Folk Dance Federation of California

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

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

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

Cafe Shalom Dance Party
2023-08-12 19:30 - 23:30, 2023-07-08 19:30 - 23:30, 2023-06-10 19:30 - 23:30, 2023-05-13 19:30 - 23:30 | Congregation Am Tikvah, 625 Brotherhood Way, San Francisco, CA, United States
Israeli folk dancers from all over the Bay Area dance the night away at Café Shalom’s Saturday party—a monthly tradition since the 1960s! We play a wonderful mix of oldies and the latest dances based on requests. Dancers of all ages are invited to join the fun on the second Saturday of every month.
Saturday classes are large parties with many dancers from all ages and spectrum. We dance dances from 1918 and from 2018 back to back.
The first part of the evening – 30-45 minutes starts with slow and beginners dances, oldies, and dances which we learn in Tuesday class. Later we increase the intensity, up the beat and the pace and the evening is fully charged with great energy and fun.
7:30 pm – Warm-up, beginner’s, oldies dances, and recently taught dances
8:00 pm – Our party perks up… with circle, and couple dances
9:15 pm – Birthday celebrations, announcements, followed by a line dance set
9:30 – 11:30 pm – We’ll dance ‘til then or ‘til we drop – whatever comes first!
Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for students.
Info: Text 669.444.1284
Cafe Shalom, more details…

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

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

Stockton Folk Dance Camp
2023-07-16 - 2023-07-29 | University of the Pacific, 3601 Pacific Ave, Stockton, CA, 95211, United States
July 2023, Stockton Folk Dance Camp’s 76th year, will feature
Come dance with Željko, Kau’i, Roberto, Tony, Kyriakos, Iliana and Todor, with more artists to be announced!
Our Artists teach the same dances both weeks, but the Assemblies, Parties, and Evening Dancing are different each week.
Stockton Folk Dance camp 2023 will be held during the following weeks:
Week 1 – July 16 – 22
Week 2 – July 23 – 29
For emerging details Click Here
Register

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Registration closes June 14

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

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

Joyful Balkan Folk Dances @ 3:00-4:00pm Workshop Area 4
Members of Da! Mozhem and Craig Blackstone of Changs Dancers will quickly teach simple dances from the Balkans that are family friendly.
Da! Mozhem plays and sings high-energy pan-Balkan music for the joy of dancing. D!M is a group of friends who have been playing together for well over a decade. The group has veterans from many excellent folklore bands such as the People’s International Silver String Macedonian Band, Born to Drone, Westwind, Sviraci, and the Slavonian Traveling Band. The band plays with emphasis on Bulgarian, Macedonian, and ex-Yugoslav traditions. Several members frequently travel to the Balkans to learn more about the folkloric music of the region. The group plays on traditional instruments unique to the region as well as modern instruments.
Parking and Directions
Parking, directions, and festival map
More Details
For more details visit https://sffolkfest.org

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

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

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

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

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

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

Scandia Camp 2023
2023-06-10 - 2023-06-17 | Mendocino Woodlands Camp, 39350 Little Lake Rd, Mendocino, CA, 95460, United States
The Scandia Camp Mendocino 2023 program will feature dance, music, and more from Norway and Sweden, presented by instructors from those countries and the United States. This year we will feature the dance and music from
Hallingdal in Norway and Föllinge in Sweden.
Dance Classes
Camp includes the following classes and more!

Dance classes with our Scandinavian guest teachers focusing on Hallingdal and Föllinge dances
Dances often found at Scandinavian dance events and parties
Social, changing partners dances
Classes focusing on Hambo and waltzing

Music Classes

Regular fiddle focusing on the music from Föllinge
Regular fiddle for newer Scandinavian musicians
Hardanger fiddle, the Norwegian fiddle with under-strings, focusing on the music from Hallingdal and more
Nyckelharpa, a keyed-fiddle with sympathetic strings, is the national instrument of Sweden
Group playing: Allspel in Swedish and Samspel in Norwegian, focusing on dance music. All instruments are welcome.
Singing

The mission of Scandia Camp Mendocino is to provide culturally unique enriching opportunities to learn about and actively experience the dance, music and cultural traditions of Scandinavia (primarily Norway and Sweden) in a welcoming community.
Schedule, list of instructors, and more at http://scandiacamp.org
Covid Health Policy
No registrations accepted after June 1.
Register

Da! Mozhem with East Bay Folk Dancers
2023-06-09 19:30 - 22:00 | Piedmont Veterans’ Hall, 401 Highland Ave, Piedmont, CA, 94611, United States
Join us for a fun-filled night of dancing to our favorite Balkan songs played by Da! Mozhem.
The Veterans’ Memorial Hall is on the corner of the Bank of America and just south on Vista beside Mulberry Market is a small lot you can park in.
Dancers are requested to wear N95 grade masks and for their first night they will need to show that they have been vaccinated and boosted for COVID-19. This is a fragrance –free event.
Be sure to bring tips for the band.
Da! Mozhem at the San Francisco Free Folk Festival
Da! Mozhem
Da! Mozhem plays and sings high-energy pan-Balkan music for the joy of dancing. D!M is a group of friends who have been playing together for well over a decade. The group has veterans from many excellent folklore bands such as the People’s International Silver String Macedonian Band, Born to Drone, Westwind, Sviraci, and the Slavonian Traveling Band. The band plays with emphasis on Bulgarian, Macedonian, and ex-Yugoslav traditions. Several members frequently travel to the Balkans to learn more about the folkloric music of the region. The group plays on traditional instruments unique to the region as well as modern instruments.

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

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

Schedule

Time
Event

2:00 – 3:00pm
Folk Dance Performances

3:00 – 4:00pm
Dance Workshops

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

Land Dancers Folk Dance Weekend
2023-05-27 11:00 | Cliff’s land in the Santa Cruz Mountains, CA-9 & Skyline Blvd, Saratoga, CA, 95070
Please join the Land Dancers this Memorial Day weekend for International and Israeli folk dancing and music at The Land. Come for the day Saturday or Sunday, or camp out for the whole weekend. Anyone is welcome. Fun for families. No charge. Held every Memorial Day and Labor Day weekend. Founded by Cliff Jenkins and friends in 1981.
Wonderful activities for everyone! Hiking trails, camping, bicycling, dancing, live music and more..
We dance outdoors on a big redwood deck where two creeks come together in the Santa Cruz Mountains, off Skyline Blvd near Highway 9. Come as early as 11am Saturday May 27 to set up camp. There isn’t a set time to begin dancing Saturday.
Organizer: Land Dancers
Cost: free of charge, donations encouraged
Contact Betsy Moore, eambetsy@gmail.com, (408-507-7177) to request a flyer with directions and more info.
COVID-19 Precautions
We ask that attendees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including booster, if eligible. Please get tested if you’ve been exposed and don’t attend if you are feeling ill. Masks are optional.

Global Folk Dance Party
2023-05-20 15:00 - 18:30 | Online, CA, United States
As always, thank you for coming to our party and sharing your day with us. I and the Global Party team look forward to continuing our parties with all of you on the third Saturday of 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 and requests e-mail us at virtualfolkdance@gmail.com. Alicia La Fetra, Lisa Michael, and Stacy Rose will be happy to help.

Statewide 2023
2023-05-19 18:30 - 2023-05-21 18:00 | Wigwam Hall, 543 Shepherd St., San Pedro, CA, 90731, United States
The 2023 Statewide Folk Dance Festival, HARBOR VIEW, is a weekend festival of folk dance and parties on May 19 to 21, 2023 including:

Dance workshops with Bata Marčetić (Serbian) and Joan Hantman (Israeli)
Live Music Played by Sans Frontières (Friday), Veselba (Friday), and Tzidia (Saturday)
Dance performances by Bata’s 15-member youth ensemble (The Academy of Serbian Folk Dancing) from Toronto
A Sea Shanty sing-along will be led by musician and dancer Toti O’Brien.
Parties and Luncheon
Request Dancing
Optional Excursions
Meeting friends – Old and New

Register

Schedule
Statewide 2023 Schedule Wigwam Hall All events take place at the Wigmam Hall, San Pedro, CA.
Live music playlist

Instructors
Bata Marčetić
Bata Marčetić .Miroslav Bata Marcetic was a leading performer, soloist and choreographer, with the Serbian National Folk Ensemble “Kolo” in Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro (former Yugoslavia) for seventeen years and is the recipient of several awards for his artistic work. He has attended almost all folk dance seminars held in former Yugoslavia and eventually, he became the instructor of several workshops held in former Yugoslavia, Japan, Israel and currently in Canada and the USA. As a well-known choreographer, he was chosen by the Folk Dance Association of Serbia to be a judge at folklore competitions that were taking place in Serbia and Montenegro from 1980 to 1993.
In Canada, Miroslav works in several dance associations and ensembles: Kralj Petar II from Winona since 1993, , Serbian Club “Kordun” since 2004 and he worked in S.C.A. “Oplenac” in Mississauga from 1993 until 2004 and in Folk Dance Ensemble “Hajduk Veljko” from Toronto from 1999 until 2006. Due to his long-term, dedicated and victorious work in the Canadian Serbian community, on December 26th 2005 Miroslav was awarded the Golden Plaque by the Cultural-Academic State Association of Serbia.
In 2004, Miroslav established his own school of dance, “Academy of Serbian Folk Dancing” which includes more than 300 dancers of all ages, and a folk band instructed and directed by Mica Petrovic, a music coach par excellence, whose last forty years of his adult life have been dedicated to publicizing and promoting Serbian folk music. The Academy of Serbian Folk Dancing is the winner of the many artistic awards. More details…
Introducing Miroslav “Bata” Marčetić
Joan Hantman
Joan Hantman Joan Hantman began classical dance at the age of three and was performing “on pointe” on stage in downtown Boston by the age of eight. She was introduced to Israeli dance at Brandeis University, and thus began the start of a lasting relationship. She has studied with most of the major choreographers and has been teaching and performing Israeli dance ever since.
Within Israeli dance, Joan has danced with the performing groups Keren Shemesh, Screaming Sa’adya and the Electric Camels, Zikukim, Parparim (with whom she performed at the Mets stadium in New York), and Bustan Boston (with whom she performed in the first Karniel festival in Israel). Joan was the coordinator and an instructor of the MIT Folk Dance Club’s Israeli dancing for more than a quarter century, and was on the board of Directors for the Boston Israeli Folk Dance Festival. Joan has also been on the staff of Sababa camp in New York, and now co-organizes the IFC camp in New York as well.
While dancing at MIT, Joan caught sight of International and Balkan dancing and a new passion ensued. She began attending workshops in the United States, and then attended many dance seminars in Bulgaria, Greece, Israel, Macedonia, Romania, and Turkey. She complemented Ercüment Kılıc’s teaching in the United States and has demonstrated dances with Israel Yakovee, Shlomo Maman, Avner Naim, and Moshiko. International performing groups included Collage led by Ahmet Luleci and the Mandala Folk Dance Ensemble as both a dancer and artistic director, (with which she performed throughout the northeast and in England and Hungary). Joan has also performed vocally at the prestigious Pirin Pee and Koprivštica festivals in Bulgaria. She currently sings with the Balkan band Veselba and with the Bulgarian chorus Superdevoijce.
In her spare dance time, Joan can also be seen doing swing, salsa, and clogging dance, or appearing as background in various movies and Internet or television shows. In real life, Joan works as a nurse at UCLA’s Santa Monica Hospital.
Introducing Joan Hantman
Hotels
Statewide 2023 will be happening in San Pedro the weekend prior Memorial Day Weekend. San Pedro offers two upscale hotels and several basic motels (ranked by price). Our host motel is Studio 6, 525 S. Harbor, San Pedro, CA.
Sadly, the inn within walking distance of Wigwam Hall is not recommended.

Hotel/Motel
Distance from hall
Parking
Amenities

Crowne Plaza Los Angeles Harbor Hotel 3
601 S. Palos Verdes St.
San Pedro, CA 90731
310-519-8200
Online Reservations
2.8 miles
$15/day
Blu restaurant on site serves breakfast, brunch, dinner, dessert, beer on tap, wine, pool, and is smoke free. Two double beds is $245 + taxes/night

Double Tree
2800 Via Cabrillo Marina
San Pedro, CA 90731
310-514-3344
Online Reservations
2 miles
$15/day
On-site restaurant, pool (located on Marina), coffee maker. Two standard queen beds is $257 + taxes/night

Motel 6 (New owner)
354 W. 9th St.
San Pedro, CA 90731
310-935-2772
Online Reservations
2.8 miles
No parking
One king bed is $76 + taxes/night
Inspected by John Lang

Vagabond Inn
215 S. Gaffey St.
San Pedro, CA 90731
310-831-8911
Online Reservations
2.8 miles
Free
Lobby recently remodeled, some rooms have new floor, micro wave, fridge, pool, no coffee maker. Coffee and pastries served Saturday and Sunday AM.
Room with two queen beds is $124 + taxes/night. 15% discount for seniors and AAA members

Guest Harbor Inn
411 S. Pacific Ave.
San Pedro, CA 90731
310-831-0195
Online Reservations
2.4 miles
Free (enter parking lot from Pacific)
Rooms recently remodeled, mini fridge, micro wave, coffee maker. Room with two queen beds is $135 + taxes/night

Studio 6 (Our Host Motel)
525 S. Harbor
San Pedro, CA 90731
310-548-1080
Online Reservations
2.8 miles
Free
Mini fridge and micro wave in all rooms, pool, no coffee maker
Two full beds is $140 + taxes/night
Across Harbor Blvd. from Maritime Museum

Americas Best Value Inn Rancho Palos Verdes
29601 South Western Ave.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
310-519-9900
Online Reservations
5 miles
Free
Restaurant on site
Two double beds is $150 + taxes/night. Inspected by John Lang.

View document of hotel/motels near hall
Nearby Restaurants and Attractions
List of nearby restaurants
List of San Pedro attractions
15 Best Things to Do in San Pedro

Registration
Lodging should be purchased separately. Children under 18 are admitted free with a paying adult. Young adults aged 19-21 can receive a 50% discount if they volunteer for 1-2 hours. Work scholarships are available.
The full festival package is $125 for all workshops and parties if registered by May 7. The final day to pre-register is May 7, 2023. The Saturday only full package is $75, or $85 at the door. Individual events may be registered for $25 apiece or $30 at the door.
Additional offerings include a Saturday lunch or evening dinner, a commemorative T-shirt.
Online Registration
Register online
Mail-In Registration Form
Mail-In Registration
Please download and print the Registration form, then complete it and make your check or money order payable to: Folk Dance Federation of CA, South. Send your form and check or money order to:
Statewide Registrar, Stefanie Holzman
5702 Kern Dr., Huntington Beach, CA 92649.
More Details…
Visit the Statewide 2023 webpage at https://socalfolkdance.org/statewide.htm for the latest information about schedule, opportunities for cultural excursions, post festival Sunday afternoon gathering, teachers, music (bands & playlists), hotels, restaurants, parking, directions, etc. Mask and proof of vaccination requirements will follow CDC, State, and County COVID regulations at the time of the event.
All details
For more details also contact: Diane Baker 949-244-0666 or e-mail diane.baker@diandden.net.

Death on the Nile Dance Party
2023-05-14 13:00 - 16:00 | Live Oak Recreation Center, 1301 Shattuck Avenue (at Berryman), Berkeley, CA, 94709 , United States
Theme: “Death on the Nile” sponsored by BFD intermediate dancers. Be inspired! Come dressed for: Sleuthing, Adventure, Travel, or as Villain, Belly Dancer, Pharaoh, Tomb Raider, Egyptian …
Please bring finger foods to share
Register online

Folk Dance and Tea Party
2023-05-13 15:30 - 18:30 | St. Bede’s Church Hall, 2650 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, CA, United States
Come join the Peninsula Council for their an afternoon tea and dance party! Share your favorite brew, tea time stories, and folk dances with your friends!

Schedule

Time
Event

3:30 – 4:15pm
TEA PARTY

4:15 – 6:30pm
DANCING

Federation Board Meeting
2023-05-07 15:00 - 16:30 | Online, CA, United States
Join the Folk Dance Federation Board online as they meet for their May 2023 planning meeting. Various topics such as event planning, membership, publicity, insurance, and budget are discussed. Get to see Federation meetings behind the scenes!
Sunday May 7, 3pm-4:30pm, online
Meeting ID: 821 4223 9442
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Join Online

14th Annual Cerritos Festival
2023-05-06 13:00 - 17:30 | Cerritos Senior Center, 12340 South Street, Cerritos, CA, 90703, United States
Help the Cerritos Folk Dancers celebrate their 14th anniversary with dance, cake, and your presence!
Finger foods to share are welcome, but not necessary. Your traditional or special costume will add splendid color to the party.
Each group is welcome to perform, lead, and/or request one or more dances.
Party Play List

Kopachka Blast
2023-04-28 19:00 - 21:30 | Almonte Clubhouse, 105 Wisteria Way, Mill Valley, CA, 94941, United States
Schedule

Time
Activity

7-7:30 pm
Requests

7:30-8pm
Susie Shoaf will review the Macedonian dance, Malisorka, a Kopachka favorite, as learned from Yves Moreau. Nadav Nur will review the beautiful Albanian dance, Vallja e Rrajcës, as learned from Steve Kotansky.

8-9:30pm
General Dancing

COVID Safety Protocol
Vax/booster proof required – show once – bivalent booster encouraged. Mask N95, KN95 or KF94 required. (We have extra masks). No food allowed. Please bring your own water bottle.
Directions
Park below on Almonte Blvd. (use flashlight to walk up ~200ft). Very limited parking at clubhouse. Details…
