NFO Conference 2024
2024-04-04 - 2024-04-09 | Greene Family Camp, 1192 Smith Lane, Bruceville, TX, 76630, United States
Annual NFO Meeting and Conference 2024
April 4 – 9, 2024 in Bruceville, Texas
Two great opportunities at the same time!
NFO Conference and Total Solar Eclipse Viewing
The upcoming conference will have everything you’ve come to expect from NFO – a broad array of fascinating workshops, presentations, arts, crafts, music, and dance; our annual membership meeting and elections; and a wonderful opportunity to network.
This year we will also have a special bonus, a total solar eclipse! Take advantage of this rare celestial event; the next total solar eclipses visible in the US won’t occur until 2044 or 2045.
Registration
Conference registration includes lodging for 5 nights, meals, and all NFO Conference activities. Fees range from $500 to $650 per person for the entire Conference, depending on your room assignment. The rooms at Greene Family Camp are described in detail below. For those living close by or who manage to find other nearby lodgings, there is a less expensive commuter rate; but be warned that due to the eclipse, many hotels are already booked and room rates are high!
For those who live nearby or have lined up their own accommodations and transportation in the area, we are offering a Commuter rate which covers meals and NFO Conference activities (not lodging): $325.
Details and Registration
Venue
Greene Family Camp, 1192 Smith Lane, Bruceville, Texas (same as TIFD’s Texas Camp location) is located in the eclipse’s longest zone of totality and has the best chance of good weather in the US (of course, eclipse viewing can not be guaranteed). GFC is basic but comfortable, with climate controlled lodging and event venues spread out over their 150 acre campus. All meals and NFO dance parties will be in the Chadar Ochel Dining Hall. Other events may take place in the Goldberg Performing Arts Center and at the lakeside Pavilion. For more information about lodging see the registration section below or the camp’s web page.
Travel
Plan your flights to the Austin (preferred) or Dallas airports. There is no public transportation from either airport to the Camp, and due to the eclipse, rental cars will be increasingly more expensive and hard to find. So if you plan to rent a car, you may want to do that now!When planning your transportation, note that the Conference runs from Thursday to Tuesday. The total solar eclipse occurs on Monday April 8, roughly 12 – 3 pm, and because of expected traffic and airline schedules, you will not be able to view the eclipse and get to the airport to catch a flight out later that day. Stick around at camp to join the post-eclipse fun, including various activities and a final Monday night dance party!
For ongoing updates in programming, schedule, and registration visit the NFO 2024 Conference Web Page.

Lyrids Folk Dance Festival 2024
2024-04-19 - 2024-04-21 | Peretz Center, 6184 Ash Street, Vancouver, British Columbia (BC), Canada
Save the date for the nineth Lyrids Folk Dance Festival 2024 featuring folk dances presented by Cristian Florescu & Sonia Dion (Romanian dances), and Tom Bozigian & Sheree King (Armenian dances). Zakuska from Seattle, WA will be the Saturday evening party band. Save the date!
Register
For more details e-mail info@lyridsfolkdancefestival.org

Cabrillo International 55th Anniversary Celebration
2024-04-20 15:30 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Live Oak Grange, 1900 17th Ave, Santa Cruz, CA, 95062, United States
******SAVE THE DATE******
Cabrillo Folk Dancers are planning a 55th ANNIVERSARY PARTY
>>>>> LIVE MUSIC….POTLUCK!….LIVE MUSIC

Int'l Folkdance Camp
2024-05-10 - 2024-05-12 | Circle Lodge on Sylvan Lake, 355 Sylvan Lake Rd, Hopewell Junction, NY, 12533, United States
An amazing International Folk Dance weekend with great teachers in Hopewell Junction, NY.
Teachers are Petur Iliev (Bulgarian Dance) and Caspar Bik (Int’l & Georgian Dance). Petur is a renowned dancer previously in Bulgaria’s Ensemble Filip Koutev and now teaches professional and non-professional dance companies all across the US and Canada. His career is deeply steeped in the rich folk dance traditions of his family. Caspar is a rising star in the field of folkdance teachers. Born in the Netherlands, his teaching style is impeccably clear, precise and authentic; his selection of music is ideally suited for recreational dance groups. You will love meeting and learning from both of them!
Camp includes: Huge Wooden Dance Floor, Delicious Meals & Snacks, Evening Dance Parties
More Information and Registration

Statewide 2024
2024-05-17 12:00 - 2024-05-19 18:00 | Newark Pavilion, 6430 Thornton Ave., Newark, 94560, United States
Statewide 2024 is a weekend festival of folk dance workshops and parties including

Dance workshops
Dance performances
Evening Parties with Orkestar Unbound
Sunday Square Dance Hoedown called by Kurt Gollhardt
Culture Corners
Request Dancing
Meeting friends – Old and New

All events take place at the Newark Pavilion, Newark, CA.
Registration >>

Festival Schedule

Instructors and Band

Yannis Konstantinou – Greek/Macedonian
Yannis Konstantinou Yannis Konstantinou is an internationally renowned instructor and ethnologist of Greek Macedonian dance and culture. His passion for traditional music and dance began in his childhood, dancing with his family in his parents’ villages of Alona and Akrites in the Florina region of Greece. Today, his knowledge extends beyond that of the Greek Macedonian people indigenous to the area. Since 1990 he has conducted research on the impacts on Florina dances due to the migration of social groups and ethnic minorities to northwest Greece, such as Vlachs, Sarakatsani, and refugees from Thrace and Asia Minor. He also has participated in comparative research studies of Macedonian communities beyond the Greek borders. In 1994 Yannis produced The Musical Tradition of Florina, a long-playing album, in collaboration with the Center of Greek Tradition.
Yannis is President and Artistic Director of the “Lygkistes” Cultural Association and a founding member of The Academy of Traditional Folklore Dance and Music located in Athens, Greece. He is actively involved with the “Association for the Preservation and Dissemination of Traditional Dance and Music” whose members are dedicated to sharing with children and youth living in urban areas an appreciation of traditional lifestyles of the outlying areas of Greece. Since 2001, he has been the Director of the student dance association of the Balkan Studies department of the Aristotle University of Thessalonika. Yannis Konstantinou is very well-known as a teacher of Greek Macedonian dance and culture throughout Greece and Europe and among those North Americans who have had the good fortune to experience the dance seminars he organizes annually in Agios Germanos, overlooking Lake Prespa.

Cesar Garfiaz – Salsa Rueda and More
Cesar Garfiez Cesar Garfiaz was born and raised in Los Angeles , CA (Hollywood). He has been hyperactive since early childhood, and has always enjoyed moving. Being partly raised by his aunt, Garfiaz was influenced by her affinity for Salsa. He began dancing Salsa at the young age of seven, going on Sundays to Steven’s Steakhouse with his Tia Raquel. In high school, he was part of a performing arts class for two years, where he learned of his passion for performing. Garfiaz joined UCLA’s Department of World Arts & Cultures in the Fall of 2004. In the Spring of 2003, Garfiaz began working and collaborating with Ana Maria Alvarez and was a cast member of her original thesis concert “contra-tiempo”. Over the past seven years he has studied various styles including modern, hip hop, house, tai chi, Ghanaian, Mexican Folklorico & Afro-Cuban. As a part of UCLA’s Repertory Tour Ensemble, Cesar performed and inspired young people in high schools all over Los Angeles. Through his work with Rep Tour, he became passionate about youth arts education, and is continuing this important work with his involvement in CONTRA-TIEMPO. He currently teaches Salsa and Latin Dance at Cal Poly Pamona and at several studios around Los Angeles. As a founding member of the company, he is committed to seeing this group actualize its’ full potential as an agent for change. Garfiaz is dedicated to being a leader in this important work and sharing with others his absolute love for movement.

Kurt Gollhardt – Square Dance
Kurt Gollhardt Kurt Gollhardt is President of the Santa Clara Valley Callers Association and has been calling in the San Francisco Bay Area since 2006. He began calling square dances in 1996 and frequently calls for weekend hoedowns. He has been very active in promoting new approaches to teaching and supporting newer dancers, most recently as a champion of CALLERLAB’s new Social Square Dance (SSD) program. Kurt has been voted a Top Ten Caller by the Santa Clara Valley Square Dancers Association (SCVSDA) since 2017.

Orkestar Unbound
Bill Cope will be assembling Orkestar Unbound for Statewide 2024. Bill is a multi-instrumentalist who is drawn to play music without borders, that will get people on their feet, dancing! Orkestar Unbound guest artists include Dan Auvil, Janie Cowan, Ralph Iverson, Asaf Ophir and Emily Saletan, playing international folk music from the Balkans and beyond!
Hotels
Statewide 2024 will be happening May 17-19 in Newark the weekend prior Memorial Day Weekend. Please book your rooms early.
Chase Suite Hotel
Spacious extended stay suites, with separate living room and individual bathrooms. Free Wi-Fi. Plus a full kitchen! More details…
There is a very low rate on the hotel rooms (Chase Suite Hotel in Newark), but it is only good until March 31 (now extended from December 31). If you know you’ll be going to Statewide this year, grab one of these rooms now. The room is only $120 per night (plus tax). It’s the “Signature King Suite” that includes a king-size bed, a fully-equipped kitchen, and a pull-out couch in the living room for two more people — plus a grab-and-go breakfast. Four friends could easily share this suite.
To book discounted rate, visit Chase Suite Hotel online, click the “Book Your Stay” button, select the date May 17, 2024 (2 nights), and use discount code “Folk2024” under Group Code. The first option should be the Signature King Suite for $120 per night (plus tax). Look for the two-bedroom suite which comes with a complete kitchen. Use the button for the May 17, 2 nights, booking and correct the number of adults staying.
Book May 17 Discount

Registration
Lodging should be purchased separately. Recommended group pricing available at Chase Suite Hotel, Newark, CA.
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.
Register Online

Mail-In Registration
Print and Mail Registration Form
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.
Download, print, and share a flier

Assistance
General and Mail-in Registration: Loui Tucker 408 771 4542
Web and Online Registration: Kevin Greek

Scandia Camp 2024
2024-06-08 - 2024-06-15 | Mendocino Woodlands Camp, 39350 Little Lake Rd, Mendocino, CA, 95460, United States
The Scandia Camp Mendocino 2023 program will feature dance, music, and more from Norway and Sweden, presented by instructors from those countries and the United States. This year we will feature the dance and music from
Hallingdal in Norway and Föllinge in Sweden.
Dance Classes
Camp includes the following classes and more!

Dance classes with our Scandinavian guest teachers focusing on Hallingdal and Föllinge dances
Dances often found at Scandinavian dance events and parties
Social, changing partners dances
Classes focusing on Hambo, waltzing, and your requests

Music Classes

Regular fiddle focusing on the music from Föllinge
Regular fiddle for newer Scandinavian musicians
Hardanger fiddle, the Norwegian fiddle with under-strings, focusing on the music from Hallingdal and more
Nyckelharpa, a keyed-fiddle with sympathetic strings, is the national instrument of Sweden
Group playing: Allspel in Swedish and Samspel in Norwegian, focusing on dance music. All instruments are welcome.
Swedish Singing

The mission of Scandia Camp Mendocino is to provide culturally unique enriching opportunities to learn about and actively experience the dance, music and cultural traditions of Scandinavia (primarily Norway and Sweden) in a welcoming community.
Schedule, list of instructors, and more at http://scandiacampmendocino.org/
Register

June Camp 2024
2024-06-13 - 2024-06-16 | Lake Forest Academy, 1500 West Kennedy Road, Lake Forest, 60045, United States
June Camp, a mainstay of the Midwest international folk dance community, welcomes dancers from all over the U.S.A. and beyond! We especially pride ourselves on welcoming globally-known dancers and this year Roberto Bagnoli will be our featured guest.
See you at June Camp!
Roberto Bagnoli

Roberto Bagnoli grew up in Rome, where he was first introduced to folk music and dance, eventually taking part in several performances and teaching dance classes. He subsequently studied various forms of folk dance in workshops throughout Europe, Israel, and North America under the guidance of renowned choreographers and teachers. Roberto lived for many years in Reggio Emilia in Northern Italy, considered to have one of the most important dance communities in Italy.
From 1995 to 2003, he performed as a dancer and choreographer with the Terra di Danza Dance Company and was involved in the production of Raggi di luna Italiana and Capriccio Italiano (Italian dances), GiroGiroMondo (dances from around the world), Keltic Emotion (Celtic dances), Mazal Tov (Israeli dances), and Ethnos (international folk dances).
He is the founder of Folk Atelier Reggio Emilia (FARE), devoted to the development and conservation of folk dance heritage. As director of FARE, he is in charge of organizing and conducting folk dance classes, workshops with Italian and foreign specialists, and of the performing sector, staging various performances, parties, and dance gatherings.
He currently organizes two dance camps in Europe: Balkanot (Balkan and Israeli dance) and Camp Yofi (Israeli Dance). Read more…
Dance Exchange
Programs such as the Dance Exchange give local teachers opportunities to shine. The Dance Exchange is a program of brief reviews by advance request, of classic old dances that you can’t quite remember – or ones from past June Camps that have slipped away. Participants submit suggestions and our committee finds local teachers who can present them. You can get a sense of the range of dances that have been included in the past by looking at this list. Notes and music for the Dance Exchange dances will be available to all and videos will be included in the weekend’s video download package. Read more…
Live Music Parties
As always, we will have wonderful live music for all our evening parties provided by Tom Pixton, Ralph Iverson, and Brian Wilson who are in residence throughout camp.
Registration
Room registration is available until June 1
Registration including meals is available until June 6

June Camp 2026
2024-06-13 - 2024-06-16 | Lake Forest Academy, 1500 West Kennedy Road, Lake Forest, 60045, United States
June Camp, a mainstay of the Midwest international folk dance community, welcomes dancers from all over the U.S.A. and beyond! We especially pride ourselves on welcoming globally-known dancers and this year Caspar Bik will be our featured guest.
See you at June Camp!
Caspar Bik
Caspar Bik Caspar Bik was born in 1990 in the Netherlands. He was an active dancer from a young age in groups that presented Dutch dances as well as groups that showed international dances. Caspar graduated in 2013 as a dance teacher at the dance academy Codarts in Rotterdam. Besides folk dancing, Caspar has experience in modern/contemporary dance, classical ballet, jazz dance, ballroom, and tap dance. Since his graduation he has been teaching different dance styles to children, teenagers, and adults at amateur and professional levels. In 2014, he founded a youth school for theater arts which performs a stage musical every year for which Caspar creates the choreography. Both as a folk dance instructor and as a choreographer he has taught courses in Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Turkey, Taiwan and the USA. Caspar has been specializing in folk dances from countries around the Black Sea. During his research in Georgia, he trained with the professional ensemble Erisioni and traveled through the country to experience the colorful variety and beauty of Georgian dance, song and music. Read more
Dance Exchange
Programs such as the Dance Exchange give local teachers opportunities to shine. The Dance Exchange is a program of brief reviews by advance request, of classic old dances that you can’t quite remember – or ones from past June Camps that have slipped away. Participants submit suggestions and our committee finds local teachers who can present them. You can get a sense of the range of dances that have been included in the past by looking at this list. Notes and music for the Dance Exchange dances will be available to all and videos will be included in the weekend’s video download package. Read more…
Live Music Parties
As always, we will have wonderful live music for all our evening parties provided by Tom Pixton, Ralph Iverson, and Brian Wilson who are in residence throughout camp.
Registration opens early March…

Stockton Folk Dance Camp
2024-07-21 - 2024-08-03 | University of the Pacific, 3601 Pacific Ave, Stockton, CA, 95211, United States
July 2024, Stockton Folk Dance Camp’s 77th summer, will feature

Aaron Alpert 💖 Dances of Israel
Željko Jergan 💖 Dances of Croatia
Ahmet Lüleci 💖 Dances of Turkey
Robert McOwen 💖 Dances of Scotland
Liina Teose 💖 Dances of Estonia
Kau’i Tuia 💖 Dances of Polynesia
Band: Tom Pixton, Ralph Iverson, and Brian Wilson

Come dance with them all, with more artists to be announced!
Our Artists teach the same dances both weeks, but the Assemblies, Parties, and Evening Dancing are different each week.
Stockton Folk Dance Camp 2024 will be held during the following weeks:
Week 1 – July 21 – 27
Week 2 – July 28 – Aug 3
For more details Click Here
Register

Stockton Folk Dance Camp Opening Parties
2024-07-21 19:00 - 22:30 | University of the Pacific, 3601 Pacific Ave, Stockton, CA, 95211, United States
Dance online to the Stockton Folk Dance Camp Opening Parties on either or both July 21 and 28! Our party MCs will be Kamrin MacKnight and Cricket Raybern (on-site) and Adony Beniares and Holly Plotner (online).
July 2024, Stockton Folk Dance Camp’s 77th summer, will feature

Aaron Alpert 💖 Dances of Israel
Željko Jergan 💖 Dances of Croatia
Ahmet Lüleci 💖 Dances of Turkey
Robert McOwen 💖 Dances of Scotland
Liina Teose 💖 Dances of Estonia
Kau’i Tuia 💖 Dances of Polynesia
Band: Tom Pixton, Ralph Iverson, and Brian Wilson

Register for online parties
Register
Our Artists teach the same dances both weeks, but the Assemblies, Parties, and Evening Dancing are different each week.
Stockton Folk Dance Camp 2024 will be held during the following weeks:
Week 1 – July 21 – 27
Week 2 – July 28 – Aug 3
For more details Click Here

Folk Dance with Da! Mozhem
2024-10-10 19:00 - 21:30 | Hillside Club, Cedar Street, Berkeley, CA, 94709, United States
The Hillside Echoes Folk Music Series once again presents Da! Mozhem. Get ready to dance to lively Balkan-style folk music!
Experienced dancer and teacher KAELA FINE will teach and demonstrate many dances. No partners needed.
$15/general $10/senior
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.

Stanford International Dancers Celebration!
2024-10-19 19:00 - 22:00 | Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto, 505 East Charleston Road, Palo Alto, CA, 94306, United States
Da! Mozhem really started out at the Stanford International Dancers group, many long years ago and we are very happy to see they are again sponsoring live music in the South Bay. You are welcome to bring a snack to share, and there will be birthday cake! There’s ample free parking. Easy dances will be taught and demonstrated by Kaela Fine from 7 – 7:30. No partners needed for most dances.
Location: Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto (UUCPA), Main Hall 505 East Charleston Road, Palo Alto CA 94036
Cost: $10 donation (no one turned away for lack of funds)
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.

Officers Ball 2024
2024-11-17 13:00 - 22:00 | Veterans Memorial Building, Pleasanton, 301 Main Street, Pleasanton, CA, 94566, United States
The Folk Dance Federation’s annual festival of folk dance with workshops, on-site dinner, dance party, and special attractions returns! This year’s theme is Joining Hands Across the Years! Save the date!
Schedule

Price
Time (pm)
Event

1:00
Doors open

$25
1:30-5:30
Dance workshops

$20
5:30-7:00
On-site dinner with the always popular sing-along with Bill Cope (for those registered in advance)

$25
7:00-10:00
Evening celebration, dances from the workshop and your requests.

Workshop
The afternoon workshop will again feature a program of new and classic folk dances taught by local teachers

Aaron Alpert – Mechankot (Israel)
Julie East – Chalypso (US)
Pete Galanais – Koljovo Horo (Bulgarian)
Marija Hillis – Oige ja Vasemba (Estonian)
Judy Kropp – Joc de Leagane (Romanian)
Kamrin MacKnight – Mist on the Mountain (Scottish)
Lothar Narins – Rakkas (Turkish)
Lenore Watson – Contras (US)

The Annual 50/50 Drawing is also a popular event: buy tickets for $1 each and, if your ticket is drawn, you receive 50% of the total ticket sales.
Registration
Officers Ball 2024 Registration Form Register by November 14, 2024 to obtain the special all event package pricing (workshop, on-site dinner, and evening party) of $55 and save $15. On-site dinner registration is not available after November 14. New members with coupon pay for dinner only.
Option 1: Mail-In Registration
Download and complete registration form.
Make checks payable to the FOLK DANCE FEDERATION.
Mail the check and registration form to:
Laura Richardson
1343 Rosalia Ave
Sunnyvale, CA 94087

Option 2: Online Registration
Register online

Fall Camp 2024
2024-11-22 - 2024-11-24 | Brandeis-Bardin Campus, 1101 Peppertree Lane, Brandeis, CA, 93064, United States
Fall Camp 2024 promises to be another vibrant, fun-filled weekend with workshops by master instructors Genci Kastrati (Albanian) and Ira Weisburd (International), dance parties, and other fun activities, including the Pot Luck Band, happy hours, night sky viewing, an ice cream sundae bar, and more! The only thing that would make it better is if you attend! You can fly into beautiful downtown Burbank, instead of LAX. Like before, it will serve as both a quiet retreat where you can relax with some very nice people and a weekend dance camp where you can learn from master teachers. You can find out more and download registration forms (and waivers) at http://FallCamp.org.
Fall Camp 2023
Comfort
Fall Camp, nestled in a woodsy alcove near Simi Valley, is a lovely place where you can enjoy being close to nature while still having the creature comforts of excellent meals (upgraded from previous years), motel-style rooms (with private bathrooms, heat, and air conditioning), and more. You can dance when you feel like it, and when you don’t, do other things such as catching up with friends, playing Scrabble, working on a jigsaw puzzle with others, getting a massage, completing a craft project, going for a walk in nature, reading a good book, meditating, or doing nothing at all. You don’t have to get on a plane or drive treacherous mountain roads to be with nature, and WiFi is available too!
Fall Camp will no longer require masks or vaccinations, but we still encourage best health practices. Because the fall weather is so difficult to predict, we are doing all of our dancing in a beautiful, heated and air-conditioned building, where many of our other activities will also take place. Although we are installing the largest wood floor possible to fit the dance room, it is smaller than the largest room we used in previous years, so we are limiting the number of campers to around 60. This also means that dancers will have more access to our two master teachers. The dining menu has been upgraded in quality, and Sunday lunch is included in the registration price. There will be two happy hours with wine.
Register

Kolo Festival 2024
2024-11-29 09:00 - 2024-12-01 00:00 | Croatian Cultural Center, 60 Onondaga Ave., San Francisco, CA, 94708, United States
2024 will be the 73nd annual Kolo Festival! Kolo Festival includes dance, vocal, and instrumental classes, along with dancing, sing-alongs, culture corners, instrumental jam sessions, kafanas and parties, brass, Bitov, Izvorno bands and more!
Musicians from around the world playing folk dance music from Albania, Bosnis, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Macedonia, Norway, Romany communities, Romania, Serbia, Sweden, Turkey, and the United States.
Schedule
Friday, November 29 | Saturday, November 30 | Sunday, Dec 1
Dance Instructors
Sonia Dion and Cristian Florescu
Romanian Folk Dance
Cristian and Sonia have been guest performers with the Collage International Dance Ensemble of Boston, have been regular teachers at l’ École supérieure de danse du Québec and have been selected to be part of the Artists in the Schools program sponsored by the Québec Ministry of Education. In recent years, they have developed a specific interest in working with recreational folk dance groups in Canada and the United States, Mexico and Brazil. They have been teaching in Europa (Austria, England, Poland, Germany, Italy,  Norway, Belgium, Switzerland, The Netherlands, France) in Asia (Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia) and Australia  to share their love of Romanian folk traditions.
In recent years, Cristian and Sonia have developed a specific interest in working with recreational folk dance groups. They’ve been teaching in Brazil, Canada and the United States, Europe (Austria, Belgium, England, Germany, Italy, Norway, Switzerland and the Netherlands), Asia (Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and Taiwan) to share their love of Romanian folk traditions. They have taught workshops in Canada and the United States and choreographed Romanian suites for performing groups, including the world-renowned BYU Folk Dance Ensemble in Utah.Read more…
Anna Angelova
Bulgarian Dances
Anna grew up in a small town in Northern Bulgaria where the lively local festivities (sabors) and traditional ceremonies kindled her interest in folklore at an early age. Anna’s dance adventures started when she joined the town’s folk dance ensemble where she learned from esteemed choreographers and performed along experienced dancers throughout her youth years.
Upon coming to Boston to further her education, Anna got introduced to the internationally acclaimed Ahmet Luleci’s Collage Dance Ensemble: a unique experience that unlocked passion and appreciation for the greater Balkan magic, and beyond. The 8 years Anna spent performing with Collage on local and national stages were instrumental for her growth as a dancer – from professional attitude to stage presence to polished style to authentic connection with our ancestors through Ahmet’s vibrant choreographies. In 2022, Anna was honored to teach Bulgarian Dance at Ahmet Luleci’s annual World Camp in Rock Hill, New York.
With the start of her own family in Boston, Anna felt the need to be more involved in the local Bulgarian community. This is when she joined Ludo Mlado, a Bulgarian folk ensemble led by Pepi Petrov and Marieta Mircheva. Anna connected with Ludo Mlado’s mission to preserve the rich dance traditions of Bulgaria. An outstanding moment with Ludo Mlado was the opportunity to participate in the Chicago Folk Festival VEREA. Read more…
John Morovich
John Morovich John Morovich, born in 1965, grew up in Seattle’s sizable Croatian community. Since 1973, he has studied, taught, and performed traditional music and dance of Croatia and other parts of Southeastern Europe. He was awarded the prestigious Washington State Arts Commission Folk Arts Fellowship for 2001.
He is currently the artistic director of the Seattle Junior Tamburitzans, a 50-member youth ensemble of which he was a performer from 1974 through 1987 and since 2013 has directed Tamburaski Orkestar Kisobran. He conducted the Jele Croatian Women’s Choir and Klapa Ruzmarin in Vancouver, BC, Canada. He was selected as Guest Conductor for the Croatian Fraternal Union of America Junior Cultural Federation Festival held in Chicago, in July 2005.
John has taught at many camps and seminars, including the California Kolo Festival in San Francisco, the Balkana Seattle Balkan Camp, the Texas Camp, the East European Folklife Center’s Balkan Music & Dance Workshops, and the Seattle Folk Dance Festival. John has also worked with many folklore ensembles across the United States and Canada. He most recently choreographed for the Ban Jelačić Croatian Dance Ensemble of Penticton, B.C., Canada; Hrvatski Vitezovi; Sarajevo of Vancouver; and Zagreb of Victoria, B.C., Canada, and Ethnic Dance Theatre of Minneapolis. MN. Dances John has taught include Kabanica i Seksera, Grizlica, H’ajd Na Lievo, Mazulka, Okrani Se Moje Kolo Malo, Repa, Sad Moi Dragi u Šumi Kod Koza, Saljsko Kolo, Slavonsko Kukunješče, Sroteš, Sˇ’tiri Snehe, Tanac po Susasko, Veloluški Tanac, and Žena Ide Na Gosti.
Michael Ginsburg
Michael Ginsburg 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. Michael has been director and lead trumpet player of Zlatne Uste Balkan Brass Band since 1983. He accompanied ZU to brass festivals in Guča, Serbia, three times between 1987 and 1990, as well as in 2003 and 2005, where he and ZU were able to play and party with local brass bands and experience the music in its natural setting. Michael and Zlatne Uste worked with Ekrem Sajdić and Zlatni Prsti brass band in 2003, and in 2005 with Vranjski Biseri, both in Vranjska Banja, Serbia. Michael performed in the summer of 2010 with Zlatne Uste at the first competition of international bands at the Sabor Trubača in Guča, Serbia, representing the United States.
Yannis Konstantinou
Yannis Konstantinou Yannis Konstantinou, is an internationally recognized teacher and researcher of Greek Macedonian Dances and culture. He has taught workshops extensively throughout Europe and the USA. Yannis is the current president of the highly respected dance association “Lygkistes” which has performed extensively throughout Europe. Yannis also served as the artistic director and instructor for Lykeion Ellinidion Florinas, teaching over 200 dancers of all ages on a weekly basis, as well as teaching at many Cultural Associations
Yannis’ passion for traditional music and dance began in his childhood, dancing with his family in his parents’ villages of Alona and Akrites in the Florina region of Greece. He is deeply committed to preserving and sharing the rich traditions, culture, music and dance of this region.
For details visit http://kolofestival.org
Registration

Special pricing:

Entire Festival Pre-Registration Package (until 11/23/2024) – $180
First-time Kolo Festival attendees may take $30 off the package price
Students may take a one-time 50% discount on the package or any single event

Register
Online Viewing
Many have asked if California Kolo Festival 2024 will be on Zoom this year.
The simple answer: YES!! The parties on Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoon will show selected segments both from the Main Hall and the Kafana. If you want to get a taste of Kolo Festival, register and join online here:
View online segments
Update
The SF Russian Center has canceled our reservation for Kolo Festival this year but our friends at the Croatian American Cultural Center are welcoming us back and Kolo Festival will return there this year. The full program that we have promised you for months will still happen! In order to do that, we are expanding the festival to 3 days: Friday/Saturday/Sunday, November 29-30 & December 1. Despite adding another day to the festival, we are not changing the registration cost for the full package. If you want to register for the whole weekend, it will still be $180 advance registration until 11/23. If you wish to pay by the individual session, adding Sunday will cost you $60. Please register today!
For those who responded to our June request to donate additional funds to move to the Russian Center, we will be in touch with you via email soon.
We’re going to have a festival this year with everything that we have promised and more. Five superb teachers, 35+ musicians, three full days of Kolo Festival music and dance! And all at the same price. Sometimes, bad news ain’t so bad.
If you have questions, please contact Bill Cope, Festival director: Bill@KoloFestival.org
Thank you for your consideration!
The California Kolo Festival Board
https://KoloFestival.org

Hungarian Dance House (Táncház) with Live Music
2025-01-25 10:00 - 23:00 | Hungarian Cultural Center, 35660 Cedar Boulevard, Newark, CA, 94560, United States
Eszterlánc invites you to join us for a Hungarian Dance Day (táncház) on January 25th, 2025. This is our regular start-of-the-year dance house with live music by Forrás Banda (violin, viola, double bass, cimbalom (hammered dulcimer), moldavian drum).
There will be several new features:

Free film screening before the dance house: The Hungarian film Akkord (with English subtitles) about the connection between folk music and pop music.
Folk music concert by Forrás Banda to kick off the dance house. Everyone is welcome, even if you can’t stay for the dance house itself.
Performance by the Mazsola Children’s Folk Dance Ensemble immediately following the concert.
Children’s dance house, followed by:
Adult dance house, including instruction during the first part of the dance sets.
New this year: Marketplace, where Eszterlánc dancers and others can sell folk-related items. If you have something to sell, let us know in advance to coordinate.

Schedule

Time
Event

10:00am
Folk Music Workshop

3:00pm
Akkord Film Screening

4:30pm
Hungarian Folk Concert with Forrás Band

5:15pm
Mazsola Performance

5:30pm
Kid’s Dance Circle

6:30pm
Adult Dance with Teaching

11:00pm
Singing

We reserve the right to make changes to the program. Start times may vary depending on the number, composition, and mood of attendees, but we’ll do our best to stick to the original schedule.
All levels of experience welcome, no partner needed.
Hungarian food, drinks, and pastries available for purchase.

Stockton Folk Dance Winter Weekend
2025-01-31 - 2025-02-02 | Online, CA, United States
Instead of making you wait all the way to July to enjoy the wonders of Stockton Folk Dance Camp, enjoy the 2025 Stockton Folk Dance Winter Weekend with
Dance – Music – Presentations – Videos – Games – Parties – Virtual Hugs

All online via Zoom
Featuring an all-star faculty with more than 70 hours of classes, presentations, parties, and replays

💖 20+ hours of new dance classes, presentations, live music, videos hours, and events.
💖 12+ hours of dance parties
💖 Replays of almost everything, so you get two chances to watch
💖 Puzzles, videos, and all the other great things you’ve seen at our Camps.

Featured artists (tentative) include:
DANCE TEACHERS

Jaap Leegwater & Angel Nazlâmov – Bulgarian
Maurice Perez – Israeli
Lee Otterholt
Daniel Sandu – Romanian

MUSIC TEACHERS
TBA
PRESENTATIONS

Ahmet Lüleci – Cooking and Video Hour
Richard Powers – Vintage Dances

LIVE MUSIC

Bill Cope And Orkestar Unbound

This, along with our great MCs and Techs, will make it a wonderful weekend.
Visit https://stocktonfolkdancecamp.org/winter-weekend/ for emerging details…
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

REGISTRATION
The entire online camp is free with registration on Zoom.
Register
DONATE
100 percent of each donation goes directly to the artists! Stockton Folk Dance Camp is a 501-c-3 nonprofit, so all donations are tax deductible. No contribution is too small.
Donate

Laguna Folk Dance Festival 2025
2025-02-28 - 2025-03-02 | Laguna Woods Clubhouse 2, 24112 Moulton Parkway, Laguna Woods, CA, 92637, United States
Clubhouse 2 Southern California’s premier folk dance festival! Dance workshops, parties with live music, the famous Sunday Dance Concert, ice cream social, happy hour, and the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award… what’s not to like? The Laguna Festival is one of Southern California’s premier annual folk dance events. You can bet all your friends will be there. You should be too!

Instructors
We are proud to announce that our teachers this year are Tineke and Maurits Van Geel
Tineke van Geel
Tineke Van Geel In 1977 Tineke van Geel received her degree as folk dance instructor. She specializes in Armenian dance and works as a choreographer. Tineke conducts workshops for students at various levels, beginners to professional, and has taught classes in international folk dance, Dutch and Armenian dances in many countries around the world. Her main focus is to break down complicated steps and movements to basic elements and slowly ‘rebuilding’ them to the original dance form. This skill is part of her worldwide success and is combined with a vast knowledge of Armenian dance and culture.
Since 1985 she has regularly visited Armenia to study folklore at the Pedagogic Institute and Choreographic School in Yerevan. A part of each research trip was devoted to working with several amateur groups in Armenia and doing research on costumes. Two of those research trips were sponsored by the Dutch government. On several occasions Tineke visited the USA to observe the dances performed by the Armenian communities there. Read more…

Maurits van Geel
Maurits Van Geel Maurits was artistic director of the professional Dutch dance performance group The Internationaal Danstheater for 24 years. During this interval, the group performed 47 different evening shows. Part of this job involved several months of dance research each year in order to prepare for these programs.
Maurits has traveled extensively in his dance research that has emphasized the Roma culture and those in the Caucasus. These travels have included India, Pakistan, Turkey, Russia, England, France, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ossetia, Dagestan, and Cherkassy. He has also choreographed many dances.
In the last several years, Maurits has been teaching often with Tineke, and this has included workshops in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia. In North America, the couple have taught at Oktoberfest in Montreal, Pinewoods Camp in Maine, and Stockton Folk Dance Camp. Read more…
Melanie Lawson Kareem
Ukulele jamming and sing along
Returning to The Laguna Folk Dance Festival, Melanie Lawson Kareem, a folk dancer since childhood, shares her lifetime of enjoying music with others by teaching ukulele. She is well-known in the folk dance world as “The Folk Dancer’s Ukulele Teacher” having taught at Stockton Camp since 2019.
Registration
Online Registration is available on or before February 21st. Passport and Event tickets will be available at the door.Meals are available to purchase by pre-order only separately on or before February 21st. Meal purchases are not available at the door.

Friday Evening $30
Saturday Workshop $60
Saturday Dance Party (5 pm and after) $45
Sunday All Day $40

More Details

Live Music with Taraf de Akácfa
2025-03-16 19:00 - 21:30 | Park Hall, 9400 Mill St., Ben Lomand, 95005, United States
Join Cabrillo Folk Dancers for a very special live music dance party with Hungarian traditional music band Taraf de Akácfa. Doors open at 6:30pm. Sponsored by the Cabrillo Folk Dancers. More details

Taraf de Akácfa
Taraf de Akácfa was created in 2014 by traveling street musicians who serendipitously met in Budapest, Hungary in an international collective house on Akácfa street. The founding members of the group came from the United States, Sweden, Hungary and France, and eventually chose to stay in Budapest, where they experienced constant musical inspiration and could share their common passion for Eastern European and Balkan folk music. Their current musical repertoire is predominantly centered around Romanian lăutarească, Moldovan and Transylvanian folk music, and they also perform a variety of folk music from the Balkans. Read more…

Live Music Dance Party with Chubritza!
2025-03-29 14:00 - 16:30 | Live Oak Grange, 1900 17th Ave, Santa Cruz, CA, 95062, United States
Help Cabrillo Folk Dancers dance to the music of Chubritza!
Doors open at 1:30pm. Be sure to bring tips for the band. Finger food for the refreshments table is also appreciated. More details…
Chubritza Chubritza, based in Arcata, plays Balkan and international folk music on traditional instruments. The band, named after a Bulgarian table spice, reflects a variety of international musical tastes and textures, with a Balkan and Eastern European emphasis. Band members: Meadow Lo, Craig Kurumada, Linnea Mandell, Derek Shaw, Rick Kruse, Janet Finney-Krull.

Annual Red & Black Ball
2025-03-29 19:00 - 22:00 | Monroe Hall, 1400 W. College Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA, 95401, United States
Join the Razzmatazz Dancers for their annual Red and Black Party! The first hour will be dancing to recorded music. The rest of the evening will be live music and singing with Gradina, our local Balkan choir and Bulgarian dance tunes played by Yabulka.
Doors open at 6:30. Don’t forget to wear red & black! $5 for adults, children free, plus tips for singers and musicians. Snacks for our refreshment table are greatly appreciated.

Kopachka's 60th Anniversary Party with Chubritza!
2025-03-30 14:00 - 16:30 | Strawberry Recreation Center, 118 E. Strawberry Drive, Mill Valley, CA, 94941, United States
Help Kopachka Folk Dancers celebrate their 60th anniversary and dance to the music of Chubritza! Doors open at 1:30pm on March 30, 2025 at the Strawberry Recreation Center, Mill Valley, CA.
Wearing your festive Balkan attire or accessory would be most welcome. Bring a tasty finger-food snack to share, if you’d like. Print and share an event flier.
VAX/BOOSTERS highly encouraged, or a mask is required (N95/KN95/KF94 mask provided as needed)
Chubritza Chubritza, based in Arcata, plays Balkan and international folk music on traditional instruments. The band, named after a Bulgarian table spice, reflects a variety of international musical tastes and textures, with a Balkan and Eastern European emphasis. Band members: Meadow Lo, Craig Kurumada, Linnea Mandell, Derek Shaw, Rick Kruse, Janet Finney-Krull.
More details about the Kopachka Folk Dancers

NFO Conference 2025
2025-04-02 - 2025-04-06 | Greene Family Camp, 1192 Smith Lane, Bruceville, TX, 76630, United States
Annual NFO Meeting and Conference 2024
April 2 – 6, 2025 in Portland, Oregon
Save the date!
For ongoing updates in programming, schedule, and registration visit the NFO 2025 Conference Web Page.

Čardak Balkan Folk Ensemble Welcome Concert
2025-04-05 13:00 - 17:00 | Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church, 1700 School Street, Moraga, CA, 94556, United States
Participate in welcoming the emergence of Čardak Balkan Folk Ensemble with lots of homemade Balkan food and drink for sale and performances by

Fanfare Zambaleta
Andrew Cohen
Nicole Maria
Pendari
Melike Sengul
DJ Ivica
and Special Guest Ionela Guzic

Janetta Redzic is the brainchild behind the Čardak Balkan Folk Ensemble, an ethnic dance group she is launching.

2025 Blossom Festival
2025-04-19 11:00 - 16:00 | City College of San Francisco, Wellness Center, 50 Frida Kahlo Way, San Francisco, CA, 94112, United States
Join us for the annual Blossom Festival in San Francisco hosted by Changs Folk Dancers and the Folk Dance Federation! The Blossom Festival includes short dance workshops, a folk dance party with live music by Da! Mozhem, and more. Free!
Download and share a flier.

Statewide 2025
2025-05-02 - 2025-05-04 | Portuguese Hall of Arroyo Grande, 707 Huasna Rd, Arroyo Grande, CA, 93420, United States
The 2025 Statewide Folk Dance Festival, is an annual weekend festival of folk dance and parties on May 2-4 at Arroyo Grande on the Central California coast.

Instructors and Band

Željko Jergan (Croatian) and Billy Burke (Northern Macedonian).
Live music by Chubritza
Live music by Big Rock Balalaika (Saturday only)

Venue
Portuguese hall has lots of parking and is less than a mile directly off of the 101 freeway and about five miles from the ocean on the California Central Coast. There are restaurants in the village and hotels nearby. The Hall is a short drive to the village where there are many dining opportunities. Directions…
Hotels
Hampton Inn & Suites, 1400 W. Branch St., Arroyo Grande, CA 93420 – 805-202-2110. Group rates are $162 for 1 king bed, $172 for 2 queen beds. Reservations… Directions…
Schedule

Friday May 2nd
12:00 – 1:00 Doors open; global music followed by easy warm-up dances
1:00 – 1:15 Welcome and Announcements by MC
1:15 – 2:30 Zeljko Jergan dance class (1 hour, 15 minutes)
2:30 – 2:45 Break (15 minutes)
2:45 – 4:00 Billy Burke dance class (1 hour, 15 minutes)
4:00 – 6:00 Dinner offsite (2 hours)
6:00 – 6:40 Cultural Presentation by Dana Adobe
6:40 – 7:00 Warm-up dances with recorded music
7:00 – 10:30 Dance Party with Chubritza

Saturday May 3rd
9:00 – 9:25 Doors open; global music followed by easy warm-up dances
9:25 – 9:30 Welcome and Announcements by MC
9:30 – 10:45 Billy Burke dance class (1 hour 15 minutes)
10:45 – 11:00 Break (15 minutes)
11:00 – 12:15 Zeljko Jergan dance class (1 hour 15 minutes)
12:15 – 1:45 Lunch Break (1 hour, 45 minutes) offsite
1:45 – 2:15 Performance by Solvang dancers
2:15 – 3:30 Zeljko Jergan dance class (1 hour, 15 minutes)
3:30 – 3:45 Break (15 minutes)
3:45 – 5:00 Billy Burke dance class (1 hour, 15 minutes)
5:00 – 6:00 Happy Hour with music by Big Rock Balalaika (open to all)
6:00 – 7:30 Catered Dinner onsite or dinner offsite (1 hour, 30 minutes)
7:30 – 11:30 Dance Party with Chubritza

Sunday May 4th
9:00 – 9:25 Doors open; global music followed by easy warm-up dances
9:25 – 9:30 Welcome and Announcements by MC
9:30 – 10:30 Reviews by Zeljko Jergan(1 hour)
10:30 – 10:45 Break (15 minute)
10:45 – 11:45 Reviews by Billy Burke (1 hour)
11:45 – 12:00 Announcements by MC and closing ceremony
12:00 – 1:00 Box Lunch onsite or lunch offsite (1 hour)
1:00 – 3:30 Free community dance with maypole dance
(Schedule subject to change)

Registration
Lodging should be purchased separately. Recommended group pricing available.

Online Registration
Register online today!

Mail-In Registration
Statewide 2025 Registration Form Send completed registration form with your check made payable to Folk Dance Federation of CA, South to:
Statewide registrar
c/o M. Lange
421 N Las Flores Dr
Nipomo, CA 93444
Please write one check for registration and additional offerings.
More details…

Lyrids Folk Dance Festival 2025
2025-05-09 - 2025-05-11 | Pitt Meadows Heritage Hall, 12460 Harris Road, Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, V3Y 2J5, Canada
The eleventh Lyrids Folk Dance Festival will happen May 9-11, 2025 at Pitt Meadows Heritage Hall an hour drive east of Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Guest artists are Željko Jergan presenting Croatian dances, and Dimitrios Kontogiannis presenting Greek dances.
Zakuska from Seattle, WA will be the Saturday evening party band.
Register
Saturday Live Music Party on Zoom!
The Saturday party will be awesome! Over 4 hours of fun including:

Performances
Dancing with the Teachers
Live music with Zakuska

Zoom Registration
For more details e-mail info@lyridsfolkdancefestival.org
Donations Gratefully Accepted
Please support the Festival and the Presenters. Drop into our Saturday party and we’ll tell you how to purchase the music and video packages from the Presenters.

Balkan Folk Dancing with Orkestar Unbound!
2025-05-14 19:00 - 22:00 | Ashkenaz, 1317 San Pablo Avenue, Berkeley, CA, 94702, United States
Live Music for monthly Balkan Folk Dancing with Orkestar Unbound!
Orkestar Unbound serves up a heady stew of energetic and soulful dances from the Balkans (Macedonia, Bulgaria, the Romani, Greece, Albania, etc.), and beyond! Artists include:

Bill Cope: gajda, bouzouki, tambura, accordion
Asaf Ophir: sax, clarinet, kaval
Dan Auvil: percussion
.
There will be teaching for all levels by Nadav Nur and Susie Shoaf, 7 to 7:30 pm, followed by dancing from 7:30 to 10 pm.
Whether you are a novice or an expert, we hope you can come!
COVID Safety Protocol
Masks and vaccination/boosters are recommended, not required, consistent with Ashkenaz policy.

Scandia Camp 2025
2025-05-31 10:00 - 14:00 | Online, CA, United States
Scandia Camp Mendocino 2025 will be ONLINE via Zoom this year. Free Registration – NO Charge to attend!
Session 1: 10am PDT – Peter Michaelsen will teach some new tunes for Group Playing/Allspel. Likely they will be a schottische, waltz and . . . All instruments are welcome
Session 2: noon PDT – John Ole Morken will tell us about the Norwegian Folk Music Radio Hour. The radio program has been on air for almost 100 years. It has influenced musicians and dancers throughout the Nordic countries. Learn more about it’s contributions to Nordic folk traditions.
The mission of Scandia Camp Mendocino is to provide culturally unique enriching opportunities to learn about and actively experience the dance, music and cultural traditions of Scandinavia (primarily Norway and Sweden) in a welcoming community.
Schedule, list of instructors, and more at http://scandiacampmendocino.org/
Register
Questions: E-mail Roo Lester
