June Camp 2023
2023-06-01 - 2023-06-04 | Trinity International University, 2065 Half Day Rd, Bannockburn, IL, 60015
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 Tineke and Maurits van Geel will be our featured guests.
See you at June Camp!
Tineke van Geel
Tineke van Geel Tineke van Geel received her degree as folk dance instructor in 1977. She specializes in Armenian dance and works as a teacher and choreographer. Since 1985, she has regularly visited Armenia to study folklore at the Pedagogic Institute and Choreographic School in Yerevan. 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 supported by scholarships of the Dutch government. On several occasions, Tineke visited the United States to observe the dances performed by the Armenian communities there.
Tineke conducts workshops for students at various levels, beginning to professional, and has taught classes in international folk dance, Dutch and Armenian dances in many countries of the world, a fact that didn’t remain unnoticed in Armenia. In 2006, she received an award from the Armenian government for her extraordinary devotion and energy in promoting Armenian dance, music and culture. All her research in Armenia has made her a world-renown specialist of Armenian dance.
In addition to a pleasant sense of humor, Tineke is an excellent teacher who can break down dance patterns step by step to enable every student to master the dances and to experience the joy of both learning and executing this exciting material. Combined with a vast knowledge of Armenian dance and culture, these qualities have contributed to her worldwide success and popularity. Besides giving workshops in 14 European countries, she has taught in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and Japan.
The music for a large number of dances that were researched in Armenia had never been recorded. Therefore, Tineke invited bands from Armenia to make recordings in a Dutch studio and she produced a number of compact discs on her own Van Geel Records label, established in 1989. Recently these programs have also been made available on DVD.
Tineke has also conducted over 40 successful dance and culture tours to Armenia which have been attended by hundreds of participants from all over the world. Recently Georgia was also included in some tour programs.
Although Tineke is known as an Armenian dance specialist, she is sometimes asked to teach international folk dances because she has mastered a variety of styles and learned from many master teachers.
Maurits van Geel
Maurits van Geel Maurits van Geel holds a degree in Arts and Crafts and Art History. He graduated as a folk dance teacher in 1977 and received his degree at Dance Academy level from the Ministry of Culture in 1986. He taught at folk dance clubs in Amsterdam and worked as a dance consultant for the City Council 1986-1988, initiating dance projects in schools in combination with setting up dance projects and festivals. Also in the 1980s, he specialized in the Appalachian clogging, worked as guest teacher in Belgium, The Netherlands, and Germany, and was invited to be a guest teacher at the Rotterdam Dance Academy.
He was employed by Het Internationaal Danstheater, a professional dance company in Amsterdam, first as choreographer and later as artistic director for 23 years (1988-2011). During his career, he produced over 47 theatre programs in the field of world dance for this company. Part of this job involved several months of dance research each year in order to prepare for these programs. His travels have included India, Pakistan, Turkey, Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Cherkassy, among many other countries. His archive consists of almost 900 DVDs, with research material from all over the world, most of it recorded by himself. He has also choreographed folk dances, among them Syrtós Kitrínou, Shantel, and Tou Paradeisou Lemonia.
Since 2011, Maurits has been teaching dance, often with his wife Tineke. They have traveled to many European countries, New Zealand, Australia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia, and were guest teachers at a number of folk dance camps and workshops in North America.
In November 2017, Willem-Alexander, King of the Netherlands, appointed Maurits Knight in the Order of Oranje-Nassau for his extensive contribution to dance.
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 our evening parties provided by Tom Pixton, Ralph Iverson, and Brian Wilson who are in residence throughout camp.
Registration

Encore: Dance Around the World
2023-06-04 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Our Lady of Guadalupe School Parish, 40382 Fremont Blvd, Fremont, CA, 94538, United States
An hour of world folk dance performances followed by a folk dance workshop for all to participate! Includes refreshments: snacks, desserts, fruits, and more…
Hosted by Smile Folk Dancers, Repentance Prayer Community, the Aloha Hula Dancers, Laura Noel, Pragathi Prashanth, Fr. Gabriel Augustine, and Folklorico Santa Paula.
Master Instructors

Rebecca Tasi
Evan Chu
Raul Herrera
Janice Gonzalves
Fr. Gabriel Augustine

Schedule

Time
Event

2:00 – 3:00pm
Folk Dance Performances

3:00 – 4:00pm
Dance Workshops

Da! Mozhem with East Bay Folk Dancers
2023-06-09 19:30 - 22:00 | Piedmont Veterans’ Hall, 401 Highland Ave, Piedmont, CA, 94611, United States
Join us for a fun-filled night of dancing to our favorite Balkan songs played by Da! Mozhem.
The Veterans’ Memorial Hall is on the corner of the Bank of America and just south on Vista beside Mulberry Market is a small lot you can park in.
Dancers are requested to wear N95 grade masks and for their first night they will need to show that they have been vaccinated and boosted for COVID-19. This is a fragrance –free event.
Be sure to bring tips for the band.
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.

Scandia Camp 2023
2023-06-10 - 2023-06-17 | 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 and waltzing

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.
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://scandiacamp.org
Covid Health Policy
No registrations accepted after June 1.
Register

Palomanians Ice Cream Social
2023-06-10 15:30 - 18:30 | St. Bede’s Church Hall, 2650 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, CA, United States
The Palomanians Ice Cream Social featuring request dancing, refreshments, and of course ice cream! Our MC is Denise Heenan.
A tradition for decades, the Palomanians will provide all the ingredients for an Ice Cream Social and Dance Party! With lots of toppings, fresh and stewed fruit, sprinkles, whipped cream, chocolate sauce, and more! Punch, water and coffee also provided. More dancing afterwards to work it all off.
To submit a request for our dance program, or to volunteer to help, please contact pfdcparty@gmail.com
As a reminder, vaccinated dancers only. If you’ve been to our parties in the past, we’ve marked you as vaccinated. If this is your first party, please bring proof of vaccination. Per county guidelines, masks are not required but recommended.
DOWNLOAD, print, and share a flier.

Cafe Shalom Dance Party
2023-06-10 19:30 - 23:30, 2023-07-08 19:30 - 23:30, 2023-08-12 19:30 - 23:30, 2023-09-09 19:30 - 23:30 | Congregation Am Tikvah, 625 Brotherhood Way, San Francisco, CA, United States
Israeli folk dancers from all over the Bay Area dance the night away at Café Shalom’s Saturday party—a monthly tradition since the 1960s! We play a wonderful mix of oldies and the latest dances based on requests. Dancers of all ages are invited to join the fun on the second Saturday of every month.
Saturday classes are large parties with many dancers from all ages and spectrum. We dance dances from 1918 and from 2018 back to back.
The first part of the evening – 30-45 minutes starts with slow and beginners dances, oldies, and dances which we learn in Tuesday class. Later we increase the intensity, up the beat and the pace and the evening is fully charged with great energy and fun.
7:30 pm – Warm-up, beginner’s, oldies dances, and recently taught dances
8:00 pm – Our party perks up… with circle, and couple dances
9:15 pm – Birthday celebrations, announcements, followed by a line dance set
9:30 – 11:30 pm – We’ll dance ‘til then or ‘til we drop – whatever comes first!
Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for students.
Info: Text 669.444.1284
Cafe Shalom, more details…

Global Folk Dance Party
2023-06-17 15:00 - 18:30 | Online, CA, United States
Join us where ever you are for the Global Folk Dance Party on Saturday June 17th. It’s going to be extra fun. And why is this? Well, it’s because we’re doing double name dances! We’ll have our usual team of dance leaders and this month we’re also joined by guest leaders Catherine Springer and Debbie Jackson. Have any ideas? Send them along to us!
Please come at 2:30pm to listen to a “special” music compilation by our incomparable Murray Spiegel. Also join us for the after party hosted by Paul Collins and friends.
Join The Party
By Zoom
Register by Zoom
We’ve changed Zoom numbers. Here’s what you need to do. Use the registration link above and you’ll get an email from Zoom with your link for the Global Folk Dance Party. Feel free to share the above registration link with your friends, they’ll get their own link to join. With the new registration, you’ll get a reminder email the morning of the Global Folk Dance Party, so you don’t have to look for your link.

IMPORTANT – Do not use both computer and phone; you will generate feedback.
Zoom will best be viewed using side by side mode. See https://bit.ly/39dximU for info.
When in the meeting, click the ‘chat’ button to chat with everybody and make requests.
When you sign into Zoom, enter your name and city so we know where you’re from!

By Facebook Live
Join by Facebook Live
if Zoom is full or you just want to watch.
https://www.facebook.com/PFDCouncil/
For more details and requests e-mail us at virtualfolkdance@gmail.com. Alicia La Fetra, Lisa Michael, and Stacy Rose will be happy to help.

Middle Eastern and Argentine Folk Dance Workshop with Helene Eriksen
2023-06-19 19:45 - 21:45 | Live Oak Recreation Center, 1301 Shattuck Avenue (at Berryman), Berkeley, CA, 94709 , United States
Helene Eriksen Workshop flier Helene Eriksen is a dance ethnologist, teacher, performer and choreographer of traditional dances of the Balkans and Islamic Orient as well as Argentine Tango and folk dance. She lectures and publishes on dance ethnology and costume studies. She has conducted many research projects in Bulgaria, ex-Yugoslavia, Hungary, Romania, Greece, Turkey, Armenia, Georgia, Egypt, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco and Argentina as well as with immigrant communities in Europe and the Americas. She speaks several languages. She is an active member of the Study Group on Ethnochoreology (ICTM/UNESCO). For many years she has been leading dance and culture study tours to Morocco, Turkey, Armenia and Uzbekistan. As a dancer she has appeared on television, in large festivals and on stages around the world with performances in: Germany, Austria, England, Denmark, Sweden, Holland, France, Switzerland, Italy, Bulgaria, Croatia, Turkey, Russia, Canada, Norway, the USA, Pakistan, Algeria, Slovenia, Mexico, Argentina and Uzbekistan.
Helene studied Dance Ethnology at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and was later a doctoral candidate in Folklore, Slavistics and Turcology at the Georg-August University in Göttingen, Germany. In Los Angeles she performed with AVAZ International Dance Theater, Gypsy Dance Company and Jasna Planina Ensemble. After a year at the Folkdance Academy in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, she was a guest of the Turkish State Folkdance Ensemble in Ankara. Since 1994 she has been teaching intensive ANAR DANA training programs internationally. Currently there are projects in the US, Germany, and Argentina. Read more…
Middle Eastern and Argentine Folk Dance Workshop with Helene Eriksen
Monday June 19, 2023 7:45 to 9:45 pm, doors open 7:30 pm
Register online
For more details and registration contact Yvonne Provaznik (510) 778-0184
Sponsored by Berkeley Folk Dancers

BACDS Family Camp 2023
2023-06-25 - 2023-07-01 | Monte Toyon, 220 Cloister Lane, Aptos, CA, 95003, United States
The Bay Area Country Dance Society’s Family Week is all about community—sharing music and song, relaxing together, and enjoying dance, play, and music making, catalyzed by an amazing staff and buoyed by friendships old and new.
Dancing
It is about traditions of moving together to music, and we’ll teach everything, no experience needed. There will be dance for all ages, including American contra and squares, English country and Morris dance, Irish, couple dances, and play-party games. The music at camp is the best! The extremely talented musical staff will make your toes tap for dancing and your ears happy from listening.
Music and Song
The staff will provide music for all kinds of dancing, will lead workshops for new and experienced musicians alike, and will lead the camp in joyous song. Instruction will be offered for many instruments, including fiddle, guitar, piano, and mandolin.
Storytelling
Enjoy the eternal art of storytelling. Our professional storyteller will enchant children and adults alike with storytelling sessions every day and a bedtime story as well. After the evening story the children will be serenaded off to bed with our traditional pied-piper parade.
Crafts
Family Dance Camp craft classes offer adults and children a chance to make things with their hands. Our talented and knowledgeable artists will help all ages take pride in what they create.
Camper Testimonials
BACDS Family Week isn’t just about “Dance”… it’s 6 days of community, immersion & sheer joy of art, song, movement, children & people.
Family Camp is absolutely unequalled for its ability to teach a variety of skills in dance, music, craft & games in a fun and supportive environment that strengthens family bonds and creates strong friendship which can last through childhood and through life. We are all better at our life work for having spent time at camp.
Camp Schedule, Staff, Policies, and More…
Register for Summer 2023

San Francisco Free Folk Festival 2023
2023-06-25 08:00 - 17:00 | Golden Gate Park, Golden Gate Park Music Concourse, San Francisco, CA, 94117, United States
The San Francisco Free Folk Festival, live and in-person, returns July 8 to the Golden Gate Park. All ages and musical interests are welcome at the festival. All events and workshops are open to anyone who wants to participate or just listen. Admission to everything is free!
The San Francisco Free Folk Festival has been a cornerstone celebration of folk music’s rich history for the past 47 years. This year’s festival is our first in-person festival since 2019, after three years of online festivals! It will be a full afternoon of music, dance, storytelling. formal and informal music-making, and just plain fun. All events and workshops are free and open to anyone who wants to drop in and participate or just listen.
Program

Joyful Balkan Folk Dances @ 3:00-4:00pm Workshop Area 4
Members of Da! Mozhem and Craig Blackstone of Changs Dancers will quickly teach simple dances from the Balkans that are family friendly.
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.
Parking and Directions
Parking, directions, and festival map
More Details
For more details visit https://sffolkfest.org

Camp Nirkoda Ba'Kerem 2023
2023-07-07 - 2023-07-10 | Sonoma State University, 1801 E Cotati Ave, Rohnert Park, CA, 9928, United States
An Israeli dance camp and wine tasting adventure
Set in the relaxed landscape of California wine country, Nirkoda Ba’Kerem is all about community. Come join your friends — some you’ve known for years, and some you’ve yet to meet — for a fun-filled weekend of nonstop Israeli dancing. We’ll enjoy the benefits of California’s famous vineyards by incorporating a wine tasting adventure during the camp! Excellent wine and fantastic Israeli Dancing—what could be better?! Don’t miss it!
Dance Hall
We will be dancing in Field House, one of the gyms that makes up the Seawolves athletics complex. It has a large, sprung wood floor for comfortable dancing, and is located conveniently close to Beaujolais Village. Bring a water bottle so you can stay hydrated at the fill-up stations.
Food
The prices include all meals (Friday dinner to Monday lunch) and snacks. Meals are not kosher, but there are many vegetarian, meat-without-milk, fish, and other “kosher-style” options at the large buffet. SSU can accommodate most dietary requirements (vegetarian, vegan, lactose-free), which you can indicate on the registration form.
Camp Events
Access to all Israeli dance and other camp activities (games, Shabbat services, etc.) is included.
Accommodations and Parking
Three nights lodging with linens provided. Free parking permit for 3 nights in the lot next to Beaujolais Village.
Wine Tasting
All levels include our signature wine tasting experience. Camp Nirkoda Ba’Kerem’s expert sommelier has chosen several excellent vintages for you to sample as our sommeliers help you to identify the subtle flavors of each wine. For those participants who do not drink, we will have a simultaneous fancy non-alcoholic beverage tasting. All dancers have the opportunity to evaluate their favorites and to enjoy the harmonious pairings.
COVID-19 Safety
Balancing the inherent risk of COVID-19 at a community dance event, dancers’ range of risk tolerance levels, and the current COVID situation. More details…

Registration closes June 14

Details and Registration
Contact registration@nirkoda.com for answers to any questions.

Peninsula Folk Dance Party
2023-07-08 19:00 - 22:00 | St. Bede’s Church Hall, 2650 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, CA, United States
Join the Peninsula Council Folk Dancers for an all-request dance party emceed by Kaela Fine and Hollis Radin!
We’ll have dances for all levels, beginning to advanced, and all forms (line, couple, and set). Dress comfortably in layers; sneakers or low-heeled dance shoes recommended. Donations to help cover the cost of the hall are welcome. We do dances from nearly every country in the world, and the music is incredible.
Masks optional while dancing. Up to date vaccinations are required. If you’ve already shown us your vaccine info, no need to do it again. If not, you can email it to us at pfdcparty@gmail.com or bring it with you.
Send your dance requests to pfdcparty@gmail.com along with any questions, comments, or suggestions.
If you’d like to, bring a snack to share.The requested donation is $10 for the party, but we’ll never turn anyone away.
DOWNLOAD, print, or share a flier.

Federation Board Meeting
2023-07-09 15:00 - 16:30 | Online, CA, United States
Join the Folk Dance Federation Board online as they meet for their July 2023 planning meeting. Various topics such as event planning, membership, publicity, insurance, and budget are discussed. Get to see Federation meetings behind the scenes!
Sunday July 9, 3pm-4:30pm, online
Meeting ID: 821 4223 9442
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Join Online

Dance Workshop with Roberto Bagnoli
2023-07-13 19:30 - 22:15 | St. Archangel Michael Serbian Orthodox Church, 18870 Allendale Avenue, Saratoga, California, 95070
Saratoga International Folk Dancers hosts a Pre-Stockton folk dance workshop with master instructor Roberto Bagnoli.
For more details e-mail loui@louitucker.com.

Roberto Bagnoli
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 now lives 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).
Roberto teaches weekly classes in various cities in the north of Italy and conducts monthly sessions in Rome and Milan besides conducting workshops and seminars throughout Europe, the United States (notably the Stockton Folk Dance Camp), and Canada, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Japan. Read more…

Global Folk Dance Party
2023-07-15 15:00 - 18:30 | Online, CA, United States
Stockton Folk Dance Camp Pre-Party
Most of the team will be at or on the way to Stockton Folk Dance Camp, so let’s celebrate! We expect a couple of this year’s faculty to join us.
Join The Party
By Zoom
Register by Zoom
We’ve changed Zoom numbers. Here’s what you need to do. Use the registration link above and you’ll get an email from Zoom with your link for the Global Folk Dance Party. Feel free to share the above registration link with your friends, they’ll get their own link to join. With the new registration, you’ll get a reminder email the morning of the Global Folk Dance Party, so you don’t have to look for your link.

IMPORTANT – Do not use both computer and phone; you will generate feedback.
Zoom will best be viewed using side by side mode. See https://bit.ly/39dximU for info.
When in the meeting, click the ‘chat’ button to chat with everybody and make requests.
When you sign into Zoom, enter your name and city so we know where you’re from!

By Facebook Live
Join by Facebook Live
if Zoom is full or you just want to watch.
https://www.facebook.com/PFDCouncil/
For more details or to send requests e-mail us at virtualfolkdance@gmail.com. Alicia La Fetra, Lisa Michael, and Stacy Rose will be happy to help.

Stockton Folk Dance Camp
2023-07-16 - 2023-07-29 | University of the Pacific, 3601 Pacific Ave, Stockton, CA, 95211, United States
July 2023, Stockton Folk Dance Camp’s 76th year, will feature
Come dance with Željko, Kau’i, Roberto, Tony, Kyriakos, Iliana and Todor, 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 2023 will be held during the following weeks:
Week 1 – July 16 – 22
Week 2 – July 23 – 29
For emerging details Click Here
Register

Beginner Class Dance Party
2023-07-30 13:00 - 16:00 | Live Oak Recreation Center, 1301 Shattuck Avenue (at Berryman), Berkeley, CA, 94709 , United States
Beginner Class Dance Party! Theme to be announced.
Berkeley Folk Dancers (BFD) has been active in Berkeley for over 80 years! It is a group of over 100 people of all ages who enjoy doing a great variety of folk dances. All kinds of people belong to BFD, from teenagers to retired people. Couples and singles are equally welcome. Lessons on four levels are held weekly; parties and special events are scheduled throughout the year.

Peninsula Folk Dance Workshop and Party with Iliana Bozhonova and Todor Yankov
2023-08-12 15:30 - 20:00 | St. Bede’s Church Hall, 2650 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, CA, United States
Join the Peninsula Council Folk Dancers for a Bulgarian Dance Workshop With Iliana Bozhonova and Todor Yankov, picnic supper, and dance party.
Masks are recommended, but not required. Up to date vaccinations are required. If you’ve already shown us your vaccine info, no need to do it again. If not, you can email it to us at pfdcparty@gmail.com or bring it with you.
Bulgarian Dance Workshop With Iliana Bozhonova and Todor Yankov
3:30-5:00pm
$10.00 Requested Admission
Iliana Bozhanova and Todor Yankov
Iliana Bozhanova
Iliana Bozhanova is a native of Gulubovo, Bulgaria, and comes from a family of musicians and singers in Southern Thrace. She toured as a principal dancer and singer with Ensemble Ruchenitsa of Plovdiv as a youth; graduated from the National School for Amateur Art Instructors; and later received her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from the Academy of Music and Dance Art in Plovdiv. She has worked as a choreographer with a number of ensembles, including the Children’s Ensemble for Folk Dances in Bulgaria, Zarove in Holland, and Bosilek in New York City. She has taught at most major U.S. dance camps, including Stockton, Mendocino, Old World Music & Dance Camp, Beloit, and Mainewoods. She currently serves as Artistic Director of Ensemble Voivodintsi, the 70-person multi-generational folk dance ensemble from the village of Voivodinovo (near Plovdiv), and is the dance program coordinator for the annual Bulgarian Folk Music and Dance Seminar at the Music Academy in Plovdiv.
Todor Yankov
Todor Yankov (accordion) grew up Dobralak in the Rhodopi Mountains. His father, Vasil Yankov, was a well-known gaida player in the area. Todor began to play gaida, like his father, then he took up kaval at age 10 and accordion at age 16. He is also a noted singer. For many years he played with the Hisar folk orchestra and has been the accordionist for the following folk dance ensembles: Rûchenitsa, Hebar, Pûldin and Voivodintsi.
Iliana and Todor met in 1984 in Ensemble Ruchenitsa, then their professional paths diverged. In 2004, they reunited to found Ensemble Voivodintsi, a music and dance ensemble based in Voivodinovo, just north of Plovdiv. The ensemble has grown from 32 performers to more than 100 dancers, singers, and accompanists.
Picnic Supper
5:00-5:30pm
Bring your own picnic supper! Iced tea and water provided.
Dance Party
5:30-8:00pm
$10.00 Donation Requested
Dance party emceed by Lisa Michael and Adony Beniares. We’ll have dances for all levels, beginning to advanced, and all forms (line, couple, and set). Dress comfortably in layers; sneakers or low-heeled dance shoes recommended. Donations to help cover the cost of the hall are welcome. We do dances from nearly every country in the world, and the music is incredible.
Send your dance requests to pfdcparty@gmail.com along with any questions, comments, or suggestions.
If you’d like to bring a snack to share, please make sure they are prepared for individual servings.
DOWNLOAD, share, and print a flier.

Global Folk Dance Party
2023-08-19 15:00 - 18:30 | Online, CA, United States
Celebrating our Master Teachers
We will be celebrating the dances of Sunni Bloland (on her birthday), Roo Lester, and Rivka Sturman, including special guests Roo Lester, Donna Frankel, Marilyn Smith, and Judy Silver sharing memories, videos, or pictures of these three master teachers.
Join The Party
By Zoom
Register by Zoom
We’ve changed Zoom numbers. Here’s what you need to do. Use the registration link above and you’ll get an email from Zoom with your link for the Global Folk Dance Party. Feel free to share the above registration link with your friends, they’ll get their own link to join. With the new registration, you’ll get a reminder email the morning of the Global Folk Dance Party, so you don’t have to look for your link.

IMPORTANT – Do not use both computer and phone; you will generate feedback.
Zoom will best be viewed using side by side mode. See https://bit.ly/39dximU for info.
When in the meeting, click the ‘chat’ button to chat with everybody and make requests.
When you sign into Zoom, enter your name and city so we know where you’re from!

By Facebook Live
Join by Facebook Live
if Zoom is full or you just want to watch.
https://www.facebook.com/PFDCouncil/
For more details or to send requests e-mail us at virtualfolkdance@gmail.com. Alicia La Fetra, Lisa Michael, and Stacy Rose will be happy to help.

Changs 85th Birthday Bash
2023-09-09 12:00 - 17:00 | City College of San Francisco, Wellness Center, 50 Frida Kahlo Way, San Francisco, CA, 94112, United States
Celebrate 85 Years of Dance in San Francisco with Changs International Folk Dancers!
City College of San Francisco Wellness Center, room 301.
Ocean Avenue and Howth St., San Francisco
$5 on Campus parking
Please bring a snack to share
Free for all. Donations welcome!
Live music by Da! Mozhem & Bill Cope
Refreshments, Performance, Fun & Friends!
Read more about Changs…
DOWNLOAD, print, and share a flier.
Da! Mozhem
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.
Bill Cope
Bill Cope
Bill Cope is a multi-instrumentalist who performs on over 60 instruments in many diverse concert settings. He began playing Balkan music in the mid-1970s after falling in love with the music while being in a dance group based in San Jose. Bill began his career giving lessons on tambura at the Mendocino Balkan Music and Dance Workshops in 1982, and to date he has taught at many workshops around the country. Bill has been the music director of San Francisco-based Westwind International Folk Ensemble, Aman International Dance Ensemble, and Mendocino Folklore Camp, and is currently the director of the San Francisco Kolo Festival. Instruments: accordion, laouto, gajda.

Berkeley Folk Dance at the Solano Stroll
2023-09-10 10:00 - 17:00 | Solano Ave at Ventura, 1652 Solano Avenue, Albany, 94707, United States
The 47th annual Solano Avenue Stroll is just around the corner! On September 10th, head over to this expansive street festival to explore the new Menagerie Oddities Market sideshow, live pro wrestling and music, support local creatives, and enjoy so much more. Over one mile of FREE family fun!
Berkeley Folk Dancers will be dancing at 1 and 3pm at 1652 Solano Avenue and Ventura!
This family event promotes the unique traits of Solano Avenue, helping independently-owned businesses, artists, and community organizations to thrive by exposure and fundraising.

Federation General Assembly Meeting
2023-09-10 15:30 - 17:00 | Online, CA, United States
Join the Folk Dance Federation online for their general assembly meeting. Various topics such as event planning, membership, publicity, insurance, and budget are discussed.
Sunday September 10, 3:30pm-5:00pm, online
Meeting ID: 821 4223 9442
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Join Online

Global Folk Dance Party
2023-09-16 15:00 - 18:30 | Online, CA, United States
We are all saddened by the loss of our friend Yves Moreau, so the Alphabet Party will be postponed to spend some time together honoring Yves.
We’ll have our usual team of dance leaders and this month we’re also joined by guest leaders Debbie Jackson, Mady Newfield and Catherine Rudin.
Please come at 2:30pm for pre-show music of Yves’ dances.
Join The Party
By Zoom
Register by Zoom
We’ve changed Zoom numbers. Here’s what you need to do. Use the registration link above and you’ll get an email from Zoom with your link for the Global Folk Dance Party. Feel free to share the above registration link with your friends, they’ll get their own link to join. With the new registration, you’ll get a reminder email the morning of the Global Folk Dance Party, so you don’t have to look for your link.

IMPORTANT – Do not use both computer and phone; you will generate feedback.
Zoom will best be viewed using side by side mode. See https://bit.ly/39dximU for info.
When in the meeting, click the ‘chat’ button to chat with everybody and make requests.
When you sign into Zoom, enter your name and city so we know where you’re from!

By Facebook Live
Join by Facebook Live
if Zoom is full or you just want to watch.
https://www.facebook.com/PFDCouncil/
For more details or to send requests e-mail us at virtualfolkdance@gmail.com. Alicia La Fetra, Lisa Michael, and Stacy Rose will be happy to help.

Inaugural Ball
2023-09-16 19:30 - 22:30 | Live Oak Recreation Center, 1301 Shattuck Avenue (at Berryman), Berkeley, CA, 94709 , United States
Something Old Something New
Something Golden Something Blue
With every step we dance we connect the past with the current moment ~ Join us in thanking our outgoing oﬃcers and welcoming in the new.
Add to the fun – Dress in a combination of Old Style with New or some Gold and some Blue.
Please bring finger foods to share.
Berkeley Folk Dancers welcomes their new and returning officers. These are the people who are providing layers of structure and support that keep the Berkeley Folk Dance club running. Save the date! More details coming soon.
Register online

Scottish and English County Dance Workshop and Dance
2023-09-17 15:15 - 18:30 | St. Bede’s Church Hall, 2650 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, CA, United States
Scottish and English Country Dance afternoon workshop and dance with master instructors Bruce Hamilton and Fred DeMarse.
3:15pm – Doors open
3:30 – 6:00pm – Workshop – alternating Scottish & English dances at all levels
6:00 – 6:30pm – Closing dances.
Dancing to live music by Lyle Ramshaw and Ben Jackson.
Bruce Hamilton is a very popular and well-respected English country dance leader and instructor with over 45 years of experience. Fred DeMarse is a world-renowned Scottish Highland dancer, teacher and judge. Both teachers emphasize the joys of these social dance forms.
Denice Heenan will MC. No partners needed. We change partners after each dance. All dancers welcome however basic knowledge of the fundamentals of English and Scottish country dancing is beneficial.
Bruce Hamilton
Bruce Hamilton Bruce Hamilton is a well-respected, thoughtful, and energetic teacher of English and Scottish dancing with 45 years’ experience. He has launched dance classes, trained teachers, coached performing groups, and adjudicated festivals.
A retired research scientist, Bruce is always looking for new ways to understand and present ideas for the dancer. Whenever he presents workshops, he weaves many conceptual threads besides dance technique and choreography into his lessons. Musicality, sociability, and physiology are his current favorites. People often say they come away with a different way to experience and think about dance. Occasionally he holds a weekend teachers’ class that also draws high praise. He continues to run a bi-weekly English dance class in the Bay Area. In the recent past, he was the president of the Country Dance and Song Society. With invitations to teach at many festivals and dance camps each year, he has taught workshops all around the United States and in the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, and Australia.
Fred DeMarse
Fred DeMarse Fred achieved his Highland Dance Teaching Certificate in 1995 and after retiring from active dance competition, added his Highland Dance judging qualification in 2002.
Fred has traveled extensively as a dancer, teacher and Highland judge, including all around North America, the UK, Russia and many other European countries and most recently New Zealand.
Fred teaches both Country and Highland dancing to all ages in the USA and internationally and is the current Chairman of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society’s International Branch.
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A member of The Red Thistle Dancers since 1990 and now its artistic director, Fred is looking forward to furthering the group’s mission of sharing and promoting a love of Scottish Dancing and Music to the greater community. Read more…

Family Fun and Dancing
2023-09-22 19:00 - 22:00 | Miraloma Park Clubhouse, 350 O’Shaughnessey Boulevard (at Del Vale Avenue), San Francisco, CA, 94127, United States
Join Changs International Folk Dancers for a night of music and dance for the entire family!
An hour of fun dance activities to music from around the world. Every Fourth Friday, 7pm-8pm
Followed at 8-10pm by international folk dances from our club’s repertoire.
$8 Adults (first time free!), Kids always free!

Mountain Playshop 2023
2023-09-29 - 2023-10-01 | YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly Convention Center, 84 Blue Ridge Circle, Black Mountain, NC, 28711-9722, United States
Learn, dance, socialize, and relax in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.
Mountain Playshop is a regional dance weekend that attracts dancers from throughout North Carolina and nearby states to socialize, dance, relax, and – you never know – to maybe learn a dance or two. This year we are featuring master instructor Roberto Bagnoli teaching International and Israeli folk dance. All NC safety guidelines will be followed
More details and registration…

Roberto Bagnoli
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 now lives 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).
Roberto teaches weekly classes in various cities in the north of Italy and conducts monthly sessions in Rome and Milan besides conducting workshops and seminars throughout Europe, the United States (notably the Stockton Folk Dance Camp), and Canada, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Japan. Read more…
