Folk Dance Federation of California

Dance Workshop with Roberto Bagnoli
2025-08-07 19:30 - 22:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | St. Archangel Michael Serbian Orthodox Church, 18870 Allendale Avenue, Saratoga, California, 95070
Saratoga International Folk Dancers hosts a post-Stockton folk dance workshop with master instructor Roberto Bagnoli.
7:30-8:15 – Easier warmup dances
8:15-9:00 – Roberto will teach two dances
9:00-9:15 – Break
9:15-9:45 – Roberto will teach one more dance and review all three.
9:45-10:00-ish – Closing dances
A small group of dancers always re-assembles at a local Denny’s for refreshments if you would like to join us.
The St. Michael Archangel Serbian Orthodox Church community hall is at the back of the lot, behind the church. For more details e-mail loui@louitucker.com.

Roberto Bagnoli
Roberto Bagnoli Roberto Bagnoli grew up in Rome, where he was first introduced to folk music and dance, eventually taking part in several performances and teaching dance classes. He subsequently studied various forms of folk dance in workshops throughout Europe, Israel, and North America under the guidance of renowned choreographers and teachers. Roberto now lives in Reggio Emilia in Northern Italy, considered to have one of the most important dance communities in Italy.
From 1995 to 2003, he performed as a dancer and choreographer with the Terra di Danza Dance Company and was involved in the production of Raggi di luna Italiana and Capriccio Italiano (Italian dances), GiroGiroMondo (dances from around the world), Keltic Emotion (Celtic dances), Mazal Tov (Israeli dances), and Ethnos (international folk dances).
He is the founder of Folk Atelier Reggio Emilia (FARE), devoted to the development and conservation of folk dance heritage. As director of FARE, he is in charge of organizing and conducting folk dance classes, workshops with Italian and foreign specialists, and of the performing sector, staging various performances, parties, and dance gatherings.
He currently organizes two dance camps in Europe: Balkanot (Balkan and Israeli dance) and Camp Yofi (Israeli Dance).
Roberto teaches weekly classes in various cities in the north of Italy and conducts monthly sessions in Rome and Milan besides conducting workshops and seminars throughout Europe, the United States (notably the Stockton Folk Dance Camp), and Canada, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Japan. Read more…

Peninsula Folk Dance Party
2025-08-09 19:00 - 22:00 | St. Bede’s Church Hall, 2650 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, CA, United States
Join the Peninsula Council Folk Dancers for an all-request dance party! Start off with a folk Dance mini-lesson for beginners from 6:30-7:00pm.
We’ll have dances for all levels, beginning to advanced, and all forms (line, couple, and set). Dress comfortably in layers; sneakers or low-heeled dance shoes recommended. Donations to help cover the cost of the hall are welcome. We do dances from nearly every country in the world, and the music is incredible.
Send your dance requests to pfdcparty@gmail.com along with any questions, comments, or suggestions. – Requested donation of $10, but if you can’t afford it, come and dance with us anyway; no one gets left out.
We’re looking forward to an evening of fun with all of you.
Please stay home if you are sick, and please wear a mask if you are unsure or have been exposed to someone with a contagious illness. Thank you for your thoughtfulness.

Global Folk Dance Party
2025-08-16 14:30 - 18:30 | Online, CA, United States
Connect Globally, Dance Locally. Follow folk dance leaders and dance watching enthusiasts worldwide. Please join us for “New and Old Favorites” on Saturday August 16. We will have our usual team of dance leaders plus some special guests.
As always, join us 30 minutes before each Global Folk Dance Party (2:30pm PST) for a different pre-show (quiz, video, music, trivia, etc) each month.
Join The Party
By Zoom
Register by Zoom
We’ve changed Zoom numbers. Here’s what you need to do. Use the registration link above and you’ll get an email from Zoom with your link for the Global Folk Dance Party. Feel free to share the above registration link with your friends, they’ll get their own link to join. With the new registration, you’ll get a reminder email the morning of the Global Folk Dance Party, so you don’t have to look for your link.

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

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

Cafe Shalom Dance Party
2025-08-16 19:30 - 23:30, 2025-09-20 19:30 - 23:30, 2025-10-18 19:30 - 23:30 | Congregation Am Tikvah, 625 Brotherhood Way, San Francisco, CA, United States
Israeli folk dancers from all over the Bay Area dance the night away at Café Shalom’s Saturday party—a monthly tradition since the 1960s! We play a wonderful mix of oldies and the latest dances based on requests. Dancers of all ages are invited to join the fun on the third Saturday of every month.
Saturday classes are large parties with many dancers from all ages and spectrum. We dance dances from 1918 and from 2018 back to back.
The first part of the evening – 30-45 minutes starts with slow and beginners dances, oldies, and dances which we learn in Tuesday class. Later we increase the intensity, up the beat and the pace and the evening is fully charged with great energy and fun.
7:30 pm – Warm-up, beginner’s, oldies dances, and recently taught dances
8:00 pm – Our party perks up… with circle, and couple dances
9:15 pm – Birthday celebrations, announcements, followed by a line dance set
9:30 – 11:30 pm – We’ll dance ‘til then or ‘til we drop – whatever comes first!
Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for students.
Info: Text 669.444.1284
Cafe Shalom, more details…

Family Fun and Dancing
2025-08-22 19:00 - 22:00, 2025-09-26 19:00 - 22:00, 2025-10-24 19:00 - 22:00 | Miraloma Park Clubhouse, 350 O’Shaughnessey Boulevard (at Del Vale Avenue), San Francisco, CA, 94127, United States
Join Changs International Folk Dancers for a night of music and dance for the entire family!
An hour of fun dance activities to music from around the world. Every Fourth Friday, 7pm-8pm. Followed at 8-10pm by international folk dances from our club’s repertoire.
Adults accompanied by kids always free!

Federation Board Meeting
2025-08-24 15:00 - 16:30 | Online, CA, United States
Join the Folk Dance Federation for their board meeting. Various topics such as event planning, membership, scholarships, publicity, insurance, and budget are discussed.
Join on Zoom
Meeting ID: 951 742 7868
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Land Dancers Folk Dance Weekend
2025-08-30 11:00 - 2025-09-01 18:00 | Cliff’s land in the Santa Cruz Mountains, CA-9 & Skyline Blvd, Saratoga, CA, 95070
Please join the Land Dancers this Labor Day weekend August 30 to September 1 for International and Israeli folk dancing and music at The Land. Anyone is welcome. Fun for families. No charge. Held every Memorial Day and Labor Day weekend. Founded by Cliff Jenkins and friends in 1981.
You can camp out for the whole weekend or just come for the day and enjoy the deck, the creek, the forest, dancing and friends!
We dance outdoors on a big redwood deck where two creeks come together in the Santa Cruz Mountains, off Skyline Blvd near Highway 9. Dancing typically runs from around noon to 11 pm Saturday and Sunday but there isn’t a set schedule. Note map shown is only general vicinity, contact Betsy to RSVP and for directions.
The event is free of charge but we welcome donations to Land Dancers, the 501c(3) organization we created to organize and carry on folk dance weekends at the land. You may bring a check or cash to the land, mail a check to the address shown below, or use this link to make a donation through PayPal (you do not need a PayPal account to donate).
Contact Betsy Moore, eambetsy@gmail.com (408-507-7177) to request a flyer with directions and more info, to ask questions, or to be added to our email list.

Citrus Celebration Party (Orange You Glad to See Us?)
2025-09-04 19:30 - 22:15 | St. Archangel Michael Serbian Orthodox Church, 18870 Allendale Avenue, Saratoga, California, 95070
Citrus Celebration Party
(Orange You Glad to See Us?)

Dance with the Saratoga International Folk Dancers for their citrus themed party. Use your imagination and come dressed for the theme. Bring a snack to share for the refreshment table.
Warmup and dances for beginners between 7:30 and 8:15pm. The dance party follows until 10:00-10:15pm.
This is a large, friendly group; you won’t be disappointed! Drop in fee $8, seniors $6, and first visit free. No charge for non-dancers and children. Discounts and scholarships available. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. More details…

Percussive Footwork Workshop
2025-09-05 18:00 - 21:00 | Northern California Dance Conservatory, 920 Reserve Dr., Ste 110, Rosevi, CA, 95678, United States
Percussive Footwork Workshop If you are a footwork dancer come to the International Dance Arts Collective to try a new style of dance and connect with fellow footwork and folk dancers.
Tap with Amy Ray
Intermediate to Advanced level class: 8:00-8:55 pm
Flamenco with Dani Serrano
Beginner to Intermediate level class 6:00-6:55 pm
Irish with Moriah Masterson
1st class: Intermediate to Advanced level: 6:00-6:55 pm
2nd class: Beginner to Intermediate level: 7:00-7:55 pm
Clogging with Jillian Iverson
1st class: Intermediate to Advanced level: 7:00-7:55 pm
2nd class: Beginner to Intermediate level: 8:00-8:55 pm
Please note to

Be sure to wear comfortable dance attire.
Bring your own percussive dance shoes and/or athletic shoes.
Bring a water bottle.

34th Annual Polish Festival
2025-09-06 12:00 - 17:00 | Polish American Community Hall, 327 Main Street, Roseville, CA, 95678, United States
A 34 Year Tradition of Celebrating Polish Culture
Have you danced the Polka, ate Pierogi, and had your picture taken with a “Polish Princess”? Never, you say? Well, it’s about time you did!
Join the Polish American Club of Sacramento, Inc. at the 34th Annual Polish Festival. Come celebrate and learn about the Polish culture through traditional food, drink and song.
The best part of the Festival is the food and entertainment. There are no Polish Restaurants in the greater Sacramento area, so the Polish Festival is the only time when people can enjoy authentic Polish food while listening to traditional Polish music, performed by professional musicians.
Bogdan Komorniczak
PAC Entertainment VP
More than 1500 people are expected to attend this year’s festival. But don’t worry, there will be plenty of food. Come fill up on home-made Polish delicacies – over 5,000 Pierogi (potato-cheese filled, meat filled, or mushroom and sauerkraut filled dumplings); 1,000 Golabki (cabbage rolls); 700 pounds of Kielbasa (Polish sausage), hundreds of servings of Placki (potato pancakes) and a variety of Polish Pastries will be served.
Beside all the wonderful food and entertainment there will be several vendors on-hand selling Baltic Amber, handmade crafts, Polish souvenirs, and Polish Sausages. Don’t forget to visit the Polish marketplace! If you’re in a bidding mood there is also the silent auction. For those that wish to try their luck, tickets for the raffle will be available. You can commemorate your visit with a picture with a “Polish Princess” at the photo booth.
Dance the Polka or while you eat, enjoy the music of Chet Chwalik Polmuz Polka Band and Accordian music from Nicolai Prisacar. The performances of the Bay Area Polish Dance groups of Lowicznie and Sokoly are sure to impress.
There is something for everyone at the 34th Annual Polish Festival! The event is for all ages.
Admission and Parking are free. Wheelchair Access. Credit Cards Accepted.
Polish American Club of Sacramento
The Polish American Club of Sacramento, Inc preserves and perpetuates Polish traditions, customs, culture, and heritage through social events and activities. Since the foundation of the club in 1959 membership and the festival have grown. For more information about the performers and vendors please visit the festival website.

Peninsula Folk Dance Party
2025-09-13 19:00 - 22:00 | St. Bede’s Church Hall, 2650 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, CA, United States
Join the Peninsula Council Folk Dancers for an all-request dance party with MCs Becky Beniares and Nancy Kaye! Come early at 6:30pm for a dance lesson.
We’ll have dances for all levels, beginning to advanced, and all forms (line, couple, and set). Dress comfortably in layers; sneakers or low-heeled dance shoes recommended. Donations to help cover the cost of the hall are welcome. We do dances from nearly every country in the world, and the music is incredible.
Send your dance requests to pfdcparty@gmail.com along with any questions, comments, or suggestions.
Please stay home if you are sick, and please wear a mask if you are unsure or have been exposed to someone with a contagious illness. Thank you for your thoughtfulness.

Inaugural Ball 2025
2025-09-20 13:00 - 16:00 | Live Oak Recreation Center, 1301 Shattuck Avenue (at Berryman), Berkeley, CA, 94709 , United States
Berkeley Folk Dancers welcomes their new and returning officers. These are the people who are providing layers of structure and support that keep the Berkeley Folk Dance club running.
Please bring finger foods to share.

David and Marija Anniversary Dance
2025-09-27 11:30 - 17:00 | Live Oak Recreation Center, 1301 Shattuck Avenue (at Berryman), Berkeley, CA, 94709 , United States
Come help celebrate David and Marija Hillis’ anniversary with picnic and dance. More details coming… Save the date!
Banquet/Picnic 11:30am-3pm.
Dancing 2-5pm.

Officers Ball 2025
2025-10-04 13:00 - 22:00 | Veterans Memorial Building, Pleasanton, 301 Main Street, Pleasanton, CA, 94566, United States
The Folk Dance Federation’s annual festival of folk dance with workshops, on-site dinner, dance party, and special attractions returns! The theme this year is “FUN-ding the Future.”
The Officers Ball is also an important fundraiser for the Federation Scholarship Fund. Its Annual 50/50 Drawing is a popular feature: buy tickets for $1 each and, if your ticket is drawn, you receive 50% of the total ticket sales. Consider bundling the 2026 Federation Folk Dance Wall Calendar with your ticket purchase and pick up the calendar at the Ball.
Schedule

Price
Time (pm)
Event

1:00
Doors open

$25
1:30-5:30
Dance workshops

$20
5:30-7:00
On-site dinner (for those registered in advance)

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

The special full package price of $55 (workshop, dinner, and party) may purchase all until September 30, 2025.
Workshop
The afternoon workshop will again feature a program of new and classic folk dances featuring local teachers. Dances to be taught will be provided in late September. The tentative list of instructors include:

Adony Beniares – Čapkan Dimčo (Macedonian, non-partner)
Craig Blackstone – Fjaskem (Swedish, mixer)
Marija Hillis – Three’s a Crowd (US, trio mixer)
Judy Kropp – Bridge of Athlone (Scottish, set)
Lothar Narins – Karkmarocka (Rusyan, non-partner)
Alan Rothchild – Hora Vrânceana (Romanian, non-partner)

Donate
Because of a matching grant, all donations made at or before the end of the Officers Ball that are designated for scholarships will be doubled. Donate ONLINE or bring cash or check to the Officers Ball.
DONATE to Scholarship
Registration
Officers Ball 2025 Registration form Register by September 30, 2025 to obtain the special all event package pricing (workshop, on-site dinner, and evening party) of $55 and save $15. On-site dinner registration is not available after September 30. New members with coupon pay for dinner only.
Option 1: Mail-In Registration
Download and complete registration form.
Make checks payable to the FOLK DANCE FEDERATION. If you are still planning to come for the entire event, email Sabine at Treasurer@folkance.com and tell her you will bring a check to the Officers Ball. Do NOT mail a check now.

Option 2: Online Registration
Online registration has ended.

Federation Board Meeting
2025-10-05 15:00 - 16:30 | Online, CA, United States
Join the Folk Dance Federation for their board meeting. Various topics such as event planning, membership, scholarships, publicity, insurance, and budget are discussed.
Join on Zoom
Meeting ID: 869 7674 5248
Passcode: [REDACTED]

North/South Folkdance Teachers’ Seminar
2025-10-10 19:00 - 2025-10-12 13:00 | Monte Toyon, 220 Cloister Lane, Aptos, CA, 95003, United States
Are you a folkdance teacher who would like to hone your skills or a dancer who would like to learn to teach? If so, plan to come to the N/S Folkdance Teachers’ Seminar!
About
North/South Folkdance Teachers’ Seminar is a gathering of teachers focused on improving teaching skills and sharing information and ideas with other teachers. All Folk Dance teachers, both current and prospective, are welcome. Each annual seminar features two master instructors who have specialized knowledge of folk dance.
The 2025 North/South Master Teachers are Sonia Dion and Cristian Florescu. They will lead workshops on Saturday morning, Saturday afternoon, and Sunday morning, plus cultural or teaching presentations. Both are professional teachers with decades of experience in welcoming and retaining dancers in the folk dance world.
Price
$320 with on-site accommodations, $270 off-site; Final payment due August 10, 2025. Price includes meals from Saturday breakfast through Sunday lunch and all activities. On-site accommodation is dorm-style with shared bathrooms.
Featured Guests
Sonia Dion and Cristian Florescu
Romanian Folk Dance and more…
Cristian and Sonia have been guest performers with the Collage International Dance Ensemble of Boston, have been regular teachers at l’ École supérieure de danse du Québec and have been selected to be part of the Artists in the Schools program sponsored by the Québec Ministry of Education. In recent years, they have developed a specific interest in working with recreational folk dance groups in Canada and the United States, Mexico and Brazil. They have been teaching in Europa (Austria, England, Poland, Germany, Italy,  Norway, Belgium, Switzerland, The Netherlands, France) in Asia (Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia) and Australia  to share their love of Romanian folk traditions.
In recent years, Cristian and Sonia have developed a specific interest in working with recreational folk dance groups. They’ve been teaching in Brazil, Canada and the United States, Europe (Austria, Belgium, England, Germany, Italy, Norway, Switzerland and the Netherlands), Asia (Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and Taiwan) to share their love of Romanian folk traditions. They have taught workshops in Canada and the United States and choreographed Romanian suites for performing groups, including the world-renowned BYU Folk Dance Ensemble in Utah. Read more…

Monte Toyon Camp & Conference Center
Helgesson Hall, Monte Toyon
Monte Toyon Camp & Conference Center is an idyllic oasis right in the heart of Aptos, California. Just a short drive from the west coast beaches you’ll head inland on a road that meanders through a beautiful wooded forest opening to our doorstep. Situated in a gorgeous and refreshing redwood forest setting, there are short nature trails that circle the camp for a peaceful walk in forest beauty. Monte Toyon is a short drive to nearby Nisene Marks State Park, Seacliff State Beach, and Santa Cruz Beaches and Boardwalk. Wi-Fi is available in meeting areas. Read more…
Registration deadline: August 10, 2025
Register

Peninsula Folk Dance Party
2025-10-12 19:00 - 22:00 | St. Bede’s Church Hall, 2650 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, CA, United States
Help us welcome special guests Arianna Ordway (Croatian), Sonia Dion and Cristian Florescu (Romanian) to our Sunday evening, October 12th, Peninsula Folk Dance Party. This is not a teaching workshop; they are joining us to relax and party! We’ll include many of the dances we’ve learned from Sonia, Cristian and Željko on the program. We’ll also be preparing some yummy Romanian snacks for you to try! MC will be Adony Beniares. Please bring a finger food snack to share.
We’ll have dances for all levels, beginning to advanced, and all forms (line, couple, and set). Dress comfortably in layers; sneakers or low-heeled dance shoes recommended. Donations to help cover the cost of the hall are welcome. We do dances from nearly every country in the world, and the music is incredible.
Send your dance requests to pfdcparty@gmail.com along with any questions, comments, or suggestions.
Please stay home if you are sick, and please wear a mask if you are unsure or have been exposed to someone with a contagious illness. Thank you for your thoughtfulness.

Global Folk Dance Party
2025-10-18 14:30 - 18:30 | Online, CA, United States
It’s that spooky time of year! Join us to “Fall into Halloween” on Saturday October 18. We’ll be getting spooky with our usual team of dance leaders, who will be joined this month by our special guest Judy Silver.
As always, join us 30 minutes before each Global Folk Dance Party (2:30pm PST) for a different pre-show (quiz, video, music, trivia, etc) each month.
Join The Party
By Zoom
Register by Zoom
We’ve changed Zoom numbers. Here’s what you need to do. Use the registration link above and you’ll get an email from Zoom with your link for the Global Folk Dance Party. Feel free to share the above registration link with your friends, they’ll get their own link to join. With the new registration, you’ll get a reminder email the morning of the Global Folk Dance Party, so you don’t have to look for your link.

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

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

Dance Party with Bulgarika
2025-10-19 14:00 - 16:30 | Strawberry Recreation Center, 118 E. Strawberry Drive, Mill Valley, CA, 94941, United States
Dance to your favorite international tunes live with Bulgarika and Kopachka Folk Dancers
at Strawberry Rec. Center, Mill Valley!
BULGARIKA is back for their 2025 tour: Donka Koleva, Nikolay Kolev, Stoyan Kostav, and Anton Shekerjiev. The group features four maestros with decades of performing experience. They are all steeped in Bulgarian music and rhythms from a young age and bring the very best of the Bulgarian folk-music tradition for your enjoyment.
$15 general admittance, $7 students. Doors open at 1:30pm. Refreshments provided.
Covid protocols: Vax/boosters strongly encouraged, masks required if not (KN95, N95, and KF94–we can provide).
Additional parking at Strawberry Point school across street.
Be sure to bring tips for the band.

Greek Feet Autumn Party
2025-10-20 19:00 - 21:00 | Joe Goode Annex, 401 Alabama at 17th Street, San Francisco, CA, 94110, United States
Celebrate the change in seasons with us to the live music of Greg Jenkins and Friends! Truth is we had so much fun at our previous party with this band, we just had to have another party with Greg and Friends. Join us for a night of hospitality, Greek dancing and good vibes.
Greg and Friends will take you on a magical musical journey to Greece with a diverse repertoire: feel the deep, soulful tunes of Epiros; enjoy the joyful, spirited music of the Greek Islands; be captivated by the driving, pulsating rhythm of Pontic music; and celebrate the rich tradition of Greek Macedonia music with its complex and intricate rhythms. .

Greg Jenkins on clarinet, bouzouki and vocals
Ari Langer on violin
Jenette Selin on accordion and santouri
Michael Garibaldi on Percussion

Łowiczanie Polish Folk Ensemble 50th Anniversary Concert
2025-10-24 19:00 - 21:00 | Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr, Walnut Creek, CA, 94596, United States
Łowiczanie Dancers and Directors warmly invite you to attend their festivities celebrating 50 years of dance and tradition, cultural, and educational service to the Polish community and the greater Bay Area!
Their 50th anniversary concert guests include Tekla Klebetnica – award-winning Polish musicians from Poland – alongside acclaimed Polish folk ensemble, Krakusy LA, our own folk ensemble for kids, “Sokoly” and other exciting performers.
On the following day, October 25,
Łowiczanie celebrates a gala Dinner-Dance in San Francisco promises a sparkling evening of art auction-bidding, dancing to live and DJ’d music, delicious Polish cuisine, retrospective slideshow projections, and delightful surprises for our guests.
Early Bird tickets for both events will bne available soon through the Lesher Center for the Arts Box Office – stay tuned!

Łowiczanie Polish Folk Ensemble 50th Anniversary Dinner and Dance
2025-10-25 19:00 - 21:00 | Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr, Walnut Creek, CA, 94596, United States
The Łowiczanie Dancers and Directors warmly invite you to attend their festivities celebrating 50 years of dance and tradition, cultural, and educational service to the Polish community and the greater Bay Area!
Łowiczanie celebrates a gala Dinner-Dance in San Francisco promising a sparkling evening of art, auction-bidding, dancing to live and DJ’d music, delicious Polish cuisine, retrospective slideshow projections, and delightful surprises for our guests.
Early Bird tickets for both concert and dinner will be available soon through the Lesher Center for the Arts Box Office – stay tuned!

Fall Camp 2025
2025-10-31 - 2025-11-02 | Brandeis-Bardin Campus, 1101 Peppertree Lane, Brandeis, CA, 93064, United States
Join us at Fall Camp 2025 for another magical, fun-filled weekend of dance, music, crafts, nature, and camaraderie.
This year, Fall Camp 2025 will feature one main teacher, Catherine Rudin, plus several of our own California-based dance teachers. Catherine will present an eclectic mix of forgotten-classic and recent captivating dances, with particular attention to styling details that make a dance specific to a time and place. She has danced for more than 5 decades, enjoying a wide variety of styles and traditions. She has both family and linguistic research ties to the Balkans, especially Bulgaria. Balkan music and dance are her roots, but she loves and participates in other traditions as well.
In a return to a practice from the first Fall Camp and Camp Hess Kramer, several experienced and skilled California dance teachers will also present great dances that campers will enjoy learning.
Dancing will be in the magnificent, air-conditioned Wapner room, on a wooden dance floor. Fall Camp offers many other activities, including:

Dance parties on Friday and Saturday evening (Yes, we will solicit your dance requests in the weeks before-hand),
Meals together, Happy Hours, and other socializing with our precious dance friends,
The opportunity to play an instrument and/or sing in the Potluck Band,
Art/craft projects in the campus’ inspiring environment,
Morning stretching sessions and nature walks in the tranquil, outstandingly natural landscape,
Expertly-led star, and maybe satellite-gazing, well away from LA’s city lights.

Campus
Once again, Fall Camp will be on the beautiful rural Brandeis-Bardin Campus near Simi Valley, with its comfortable motel-style rooms in an idyllic, natural setting. Nestled in a woodsy alcove, the campus is a lovely place where you can enjoy being close to nature while still having the creature comforts of excellent meals (upgraded from previous years), motel-style rooms (with private bathrooms, heat, and air conditioning), and more. You can dance when you feel like it, and when you don’t, do other things such as catching up with friends, playing Scrabble, working on a jigsaw puzzle with others, getting a massage, completing a craft project, going for a walk in nature, reading a good book, meditating, or doing nothing at all. You don’t have to get on a plane or drive treacherous mountain roads to be with nature, and WiFi is available too!
About 40 miles northwest of Los Angeles, near Simi Valley, Brandeis-Bardin is a lovely and comfortable place to spend a weekend dancing with friends. The beautifully landscaped grounds have many mature trees and offer breathtaking views of the Santa Susana Mountains. The camp’s address is 1101 Peppertree Lane, Brandeis, CA 93064. Fly into Burbank or LAX.
Fall Camp Registration
Registration
Note that the Folk Dance Federation of California, South, Inc. requires participants to sign a waiver that is included in the file. As we get closer to the date, Brandeis-Bardin Campus will also require participants to sign a waiver, and that waiver can be signed online.
Register

Festivals of Light
2025-11-07 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-11-08 15:00 - 17:00 | J. B. Gale Theater, 1 Tiger Way, Roseville, 95678, United States
Come join a celebration of traditions from around the world! This year’s presentations include dances and songs from India, Spain, Quebec, Peru, Mexico, Italy, Scandinavia, and Ukraine. There will also be dances from the United States including clogging. This is the 5th annual Festivals of Light.
Two shows: 7:00 pm November 7th and 3:00pm November 8th. Tickets online or at the door.
Purchase tickets
International Dance Arts Collective
The mission of the International Dance Arts Collective is to foster peace, love and appreciation of all peoples and cultures within our local community and beyond. We achieve this by providing education and performance opportunities for children and youth through world, cultural, and historical dance and music. More details…

Peninsula Folk Dance Party
2025-11-08 15:00 - 18:30 | St. Bede’s Church Hall, 2650 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, CA, United States
Join the Peninsula Council Folk Dancers for an all-request dance party with Kaela Fine and Laura Richards as MCs! Invite your friends for a short beginner dancer workshop at 3pm.
We’ll have dances for all levels, beginning to advanced, and all forms (line, couple, and set). Dress comfortably in layers; sneakers or low-heeled dance shoes recommended. Donations to help cover the cost of the hall are welcome. We do dances from nearly every country in the world, and the music is incredible.
Send your dance requests to pfdcparty@gmail.com along with any questions, comments, or suggestions.
Please stay home if you are sick, and please wear a mask if you are unsure or have been exposed to someone with a contagious illness. Thank you for your thoughtfulness.
