, he performed for three years with the Sliven Folk Dance and Music Ensemble. In 1984 he founded the orchestra “Sopot”. In 1985 he formed the wedding-music ensemble “Rozova Dolina” and in 1992 the prize-winning ensemble “Balkanski Glasove”. In 1994 and 1995 the latter group took first prizes at the Varna Festival. Nikolay has accompanied many well-known singers including Vulkana Stojanova, Roumen Rodopski and Todor Kozhuharov. He has also taught many students at a number of Balkan camps in the U.S. In 1999, Nikolay was the first Bulgarian to be recognized by the Slavic Heritage Council of America for his outstanding contributions to music.
Donka Koleva
Donka Koleva (vocals)
Donka Koleva is a native of the village of Tuzha in the Stara Zagora region of Thrace. She graduated from the National School of Folk Arts in Shiroka Luka, Bulgaria, and performed for three years with the Sliven Folk Dance and Music Ensemble. She was director of the Folk Song Chorus of Sopot, has been a featured soloist on Bulgarian Radio-TV, has participated in numerous singing competitions in Bulgaria and Europe and has been featured on numerous recordings. In 1997 her recording of Javore was named “Song of the Year” in the Bulgarian national radio competition. Since immigrating to the U.S. she has taught and performed widely across N. America, both privately and at numerous camps, festivals and other events. In addition to her vocal talents Donka serves as Bulgarika’s manager and has organized 12 national tours for the bands Kabile’, Cherven Traktor, Bulgarika and the Kolev Family Ensemble.
Stoyan Kostov
Stoyan Kostov (vocals, tambura)
Stoyan Kostov has been playing the Bulgarian tambura for over 40 years. He graduated from the National Music School “Filip Koutev” and the Bulgarian National Conservatory. Stoyan performed with Ensemble Trakiya and played tambura with Harmanliska Troika, and guitar with the Ograzhden ensemble in Sandanski, where he also directed the “N. Vaptsarov” Folk Ensemble. Stoyan lives in Pittsburgh PA.

Michael Ginsburg
Michael Ginsburg (tapan)
Michael Ginsburg began teaching Balkan folk-dance in 1964 in New York City and now teaches a weekly dance class there. He plays tapan with Cherven Traktor, a band that plays Bulgarian folk music on traditional instruments. He also plays trumpet with Kavala Brass Band, a band specializing in the Brass music of Aegean Macedonia. He is a founding member and lead trumpeter of Zlatne Uste Balkan Brass Band, formed in 1983. In 1987 they were the first foreign band to appear at the world-famous Brass Band festival in Guca, Serbia. Michael additionally serves as the head of the Program Committee of the Golden Festival in Brooklyn, New York, an annual event attracting thousands of participants and featuring dozens of musical groups.

Bulgarian Workshop with Michael Ginsburg and Party with Bulgarika
2018-10-28 13:00 - 19:00 | First Baptist Event Hall, 305 N. California Avenue, Palo Alto, CA, 94301-4105, United States
Enjoy a Bulgarian folk dance workshop with master instructor Michael Ginsburg then stay to dance to traditional Bulgarian dance music played by Bulgarika!
Schedule

1:00 pm
Doors open

1:30-3:30 pm
Bulgarian Folk Dance Workshop with Michael Ginsburg, $12

3:30-4:00 pm
Social time with refreshments and dancing to recorded music.

4:00-7:00 pm
Dance party with music by Bulgarika, $18

Both sessions: $25
For the workshop, as time permits, Michael will teach from the following dances:

Shira Horo
Trite Pate from Kermen
Proletno Horo from Malo Konare
Kako Kostadino
Shirto
Ovcepolso Potrculka
Vlach Tsamiko
Ramono Veleshko

If you have a request from his prior CDs, let Lucy know.
Snack donations always appreciated. Refreshments provided.
DOWNLOAD, print, and share a flier.
Bulgarika
Bulgarika presents traditional Bulgarian songs and tunes. The band is led by husband and wife team, Nikolay (gadulka, a fiddle) and Donka Kolev (vocalist), award-winning performers from Folk Music Conservatories in Bulgaria. They are joined by Stoyan Kostov (tambura and vocals) and Michael Ginsburg (tapan).
Nikolay Kolev
Nikolay Kolev (gadulka)
Nikolay Kolev is a native of the Thracian Rose Valley village of Karavelovo, has been playing gadulka since age 10. After graduating from the National School of Folk Arts in Shiroka Luka, Bulgaria, he performed for three years with the Sliven Folk Dance and Music Ensemble. In 1984 he founded the orchestra “Sopot”. In 1985 he formed the wedding-music ensemble “Rozova Dolina” and in 1992 the prize-winning ensemble “Balkanski Glasove”. In 1994 and 1995 the latter group took first prizes at the Varna Festival. Nikolay has accompanied many well-known singers including Vulkana Stojanova, Roumen Rodopski and Todor Kozhuharov. He has also taught many students at a number of Balkan camps in the U.S. In 1999, Nikolay was the first Bulgarian to be recognized by the Slavic Heritage Council of America for his outstanding contributions to music.
Donka Koleva
Donka Koleva (vocals)
Donka Koleva is a native of the village of Tuzha in the Stara Zagora region of Thrace. She graduated from the National School of Folk Arts in Shiroka Luka, Bulgaria, and performed for three years with the Sliven Folk Dance and Music Ensemble. She was director of the Folk Song Chorus of Sopot, has been a featured soloist on Bulgarian Radio-TV, has participated in numerous singing competitions in Bulgaria and Europe and has been featured on numerous recordings. In 1997 her recording of Javore was named “Song of the Year” in the Bulgarian national radio competition. Since immigrating to the U.S. she has taught and performed widely across N. America, both privately and at numerous camps, festivals and other events. In addition to her vocal talents Donka serves as Bulgarika’s manager and has organized 12 national tours for the bands Kabile’, Cherven Traktor, Bulgarika and the Kolev Family Ensemble.
Stoyan Kostov
Stoyan Kostov (vocals, tambura)
Stoyan Kostov has been playing the Bulgarian tambura for over 40 years. He graduated from the National Music School “Filip Koutev” and the Bulgarian National Conservatory. Stoyan performed with Ensemble Trakiya and played tambura with Harmanliska Troika, and guitar with the Ograzhden ensemble in Sandanski, where he also directed the “N. Vaptsarov” Folk Ensemble. Stoyan lives in Pittsburgh PA.

Michael Ginsburg
Michael Ginsburg (tapan)
Michael Ginsburg began teaching Balkan folk-dance in 1964 in New York City and now teaches a weekly dance class there. He plays tapan with Cherven Traktor, a band that plays Bulgarian folk music on traditional instruments. He also plays trumpet with Kavala Brass Band, a band specializing in the Brass music of Aegean Macedonia. He is a founding member and lead trumpeter of Zlatne Uste Balkan Brass Band, formed in 1983. In 1987 they were the first foreign band to appear at the world-famous Brass Band festival in Guca, Serbia. Michael additionally serves as the head of the Program Committee of the Golden Festival in Brooklyn, New York, an annual event attracting thousands of participants and featuring dozens of musical groups.

Kolo Festival 2018
2018-11-23 - 2018-11-24 | Croatian Cultural Center, 60 Onondaga Ave., San Francisco, CA, 94708, United States
The 67th Kolo Festival with
Dance Teachers
Gergana Panova – Bulgarian
Sonia Dion & Cristian Florescu- Romanian couple and non-couple
John Morovich & John Filcich – Kolos
Singing Teachers
Maria Bebelekova, Michele Simon & John Morovich
Bands
15+ bands on the main dance floor and in the Kafana, playing live music from: Albania, America, Armenia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Macedonia, Norway, Romani, Romania, Serbia, South Africa, Sweden and Turkey!

Online Registration Mail-in Registration

Christmas Folk Dance Party
2018-12-01 19:00 - 22:00 | Monroe Hall, 1400 W. College Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA, 95401, United States
Razzmatazz’s annual Christmas folk dance party. Includes a reading of A Night Before Christmas and a visit from Santa! Dancing to recorded and live music.

Orkestar Cope-a-Cabana Dance Party
2018-12-14 19:30 - 22:30 | All Saints’ Episcopal, 555 Waverley St., Palo Alto, CA, 94301, United States
Live music and dancing to Bill Cope and his friends: Orkestar Cope-a-Cabana
Bring some light refreshments and non-alcoholic beverages to help make it a party, and tips for the band!
Orkestar Cope-a-Cabana
Orkestar Cope-a-Cabana is a group of talented local musicians playing Balkan and Greek music, and led by well-known multi-instrumentalist Bill Cope.
Bill Cope, an all-around multi-instrumentalist whose music folk dancers have loved to dance to for many years. He performs internationally as well as with many local Bay area ensembles, and is the Director of the San Francisco Kolo Festival. Instruments: accordion, laouto, gajda.
Michele Simon is a singer and percussionist, specializing in Balkan folk music and folk dance music. She has performed internationally as well as with many local Bay area ensembles, including Anoush, Brass Menazeri, and Kitka. Instruments: tupan, dumbek.
Tom Farris (tambura, guitar, hand drum)
Anastasia Barkett (violin)

GreekFeet Year-End Party
2018-12-17 19:00 - 22:00 | Il Pirata, 2007 16th Street, San Francisco, CA, 94103, United States
GreekFeet loves to throw a party and this year our Year-End party is at our favorite old-time sports bar Il Pirata with live music featuring Greg Jenkins on Clarinet, Dan Cantrell on Accordion and Michael Garibaldi on Percussion. We will have a private room with access to the bar to quench our thirst between dances. Music will start at 8:00 pm. Social hour from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm with appetizers, please bring an appetizer to share. Great fun, hope you can make it to celebrate with us!
7:00 pm to 8:00 pm: Social Hour, No Host Bar and Appetizers, Bring an appetizer to Share
8:00 pm to when the band calls it quits: Live music with Greg Jenkins on Clarinet, Dan Cantrell on Accordion. and Michael Garibaldi on Percussion

Dance Party with Da! Mozhem
2019-01-11 20:00 - 22:30 | Strawberry Recreation Center, 118 E. Strawberry Drive, Mill Valley, CA, 94941, United States
Dance to your favorite international tunes with Da! Mozhem all on a spacious sprung floor!
Admission: $12. Students half-price, kids free with adult.
DOWNLOAD, print, and share a flier.
Da! Mozhem
Da! Mozhem is quite possibly the largest folk dance band popular today in the Bay Area. Its members for this party are John Burke (accordion, vocals), Joyce Clyde (gadulka, vocals), Sonne Lemke (vocals), Paul Litsky (tambura), Alan Moore (accordion, kaval), Barbara Saxton (vocals), Lew Smith (doumbek, tupan), Ginny Snyder (clarinet, tambura, accordion, brach, gajda, vocals), Holly Thuman (bass, vocals), Nettie Wijsman (vocals), and Radmila Zaric (vocals).

Heritage Festival 2019
2019-01-18 - 2019-01-19 | Twin Pines Center, 20 Twin Pines Lane, Belmont, CA, 94002, United States
SAVE THE DATE!
Friday, January 18th
LOCATION: Garden House, Shoup Park, 400 University Ave, Los Altos
Opening Party – $10
Come share your favorite club dances. Meet Saturday’s workshop teacher, Željko Jergan!
Saturday, January 19th
LOCATION: Twin Pines Community Center, Belmont
Dance Workshop – $15
1:30 to 4:30pm
Afternoon Croatian Dance Workshop with Željko Jergan.
Dinner Break
4:30 to 6:30pm
Enjoy dinner in town or order a wrap to enjoy on site ($15 in advance).
Singing
6:30 to 7:00pm
Come learn to sing Grad Se Beli
Party – $15
7:00 to 10:00pm
Ethnic dress welcome! Program of recorded international folk dance requests.
Koraci
Exhibition by Croatian Youth Group Koraci, featuring dances choreographed by Željko
Registration
Registration Form Directions and Parking
Pay before January 16th and save! Attend Friday AND Saturday for only $35 ($50 with on site supper).
Register online
DOWNLOAD flier, print, and share.
Kids under 12 are free, youth 12-18 are $5/event at the door.
Note Friday and Saturday events are at different venues

Email dance requests, questions, and registration to heritagefolkdance@gmail.com
Doors open 1/2 hour in advance.

Hungarian Dance House Tanchaz
2019-01-19 15:00 - 23:00 | Croatian Cultural Center, 60 Onondaga Ave., San Francisco, CA, 94708, United States
Learn dances commonly played during a táncház, or just improvise! Meet the Eszterlánc Hungarian Folk Ensemble and the Mazsola Hungarian Children’s Folk Dance Ensemble. Dance through the evening with Forrás Banda, our táncház band! Adults’ dance teaching circle with László Tihanyi.

Tanchaz – Hungarian Dance House in San Francisco (2013)

5th Friday Party with Da! Mozhem
2019-03-29 19:30 - 22:30 | Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church, 31st Ave. and Clement St., San Francisco, California, 94121, United States
Celebrate the 5th Friday with dancing to the live Balkan music of Da! Mozhem. We meet at Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church, 31st Ave. and Clement St. Enter on 31st Ave.
$5 plus tips for the band. Bring snacks to share.
Da! Mozhem at the San Francisco Free Folk Festival
Da! Mozhem
Da! Mozhem plays and sings high-energy pan-Balkan music for the joy of dancing. D!M is a group of friends who have been playing together for well over a decade. The group has veterans from many excellent folklore bands such as the People’s International Silver String Macedonian Band, Born to Drone, Westwind, Sviraci, and the Slavonian Traveling Band. The band plays with emphasis on Bulgarian, Macedonian, and ex-Yugoslav traditions. Several members frequently travel to the Balkans to learn more about the folkloric music of the region. The group plays on traditional instruments unique to the region as well as modern instruments.

Greek Glendi with Édessa and Guest Yanni Konstantinou
2019-04-13 19:00 - 22:00 | Albany Recreation Center, 1247 Marin Ave, Albany, CA, United States
This is going to be a great dance party of course with our local band Edessa but to have Yanni lead us in dance is a special treat!
Easy parking on the street or in the adjacent parking lot.
Édessa
Édessa Édessa is one of the Bay Area’s premier Balkan dance bands, devoting decades to the study and performance of the rich cultural expressions of the southern Balkans. They play with a deep understanding of the connection between dance and music. Using both traditional and modern instruments, they perform in a variety of styles, featuring long sets that interweave melodies, improvisation, and beats with dancers in mind. Édessa is George Chittenden on clarinet, gaida (bagpipe), zurna (shawm), and guitar, Lise Liepman on santouri (hammered dulcimer) and accordion, Ari Langer on violin, and Sean Tergis on percussion.

Yannis Kostantinou
Yannis Konstantinou Yannis Konstantinou has been dancing from childhood alongside his parents, family and friends in the villages of Florina located in northwest Greece. He has a deep passion and commitment to preserving and sharing the local traditions / culture of the various ethnic groups living in the region and has studied the cross-border influences of neighboring communities on dance and music along the northern border of Greece. Yannis has studied and researched extensively the dances and cultural influence of this area. He has taught at dance workshops and seminars throughout Europe, Japan and North America as well as in Greece.

English and Scottish Country Dance Workshop and Party with David Newitt and Alan Thwigg
2019-04-14 14:30 - 20:30 | St. Bede’s Church Hall, 2650 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, CA, United States
The Moveable Feet group features an English and Scottish country dance workshop with the charismic, fun-loving David Hewitt and Alan Twhigg. Live music for dancing by Susan Worland, strings, and Lyle Ramshaw, piano.

2:30 pm
Doors open, chatting, warm ups/stretching

3 – 6 pm
Workshop, alternating English and Scottish dances at all levels
For the Workshop, teachers David Newitt and Alan Twhigg plan to teach, as time permits, from the following list of dances:
English: Jack’s Health, Knole Park, Red and All Red, The De’il’s Awa wi’ the Exciseman, The Homecoming, When Laura Smiles, and Wibsey Roundabout
Scottish: Cranberry Tart, Granville Market, Memories of Lyon, Orpington Caledonians, and Red House

6 – 7 pm
Potluck dinner, bring your favorite dishes. Snacks for the workshop also appreciated. No oven but refrigerator and microwave oven available

7 – 8:30 pm
Dancing to our English and Scottish favorites.
For the Evening Party, David and Alan plan to do quick talk-throughs for many of our favorites and any of the workshop dances, as time permits:
English Party: Emma’s Commencement, Good Man of Cambridge, Levi Jackson Rag, Sapphire Sea, Turning by Threes, and Winter Solstice
Scottish Party: Belle o’Bon Accord, Bratach Bana, Broadway, Shiftin Bobbins, Terrace Loggers Jig, and Welcome

For both the Workshop and Evening Party dances, there are some easier and some harder dances so there are options for everyone. Most of the dances can be viewed, and descriptions are available, online. Come for the whole or part of the event:
Send your requests for both the workshop and party dances to Lucy or Karen. No partners needed. We change partners after each dance. All dancers welcome however basic knowledge of English and Scottish dance fundamentals is beneficial.
DOWNLOAD, print, and share a flier.
David Newitt
David arrived at Swarthmore College in 1976 and was shocked and dismayed to discover a two year physical education requirement. Faced with the alternatives of football and “folk and square dancing” the choice was clear, and he has been dancing international folk dance, English and Scottish Country, Morris and sword teams, and contra dancing ever since. All are wonderful community activities and sharing them has been his passion for over 40 years.
Along with his fiddling wife Heather MacKay, David also loves playing music for English and Scottish dancing. They are founding members of the Humuhumumkunuku Apua’a and Strathspey Society Band—the world’s best Hawaiian-themed Scottish and English Country Dance band.
When not dancing, David studies pictures of people’s insides, doing research utilizing MRI,and specializing in body parts that start with “b.”
Alan Thwigg
With Scottish heritage on both sides of his family, Alan developed a love for Scottish traditional music at an early age. His parents danced with the Reel & Strathspey Club that preceded the formation of the San Francisco Branch of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society. They often took him to the Highland games and pipe band concerts as a child.
Alan discovered Scottish Country Dancing as a college student, amongst other dance forms such as ballroom and international folk. The music resonated with some early memories, and the intricate patterns of SCD stood out from the other styles. He soon sought out a weekly class, then two…
Alan passed both of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society teaching exams at St. Andrews in the 1980s, and has been teaching regular weekly classes at various levels ever since. He has served as a guest instructor at weekend workshops across North America and tutored candidates for teaching exams. He also continues to participate in Scottish Country Dance performances, chiefly with the Red Thistle Dancers. Favorite memories include choreographing and performing a sword dance for the San Francisco Opera as well as teaching and performing in Norway, the Czech Republic, and Russia.
In addition to Scottish country dancing, Alan is an accomplished Highland dancer and performs frequently in public. He does both Scottish country dance and Highland dance with the Red Thistle Dancers, a performance group based in Palo Alto. Alan frequently travels to Scotland to attend dance training schools, and broaden his knowledge of the culture.

Balkan Dance Party with Zabava International
2019-05-03 19:30 - 22:00 | Bethany Lutheran Church, 1095 Cloud Avenue, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, United States
Live Balkan music and dancing to Bill Cope and Zabava International! It’s a party night, so snacks and drinks are welcome, as are tips for the band.
Bill Cope
Zabava International!
Energetic, soulful, and rhythmically dazzling music played from the center of the dance floor–music from Albania, America, Armenia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Macedonia, Norway, the Romani, Romania, Serbia, South Africa, Sweden and Turkey traditions. The musicians recreate the vibrant interplay of traditional music and dance from the cultural crossroads.
Anastasia Barkett (violin)
Noa Laniakea (bass)
Michele Simon (vocals, tupan, hand drum)
Tom Farris (tambura, guitar)
Bill Cope (gajda, bouzouki, tambura, accordion, vocals, and more)
More details…

Balkan Dance Party with Édessa
2019-05-10 20:00 - 22:30 | Strawberry Recreation Center, 118 E. Strawberry Drive, Mill Valley, CA, 94941, United States
Come dance to the exciting music of Édessa, one of the Bay Area’s premier Balkan dance bands.
Dance on our spacious sprung wood floor. Lots of free parking. Please consider bringing refreshments to share.
Édessa
Édessa is comprised of musicians who have devoted decades to the study and performance of the rich cultural expression of the southern Balkans, with music from Albania, Greece, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Armenia, Turkey, and Balkan Roma (Gypsy). Édessa is George Chittenden on clarinet, gaida (bagpipe), zurna (shawm), and guitar, Lise Liepman on santouri (hammered dulcimer) and accordion, Ari Langer on violin, Sean Tergis on percussion, and bassist Paul Brown.
For more details contact president@kopachkafolkdancers.com or 415-497-4890.

Da! Mozhem and the Nema Problema Chorale Party
2019-05-18 19:00 - 23:00 | All Saints’ Episcopal, 555 Waverley St., Palo Alto, CA, 94301, United States
7 – 8 pm
Kaela Fine will teach Rusi Kosi and Lucy may teach steps to Tropanka. Dancing to recorded music while the band sets up

8 – 11 pm
Dancing to Da! Mozhem and the Nema Problema Chorale, with musicians and singers famous in the Peninsula

Da! Mozhem and the Nema Problema Chorale
Da! Mozhem and the Nema Problema Chorale play and sing high-energy pan-Balkan music for the joy of dancing. D!M is a group of friends who have been playing together for well over a decade. The chorale consists of up to eight women, joined occasionally by male voices. The group has veterans from many excellent folklore bands such as the People’s International Silver String Macedonian Band, Born to Drone, Westwind, Sviraci, and the Slavonian Traveling Band. The band plays with emphasis on Bulgarian, Macedonian, and ex-Yugoslavetraditions. Several members frequently travel to the Balkans to learn more about the folkloric music of the region. The group plays on traditional instruments unique to the region as well as modern instruments.
Snacks greatly appreciated for the Kafana — a place for chatting with friends, snacking to get more energy for dancing and listening to the band.
Questions? Contact Lucy or Karen.
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Greek Glendi with the Helladelics
2019-05-20 19:00 - 21:30 | Joe Goode Annex, 401 Alabama at 17th Street, San Francisco, CA, 94110, United States
Mary is in town and it is a Helladellics reunion. Please join the band and Greek Feet for a full evening of dance, music, revelry and fun. Please bring some food to share. Music begins at 7:30pm. Ring bell at the gate to enter.
Featuring:
Mary Hofer – clarinet
Tom Farris- laouto
Gari Hegedus- oud and violin
Michele Simon- vocals and percussion
The Helladelics play mostly Greek, mostly traditional, dance and trance tunes, with captivating melodies, driving rhythms and passionate improvisations. You’ll find the hypnotic, bluesy material of Epirus, upbeat dance tunes from Thrace, lilting songs of the islands and the odd-meters of Macedonia, as well as tastes of Armenia and Turkey..

Statewide 2019
2019-05-31 - 2019-06-02 | Edmunds Ballroom, 170 E. 6th St., Claremont, CA, 91711, United States
Ethnic Treasures of Folk Dance!
Statewide 2019 Registration Form
2019 Statewide Folk Dance Festival

Live Music with Miamon Miller and Friends, Bill Cope, Michael Lawson & Janie Cowen
Parties and Luncheon
Workshops and Request Dancing
Meeting friends – Old and New

Teaching appearances by Petur Iliev, Mihai David, Sevi Bayraktar, and Israel Yakovee. Cesar Garfiaz will lead a Sunday Salsa workshop and party!
Ethnic Treasures Festival opens Friday evening at 7:00 p.m. with party and brief introductory teaching.
Participants can choose to purchase the entire festival package or pay for individual workshops and parties.
Register
Our host hotel is Doubletree, Claremont. Pre-registration and hotel reservations available.
DOWNLOAD registration form.
For more details contact Pauline Klak or Diane Baker

Dance to Live French Music
2019-06-07 19:30 - 22:00 | Bethany Lutheran Church, 1095 Cloud Avenue, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, United States
French dance fun for all ages! Gary Breitbard & Jena Rauti Dance with us through France—and never leave the Bay Area! Gary Breitbard and Jena Rauti will help teach and lead French dances to the live music of Fête Musette.
We will take you to Alsace, Brittany, Gascony, Provence, and the Massif Central in a period where the waltz, mazurka, polka, scottish, bourree, and rondeau ruled. Join us for an evening of called dances for all ages – no experience required!
Gary Breitbard and Jena Rauti have been teaching traditional French country dance music for two decades at Bay Area schools, Lark in the Morning Camp and the SF Free Folk Festival. They studied dance at Grand Bal de l’Europe, Festival de Luthiers at San Chartiers and other dance workshops in France.

Fête Musette
Fête Musette members are Gary Breitbard (accordion, hurdy-gurdy and vocals), Sarah Kirton (fiddle), Lee Anne Welch (fiddle), Peter Tommerup (mountain and hammered dulcimer), Julianne Staffords (button chromatic accordion, oboe and vocals), Bill O’Haren (percussion) and Jena Rauti (accordion and vocals). Read more…
Admission is $12, students are half-price and children are free – but no one is turned away for lack of funds. Tips for the band, and snack and beverage contributions are always appreciated, and there is always a cheese plate!

Sample of a fun French Country dance led by Gary and Jena with live music.

Dance Party with Da! Mozhem
2019-06-07 19:30 - 22:30 | Piedmont Veterans Hall, 401 Highland Avenue, Piedmont, CA, United States
Dance to your favorite international tunes with Da! Mozhem and the East Bay Folk Dancers. Please save the date and join us for a fun night of dancing!
DOWNLOAD, print, and share a flier.
Da! Mozhem at the San Francisco Free Folk Festival
Da! Mozhem
Da! Mozhem plays and sings high-energy pan-Balkan music for the joy of dancing. D!M is a group of friends who have been playing together for well over a decade. The group has veterans from many excellent folklore bands such as the People’s International Silver String Macedonian Band, Born to Drone, Westwind, Sviraci, and the Slavonian Traveling Band. The band plays with emphasis on Bulgarian, Macedonian, and ex-Yugoslav traditions. Several members frequently travel to the Balkans to learn more about the folkloric music of the region. The group plays on traditional instruments unique to the region as well as modern instruments.

Stockton Folk Dance Camp
2019-07-21 - 2019-08-04 | University of the Pacific, 3601 Pacific Ave, Stockton, CA, 95211, United States
Featured Guests

Joe Graziosi
GREEK NON-PARTNER DANCES

Tineke van Geel
ARMENIAN NON-PARTNER DANCES

Gergana Panova
BULGARIA NON-PARTNER DANCES

Richard Schmidt
POLISH COUNTRY PARTNER DANCES

Gigi Jensen
ARGENTINE PARTNER DANCES

Tony Parkes
AMERICAN SQUARES AND CONTRAS

Rebecca Tsai
CHINESE WORKSHOP

Band
Miamon Miller & Free Range Organic
Celebrating over 70 Years of International Dance and Music
For over 70 years Stockton Folk Dance camp has featured guests from around the world who come to the University of the Pacific in Stockton California each summer to share traditional dances and music. Students and long-time international dance enthusiasts of all ages come to learn and preserve folkloric dances and music, as well as to hone their world dance and music skills.
Registration
General notes that apply each year:
A minimum deposit of $100 is required to hold a spot if you cannot make full payment at the time of registration.
If you cancel BEFORE May 31, a $50 processing fee will be withheld from your refund.
If you cancel AFTER May 31, $100 deposit will be withheld from your refund.
No refunds after June 30.
Register online
You can make a payments online for camp and related items, or you may pay by check.
Payments page

Greek Glendi with Agapi Mas
2019-08-12 19:00 - 21:30 | Joe Goode Annex, 401 Alabama at 17th Street, San Francisco, CA, 94110, United States
Enjoy Greek dancing to live music featuring Agapi Mas with Greek Feet celebrating Leo birthdays. This is also for the popular Greek August 15 holiday, the Dormition of the Virgin Mary or Koimisis tis Theotokou.
Agapi Mas will be playing a full night of regional Greek music for dancing. Agapi Mas is Greg Jenkins on clarinet and vocals, Alan Davidson on laouto, Michael Garibaldi on percussion and vocals, and special guest Michele Simon on vocals.
In addition, the Leo folks are planning some outrageous B’day cakes. This party just keeps getting better and better each day. Hope you can make it!
Note: Ring the bell at the gate to enter

Dance Party with Zabava International
2019-09-06 19:30 - 22:00 | Bethany Lutheran Church, 1095 Cloud Avenue, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, United States
Live music and dancing to Bill Cope and Zabava International! It’s a party night, so snacks and drinks are welcome, as are tips for the band.
Bill Cope
Zabava International!
Energetic, soulful, and rhythmically dazzling music played from the center of the dance floor–music from Albania, America, Armenia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Macedonia, Norway, the Romani, Romania, Serbia, South Africa, Sweden and Turkey traditions. The musicians recreate the vibrant interplay of traditional music and dance from the cultural crossroads.
Simmy Willeman (violin)
Michele Simon (vocals, tupan, hand drum)
Tom Farris (tambura, guitar)
Bill Cope (gajda, bouzouki, tambura, accordion, vocals, and more)
More details…
