Stockton Folk Dance Camp
2026-07-19 - 2026-08-02 | University of California, Santa Cruz, 1156 High St., Santa Cruz, 95064, United States
July 2026, Stockton Folk Dance Camp’s 79th summer, will feature

Bruce Hamilton & Marcie Van Cleave, Denise Heeman 💖 English Country
Daniel Sandu 💖 Romanian Inspired
Roo Lester & Harry Khamis 💖 Scandinavian
Stacy Rose 💖 Contras
Maurits Van Geel 💖 Roma and International
Tineke Van Geel 💖 Armenian
Emily Saletan 💖 Singing
The Boston Quartet: Brian Wilson, Tom Pixton, Ralph Iverson, and Sammy Wetstein

Now held at the University of California, Santa Cruz campus. Come dance with them all!
Our Artists teach the same dances both weeks, but the Assemblies, Parties, and Evening Dancing are different each week.
Stockton Folk Dance Camp 2026 will be held during the following weeks:
Week 1 – July 19 – 26
Week 2 – July 26 – Aug 2
For more details Click Here
Register Now!

Family Fun and Dancing
2026-07-24 19:00 - 22:00, 2026-08-28 19:00 - 22:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | 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.
Adults accompanied by kids always free!

Peninsula Folk Dance Party
2026-08-08 18:30 - 21:45 | 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! Invite your friends for a short beginner dancer workshop at 6:30pm with Lon Radin as MC.
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.
Please stay home if you are sick, and please wear a mask if you are unsure or have been exposed to someone with a contagious illness. Thank you for your thoughtfulness.

Global Folk Dance Party
2026-08-15 15:00 - 18:30 | Online, CA, United States
We will be celebrating all of you, since we are celebrating friends this month. And what is the folk dance community, if not a big network of friends. But most especially we are celebrating our warm, welcoming and wonderful, wonderful friend Joyce Clyde, who recently passed away.
As always, join us 30 minutes before each Global Folk Dance Party at 2:30pm PST for a different pre-show (quiz, video, music, trivia, etc.) each month. Hope to see you on the virtual dance floor on Saturday!
Join The Party
By Zoom
Register by Zoom
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.

Cafe Shalom Dance Party
2026-08-15 19:30 - 23:30, 2026-09-19 19:30 - 23:30, 2026-10-17 19:30 - 23:30, 2026-11-21 19:30 - 23:30, 2026-12-19 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 third 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…

Federation Board Meeting
2026-08-16 15:00 - 16:30 | Online, CA, United States
Join the Folk Dance Federation for their board meeting. Various topics such as event planning, membership, scholarships, publicity, insurance, and budget are discussed.
Join on Zoom
Meeting ID: 839 1448 2164
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Greek Feet Dance Party with AVRA
2026-08-24 19:00 - 21:00 | Joe Goode Annex, 401 Alabama at 17th Street, San Francisco, CA, 94110, United States
Celebrate the late dog days of summer with AVRA and GreekFeet! We love a party at GreekFeet and what a wonderful way to spend a Monday night dancing and listening to Greek music to the live tunes of AVRA. Join us for a night of hospitality, dancing, and good vibes!
AVRA performs traditional Greek music for dancing, listening and transporting you on a magical musical journey to Greece. Dance to a diverse repertoire of songs: the deep, soulful tunes of Epiros; the joyful, spirited music of the Greek Islands; the driving, pulsating rhythm of Pontic music; and the rich tradition of Greek Macedonia music with its complex and intricate rhythms. AVRA features

Greg Masaki Jenkins on clarinet, percussion, and vocals
Ari Langer on violin
Jenette Selin on accordion and santouri
Michael Garibaldi on percussion, vocals, and laouto

GreekFeet meets at the Joe Goode Annex, 401 Alabama Street at 17th Street, San Francisco. Please ring the bell at the Gate and we will buzz you in

Land Dancers Folk Dance Weekend
2026-09-05 11:00 - 2026-09-07 18:00 | Cliff’s land in the Santa Cruz Mountains, CA-9 & Skyline Blvd, Saratoga, CA, 95070
Please join the Land Dancers this Labor Day weekend September 5 to 7 for International and Israeli folk dancing and music at The Land. Anyone is welcome. Fun for families. No charge. Held every Memorial Day and Labor Day weekend. Founded by Cliff Jenkins and friends in 1981.
You can camp out for the whole weekend or just come for the day and enjoy the deck, the creek, the forest, dancing and friends!
We dance outdoors on a big redwood deck where two creeks come together in the Santa Cruz Mountains, off Skyline Blvd near Highway 9. Dancing typically runs from around noon to 11 pm Saturday and Sunday but there isn’t a set schedule. Note map shown is only general vicinity, contact Betsy to RSVP and for directions.
The event is free of charge but we welcome donations to Land Dancers, the 501c(3) organization we created to organize and carry on folk dance weekends at the land. You may bring a check or cash to the land, mail a check to the address shown below, or use this link to make a donation through PayPal (you do not need a PayPal account to donate).
Contact Betsy Moore, eambetsy@gmail.com (408-507-7177) to request a flyer with directions and more info, to ask questions, or to be added to our email list.

Saratoga Folk Dancers School Supply Soiree
2026-09-10 19:30 - 22:15 | St. Archangel Michael Serbian Orthodox Church, 18870 Allendale Avenue, Saratoga, California, 95070
Instead of dressing up and dancing, the Saratoga Folk Dancers will be bringing school supplies to their all-requests dance party. Whatever is donated will be given to Luther Burbank School District in San Jose. Join the party and bring a bag of school supplies! Bring a snack to share for the refreshment table.
Warmup and dances for beginners between 7:30 and 8:15pm. The dance party follows until 10:00-10:15pm.
This is a large, friendly group; you won’t be disappointed! Drop in fee $8, seniors $6, and first visit free. No charge for non-dancers and children. Discounts and scholarships available. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. More details…

Inaugural Ball 2026
2026-09-19 13:00 - 16:00 | Live Oak Recreation Center, 1301 Shattuck Avenue (at Berryman), Berkeley, CA, 94709 , United States
Berkeley Folk Dancers welcomes their new and returning officers in their Inaugural Ball. Help BFD thank their retiring Board members and welcome the new ones! Party theme: Tie One On!

Peninsula Folk Dance Party
2026-09-19 18:30 - 21:45 | 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! Invite your friends for a short beginner dancer workshop at 6:30pm. Our MC is Becky Beniares. NOTE REVISED DATE.
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.
Please stay home if you are sick, and please wear a mask if you are unsure or have been exposed to someone with a contagious illness. Thank you for your thoughtfulness.

Officers Ball 2026
2026-10-03 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! The theme this year is “Dance Around the World.” Workshop instructors include Craig Blackstone, Memo Keswick, Andy Partos, Ina Tacheva, Lenore Watson, and Alex Shadle.
The Officers Ball is also an important fundraiser for the Federation Scholarship Fund. Its Annual 50/50 Drawing is a popular feature: buy tickets for $1 each and, if your ticket is drawn, you receive 50% of the total ticket sales. Consider bundling the 2027 Federation Folk Dance Wall Calendar with your ticket purchase and pick up the calendar at the Ball.
Schedule

Price
Time (pm)
Event

1:00
Doors open

$25
1:30-5:30
Dance workshops

$20
5:45-7:00
On-site dinner (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 featuring local teachers.

Craig Blackstone – Braes of Dornoch (English, set)
Memo Keswick – Baztan Dantza (Basque, individual)
Alex Shadle – Bhangra (Punjabi, individual)
Lenore Watson – Contras (USA, set)
Andy Partos – Ländler (USA/Austrian, couples)
Ina Tacheva – Trakijska Râčenica (Bulgarian, open circle)

Registration
Officers Ball 2026 Mail-in Registration Register by September 26, 2026 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 September 26. New members who bring coupon pay for dinner only.
Option 1: Mail-In Registration
Download and complete registration form.
Please make checks payable to the FOLK DANCE FEDERATION. Do NOT mail checks after Friday, September 26th. After September 26th, pay online or register at the door.
Option 2: Online Registration
Register Online

Federation Board Meeting
2026-10-04 15:00 - 16:30, 2026-12-13 15:00 - 16:30 | Online, CA, United States
Join the Folk Dance Federation for their board meeting. Various topics such as event planning, membership, scholarships, publicity, insurance, and budget are discussed.
Join on Zoom
Meeting ID: 818 0783 2797
Passcode: [REDACTED]

North/South Folkdance Teachers’ Seminar
2026-10-09 19:00 - 2026-10-11 13:00 | Monte Toyon, 220 Cloister Lane, Aptos, CA, 95003, United States
Are you a folkdance teacher who would like to hone your skills or a dancer who would like to learn to teach? If so, plan to come to the N/S Folkdance Teachers’ Seminar!
About
North/South Folkdance Teachers’ Seminar is a gathering of teachers focused on improving teaching skills and sharing information and ideas with other teachers. All Folk Dance teachers, both current and prospective, are welcome. Each annual seminar features two master instructors who have specialized knowledge of folk dance.
The 2026 North/South Master Teachers are Tineke and Maurits van Geel. They will lead workshops on Saturday morning, Saturday afternoon, and Sunday morning, plus cultural or teaching presentations. Both are professional teachers with decades of experience in welcoming and retaining dancers in the folk dance world.
Price
$320 with on-site accommodations, $270 off-site. Price includes meals from Saturday breakfast through Sunday lunch and all activities. On-site accommodation is dorm-style with shared bathrooms. Registration coming soon. Save the date!
Featured Guests
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…

Monte Toyon Camp & Conference Center
Helgesson Hall, Monte Toyon
Monte Toyon Camp & Conference Center is an idyllic oasis right in the heart of Aptos, California. Just a short drive from the west coast beaches you’ll head inland on a road that meanders through a beautiful wooded forest opening to our doorstep. Situated in a gorgeous and refreshing redwood forest setting, there are short nature trails that circle the camp for a peaceful walk in forest beauty. Monte Toyon is a short drive to nearby Nisene Marks State Park, Seacliff State Beach, and Santa Cruz Beaches and Boardwalk. Wi-Fi is available in meeting areas. Read more…
Register Now

Peninsula Folk Dance Party
2026-10-11 18:30 - 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 with Marurits and Tineke van Geel and Adony Beniares as MC! Invite your friends for a short beginner dancer workshop at 6:30pm.
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
Please stay home if you are sick, and please wear a mask if you are unsure or have been exposed to someone with a contagious illness. Thank you for your thoughtfulness.
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…

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…

Fall Camp 2026
2026-10-30 - 2026-11-01 | Brandeis-Bardin Campus, 1101 Peppertree Lane, Brandeis, CA, 93064, United States
Band Being-together New-laughs-old-friends Dance Happy-hour Walk Wildlife Discover-the-unexpected Fall Camp 2026
The 7th Fall Camp will be Oct. 30 – Nov. 1, and it promises to be another vibrant, fun-filled weekend. Once again, camp will be on the Brandeis-Bardin Campus near Simi Valley (40 miles northwest of downtown LA), with a delightful combination of creature comforts (such as motel-style rooms with heating and air conditioning) and a lovely rural setting. We will dance in a beautiful, air conditioned hall with a wood floor.
In addition to teaching, camp will offer many entertaining and even enriching attractions, including a Halloween-themed dance party, a Fall Colors-themed dance party, happy hours, the Potluck Band (open to all musical campers), craft projects and puzzles, stargazing with a rocket scientist, morning nature walks, and some other past favorites and new surprises.
Join us for another magical, fun-filled weekend of dance, music, crafts, nature, and camaraderie.
Campus
Once again, Fall Camp will be on the beautiful rural Brandeis-Bardin Campus near Simi Valley, with its comfortable motel-style rooms in an idyllic, natural setting. Nestled in a woodsy alcove, the campus 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!
About 40 miles northwest of Los Angeles, near Simi Valley, Brandeis-Bardin is a lovely and comfortable place to spend a weekend dancing with friends. The beautifully landscaped grounds have many mature trees and offer breathtaking views of the Santa Susana Mountains. The camp’s address is 1101 Peppertree Lane, Brandeis, CA 93064. Fly into Burbank or LAX.
Registration
PRICES INCREASE JULY 1 SO REGISTER SOON!
Fall Camp 2026 Registration Form and Waiver

Peninsula Folk Dance Party
2026-11-14 18:30 - 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! Invite your friends for a short beginner dancer workshop at 6:30pm.
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.
Please stay home if you are sick, and please wear a mask if you are unsure or have been exposed to someone with a contagious illness. Thank you for your thoughtfulness.

Palomanians Pie Party
2026-12-12 15:30 - 18:30 | St. Bede’s Church Hall, 2650 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, CA, United States
The annual Palomanians Pie Party featuring ice cream, refreshments and pie all provided by the Palomanians! Come join us for an evening of dancing and pie. Denise Heenan is MC.
Nothing to bring, all pies, ice cream, and refreshments will be supplied by the Palomanians. Dances range from beginning to advanced, and all forms (line, couple, and set). Email your requests or questions to pfdcparty@gmail.com
Please stay home if you are sick, and please wear a mask if you are unsure or have been exposed to someone with a contagious illness. Thank you for your thoughtfulness.

Christmas Night Dance Party
2026-12-25 19:00 - 22:00 | St. Bede’s Church Hall, 2650 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, CA, United States
Once upon a time, a family gathered with friends and relatives every Christmas Night to celebrate the day. They shared food and beverages, and danced away the evening. John Nicoara was there. It was from the stories of these warm memories that Jan and he, and Becky and Adony, were inspired to continue that tradition with a new family — YOU!
All request Folk Dance Party hosted by the Peninsula Council! Send your request to pfdcparty@gmail.com. This is our 20th annual Christmas dance party.
Please stay home if you are sick, and please wear a mask if you are unsure or have been exposed to someone with a contagious illness. Thank you for your thoughtfulness.
Bring a finger food snack to share. Water and punch will be provided.

New Years Eve Dance Party and Lucy Chang Memorial Fundraiser
2026-12-31 19:00 - 2027-01-01 00:15 | All Saints’ Episcopal, 555 Waverley St., Palo Alto, CA, 94301, United States
Come help Moveable Feet celebrate the arrival of 2027 with an in-person potluck supper and dance party while raising money for Second Harvest, a local food bank!
The combined, New Year’s Eve International Folk Dance Party and Lucy Chang Memorial Second Harvest Fundraiser will kick off on December 31, at 7:00 p.m. and wind down not long after we ring in the New Year next morning.
We’ll start with a potluck dinner at 7 p.m. (doors open at 6:45), followed by dancing from about 8 p.m. to 12:15 a.m. Bring a favorite dish to share (label your serving utensils). Moveable Feet will supply drinks, plates, and utensils.

Please make a generous donation to Second Harvest, either in advance or bring to the party cash, checks, or a smart phone to use a credit card. You may also bring cans, jars (peanut butter), bags (rice, pasta), and boxes (cereal, cake mix) to be delivered to SHFB.
Additional notes: Parking is free on New Year’s Eve and no time limit in Palo Alto city lots and streets.

NFO Conference 2027
2027-04-07 - 2027-04-11 | Old Murphey School, Shared Visions Retreat Center, 3717 Murphy School Road, Durham, NC, 27705, United States
Annual NFO Meeting and Conference 2027
April 7 – 11, 2027 in Twin Cities, Minnisota
Save the date!
The NFO Conference in Twin Cities, MN will be presented in conjunction with IFest-MN – International Festival of Minnesota
For ongoing updates in programming, schedule, and registration visit the NFO 2027 Conference Web Page.

Statewide 2027
2027-05-14 - 2027-05-16 | Balboa Park Club Ballroom, 2150 W. Pan American Rd, San Diego, 92101, United States
Save the date! The Statewide Folk Dance Festival, the highly-anticipated annual weekend festival of folk dance workshops and parties, returns May 14-16, 2027. All events take place at the beautiful historic Balboa Park Club Ballroom, San Diego.
Statewide 2027 features

Sonia Dion and Cristian Florescu (Romanian dance)
Tony Petroulias (Greek dance)
Friday evening party dancing to live music by Parea
Saturday evening party dancing to live music by Tzidia
And more…

Schedule
Friday: 1:00 – 9:30 pm
Saturday: 9:00 am – 9:30 pm
Sunday: 9:00 am – 3:30 pm
More details coming…
Contact Statewide 2027
