Folk Dance Federation of California

International Folk Dance in Person Party
2022-01-09 14:30 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | 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! We’ve missed dancing with you!
Our emcees for this party will be Ellie Wiener, Clem Dickey, Alicia LaFetra, and Lisa Michael. We’ll have dances for all levels, beginning to advanced. Dress comfortably in layers; sneakers or low-heeled dance shoes recommended.
We do dances from nearly every country in the world, and the music is incredible.
Fully vaccinated dancers only. Masks required unless you are eating or drinking away from the dance floor.
Send dance requests to pfdcparty@gmail.com
Dances range from beginning to advanced, and all forms (line, couple, and set). If you’d like to bring a snack to share, please make sure they are prepared for individual servings.
NEXT PARTIES:
Sunday, February 5
Saturday, March 25

New Years Eve Dance Party and Second Harvest Fundraiser
2021-12-31 19:30 - 2022-01-01 00:30 | All Saints’ Episcopal, 555 Waverley St., Palo Alto, CA, 94301, United States
Come help Moveable Feet celebrate the arrival of 2022 with an in-person potluck supper and dance party while raising money for a local food bank!
Download a flier
The combined, free New Year’s Eve International Folk Dance Party and Lucy Chang Memorial Second Harvest Fundraiser will kick off on Friday, December 31, at 7:45 p.m. and wind down not long after we ring in the New Year on Saturday morning. Once again it will be held at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 555 Waverley Street, Palo Alto. Loui Tucker will emcee the party.
Moveable Feet has set a $4,000 fundraising goal for Second Harvest of Silicon Valley. Last year’s virtual event, held about eight months after Lucy’s death, raised a record-breaking $9,357. The entry fee is being waived in hopes it will encourage extra-generous donations to Second Harvest.
Second Harvest is not accepting canned or packaged food donations during the pandemic. What they need is financial help, in the form of online donations; cash and checks also will be accepted at our party.
Attendees should be prepared to show proof of vaccination; masking requirements will follow Santa Clara County regulations then in effect.
Please donate in advance to help Second Harvest through the holiday season, using (and crediting) the Moveable Feet donation site:
Donate
( https://impact.shfb.org/MoveableFeet )

Christmas Night Dance Party
2021-12-25 16:00 - 19:00 | Redwood City Women’s Club, 149 Clinton Street, Redwood City, CA, 94062, 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 with Adony and Becky Beniares as our MCs! Send your request to pfdcparty@gmail.com or to Adony directly. This is our 13th annual Christmas dance party.
If you’d like to bring a snack, please make sure they’re single serve quantities.
Important Note – Fully Vaccinated and Masked Dancers only please.

Global Folk Dance Party
2021-12-18 15:00 - 18:30 | Online, CA, United States
Join our Global Folk Dance Party on Saturday December 18 for the dances of Jaap Leegwater. No need to leave your home. Also join us for the after party hosted by Paul Collins and friends.
We will:

Connect and dance in our own homes
Watch people leading dances from around the world
Submit requests and chat online
See each other; listen and dance to our favorites

Join The Party
By Zoom
Join by Zoom
https://zoom.us/j/600066908 Meeting ID: 600 066 908

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!

To dial in by phone: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
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.

Camp Nirkoda Ba'Kerem 2021
2021-12-16 - 2021-12-19 | Wonder Valley Ranch and Resort, 6450 Elwood Rd, Sanger, CA, United States
Israeli dance camp and wine tasting adventure
Directed by Aaron Alpert
With phenomenal teachers Michael Barzelai and Yaron Elfasy from Israel.
Set in the lush landscape of a private ranch, 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 located at the beautiful Wonder Valley. 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!
Featuring

Friendly atmosphere that focuses on connection and community
Learn new dances, attend specialty sessions, dance ’til morning!
One-of-a-kind wine tasting curated by our camp sommelier
Gourmet food, with special attention to your dietary needs
Relaxing setting with beautiful accommodations at various tiers to meet your comfort and cost preferences

Food
The prices include all meals (Thursday dinner to Sunday breakfast) and snacks. Meals are kosher-style (no pork, no mixed meat / milk, no shellfish). The camp can accommodate most dietary requirements (vegetarian, vegan, lactose-free). For those requiring certified kosher meals, that can be arranged for a surcharge. Ask the registration team about kosher menus and pricing.
Events
Access to all Israeli dance and other camp activities (games, Shabbat services, etc.) is included.
Accommodations
We also include linens, daily towel exchange, and hotel-like amenities (soap, shampoo). For those in the hotels, there is also a Keurig and mini-fridge.
Wine Tasting
All levels include our signature wine tasting experience. Camp Nirkoda Ba’Kerem’s wine experts have chosen several local vintages for you to sample as our sommelier helps 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 hors d’oeuvres selected for their harmonious pairing with the wines.
Meet the Staff
Michael Barzelai has created some of the most popular dances in the last couple of years — Normali, Aneni, Resisim, Be’chayai, Yahalomim, Shneinu, La Trompeta, Ha’or Min Heharim, and many others. Despite being only 30, Michael has a vast repertoire, both new and old, Ashkenazi and Mizrachi, popular and obscure. Beyond his fantastic choreography and dancing, he’s just incredibly friendly and boundlessly energetic, and we are so excited that he will be part of our Ba’Kerem community this year!
Yaron Elfasy is the choreographer of dances including Mor Ve’Kinamon, Eich Efshar Shelo, Ohev Lihiyot Ba’bayit, and Kanfe Ha’ruach. He can do it all: circles, partners, and yes, lines! He spends the summers teaching dance to the kids at Camp Szarvas in Hungary, always with a big smile and tons of ruach. Yaron is part of an Israeli dance dynasty; his four children are all dancers, and his father was the legendary Moti Elfasy, creator of El Ha’derech, Al Kanfe Ha’kesev, Lo Na’atzor, and more.
Latishya Steele returns as our Mistress of the Computer, our Granter of Requests, our Voice Upon the Microphone — in other words, our incomparable DJ. She will keep you on your feet all night long — and well into the morning! Latishya started her dancing career in Boston and Chicago, and she is now one of the Bay Area’s favorite teachers and programmers, with an incredibly deep repertoire and a talent for keeping the party going.
Aaron Alpert is your camp director and host for the weekend. His main job is to ensure that you’re having an awesome time! He’s been teaching, running sessions, and organizing workshops in the Bay Area for 12 years. Along with Latishya, he runs Nirkoda Le’Chayim every Thursday in Palo Alto. Let him know if there’s anything that can make your camp experience better.
Accommodations

Housing Level
Regular

Student (details) Up to age 25, in dorms of up to 10 people (same sex), individuals only
$360

Dorm (details) Up to 10 people (same sex), dorm style bathroom, individuals only
$450

Basic Hotel — double (details) Two people, private bath, individuals or two couples with prior arrangement, slightly older and smaller than the Deluxe Hotel
$630

Deluxe Hotel — quad (details) Four people, private bath, individuals or two couples with prior arrangement, recently remodeled, beautifully appointed with modern furniture
$570

Deluxe Hotel — double (details) Two people, private bath, individuals or couples, recently remodeled, beautifully appointed with modern furniture
$680

Read more…
Registration
Register
All participants must provide proof of Covid-19 vaccination in order to attend. We hope that masks will be optional, but we will rely on state and county rules at the time of camp. We do not anticipate any other pandemic-related modifications, and we plan to have partner dancing. If the situation changes, we will follow guidance from the state and county. Read more…
Contact registration@nirkoda.com for answers to any questions.

Palomanians Pie Party
2021-12-05 15:00 - 18:00 | 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! For the first time in two years, come join us for an afternoon of dancing and pie.
Nothing to bring, all pies will be supplied by a group of the Palomanians. Dances range from beginning to advanced, and all forms (line, couple, and set).
2:30 pm to ~5:00 pm (may run a bit long if we’re having a ton of fun)
For this party, in addition to being fully vaccinated, we will require masks for all dancers unless they are actively eating.
Our MC as always will be Denise Heenan and she’ll be putting together one of her great parties. You can contact her directly or email your requests to pfdcparty@gmail.com

Texa-Kolo 2021
2021-11-25 - 2021-11-28 | Croatian Cultural Center, 60 Onondaga Ave., San Francisco, CA, 94708, United States
Online and on-site with globally inclusive Zoom sessions!
Please join us for TEXA-KOLO 2021, a joyous celebration of folk music and dance. We’re all yearning for a big event – this is it!
Kolo Festival is now named as the John Filcich Kolo Festival in honor of Kolo Festival Founder John Filcich.
Dance Teachers

Sonia Dion & Cristian Florescu – Romanian line & couple dance
Evren Soytopcu-Kıyak & Ahmet Lüleci – Turkish Dance
Steve Kotansky – Balkan Dance and Culture
Michael Ginsburg – Balkan Dance and Culture

We’re excited to announce that Thursday’s program, exclusively over Zoom, will feature live, hour long sessions with:

Jaap Leegwater
Roo Lester
Yannis and Simos Konstantinou Bata Maroetio
Tom Bozigian
Yves Moreau
Joe Graziosi

Music
Musicians from around the world playing folk dance music for you from: Albania, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Macedonia, Norway, Romany communities, Romania, Serbia, Sweden, Turkey, United States.
Enjoy music & singing classes, jams, and live & recorded music parties throughout the weekend. Music staff, assembled from both Texas and California, includes:

John Morovich
Michele Simon
Maria Bebelekova
Bill Cope
Don Weeda
Shirley Johnson

But wait, there’s more!
This year, on both Friday and Saturday, John Filcich will have an hour to share wonderful stories about Kolo Festival over the years and a few of his favorite dances. And in the hour following, John Morovich will share some of his favorite Croatian dances! And both will have live tamburitza music!
TEXA-KOLO 2021 is an historic hybrid partnership. There will be electricity in the air as we gather live, on-site at the Croatian American Cultural Center in San Francisco, plus electronically over Zoom. Zoom participants will be able to view selected parts of the on-site program, and we will project portions of the Zoom program in the on-site Kafana.
Register Now
Schedule

View more schedule details…
The John Filcich Kolo Festival board is committed to ensuring a safe on-site environment while still preserving the most precious elements of the festival. Please read our COVID protocols.

Let’s make some magic! Register now! Any questions? Email: texakolo2021@gmail.comv
Registration
Main Registration Page…
Registration includes options to register for in-person and/or online Zoom participation.
On-site and Online
Location: Croatian American Cultural Center, 60 Onondaga Ave, San Francisco, CA 94112
Price: $30 – 100
On-Site & Zoom
Online Only
Zoom Only

Global Folk Dance Party
2021-11-20 15:00 - 18:30 | Online, CA, United States
Connect Globally, Dance Locally. Follow folk dance leaders and dance watching enthusiasts worldwide.
Dance wherever you are; no need to get together to dance, we’ll dance in our own homes, apartments, vans, yurts, cabins… With luck, you’ll be able to show yourself with your webcam and we’ll see and hear each other! Hey, wear a costume!
We will:

Connect and dance in our own homes
Watch people leading dances from around the world
Submit requests and chat online
See each other; listen and dance to our favorites

Join The Party
By Zoom
Join by Zoom
https://zoom.us/j/600066908 Meeting ID: 600 066 908

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!

To dial in by phone: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
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.

International Folk Dance in Person Party
2021-11-14 14:30 - 17:00 | Redwood City Women’s Club, 149 Clinton Street, Redwood City, CA, 94062, United States
Join the Peninsula Council Folk Dancers for an all-request dance party! We’ve missed dancing with you!
Our emcee for this party will be Craig Blackstone, from Changs Folk Dancers (http://changsfolkdancers.blogspot.com) in San Francisco. We’ll have dances for all levels, beginning to advanced. 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. We’ll meet in the Redwood City Women’s Club, an air-conditioned hall which includes a separate parlor and table area, as well as an outside patio.
Fully vaccinated dancers only. Masks required unless you are eating or drinking away from the dance floor.
Send dance requests to pfdcparty@gmail.com
Dances range from beginning to advanced, and all forms (line, couple, and set). If you’d like to bring a snack to share, please make sure they are prepared for individual servings.
NEXT PARTIES:
Sunday, December 5 Pie Party
Saturday, December 25 Christmas

Fall Camp 2021
2021-11-12 - 2021-11-14 | Brandeis-Bardin Campus, 1101 Peppertree Lane, Brandeis, CA, 93064, United States
If you’re like us, you would love a wonderful weekend of dancing with friendly people in a scenic location. We are planning a real (not virtual) Fall Camp November 12-14, 2021, at the beautiful Brandeis-Bardin Campus near Simi Valley. Share the joy of dancing safely together again! Everyone will have had the opportunity to be vaccinated long before then, and we all hope the health situation will allow a Fall Camp without masks or social distancing.
Master teachers include Sonia Dion and Cristian Florescu, who will bring their uniquely entertaining teaching of Romanian dances, and Roberto Bagnoli who will present a great selection of international dances.
Registration available this summer! Check back soon!
If the pandemic precludes the same kind of magical camp as before, we will give everyone a full refund.
The camp is about 40 miles northwest of Los Angeles, near Simi Valley, at the Brandeis-Bardin Campus of American Jewish University. We will stay in motel-style rooms with private baths, enjoy five meals from Friday dinner through Sunday breakfast (there is an optional Sunday lunch), and dance on a wood floor.
If you’d like to know more about Fall Camp — the master teachers, the location and campus, the rooms, the activities — read more at fallcamp.org or send an e-mail to Dance@FallCamp.org.
Instructors
Sonia Dion and Cristian Florescu
Sonia and Cristian The couple were married at the Stockton Folk Dance Camp in 2010. Cristian and Sonia have been guest performers with the Collage International Dance Ensemble of Boston, were regular teachers at l’École supérieure de danse du Québec, and were 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 and have traveled all over the world to share their love of Romanian folk traditions.
Cristian was born in Bucharest, Romania. He started dancing in 1982 with different Romanian folk ensembles, and studied with various specialists including the renowned Theodor Vasilescu. Cristian was principal dancer with the National Ensemble Cununa Carpatilor with whom he toured extensively in Europe, Asia and North America. In 1990-91, the Romanian Ministry of Culture and the ACAFR conferred on him a certificate as recognized solo dancer and choreographer in the field of folklore. He also was chief répétiteur for the Folk Ensemble Balada in Romania and worked as choreographer for the Academic Ensemble Joc in Moldova. In 1993, he joined Les Sortilèges, a professional folk dance company based in Montreal with whom he was actively involved as a dancer, teacher, répétiteur and choreographer until 2003. Since coming to Canada, Cristian has acquired multiple skills in various dance forms including modern dance, ballroom, jazz, tap as well as French-Canadian clogging and Irish step dancing.
Sonia was born in Québec and has been a professional dancer for many years. She was lead dancer and choreographer for Les Sortilèges dance company, Canada’s oldest professional folk dance ensemble, with whom she developed several new productions including Une page d’histoire, Un pas de danse, Montréal en danse, and Pour se faire plaisir. Sonia has toured worldwide and has been exposed to a wide range of dance techniques including Romanian folk dance, Scottish highland dancing, French-Canadian clogging and ballroom.
More details…
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.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 (Italian dances); Giro Giro Mondo (dances from around the world);Keltic Emotion (Celtic dances); Mazal Tov (Israeli dances);and Ethnos (international folk dances). He currently organizes two dance camps in Europe: Balkanot (Balkan and Israeli dance) and Camp Yofi (Israeli dance). Roberto has lectured and conducted workshops throughout Europe as well as on numerous occasions in North America, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan.
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. Roberto lives in Reggio Emilia in Northern Italy. Read more…

Global Folk Dance Party
2021-10-16 15:00 - 18:30 | Online, CA, United States
Connect Globally, Dance Locally. Follow folk dance leaders and dance watching enthusiasts worldwide.
Come to our Global Folk Dance Party on Saturday October 16 as Ahmet Luleci, Sherry Cochran, Rikki Nicolae and others lead the dances of Ahmet. Also join us for the after party hosted by Paul Collins and friends.
We will:

Connect and dance in our own homes
Watch people leading dances from around the world
Submit requests and chat online
See each other; listen and dance to our favorites

Join The Party
By Zoom
Join by Zoom
https://zoom.us/j/600066908 Meeting ID: 600 066 908

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!

To dial in by phone: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
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.

Officers Ball 2021
2021-10-16 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 “So Happy Together!”
Please note the venue has changed as of October 7, 2021. The new location is the Veterans Memorial Building, Pleasanton.
Schedule

Price
Time (pm)
Event

1:00
Doors open

$20
1:30-5:30
Dance workshops

$15
5:30-7:00
On-site dinner with the always popular sing-along with Bill Cope (for those registered by October 11)

$20
7:00-10:00
Evening celebration, dances from the workshop and your requests.

Officers Ball 2019, Hayward
Workshop
The afternoon workshop will again feature new and classic folk dances taught by local teachers including Aaron Alpert (with Latishya Steele), Adony Beniares, Cindy Blackstone, Laura Douglass (with Joe Croco), Carol Friedman, Lone Coleman, and Yale Rosenblatt. Read the flier for the dances they will be teaching.

Note: Barbara Bevan and Lenore Frigo recently reported they are unable to attend and teach.
Registration
Register by Saturday October 11, 2021 to obtain the special all event package pricing (workshop, on-site dinner, and evening party) of $45 and save $10. On-site dinner registration is not available after October 11. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination required.
Download Registration Form
Option 1: Mail-In Registration
Download and complete registration form.
Make checks payable to the FOLK DANCE FEDERATION.
Mail the check, registration form, and copy of COVID-19 vaccination proof to:
Sabine Zappe
153 Race Street
San Jose CA 95126

Please enter the security code:

Security Code:

Please enter the captcha verification code.

Submit

Fall "In-Person" Party
2021-10-10 14:30 - 17:30 | Redwood City Women’s Club, 149 Clinton Street, Redwood City, CA, 94062, United States
Join the Peninsula Council Folk Dancers for an all-request dance party, Loui Tucker as MC! We’ve missed dancing with you!
We’ll meet in the Redwood City Women’s Club, an air-conditioned hall which includes a separate parlor and table area, as well as an outside patio.
Fully vaccinated dancers only. Masks required unless you are eating or drinking away from the dance floor.
Send dance requests to pfdcparty@gmail.com
Dances range from beginning to advanced, and all forms (line, couple, and set). If you’d like to bring a snack to share, please make sure they are prepared for individual servings.
NEXT PARTIES:
Sunday, November 14
Sunday, December 12

Mountain Playshop 2021
2021-09-24 - 2021-09-26 | 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 happy to be side-by-side again and featuring local teachers with our favorite dances from our year of Zoom, and shopping at Balkan Bazaar. All NC safety guidelines will be followed
More details…

Global Folk Dance Party
2021-09-18 15:00 - 18:30 | Online, CA, United States
Our theme this month are dances with colors as part of their names or lyrics. Join us and follow our guest folk dance leaders Roo Lester, Stacy Rose, and Barbara Merson, and dance enthusiasts worldwide.
Dance wherever you are; no need to get together to dance, we’ll dance in our own homes, apartments, vans, yurts, cabins… With luck, you’ll be able to show yourself with your webcam and we’ll see and hear each other! Hey, wear a costume!

Email us your requests! You can reach us at virtualfolkdance@gmail.com
Planned playlist can be found at https://bit.ly/vfdlist
No fee. If you can, help your local food bank with a donation.
Thank you for your ideas, suggestions, and feedback!

Download flier and share…
Join The Party
By Zoom
Join by Zoom
https://zoom.us/j/600066908 Meeting ID: 600 066 908

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!

To dial in by phone: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
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.
After Party
Then join everybody at the PARTY after this, hosted by Paul Collins and friends
Join After Party

Global Folk Dance Party
2021-08-21 15:00 - 18:30 | Online, CA, United States
Connect Globally, Dance Locally. Follow folk dance leaders and dance watching enthusiasts worldwide.
Lee Otterholt will be joining us and we’ll be focusing on the dances he’s introduced and shared with us.
Looking forward to another wonderful party with all of you.
Dance wherever you are; no need to get together to dance, we’ll dance in our own homes, apartments, vans, yurts, cabins… With luck, you’ll be able to show yourself with your webcam and we’ll see and hear each other! Hey, wear a costume!
We will:

Connect and dance in our own homes
Watch people leading dances from around the world
Submit requests and chat online
See each other; listen and dance to our favorites

Lee Otterholt, born in the U.S. of Norwegian-American parents, lived and worked most of his life in Norway as a professional dancer, dance teacher, and choreographer. In Norway he founded and led the Center for International Folk Dance in Oslo. He was a professor of folkloristic dance at the Norwegian National College of Ballet and at the University College of Oslo. He has a professional education in choreography and was one of the choreographers of the Opening Ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games in Lillehammer, Norway, in 1994. For the last 20 years, Lee has been active on the international scene, teaching international folk dance (“Balkan and Beyond”). He moved to Laguna Beach, California, in 2003. There he founded and led the international folk dance performing group “SYRTAKI,” and he is the lead singer in the BalkanBeat band “Zimzala.” He is the chairman of the Laguna Folk Dance Festival. In 2015 he received the National Dance Award, presented at the San Antonio Folk Dance Festival.
Join The Party
By Zoom
Join by Zoom
https://zoom.us/j/600066908 Meeting ID: 600 066 908

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!

To dial in by phone: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
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.

Mainewoods Dance Camp
2021-08-15 - 2021-08-28 | Camp Indian Acres, 1712 Main St,, Fryeburg, ME, 04037, United States
Two separate weeks of folk dance workshops, music classes, and evening dance parties. Campers who enjoy singing or playing an instrument can join in music classes. Each evening the professional camp musicians play a live music set. Each day features a different ethnic theme.
SESSION 1: August 15 – August 21
Tom Bozigian – Armenian
Penny Brichta – Israeli
Michael Ginsburg – Balkan
International Folk Musicians – Pixton-Poirier Band
(Barbara Pixton, Julia Poirier, Tom Pixton)
Plus, Scottish Country Dance with Patricia Williams
SESSION 2: August 22 – August 28
Ed Austin – International
Joe Graziosi – Greek
Steve Kotansky – Balkan
International Folk Musicians – West by Northeast
(Joe Blumenthal, Bill Cope, Ralph Iverson)
Plus, Oldies by Request with David Vinski
More details…
Safety Rules and Guidelines

All campers must be fully vaccinated.
A copy of your vaccination card must be sent with your registration form. Your registration form will only be accepted with proof of vaccination.
Everyone at camp will be required to follow CDC and state guidelines.

Register

Virtual 2021 Stockton Folk Dance Camp
2021-07-24 - 2021-08-01 | Online, CA, United States
Online Camp and Fundraiser: July 24 – August 1, 2021
This year, Stockton Folk Dance Camp is online via Zoom, for everyone to see and enjoy! Now extended until August 1.

Come join Stockton Folk Dance Camp for more sessions of what you loved from our last camps, as well as new events, classes, and fun!
If you’ve been to Stockton before, you’ll love this year. If this is your first Stockton, then look forward participating in great dances, music and fun with everybody. There’ll be over 35 guest artists from around the world leading dance classes, showing presentations, parties, cooking, and participating in a wide number of events and fun.
If you can afford to, make a donation to help faculty and camp. If you can’t donate, you will still be able to attend and see 100 percent of the programs.
Visit folkdancecamp.org for latest news!
Registration is free and easy, and as a bonus – there are some special gifts for those who register and for those who donate.
Register
Schedule

View Fall Camp Schedule

Global Folk Dance Party
2021-07-17 15:00 - 18:30 | Online, CA, United States
Jaap Leegwater is our guest dance leader with live music by Jan Wallring. Dances will also be led by Holly Plotner and our regular team. Following the party is an after party hosted by Paul Collins and friends.
If you have any dance requests, please send them to this email address, along with any questions you might have. The communications team of the Global Folk Dance Team–Alicia La Fetra, Lisa Michael, and Stacy Rose–will be happy to help.
We’re all so excited about the upcoming virtual Stockton Folk Dance Camp and we’re thrilled to have this pre-party in anticipation of it. We hope to see you there!
Join The Party
By Zoom
Join by Zoom
https://zoom.us/j/600066908 Meeting ID: 600 066 908

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!

To dial in by phone: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
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.
After Party
Then join everybody at the PARTY after this, hosted by Paul Collins and friends
Join After Party

Global Folk Dance Party
2021-06-19 15:00 - 18:30 | Online, CA, United States
Connect Globally, Dance Locally. Follow folk dance leaders and dance watching enthusiasts worldwide.
This month we will be joined by Ahmet Luleci as our special dance leader. The party theme for June is dances with animal names and noises, a wonderfully whimsical theme for a dance party. Join us dancing to your favorite animal noise.
Ahmet Luleci
Ahmet Luleci
A native of Turkey, Ahmet is an accomplished choreographer, dance teacher and performer as well as a researcher of Anatolian culture. He is currently the artistic director of the Boston based Collage Dance Ensemble, which allows him to further his goal of making folk dance and music accessible to a wider audience.
Since arriving in North America in 1985, he has taught many workshops and camps throughout the United States as well as Canada, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Holland, England, Switzerland, Brazil, Argentina, Germany, Norway, Italy, Spain and Australia. He has set innumerable suites of dances for the stage working with dance organizations around the world. Read more…
Join The Party
By Zoom
Join by Zoom
https://zoom.us/j/600066908 Meeting ID: 600 066 908

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!

To dial in by phone: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
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.
After Party
Then join everybody at the PARTY after this, hosted by Paul Collins and friends
Join After Party

San Francisco Free Folk Festival
2021-06-12 10:00 - 18:00 | Online, CA, United States
The 45th San Francisco Free Folk Festival is online this year. All events and workshops are live and open to anyone who wants to participate or just listen. Admission to everything is free!
The San Francisco Free Folk Festival relies on donations and sponsors to cover their expenses. All the performers and workshop leaders donate their time and talent. Many of them are members of the San Francisco Folk Music Club.
The festival is run by the San Francisco Folk Music Club, a non-profit organization that was founded in 1948 and is still going strong. Membership is open to everyone.
Registration
Events are all live and free but require preregistration on Zoom.
Register
More details…
Schedule

View Full Schedule

Scandia Camp 2021
2021-06-11 - 2021-06-14 | Online, CA, United States
Free virtual camp via Zoom
The Scandia Camp Mendocino 2021 program will feature dance, music, and more from Norway and Sweden, presented by instructors from those countries and the United States, including:

Scandinavian dance fundamentals, including Hambo and waltz
Springleik, a dance from Vågå, a town in Gudbrandsdal Norway (about Gudbrandsdal)
Dances from Dalarna, an area of Sweden with various dance traditions (about Dalarna)
Fiddle Classes, featuring tunes to accompany dance traditions being taught
Singing, with emphasis on songs from Gudbrandsdal
Nyckelharpa (a keyed fiddle), the national folk instrument of Sweden
Hardanger fiddle, a uniquely Norwegian fiddle with understrings
Cow horn, a wind instrument made from a cow horn (historic form of mobile phone)
Group playing (allspel/samspel) all instruments welcome – Learn the most common/popular tunes for dances and play along at the parties.
Beginning Scandinavian fiddle classes
Culture sessions and crafts too

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.
Entrance Lobby
( https://tinyurl.com/EL-SC2021 )
Scandia Camp is offering multiple concurrent events from Friday, June 11 to Monday, June 14. The camp has a virtual Entrance Lobby to get you to the sessions of your choice and to change between sessions. In the Entrance Lobby you will find the day’s schedule with a time zone selector and the classes arranged in three Zoom locations called the Dance Hall, Lounge, and Dining Hall.
Enter now
Scandia Camp is FREE but you must register!
Register
Schedule

View at Scandiacamp.org

June Camp 2021
2021-06-04 - 2021-06-06 | Online, CA, United States
Given the extraordinary circumstances of the current pandemic year, the Midwest’s residential international folk dance weekend is moving to an online format on Zoom for 2021. We are still pleased to feature our teachers planned for the COVID-cancelled June Camp 2020, live music by Tom Pixton and the Pinewoods Band, and some of our camp traditions.
There will be no charge to attend our event this year, however registration will be required, and donations will be encouraged, with videos available above certain donation levels.
Instructors

Lee Otterholt Balkan Dance
Penny Brichta Israeli Dance
Jaap Leegwater Bulgarian Dance (Bonus addition)

There is no charge to register for June Camp. However we encourage your supporting the event financially and will offer various incentives.June Camp is free but registration is required.
Register
Schedule

View Fall Camp Schedule

Northwest Folklife Festival Virtual Celebration
2021-05-28 15:00 - 2021-05-31 17:00 | Online, CA, United States
The 50th Annual Northwest Folklife Festival takes place virtually on Memorial Day weekend, May 28-31, 2021, at https://www.nwfolklife.org, Facebook, and Twitch!
There are many ways to engage with programming at this year’s virtual festival! Streaming channels such as 50 Years of Folklife, Folklife Premieres, and The Roadhouse all feature regional artists while On-Demand and Family Fun channels provide any time access to performances and more. New this year, the Gathering Room provides live workshops and more, in an intimate virtual space. Visit the schedule page for a full description of the festival programming to come.
Visit the schedule to obtain virtual program links and descriptions. The full schedule is here!
Schedule

Global Folk Dance Party
2021-05-15 15:00 - 18:30 | Online, CA, United States
Connect Globally, Dance Locally. Follow folk dance leaders and dance watching enthusiasts worldwide.
This month we will be joined by Steve Kotansky with a focus on dances we’ve learned from Steve and Susan. In addition, two of our friends from Florida, Pat Henderson and Bobby Quibodeaux, will be dancing from their home studio, with maybe a small group of friends dancing with them!
Steve Kotansky Stephen “Steve” Kotansky was raised in the San Francisco area, moved to Southern California after high school, and danced with the prestigious AMAN Folk Ensemble (aka, AMAN International Music and Dance Company) of Los Angeles, California. He also danced with Vince Evanchuk and his Ukrainian dance troupe, the Westwind Folk Ensemble, and the San Francisco Russian Dance Group, before becoming a dance major at the University of California at Los Angeles. Steve taught folk dance in Western Europe and organized workshops in Hungary, Macedonia, and Serbia. In the late 1970s, Steve returned to Hungary and studied with dance master, Timár Sándor, among others. It was during this time that Steve met his future wife, Susan Snyder. Steve has since taught at every major North American festival and camp, often with his wife, Susy.
Susan “Susy” Snyder-Kotansky studied ballet as a young child and has been dancing ever since. As a young adult she danced with the George Tomov Folk Ensemble, Hungaria, and the Hungarian dance troupe, Hungaresca. Her passion for Hungarian dance and music led her to a dance seminar in Sarospatak in northern Hungary. There she met master teacher, Timár Sándor, who had a large role in initiating the Táncház movement.Susan and her husband Steven Kotansky created and co-directed the Guzsaly Ensemble while teaching weekly classes. They invited master teachers Zoltan Zsuráfszky, Zoltán “Batyu” Farkas, and Ferenc Sára to choreograph and teach their ensemble. In addition, Steve and Susy took many trips to Hungary for the purpose of studying and learning dance. Susy has co-taught couple dances with Steve at many folk dance camps.
Bobby J. Quibodeaux started folk dancing in 1971 shortly after the Orlando International Folk Dance Club started. He was an outstanding member of the club’s performing group for many years. He and his wife, Pat Henderson, have led the Orlando International Folk Dance Club, and Bobby is the main teacher of the club. Bobby and Pat have also danced with the Orlando Israeli Folk Dancers for over 20 years. For the past ten years, Bobby and Pat have taken many folk dance trips including Jim Gold’s first trip to Greece with Lee Otterholt in 2006. Bobby also led the international folk dancing during Jim’s trip to Bulgaria in 2010.
Join The Party
By Zoom
Join by Zoom
https://zoom.us/j/600066908 Meeting ID: 600 066 908

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!

To dial in by phone: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
By Facebook Live
Join by Facebook Live
if Zoom is full or you just want to watch.
https://www.facebook.com/PFDCouncil/
After Party
Then join everybody at the PARTY after this, hosted by Paul Collins and friends
Join After Party
For more details and requests e-mail us at virtualfolkdance@gmail.com.

Lyrids Kyklos Folk Dance Festival
2021-04-23 - 2021-04-25 | Online, CA, United States
The seventh Lyrids Folk Dance Festival, co-organized with Kyklos International Folk Dancers, features Tineke and Maurits van Geel teaching Armenian and Roma dances from different countries mixed with some international top hits in both mornings. In the afternoons, cameo workshops covering Bulgarian dances, Turkish dances, Israeli dances, Seated dances, Balkan singing, Instrumental music, and Drumming. At mealtimes, watch cultures talks and memorable videos from past Salt Spring Island & Lyrids Folk Dance Festivals. Friday and Sunday evening parties with recorded music, and Saturday evening Party with Osem i Devet + Friends.
Lyrids 2021 Instructors: Maurits van Geel and Tineke van Geel
Cameo Workshops
Program Schedule
Register
For more details e-mail info@lyridsfolkdancefestival.org

Global Folk Dance Party
2021-04-17 15:00 - 18:30 | Online, CA, United States
Connect Globally, Dance Locally. Follow folk dance leaders and dance watching enthusiasts worldwide.
Join the Global Folk Dance Party team for a party named “Double Name Dances and Other Favorites.” For a sneak preview, here are a few of the dances: Galyam Galyam, Zek Zek Dadumle and Rum Dum Dum. Guest dance leaders will include Michael Ginsburg, Melissa Miller, and Lew Smith.
We welcome your dance requests — and they don’t need to be Double Name! Send your requests as well as with any questions you might have. Alicia La Fetra, Lisa Michael, and Stacy Rose will be happy to help (we are the communications branch of the Global Folk Dance Team).
Lew Smith started folk dancing in 1966 and led folk dancing at UCSB in the late ’60’s and at SJSU in the early ’70’s. Lew is also a member of the Balkan band Svirači.
Melissa Miller (aka Ghanima Gaditana) has been folk dancing since childhood, and teaches and performs belly dance in the Bay Area and beyond. She also performs regularly with the band Svirači.
Michael Ginsburg has always been interested in Balkan music and dances, especially Macedonian and Serbian. He is an expert in the complicated rhythms of Balkan music and has made several research trips to Bulgaria and the former Yugoslavia, and studied in Macedonia with Pece Atanasovski, with whom he made research tours of the country. Michael has been on the teaching staff of the Macedonian Pearl seminar in Berovo, Macedonia. Michael lives in Yonkers, NY.
We will:

Connect and dance in our own homes
Watch people leading dances from around the world
Submit requests and chat online
See each other; listen and dance to our favorites

Join The Party
By Zoom
Join by Zoom
https://zoom.us/j/600066908 Meeting ID: 600 066 908

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!

To dial in by phone: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
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.

Global Folk Dance Party
2021-03-20 15:00 - 18:30 | Online, CA, United States
Connect Globally, Dance Locally. Follow folk dance leaders and dance watching enthusiasts worldwide.
We will gather once again on Saturday, March 20, this time to celebrate the dances of Yves Moreau. For this party we are delighted to be part of World Spring Camp. To attend both the camp and our party, register here. To attend only our party, please use the link at http://tinyurl.com/GFDParty(this is not our usual link). Our Guest Dance Leader will be Nina Lusterman, who began dancing with Michael and Mary Ann Herman in the late 1960s, continued through college, then danced with several performing groups. After a 20-year break, she is hooked again, and now helps with teaching for the Evanston, Ill., FD Group.
We welcome your dance requests! Please send us your requests as well as with any questions you might have to HERE. Alicia La Fetra, Lisa Michael, and Stacy Rose will be happy to help (we are the communications branch of the Global Folk Dance Team).
Get ready to have a splendid time dancing with your friends near and far on the first day of Spring. Hope to see you there!
We will:

Connect and dance in our own homes
Watch people leading dances from around the world
Submit requests and chat online
See each other; listen and dance to our favorites

Join The Party
By Zoom
Join by Zoom
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.

March Folk Dance Party
2021-03-14 15:00 - 17:30 | Online, CA, United States
Join us for an online dance party celebrating St. Patrick’s Day! Let’s have a high-energy party and dance with a bit of Irish joy in your heart!
Katherine Abbott will be our MC for this party, her first online folk dance MC experience! Join Katherine and her dance leaders for a dance party focused on high-energy dances. Come kick-off spring and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with some great dances!
So…

get your green on by decorating your space or putting your outfit together!
send your requests or questions to PFDC Party
get ready for a fun afternoon.
pass this along to your groups and friends.

Join by Zoom
Suggested Donation
A suggested donation of $4 per person is requested to help defray Zoom expenses. Please make checks payable to PFDC and mail to our Treasurer at:
Lesley Bone
112 Club Drive
San Carlos, CA 94070
or send a payment via Paypal to beni@pacbell.net

or via Zelle sent to bonelesley@hotmail.com.
We continue to add new dance leaders and MC’s to our parties under our idea of ‘everyone can lead and MC‘. If you’re interested in leading some dances or MCing one of our parties, please email us at pfdcparty@gmail.com. You’ll get all the help you’ll need and it’d be great to see everyone try it out!
Upcoming PFDC parties: April 11 and May 9

Global Folk Dance Party
2021-02-20 15:00 - 18:30 | Online, CA, United States
Connect Globally, Dance Locally. Follow folk dance leaders and dance watching enthusiasts worldwide.
Can you think of a better combination than pajamas and dancing? I can’t! You can even bring your fave stuffy to dance along with you. Join the Global Folk Dance Team and friends on Saturday, February 20, for our most leisurely party ever. And if you like, show off your fun pillows, stuffed animals, and anything else slumber-party related. How about some cookies and milk, for a real throwback to childhood slumber parties? We welcome Gigi and Warren Jensen, as well as Sherry Cochran, as our guest dance leaders. The after party will be hosted by Paul Collins and friends.
We welcome your dance requests! Please reply with those—as well as with any questions you might have—Alicia La Fetra, Lisa Michael, and Stacy Rose will be happy to help (we are the communications branch of the Global Folk Dance Team).
Dance wherever you are; no need to get together to dance, we’ll dance in our own homes, apartments, vans, yurts, cabins… With luck, you’ll be able to show yourself with your webcam and we’ll see and hear each other! Hey, wear a costume!
We will:

Connect and dance in our own homes
Watch people leading dances from around the world
Submit requests and chat online
See each other; listen and dance to our favorites

Join The Party
By Zoom
Join by Zoom
https://zoom.us/j/600066908 Meeting ID: 600 066 908

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!

To dial in by phone: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
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.
After Party
Then join everybody at the PARTY after this, hosted by Paul Collins and friends
Join After Party
