Folk Dance Federation of California

Virtual Folk Dance Party
2020-05-09 15:00 - 18:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | 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

Feel free to invite everyone, we have enough licenses.
The current playlist (in alphabetical order) can be found here.
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.

Then…Join us for an after party!
The IFDA St. Louis Virtual Dance Party will start 30 minutes after this party ends and they’ll be playing more great folk dance music.
IFDA After Party
https://zoom.us/my/ifdauc”
If you would like to be added to our mailing list, or have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please email us at virtualfolkdance@gmail.com. Keep the ideas coming.

CANCELLED - 11th Annual Cerritos Festival
2020-05-03 13:00 - 17:30 | Cerritos Senior Center, 12340 South Street, Cerritos, CA, 90703, United States
CANCELLED
due to the CDC request not to have gatherings of more than 50 people at least up through May.

Celebrate the eleventh anniversary of the Cerritos Folk Dancers with dance! Each group is welcome to lead, and/or request one or more dances.
Please bring finger food or non-alcoholic beverage to share. YOUR traditional or special costume will add splendid color to the party.
For more details contact CerritosFolkDancers@gmail.com or Wen at (562) 865-8854

CANCELLED - 2020 Blossom Festival
2020-04-26 12:30 - 17:00 | City College of San Francisco, Wellness Center, 50 Frida Kahlo Way, San Francisco, CA, 94112, United States
CANCELLED
We will be considering the possibility of rescheduling the Blossom Festival for a date in September.

The annual Blossom Festival, a featured event of Bay Area Dance Week, includes a folk dance party, short dance workshops, and dance performance by guest company. Free event! Parking $5.
12:30 -1:30 p.m. Dances for All Ages
1:30 – 5:00 p.m. General Dancing
Dance activities will be held in the Wellness Center, 3rd Floor, Studio 301
Blossom Festival 2020
Register
DOWNLOAD, print, and share a flier.

CANCELLED - Annual Spring Folk Dance Party
2020-04-18 19:30 - 22:30 | Hermann Sons Hall, 860 Western Avenue, Petaluma, CA, 94952, United States
CANCELLED
due to concerns regarding coronavirus (COVID-19) transmission.

Join the Petaluma Snap-Y Dancers for their annual Spring folk dance party! Come to dance or just listen to fabulous music from Bulgaria, Macedonia, Greece, Armenia, Turkey, Serbia, Croatia, Israel, Albania, and Romania. Come enjoy our friendly atmosphere and great mix of dances. Everyone welcome!
The first hour will feature dancing to old and new recorded favorites followed by a live music set with Staro Vino playing lively and beautiful Bulgarian, Macedonian, and Greek music.
7:30-8:45 pm Dancing to recorded favorites
8:45-10:30 pm Live music by Staro Vino
Bring drinks or snacks to share.
DOWNLOAD, print, and share a flier.
Staro Vino
Staro Vino Staro Vino plays dance tunes and table songs from Bulgaria, Macedonia, Serbia, and Bosnia. The members of Staro Vino are Andrew Cohen (accordion and vocals), Peter Bonos (trumpet), Greg Jenkins (clarinet and vocals), and Mark Jenkins (percussion and vocals).

POSTPONED - 40th Anniversary Party
2020-04-16 19:30 - 22:15 | St. Archangel Michael Serbian Orthodox Church, 18870 Allendale Avenue, Saratoga, California, 95070
POSTPONED
To be rescheduled.
A celebration of 40 years of international folk dance in Saratoga lead by Loui Tucker.

Virtual Folk Dance Party
2020-04-11 15:00 - 18:00 | Online, CA, United States
Connect Globally, Dance Locally. Follow folk dance leaders and dance watching enthusiasts worldwide.
Our last Virtual Folk Dance Party was much more successful than we could have dreamed! We had 1500 dancers from all over the world join us, with a peak attendance of 586 on Zoom and over 400 on FaceBook Live! It was so much fun to dance with our friends once again!
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.

CANCELLED - Mihai and Alexandru David
2020-03-29 08:00 - 17:00 | All Saints’ Episcopal, 555 Waverley St., Palo Alto, CA, 94301, United States
CANCELLED
Due to global concerns about the coronavirus, we are canceling the March 29 workshop and party with Mihai and Alexandru David. We hope to reschedule at a future date.
Dances from Moldova, Russia, and Romania with Mihai and Alexandru David
Afternoon workshop and party.

Virtual Folk Dance Party
2020-03-28 15:00 - 18:00 | CA
As almost all classes and parties have been cancelled, the Peninsula Folk Dance Council is going to host a VIRTUAL FOLK DANCE PARTY! We’ll be setting up a video and audio bridge for everybody to web or call into from their homes. A few of us will be playing music so we can all dance without being together.
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!
Let’s keep dancing. 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/
Download Partial Playlist
Answers to your questions

There will be a couple of dances in the program for your ‘housemate’ and you to dance.
You can indeed send questions to virtualfolkdance@gmail.com
You will only need what space you have, we will probably not be doing Adama V’shamayim or Troika during the party =). Also, if you don’t have any space, or can’t currently dance, you can still listen in and brighten up your and our Saturday.
Yes, if the shutdown goes into mid-April, and this first time works, we will have another one on April 11, in place of our normal monthly party in Menlo Park.
Free! If you can, help your local food bank with a donation. There are a lot of people out of work right now.

Email your dance requests to virtualfolkdance@gmail.com. We’re also working on a way for you to request during the event.

CANCELLED - Camellia Festival 2020
2020-03-27 - 2020-03-28 | Polish-American Hall, 327 Main Street, Roseville, CA, 95678, United States
CANCELLED
Due to concerns over the Coronavirus, SIFDAC has decided to cancel the 2020 Camellia Festival which was to take place on March 27 and 28 in Roseville.
The 63rd annual Camellia International Dance Festival with folk dance workshops, dance parties, and performances!
Schedule

Date
Price
Time
Event

Friday, March 27
$10
7:30-10:30pm
Opening party – Request dancing

8:00-8:30pm
Skalinada Croatian dance performance

Saturday, March 28
$20
10:00-12:00pm
Croatian non-partner workshop

12:00pm-1:30pm
Lunch on your own (many nearby restaurants)

$20
1:30-3:30pm
Croatian couple workshop

3:30-5:00pm
Request dancing

5:30-6:30pm
Catered Croatian dinner – TBA

$15
6:30-7:00pm
Performance by Koraci

7:00-7:30pm
Sing-a-long with Zeljko

7:30-10:30pm
Request dancing and teacher reviews

*** SPECIAL PRICE: $50 for all events except Saturday dinner ***
DOWNLOAD, print, and share a flier!
Željko Jergan
Zeljko Jergan Željko Jergan is a world-renowned Croatian dance instructor, researcher, performer and choreographer. Currently based in Pennsylvania, Željko teaches at workshops, camps and festivals throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia.
Croatian crestŽeljko was inspired at the age of 7 to begin dancing after attending a theater performance of Croatia’s state ensemble “LADO” with his father. The costumes and singing had an immediate effect on him from the moment the curtain opened and he knew he wanted to join the group. At the age of 18 that dream became a reality when he became a member of the prestigious ensemble LADO. He now shares his knowledge of Croatian music, dancing, costumes and traditions with people of all ages through teaching. Read more…

CANCELLED - Spring Equinox Celebration
2020-03-26 19:30 - 22:30 | St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church, 1399 43rd Ave, at Judah St., San Francisco, CA, 94122, United States
Join Mandala Folk Dance for their Vernal Equinox Celebration, featuring live music by Staro Vino. Come dance to the music of Bulgaria, Greece, and Macedonia. Only the finest vintages! Staro Vino plays dance tunes and table songs from Bulgaria, Macedonia, Serbia, and Bosnia.
Staro Vino
Staro Vino Staro Vino plays dance tunes and table songs from Bulgaria, Macedonia, Serbia, and Bosnia. The members of Staro Vino are Andrew Cohen (accordion), Joey Friedman (saxophone), Greg Masaki Jenkins (clarinet, tsouras, and vocals), and Mark Jenkins (percussion and vocals).

CANCELLED - Spring Dance Party
2020-03-25 19:45 - 22:00 | Holbrook Palmer Park, Carriage House, 150 Watkins Avenue, Atherton, CA, 94027, United States
CANCELLED
Given the rapidly changing landscape of the Coronavirus and its potential impact on the health of all of us, I have decided to cancel the remaining Carriage House Folk Dancers meetings for the remainder of the Winter Quarter. I will be back teaching and we will be dancing together again as soon as the Coronavirus threat lessons –Suzanne Rocca-Butler

Join Suzanne Rocca-Butler and the Carriage House Folk Dancers for an end of quarter folk dance party celebrating the return of Spring.
Bring your dancing shoes and good cheer. Snacks or beverages to share are also appreciated if you are able.
Drop in fee is $9.00 for the entire evening. (There is no pro-rating of fees) If you are registered, the party is included.

CANCELLED - Petur Iliev Dance Workshop
2020-03-17 19:00 - 21:00 | Monroe Hall, 1400 W. College Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA, 95401, United States
CANCELLED
due to concerns regarding the coronavirus threat. Stay safe and healthy.

Join the Razzmatazz Folk Dancers for a very special Bulgarian folk dance workshop with Petur Iliev. Petur is an accomplished dancer and teacher, energetic, passionate and enthusiastic about dances from his native Bulgaria. This is a wonderful and rare opportunity to dance with Petur again in the Bay Area!
DOWNLOAD, print, and share a flier.
Petur Iliev
Petur Iliev Petur Iliev is a Bulgarian-born dancer and choreographer whose career is deeply steeped in the rich folk dance traditions of his family. He started dancing at the age of five in his father’s dance ensemble. Later he graduated from the Bulgarian National School of Dance Art and from the Bulgarian National Institute of Choreography in Sofia, Bulgaria. He began his professional career as a Principal Dancer of Kutev National Dance and Music Ensemble where he worked for five years, before continuing his training at the National Dance Institute in New York where he studied under the supervision of one of the gurus of American dance, Jacques d’Amboise. Subsequently, Petur became the Artistic Co-Director of Believe in Me–a dance ensemble in Austin, TX, where for four years he trained more than a thousand young dancers. Read more…

Cafe Shalom Dance Party
2020-03-14 19:30 - 23:00 | St Paul’s Presbyterian Church, 1399 43rd Ave, San Francisco, CA, 94122, 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. We dance in a wonderful dance hall with great wooden floor which is springy and quick to bounce.
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.
Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for students.

San Antonio Folk Dance Festival
2020-03-13 - 2020-03-15 | Our Lady of the Lake University, 411 SW 24th St., San Antonio, TX, 78207, United States
The San Antonio Folk Dance Festival (SAFDF) celebrates dancing, music, costumes, and friendship of cultures from all over the world. Come celebrate with us for a wonderful, special weekend of international folk dancing and culture!
Instructors
For 2020 instructors include Ventsi Sotirov (Bulgarian), Lee Otterholt (International), Andy Taylor-Blenis (International, Scottish, and Mexican) and Franklin Houston (Balkan)
Details on Instructors
Concert
The SAFDF concerts showcase the beautiful talent and energy of local performing folk dance groups, plus special guests from further away. These performances, together with the fabulous ambiance and professional stage of OLLU’s Thiry Auditorium, combine for an unforgettable evening of music, song, and dance. In 2020, we are proud to showcase the following groups:

Alamotion Dance Troupe (San Antonio, TX)
Fandango Dance Troupe (San Antonio, TX)
Levendia Greek Dance Troupe (Austin, TX)
Bulgarka, Bulgarians of Texas
Faisan Folklorico (San Antonio, TX)
Csárdás Hungarian Dancers (Austin, TX)
Karilagan Philippine Cultural Group (San Antonio, TX)
Samba Vida Drum & Dance Company (San Antonio, TX)

Dance Parties
Festival evenings culminate in parties featuring folk dance favorites that keep everyone, from complete beginners to seasoned veterans, dancing for hours. This year we’re delighted to feature live music by HOMEGROWN at the Saturday-night party and country-western DJ music at the Friday-night party. And there’s great food too!
Schedule
View Full Schedule
Registration
Festival Registration

Hambo Workshop with Roo Lester
2020-03-12 19:30 - 22:15 | St. Archangel Michael Serbian Orthodox Church, 18870 Allendale Avenue, Saratoga, California, 95070
Saratoga International Folk Dancers is proudly offering a special workshop on the Hambo with Roo Lester. All levels of experience welcome.
Roo Lester
Roo Lester Roo Lester is a nationally acclaimed dance instructor known for her clear teaching style and skill with beginners and experts alike. Roo is a recognized authority on and foremost exponent of Scandinavian Dance.
Roo Lester began folk dancing as a kid, and has been observing, learning, and studying Scandinavian dance since she saw the Hambo on the dance floor when she was in college, earning her Masters in Dance, with a focus in Dance Ethnology, from UCLA. She began teaching Scandinavian dance after her first visit to the San Diego State University Folk Dance Conference where she met Ingvar Sodal. Since 1983, Roo has traveled extensively in Scandinavia studying dance and participating in dance and music events including testing her skills and dancing in courses and competitions. She has been the American coordinator for several dance and music camps in Scandinavia and published a number of lengthy descriptions of Norwegian dances including Telespringar, Hallingspringar, and Valdresspringar. In addition, she wrote a guide to Scandinavian Dance Basics, and has published several articles.
Among the venues where she has taught are Christmas Country Dance School, Buffalo Gap; Florida Folk Dance Camp, Mendocino Folklore Camp, Folklore Village, Kentucky Dance Institute, Maine Dance Camp, Mainewoods Dance Camp, Ogelbay, Old World Music and Dance Events, Pinewoods, Scandia Camp Mendocino, Scandinavian Week, Texas International Folk Dance Camp, Hardanger Fiddle Association of America, and Stockton Folk Dance Camp. She also serves on the board of directors and is currently involved with the NFO’s membership and Heritage Award committees.
Roo teaches many different kinds of Scandinavian dance but has focused especially on what she calls the turning dances of Norway and Sweden. Her teaching is infused with a great love of dancing and a desire to help others to love it too. Today she is recognized as one of the foremost exponents of Scandinavian dance in the United States. Her hallmarks include her clear, positive teaching that incorporates background information, styling, and technique and her ability to present the basic concepts of dance to dancers of all levels in a fun and lighthearted manner.

Dance Party with Balkanton 340
2020-03-06 19:30 - 22:00 | Bethany Lutheran Church, 1095 Cloud Avenue, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, United States
Balkanton 340 and its members are Dena Bjornlie (gadulka and vocals), Hector Bezanis (gajda), and other musicians to be announced. As their name implies, they specialize in Bulgarian village music.
Bring some light refreshments and non-alcoholic beverages to help make it a party, and tips for the band.

Laguna Folk Dance Festival
2020-03-06 - 2020-03-08 | Laguna Woods Clubhouse 2, 24112 Moulton Parkway, Laguna Woods, CA, 92637, United States
Southern California’s premier folk dance festival! Dance and instrumental workshops with master teachers, parties with live music, the famous Sunday Dance Concert, catered food… what’s not to like? The Laguna Festival is one of Southern California’s premier annual folk dance events. You can bet all your friends will be there. You should be too! This will be the 50th ANNIVERSARY of the festival and it will be a very special event!
We are proud to announce that our teachers this year are:
Yves Moreau
Yves Moreau Yves Moreau lives in Montreal, Quebec, Canada and is recognized as one of North America’s foremost exponents of Bulgarian dance and folklore. He has travelled to Bulgaria almost annually between 1966 and 1986 to research dance and to record music in all regions of the country. He has also lectured and conducted workshops throughout North America as well as on numerous occasions in Belgium, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Mexico, Brazil, Israel, Japan, Slovenia, Hungary, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, New Zealand, and Australia.
From 1972 to 1988 he directed Les Gens de Mon Pays , a Montreal-based amateur folk ensemble specializing in Bulgarian and French-Canadian folklore which toured widely in North America and represented Canada at several international folk festivals in the U.S.A. , France, Greece, Italy, and Bulgaria. Yves has also choreographed several stage suites of Bulgarian and French-Canadian material for various professional and amateur performing groups in North America, Australia and New Zealand.
From 1975 to 1985, Yves was special projects coordinator at the Canadian Folk Arts Council and also worked with Folklore Canada International , a private organization which coordinates cultural exchange programs and produces several international folk festivals in Canada. From 1986 to 2000, he was the coordinator of FCI’s annual Heritage International folklore workshop in Lachine (Quebec) and Cornwall (Ontario).
Yves, who speaks Bulgarian, has been a regular contributor to various folk music and folklore programs for Canadian radio and television. He has supervised recordings of Bulgarian folk music on the Balkanton , Worldtone , XOPO, Gega and BMA labels and has presented several papers at various conferences on ethnomusicology and folklore in America, Asia and Bulgaria. In 1980, Bulgaria awarded him with the Order of Kiril & Metodi (1st degree) for his work popularizing Bulgarian folk culture in North America.
Yves teaches mostly non-choreographed village material which he has collected during his many field trips. His teaching method is clear and thorough yet relaxed. A special emphasis is put on regional styles and background information. Above all, Yves wants to share his love for Bulgarian folklore and communicate the fun of dancing. Yves has also introduced and teaches folk dances of other Balkan countries as well as dances from Brittany (France) and his native Québec.
Among the popular dances introduced by Yves over the years are: Pinosavka, Dobrudžanska Râka, Gjuševska Račenica, Četvorno Horo, Dospatsko, Bičak, Sandansko Horo, Sadi Moma, Vlaško Horo, Sitna Zborenka, Panagjursko Horo, Kulska Šira, Dobra Nevesto, Vidinsko Horo, Sâbrali sa se sâbrali, Idam ne Idam, Dimitrija, Krivo Ihtimansko, La Bastringue, Les Saluts, Le Laridé, An Dro Retourné and Gavotte d’Honneur.
Yves has produced five (5) DVDs and matching audio CDs of his repertoire and has also released 3 CDs with some of his Bulgarian Village Recordings (1966-1972) on the BMA label. He also produced in 2003 a 2-CD collection of tunes by the legendary Bulgarian accordionist Boris Karlov (1924-1964) and just released (Sept. 2015) a new CD compilation dedicated to the famous Thracian clarinetist Georgi Koev. Yves is married to France Bourque-Moreau, an internationally-recognized specialist in children’s folkdance and music. They have three children. From 1998 to 2001, Yves was on the Board of Directors of the East European Folklife Center (EEFC) which organizes the annual Balkan Music and Dance Camps in the U.S.A. In 2006, Yves was the recipient of the of the San Antonio College (Texas) Folk Dance Festival Award and in 2007, of the «Preserving our Legacy Award» given by the National Folk Organization U.S.A. (NFO) for a Lifetime of Work and Achievement in Folk Dance and Folk Arts. In the summer of 2008, Yves celebrated his 60th birthday and 40 years of teaching Bulgarian Folk Dances and received the Presidential Medal and letter of congratulations from Bulgarian President Georgi Pârvanov. 2017 marks his 50th year of teaching Bulgarian folk dances around the world.
Yves has agreed to come out of retirement to help the Laguna Folk Dance Festival celebrate its 50th anniversary. (He also taught at out 25th anniversary!) We are very proud and honored that he agreed to teach for us!
Aaron Alpert
Aaron Alpert Aaron Alpert started dancing before he was born! His parents met at Israeli folk dancing in Los Angeles, and his childhood is filled with dance memories — from participating in his first dance camp at the age of two months, to acting as his father’s “remote control” when he taught, to performing in Saturday night talent shows at the Camp Alonim for Jewish youth that takes place every summer just north of Los Angeles, California.
In his first year at UC Berkeley, Aaron became one of the instructors and the curriculum developer for Jewish Studies 98: The Israeli Dance DeCal. In January 2009, Aaron joined the teaching and music DJ rotation at Cafe Simcha, a weekly Israeli dance session held near Berkeley. He also sporadically substitutes for Loui Tucker and Karina Lambert at the larger South Bay Israeli dance sessions.
In October 2012, Aaron founded his own dance session, Nirkoda! (“Let’s dance!”). After the first 10 months in a small studio on the Stanford University campus, the evening dance party was popular enough to require moving to a larger venue, Temple Etz Chayim in Palo Alto, California. Aaron’s first appearance as a staff member at a dance camp was Camp Rikud in 2016. A few months later, Aaron hosted a workshop, Nirkoda Mi’Nona, featuring Nona Malki, an Israeli dance choreographer and teacher from Vancouver. Another venture, Nirkoda Ba’Kerem, is a weekend-long Israeli dance camp in Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California, that will include wine-tasting and a guest choreographer, Yaron Malichi, flying in from Israel. Aaron has also taught at the Stockton Folk Dance Camp.
Schedule
There will also be CAMEO appearances by former Laguna Festival teachers TOM BOZIGIAN and LEE OTTERHOLT. The National Folk Organization (NFO) will be holding its annual conference in conjunction with the festival, so many dance leaders from all over the United States will be there.
The Festival will, as always, include dancing to LIVE MUSIC (three bands!) Friday night, workshops all day Saturday, a very happy Happy Hour (with dancing to 50’s style pop and rock music!) and a gala dinner that evening followed by dancing to live music with MIAMON MILLER and band, then reviews Sunday morning, a concert after lunch (catered meals are available onsite both Saturday and Sunday so you don’t have to leave the beautiful clubhouse where we dance), and again dancing to live music Sunday afternoon.
As always our popular SING-ALONGS will be led by the always-cheerful MICHAEL LAWSON and the Southern California Lifetime Achievement Award will, for the 5th time, be awarded to a worthy recipient who has made an exceptional contribution to the Southern California folk dance scene.
If you can stay an extra day, we will DANCE ON THE BEACH on the Monday after the festival – a very unique experience not many other festivals can offer!
Download schedule
Meals
Catered food will again be available (must be ordered beforehand) for both Saturday and Sunday lunches and, of course, the Saturday banquet. Meals are purchased separately from the program and must be ordered by February 20, 2020.
Registration
Register before February 20, 2020 for all events at the Passport level of $100 ($120 at the door). Passport does NOT include meals, which must be ordered separately.
If you are registered for the NFO Conference, a festival passport is included in your conference registration, but you still need to order any meals you might want separately.
If you are coming from out of town, you can book rooms at the nearby Ayres Hotel at a discounted rate. The Ayres Hotel is a short walking distance from the festival venue.
In honor of our 50th anniversary every participant will also receive a charming, complimentary souvenir of the event to remember this certainly very memorable event by.
Register Now
DOWNLOAD mail-in registration form.

CANCELLED - Greek Glendi with Yiannis Linardakis and Antonis Leontidis
2020-02-17 19:00 - 21:30 | Joe Goode Annex, 401 Alabama at 17th Street, San Francisco, CA, 94110, United States
CANCELLED
MUSICIANS NOT ALLOWED ENTRY IN THE U.S.
Music starts at 7:30pm. Ring the bell at the gate to enter.

Mardi Gras Shuffle
2020-02-17 18:30 - 22:30 | St. Bede’s Church Hall, 2650 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, CA, United States
iTunes Shuffle mode will determine which of your advanced dance requests is played next. Send your favorite dance names to Lucy or Karen and we will assemble a master list of 100 favorite dances for iTunes Shuffle to select for playing. We may do 3 Romanian dances in a row! Adony Beniares will MC this event!
Snack contributions appreciated.
DOWNLOAD, print, or share a flier!

Scandomania! Golden Gate Nordic Music & Dance Festival
2020-02-14 - 2020-02-16 | Hermann Sons Hall, 860 Western Avenue, Petaluma, CA, 94952, United States
We hope you will join us for Scandomania! a Nordic music and dance festival in Petaluma, CA, February 14-16, 2020. The festival workshops will feature the Swedish dance Slängpolska. Accomplished and well-respected dance teachers and musicians from Sweden will be leading dance and music workshops during the weekend. Evening dance parties will feature a wide variety of dances from Sweden and Norway.
Slängpolska is a great entry level dance for people new to Scandinavian dancing, fun for beginners and experienced dancers alike. Learn more about slängpolska here.
Bonus: Ceylon Wallin Nyckelharpa Workshop, a post-festival event, February 17, in El Cerrito, CA. More information about this workshop can be found here.
Read more…
Registration
$130 per person until January 17, $160 thereafter
If under 18 yrs. old: $65 per person until January 17, $80 thereafter
Optional on-site catered lunches on Saturday and Sunday are available for an additional fee of $12.50 per day.
Register

Valentine's Dance Party
2020-02-12 19:45 - 22:00 | Holbrook Palmer Park, Carriage House, 150 Watkins Avenue, Atherton, CA, 94027, United States
Join Suzanne Rocca-Butler and the Carriage House Folk Dancers for a Valentine’s Day folk dance party. Bring your dancing shoes and good cheer. Snacks or beverages to share are also appreciated if you are able. Looking forward to seeing you!

Joe Graziosi Greek Dance Workshop
2020-02-10 19:30 - 21:30 | Joe Goode Annex, 401 Alabama at 17th Street, San Francisco, CA, 94110, United States
GreekFeet is pleased to announce a special Greek dance workshop featuring one of our favorite guest instructors Joe Graziosi. Joe will be teaching a mix of regional Greek dances.
Ring bell at the gate to enter.

Joe Graziosi
Joe Kaloyanides Graziosi has done extensive research on regional dance in Greece and among Greek communities in the U.S. He has taught throughout the world for community groups and at major folk dance camps, including the Balkan Music and Dance Workshops since 1982. He has served as judge and advisor for the west coast Greek Orthodox Folk Dance Festival (FDF) since 1984, and judge and advisor for the southern states Hellenic Dance Festival (HDF) for the past 8 years. He is, along with Ahmet Luleci, co-founder of the annual World Music & Dance Camp, now in Iroquois Springs, NY.

Maurits and Tineke van Geel Workshop and Party
2020-02-09 14:00 - 18:00 | All Saints’ Episcopal, 555 Waverley St., Palo Alto, CA, 94301, United States
Workshop featuring Maurits and Tineke van Geel teaching dances of Armenia, the Roma, and other countries. Followed by dance party.
1:45pm Doors open, request dancing
2:00 – 6:00pm Workshop and party with the Van Geels
Among the many dances the van Geels have brought us are Nazeli Bar, Tou Paradeisou Lemonia, Erzeroumi Shoror, Syrtos Kitrinou, To Milo and Shoror.
They will have music, video, and dance notes for purchase. Snacks greatly appreciated for the Kafana
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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…

Festival of the Oaks
2020-02-08 09:00 - 17:00 | Albany Veterans Memorial Building, 1325 Portland Ave, Albany, CA, 94706, United States
Save the date!
The 72nd annual international Festival of the Oaks features a morning international folk dance workshop with Maurits & Tineke Van Geel, a hot lunch, exhibition dance performance, and a program of afternoon recreational dances. Includes a pre-owned folk dance costume sale in the dance hall. Fun for all ages! No partner needed.
Schedule
9:00-9:30am Registration
9:30am-12:00pm Dance workshop with Tineke & Maurits Van Geel, $16.00
12:00-1:00pm Hot lunch, $8.00
12:00-1:00pm Folk Dance Federation meeting. Includes lunch provided to Federation members attending.
12:30-4:30pm Pre-owned folk dance costume sale
1:00pm Exhibition dance performance
1:00-5:00pm International dance party. Dances from around the world and institute reviews. $13.00
All Day — Institute and Folk Dancing, $26.00
12:30-4:30pm Pre-owned folk dance costume sale
Free refreshments will be served all afternoon.
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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…

Dance Party with Mosaic
2020-02-07 19:30 - 22:00 | Bethany Lutheran Church, 1095 Cloud Avenue, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, United States
Mosiac Mosaic brings their own unique take on the music of the Balkans, Scandinavia, and elsewhere. The members are: Tony Canavarro (gaida, guitar), Barry Gregory (flugelhorn, trumpet), Phillip Cline (soprano saxophone), Fran Van Atta (bass guitar), Jeanne Faulkner (tupan), and Randa Jacobs (flute, pennywhistle).
Bring some light refreshments and non-alcoholic beverages to help make it a party, and tips for the band!

Greek Dance Glendi/Party with Musicians from Crete
2020-02-03 19:00 - 21:30 | Joe Goode Annex, 401 Alabama at 17th Street, San Francisco, CA, 94110, United States
Join us for a fun Cretan Glendi with two talented young musicians from Hania and Kissamos (west of Hania) areas, Georgios Frantzeskakis (Violin) & Georgios Stratakis (Laouto). This dynamic duo has been making waves all across Crete, Greece, US, and the rest of the world. Both in their mid-20s, their popularity spans all ages and generations, and also all corners of the island of Crete. Their unique style and endless energy make for a great dance/glendi atmosphere, and their fun-loving personalities make for memorable moments and lots of laughs.
Music starts at 7:30pm. Ring the bell at the gate to enter.

10th Annual Lunar New Year Festival
2020-02-02 13:00 - 17:00 | Cerritos Senior Center, 12340 South Street, Cerritos, CA, 90703, United States
Schedule The Cerritos Folk Dancers’ Tenth Annual Lunar New Year Festival features dance workshops by master instructor Daniela Ivanova-Nyberg, lessons by Sue Chen and Wen Chiang, dance party, and a traditional New Year’s Lion dance to celebrate the Year of the Mouse!
There will be finger food available. You are encouraged to bring food or non-alcoholic beverage to share with other dancers.
If you would like to receive the syllabi through the email, free of charge, please sign up at the front desk or let Wen Chiang know.
Video recording is not allowed except by the authorized CFD photographers. Video taping will be available online after the festival. Sign up at the front desk or let Wen Chiang know in order to be sure to receive the links to the videos.
There will be a name badge for each attendee. Please return the name badge before you leave. When the name badge is returned, any of the first one hundred payers will receive a red-envelope, which contains a small amount of currency.
After the festival, we will have dinner together in honor of the master teacher. The restaurant and the cost are to be announced in the festival. You are welcome to join the dinner together. To reserve the seat, please sign up at the front desk, before 4 p.m. We used to have close to thirty people come to the dinner. This time, we are going to set a limit to twenty people. Please sign up early.
Let’s dance together and celebrate the Year of the Mouse in the festival.
DOWNLOAD schedule.
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For more details contact CerritosFolkDancers@gmail.com or Sue at (562) 338-2298
Daniela Ivanova-Nyberg
Daniela Ivanova-Nyberg Daniela Ivanova-Nyberg, Ph.D. is an accomplished, professional folk dance teacher, choreographer and researcher of Bulgarian dance in Bulgaria and in the United States. In addition, she is a very gifted choreographer, and also a researcher of the South Slavic folk dance culture. Daniela graduated from the Institute of Music and Choreography, Sofia, and also from the Sofia University “St. Kl. Ohridski,” with MA degrees in Philosophy and Cultural Studies. This broad educational background gives her the unique opportunity to combine theory and practice, research, teaching and performance in her very extensive works. Since 2003 Daniela has made teaching tours to the U.S., appearing in more than 40 States of the US and in over 400 workshops. Read more…

Changs International Folk Dancers Party with Da! Mozhem
2020-01-31 19:30 - 22:30 | Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church, 417 31st Ave (between Clement and Geary), San Francisco, CA, 94121, United States
Dance to your favorite international tunes with Da! Mozhem and Changs International Folk Dancers. Please bring a snack to share.
$5 plus 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.

Greek Cretan Dance Workshop with Achilleas Fourakis
2020-01-27 19:30 - 21:30 | Joe Goode Annex, 401 Alabama at 17th Street, San Francisco, CA, 94110, United States
To get ready for our Cretan Glendi on February 3, we will be hosting Achilleas Fourakis to teach us some Cretan Dances. Raised and taught dance by Effie and Vasilis, Achilleas has grown up in the Minoan Dance program since birth. Countless years of FDF practices and performances, performing at glendis and conventions, performing in Greece, and now teaching as well. Achilleas has taken the teachings from his parents and continues enthusiastically to carry on the tradition of Cretan dances and music. Spending his summers in Crete researching and perfecting the styles, dancing with the locals, performing with the local dance groups, and studying local dancers, he has put much emphasis on the dance style from Kissamos and western Hania.
Ring the bell at the gate to enter.

Folk Dance and Tea Party
2020-01-26 14:45 - 18:00 | St. Bede’s Church Hall, 2650 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, CA, United States
This event is on a SUNDAY afternoon! It’s a chance for those dancers who don’t like to drive at night to join one of these parties, and to try teas and snacks from around the world!
Come dance with your friends on a great wood floor! Dances range from beginning to advanced and all forms (line, couple, set). We will be serving tea and tea-time snacks from around the world.
MC’d by Hollis Radin. Send requests or questions to Hollis. She will incorporate requests into the program.
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