Folk Dance Federation of California

Bulgarian Workshop with Michael Ginsburg and Party with Bulgarika
2018-10-28 13:00 - 19:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | First Baptist Event Hall, 305 N. California Avenue, Palo Alto, CA, 94301-4105, United States
Enjoy a Bulgarian folk dance workshop with master instructor Michael Ginsburg then stay to dance to traditional Bulgarian dance music played by Bulgarika!
Schedule

1:00 pm
Doors open

1:30-3:30 pm
Bulgarian Folk Dance Workshop with Michael Ginsburg, $12

3:30-4:00 pm
Social time with refreshments and dancing to recorded music.

4:00-7:00 pm
Dance party with music by Bulgarika, $18

Both sessions: $25
For the workshop, as time permits, Michael will teach from the following dances:

Shira Horo
Trite Pate from Kermen
Proletno Horo from Malo Konare
Kako Kostadino
Shirto
Ovcepolso Potrculka
Vlach Tsamiko
Ramono Veleshko

If you have a request from his prior CDs, let Lucy know.
Snack donations always appreciated. Refreshments provided.
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Bulgarika
Bulgarika presents traditional Bulgarian songs and tunes. The band is led by husband and wife team, Nikolay (gadulka, a fiddle) and Donka Kolev (vocalist), award-winning performers from Folk Music Conservatories in Bulgaria. They are joined by Stoyan Kostov (tambura and vocals) and Michael Ginsburg (tapan).
Nikolay Kolev
Nikolay Kolev (gadulka)
Nikolay Kolev is a native of the Thracian Rose Valley village of Karavelovo, has been playing gadulka since age 10. After graduating from the National School of Folk Arts in Shiroka Luka, Bulgaria, he performed for three years with the Sliven Folk Dance and Music Ensemble. In 1984 he founded the orchestra “Sopot”. In 1985 he formed the wedding-music ensemble “Rozova Dolina” and in 1992 the prize-winning ensemble “Balkanski Glasove”. In 1994 and 1995 the latter group took first prizes at the Varna Festival. Nikolay has accompanied many well-known singers including Vulkana Stojanova, Roumen Rodopski and Todor Kozhuharov. He has also taught many students at a number of Balkan camps in the U.S. In 1999, Nikolay was the first Bulgarian to be recognized by the Slavic Heritage Council of America for his outstanding contributions to music.
Donka Koleva
Donka Koleva (vocals)
Donka Koleva is a native of the village of Tuzha in the Stara Zagora region of Thrace. She graduated from the National School of Folk Arts in Shiroka Luka, Bulgaria, and performed for three years with the Sliven Folk Dance and Music Ensemble. She was director of the Folk Song Chorus of Sopot, has been a featured soloist on Bulgarian Radio-TV, has participated in numerous singing competitions in Bulgaria and Europe and has been featured on numerous recordings. In 1997 her recording of Javore was named “Song of the Year” in the Bulgarian national radio competition. Since immigrating to the U.S. she has taught and performed widely across N. America, both privately and at numerous camps, festivals and other events. In addition to her vocal talents Donka serves as Bulgarika’s manager and has organized 12 national tours for the bands Kabile’, Cherven Traktor, Bulgarika and the Kolev Family Ensemble.
Stoyan Kostov
Stoyan Kostov (vocals, tambura)
Stoyan Kostov has been playing the Bulgarian tambura for over 40 years. He graduated from the National Music School “Filip Koutev” and the Bulgarian National Conservatory. Stoyan performed with Ensemble Trakiya and played tambura with Harmanliska Troika, and guitar with the Ograzhden ensemble in Sandanski, where he also directed the “N. Vaptsarov” Folk Ensemble. Stoyan lives in Pittsburgh PA.

Michael Ginsburg
Michael Ginsburg (tapan)
Michael Ginsburg began teaching Balkan folk-dance in 1964 in New York City and now teaches a weekly dance class there. He plays tapan with Cherven Traktor, a band that plays Bulgarian folk music on traditional instruments. He also plays trumpet with Kavala Brass Band, a band specializing in the Brass music of Aegean Macedonia. He is a founding member and lead trumpeter of Zlatne Uste Balkan Brass Band, formed in 1983. In 1987 they were the first foreign band to appear at the world-famous Brass Band festival in Guca, Serbia. Michael additionally serves as the head of the Program Committee of the Golden Festival in Brooklyn, New York, an annual event attracting thousands of participants and featuring dozens of musical groups.

Officers Ball 2018
2018-10-20 13:00 - 22:30 | Veterans Memorial Building, Pleasanton, 301 Main Street, Pleasanton, CA, 94566, United States
The Folk Dance Federation’s annual festival of folk dance with workshops, dinner, dance party, and special attractions! This year’s theme: Octoberfest!
Please note the location this year is the Pleasanton Veterans Memorial Hall, Pleasanton.
Schedule

Price
Time (pm)
Event

1:00
Doors open

$20
1:30-5:30
Dance workshops

$10
5:30-7:00
On-site dinner with entertainment by Bill Cope (if registered by October 12)

$20
7:00-10:30
Evening celebration, dances from the workshop and your requests.

Workshop
The afternoon workshop will again feature new and classic folk dances taught by local teachers including Katherine Abbott, Marija Hillis, Kaela Fine, Denise Heenan, Gigi and Warren Jensen, Yvonne and Andre Couvillion, Bruce Mitchell, and Lenore Frigo.
Registration
Register by Friday October 12, 2018 to obtain the special all event package pricing (workshop, on-site dinner, and evening party) of $40 and save $10. On-site dinner registration is not available after October 12.
Online Registration

Order your tickets now!

Register and pay online at http://officersball.bpt.me. Badges will be available by will-call.

Mail-In Registration
DOWNLOAD Registration Form and Flier
Download and complete registration form.
Make checks payable to the FOLK DANCE FEDERATION.
Mail the check and registration form to:
Laura Douglass
226 Alameda de las Pugas
Redwood City, CA 94062

Questions?
Contact Loui Tucker or Lucy Chang for answers.

Bulgarika - Bulgarian Folk Dance Party
2018-10-19 20:00 - 22:30 | Strawberry Recreation Center, 118 E. Strawberry Drive, Mill Valley, CA, 94941, United States
Join us for BULGARIKA’s first stop in the Bay Area on their national tour! Come dance to the haunting melodies and fiery dance tempos of four master musicians, all steeped in Bulgarian music and rhythms from a young age.
Admission: $15. Students half-price, kids free with adult.
DOWNLOAD, print, and share a flier.
Bulgarika
Bulgarika presents traditional Bulgarian songs and tunes. The band is led by husband and wife team, Nikolay (gadulka, a fiddle) and Donka Kolev (vocalist), award-winning performers from Folk Music Conservatories in Bulgaria. They are joined by Stoyan Kostov (tambura and vocals) and Michael Ginsburg (tapan).
Nikolay Kolev
Nikolay Kolev (gadulka)
Nikolay Kolev is a native of the Thracian Rose Valley village of Karavelovo, has been playing gadulka since age 10. After graduating from the National School of Folk Arts in Shiroka Luka, Bulgaria, he performed for three years with the Sliven Folk Dance and Music Ensemble. In 1984 he founded the orchestra “Sopot”. In 1985 he formed the wedding-music ensemble “Rozova Dolina” and in 1992 the prize-winning ensemble “Balkanski Glasove”. In 1994 and 1995 the latter group took first prizes at the Varna Festival. Nikolay has accompanied many well-known singers including Vulkana Stojanova, Roumen Rodopski and Todor Kozhuharov. He has also taught many students at a number of Balkan camps in the U.S. In 1999, Nikolay was the first Bulgarian to be recognized by the Slavic Heritage Council of America for his outstanding contributions to music.
Donka Koleva
Donka Koleva (vocals)
Donka Koleva is a native of the village of Tuzha in the Stara Zagora region of Thrace. She graduated from the National School of Folk Arts in Shiroka Luka, Bulgaria, and performed for three years with the Sliven Folk Dance and Music Ensemble. She was director of the Folk Song Chorus of Sopot, has been a featured soloist on Bulgarian Radio-TV, has participated in numerous singing competitions in Bulgaria and Europe and has been featured on numerous recordings. In 1997 her recording of Javore was named “Song of the Year” in the Bulgarian national radio competition. Since immigrating to the U.S. she has taught and performed widely across N. America, both privately and at numerous camps, festivals and other events. In addition to her vocal talents Donka serves as Bulgarika’s manager and has organized 12 national tours for the bands Kabile’, Cherven Traktor, Bulgarika and the Kolev Family Ensemble.
Stoyan Kostov
Stoyan Kostov (vocals, tambura)
Stoyan Kostov has been playing the Bulgarian tambura for over 40 years. He graduated from the National Music School “Filip Koutev” and the Bulgarian National Conservatory. Stoyan performed with Ensemble Trakiya and played tambura with Harmanliska Troika, and guitar with the Ograzhden ensemble in Sandanski, where he also directed the “N. Vaptsarov” Folk Ensemble. Stoyan lives in Pittsburgh PA.

Michael Ginsburg
Michael Ginsburg (tapan)
Michael Ginsburg began teaching Balkan folk-dance in 1964 in New York City and now teaches a weekly dance class there. He plays tapan with Cherven Traktor, a band that plays Bulgarian folk music on traditional instruments. He also plays trumpet with Kavala Brass Band, a band specializing in the Brass music of Aegean Macedonia. He is a founding member and lead trumpeter of Zlatne Uste Balkan Brass Band, formed in 1983. In 1987 they were the first foreign band to appear at the world-famous Brass Band festival in Guca, Serbia. Michael additionally serves as the head of the Program Committee of the Golden Festival in Brooklyn, New York, an annual event attracting thousands of participants and featuring dozens of musical groups.

October Peninsula Folk Dance Party
2018-10-13 19:00 - 22:00 | Garden House, 400 University Ave., Los Altos, CA, United States
Adony Beniares will teach Melnishko Horo, a Bulgarian folk dance, and, if time permits, Talava (Kosovo-Albanian) during the FREE pre-party workshop from 7:00-7:30pm.
Loui Tucker will emcee the all request party from 8:00-10:30pm.
Dances range from beginning to advanced and all forms (line, couple, set). Come dance on a great wood floor! Bring a snack to share!
DOWNLOAD, print, and share our flier.

Scandinavian Dance Party
2018-10-06 19:30 - 22:00 | First United Methodist Church, 625 Hamilton Ave, Palo Alto, CA, 94301, United States
Teaching 7:30-8:30pm, followed by a dance party.

Dance Party with Mosaic
2018-10-05 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), and Randa Jacobs (flute, pennywhistle).
Bring some light refreshments and non-alcoholic beverages to help make it a party, and tips for the band!

Folk Dance Reunion Party
2018-09-22 17:30 - 22:30 | Chico Womens Club, 592 E. 3rd Street, near Pine, Chico, CA, 95927, United States
Dance Program Come see friends old and new at the Chico World Dancers reunion party. Bring your dancing shoes and dance to our old favorites.
5:30 – 7:00 PM Potluck.
Bring dish or beverage to share. We’ll have utensils, plates, and cups.
7:30 – 10:30 PM Dancing.
Volunteers needed to help set up and take down.
Questions? Contact Alison
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End of Summer Dance Party
2018-09-19 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 an end of summer folk dance party. Help bring snacks and non-alcoholic beverages to share for the refreshments table.

Greek Glendi (Party) with Hohlax Trio
2018-09-17 19:00 - 21:30 | Joe Goode Annex, 401 Alabama at 17th Street, San Francisco, CA, 94110, United States
GreekFeet was pleased to have Hohlax play for us on their first West coast tour in 2009 and we are even more delighted to have the Holax Trio play for us again for their upcoming 2018 California tour. That’s right, come and checkout Hohlax for an amazing night of Greek music and dancing.
7:00 pm – Potluck, bring a dish to share
7:30 pm – Music and Dancing Begins
Join the Hohlax Trio on a musical journey to Greece, from the backstreets of Pireus to the magical islands of the Aegean. With Jaime Smith on violin, Orestis Koletsos on bouzouki and vocals, and visiting guest from Greece Giannis on vocals and guitar. The trio plays a unique blend of traditional Greek music and contemporary urban riffs.
Note: Ring the bell at the gate to enter
Hohlax Trio
Jaime Smith grew up in Sacramento, studied violin at the New England Conservatory of Music and studied and performed in Greece for more than a decade. Orestis Koletsos, born in Paris and raised in Athens, began playing bouzouki at the age of 15 and has been performing, recording, and writing songs for more than a decade. Joining Jaime and Orestis is Giannis on guitar and vocals. Giannis was born in the village of Kiriaki, Boeotia, in central Greece. His earliest exposure to folk music came from his father, who was a folk singer. This influence, and the constant contact of the local folk bands led Giannis to a career of singing folk, traditional and rembetiko songs.

Chang's 80th Birthday Celebration
2018-09-16 13:00 - 19:00 | City College of San Francisco, Wellness Center, 50 Frida Kahlo Way, San Francisco, CA, 94112, United States
Celebrate 80 Years of Dance in San Francisco
with Changs International Folk Dancers
Featuring

Live international dance music by Chubritza and Da! Mozhem
Live Scottish dance music by Stringfire!
Refreshments
Fun and friends

Bring a snack to share
Admission
$10-20 suggested donation. Children and students free!
Parking
Campus parking $3.
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Kick-Off Party with Chubritza
2018-09-15 19:00 - 23:00 | All Saints’ Episcopal, 555 Waverley St., Palo Alto, CA, 94301, United States
Opening dance party with Chubritza in celebration of Chang’s Folk Dancers 80th anniversary. Live music dance party preceded by short dance workshop by Marina Troost (Divcibarsko, Serbia) and Clem Dickey (Amelias, England- style). Refreshments provided!
Bring tips for the band!
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6:45 pm
Doors open

7:00 pm
Workshop with the Moveable Feet Team

8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Dancing to music played by Chubritza

Chubritza
Chubritza – Traditional Balkan and International Folk Music
Chubritza is well known throughout California as they have been featured in several dance camps as well as past Statewide Festivals. They are known for their variety and mixture of international musical tastes and textures, while retaining a Balkan and Eastern European emphasis. Chubritza is Janet Finney-Krull, Meadow Lo, Jim Case, Linnea Mandell, Rick Kruse, and Craig Kurumada.
More details…

September Peninsula Folk Dance Party
2018-09-08 19:00 - 22:15 | Garden House, 400 University Ave., Los Altos, CA, United States
Pre-party workshop 7:00pm to 7:30pm with Denise Heenan teaching Broadway, a Scottish dance presented by Kay Munn at Stockton Folk Dance Camp 2018.
All request dance party starting at 7:30pm MC’d by Nancy Kaye and Becky Beniares until 10:15pm.
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Summer Camps in Review 2018
2018-09-01 13:30 - 20:00 | All Saints’ Episcopal, 555 Waverley St., Palo Alto, CA, 94301, United States
Come to our 5th Annual Summer Camps in Review. No time to attend all the camps and workshops? No problem! Catch great dances with our great local teachers as they present their favorite dances that they learned at various camps and workshops. Includes potluck dinner and party. We have added a short remembrance of Fred Ho as we honor our dear friend’s passing.
Come the whole time or just a few hours. We want to dance and chat with you.
1:45pm – Doors open. Dancing to last year’s summer camp dances and more…
2:00 – 5:30pm – Workshop (see table of instructors and dances below)
5:30 – 5:45pm – Remembering Fred Ho: A video by Clem Dickey, Adony Beniares, and friends.
5:45 – 6:45pm – Potluck dinner, bring your favorite dish. Refrigerators available, but no oven.
6:30 – ~8:00pm – Review and your requests of dances from Statewide to Stockton and more.
Workshop Dances

Instructor
Dance
Heritage
Learned From

Craig Blackstone
Crossroads
England
Statewide

Lon Radin
Glaviniska Kopanica
Bulgaria
Statewide

Eileen Kopec
Kapatovkso Horo
Bulgaria
Stockton

Kevin Greek
Madzune Ver Degh Tran
Armenia
Statewide

Marija Hillis
Mari Kiz
Moldova
Stockton

Katherine Abbott
Neveno, Mori Neveno
Macedonia
Stockton

Tom Sears
Sick Sack Schottis
Sweden
Scandia

Ulrike & Lothar Narins
Sim Shalom
Israel
Tokuyama Yamaguchi Prefecture

Yale & Marcia Rosenblatt
Yaffo
Israel
Stockton

Denise Heenan
Zemjo Makedonska
Macedonia
Stockton

Melissa Miller & Lew Smith
TBA

Greek Traditional Dance Seminar Lemos

AND IF TIME PERMITS…

Loui Tucker
Halelujah Le’Gla
Israel
Stockton

Lucy Chang
Terrace Loggers Jig
Scotland
Stockton

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August Peninsula Folk Dance Party
2018-08-04 19:15 - 22:30 | St. Bede’s Church Hall, 2650 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, CA, United States
Pre-party workshop featuring fun dances from Stockton Folk Dance Camp.
We are excited to share with you two new dances from Stockton Folk Dance Camp! The first is a lively, but easy, couple dance from Romania. The second is an easy dance to beautiful music from a place you have never heard of: Gagauzia, an independent republic within Moldova.
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Klezmer Dance Party
2018-08-03 19:30 - 22:00 | Bethany Lutheran Church, 1095 Cloud Avenue, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, United States
Klezmer and classic Israeli dance party with live music provided by Majorly Minor. Donna Frankel will help lead dances.
Bring some light refreshments and non-alcoholic beverages to help make it a party, and tips for the band.
Photos from a recent Klezmer and Israeli dance party.

Majorly Minor

Majorly Minor plays Klezmer, Eastern European, and Israeli tunes for dancing. Members include Stella Bonilla (violin), Ginny Snyder (bass), Larry Light (clarinet), and Naomi Zamir (accordion).

August Dance Party
2018-08-01 19:45 - 22:00 | Holbrook Palmer Park, Carriage House, 150 Watkins Avenue, Atherton, CA, 94027, United States
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)
Suzanne will resume teaching again Sept. 19th when the Fall Quarter begins.

July Peninsula Folk Dance Party
2018-07-14 19:15 - 22:30 | St. Bede’s Church Hall, 2650 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, CA, United States
Kaela Fine will teach Abrahim Fellahi, a Turkish dance presented by Ahmet Luleci, and Kirca Mome (Greece) during a FREE mini-workshop from 7:15-8:00pm.
Hollis and Lon Radin will emcee the all request party from 8:00-10:30pm. E-mail requests to Lon at lonradin@pacbell.net
Dances range from beginning to advanced and all forms (line, couple, set). Come dance on a great wood floor! Bring a snack to share!
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Petur Iliev Dance Workshop
2018-06-30 19:30 - 22:30 | Piedmont Veterans Hall, 401 Highland Avenue, Piedmont, CA, United States
Petur Iliev will be teaching this fun-filled dance workshop following Mendocino Balkan Camp this summer. This is a wonderful and rare opportunity to dance with Petur again in the Bay Area!
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…
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Balkan Chili Live!
2018-06-08 20:00 - 22:30 | Strawberry Recreation Center, 118 E. Strawberry Drive, Mill Valley, CA, 94941, United States
Direct from Varna, Bulgaria, Balkan Chili Trio plays authentic dance music from all regions of Bulgaria. Spacious sprung wood floor. Lots of free parking.
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Balkan Chili Trio
Balkan Chili Trio
The Balkan Chili Trio plays authentic Bulgarian dance music from all regions of Bulgaria. The goal of the musicians is to preserve and recreate the authentic sound of Bulgarian national music, as it was played in working-bees, and round dances in town squares and celebrations. Performances include vocals, Jura & Kaba gaidas (bagpipes), keyboards, tupan (drum), and accordion. Members of the band have graduated from prestigious Bulgarian music and dance institutes and are multi-instrumentalists. They perform extensively in Bulgaria and worldwide for weddings or other celebrations while maintaining busy teaching careers in their home town, abroad, and thru the internet.

Balkan Chili Trio playing Elenino Horo for dancers

Cretan Dance Workshop with Nikos Vertoudos
2018-06-04 19:30 - 21:30 | Joe Goode Annex, 401 Alabama at 17th Street, San Francisco, CA, 94110, United States
GreekFeet is pleased to host Nikos Vertoudos from Iraklion, Crete Greece. Nikos grew up dancing in villages of Crete and is a member of the well known Cretan dance troupe, Mavrokostas. We had the pleasure of having Niko teach us last year and we are looking forward to his return. He has taught at the Holy Cross Church troupe in Belmont where they won awards for their Cretan Suite at the annual Greek Orthodox Folk Dance Festival.
Join us for an informative workshop where we will explore the major dances of Crete. In previous workshops, we had a great time with Niko, learning basic Cretan dances and learning styling technique, variations and tips on leading. Plus it was a true pleasure watching and dancing with Niko. An opportunity not to be missed!

Balkan Chili Trio
2018-06-02 19:00 - 23:00 | All Saints’ Episcopal, 555 Waverley St., Palo Alto, CA, 94301, United States
Balkan Chili Trio, a ethnic band from Varna, Bulgaria, performs live music for dancing.
6:45pm Doors open
7:00-8:00pm Balkan workshop with Lon Radin and Lucy Chang. Request dancing.
8:00-11:00pm Balkan Chili Trio, tips greatly appreciated!
Punch, coffee, and tea provided. Bring snacks to share. Send dance requests to Lucy Chang. We are looking forward to seeing and dancing with you at this special workshop and live music event!
DOWNLOAD, print, and share a flier.
Balkan Chili Trio
Balkan Chili Trio
The Balkan Chili Trio plays authentic Bulgarian dance music from all regions of Bulgaria. The goal of the musicians is to preserve and recreate the authentic sound of Bulgarian national music, as it was played in working-bees, and round dances in town squares and celebrations. Performances include vocals, Jura & Kaba gaidas (bagpipes), keyboards, tupan (drum), and accordion. Members of the band have graduated from prestigious Bulgarian music and dance institutes and are multi-instrumentalists. They perform extensively in Bulgaria and worldwide for weddings or other celebrations while maintaining busy teaching careers in their home town, abroad, and thru the internet. Read more…

Balkan Chili Trio playing Elenino Horo for dancers

Generations Dance
2018-06-02 16:00 - 19:00 | Al and Teddy’s Dance Deck, 3100 Ponderosa Rd, Shingle Springs, CA, 95682, United States
The 2nd Annual Generations Dance is a free folk dance event for all ages, hosted by the Willits Charter School Dancers. Join us for a picnic dinner after dancing.

Dance Party with Staro Vino
2018-06-01 20:00 - 23:00 | All Saints’ Episcopal, 555 Waverley St., Palo Alto, CA, 94301, United States
Live Balkan music dance party with Staro Vino! Come dance to the music of Bulgaria, Greece, and Macedonia. Only the finest vintages! They play dance tunes and table songs from Bulgaria, Macedonia, Serbia, and Bosnia.
Staro Vino is Andrew Cohen (accordion), Joey Friedman (saxophone), Greg Masaki Jenkins (clarinet, tsouras, and vocals), and Mark Jenkins (percussion and vocals). They play dance tunes from Bulgaria, Greece, Macedonia, and Serbia.
Bring some light refreshments and non-alcoholic beverages to help make it a party, and tips for the band.

Cretan Dance Workshop with Nikos Vertoudos
2018-05-21 19:30 - 21:30 | Joe Goode Annex, 401 Alabama at 17th Street, San Francisco, CA, 94110, United States
Greek Feet is pleased to host Nikos Vertoudos from Iraklion, Crete Greece. Nikos grew up dancing in villages of Crete and is a member of the well known Cretan dance troupe, Mavrokostas. We had the pleasure of having Niko teach us last year and we are looking forward to his return. He has taught at the Holy Cross Church troupe in Belmont where they won awards for their Cretan Suite at the annual Greek Orthodox Folk Dance Festival.
Join us for an informative workshop where we will explore the major dances of Crete. In previous workshops, we had a great time with Niko, learning basic Cretan dances and learning styling technique, variations and tips on leading. Plus it was a true pleasure watching and dancing with Niko. An opportunity not to be missed!

Statewide 2018
2018-05-18 - 2018-05-20 | Sacramento Masonic Temple, 1123 J Street, Sacramento, CA, 95814, United States
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“Gateway to the Sierras” is a weekend of folk dance workshops and parties with master instructors Steve Kotansky and Bruce Hamilton and parties with live dance music by Chubritza. Steve Kotansky will teach Balkan line dances and Bruce Hamilton will teach English Country Dances. Special events include Saturday Balkan party with an exhibition of Croatian dances and singing by Skalinada.
Schedule and Syllabus
All events take place at the Masonic Temple, 1123 J Street, Sacramento, CA.
Statewide 2018 Program
Statewide 2018 Syllabus

FRIDAY 5/18:

6:30 pm
Doors open

7:00 pm
Warm up dances

7:30 pm
Chubritza starts. Teachers will be introduced during the evening

10:30 pm
Doors close

SATURDAY 5/19:

9:00 am
Doors open

9:15 am
Warm up

9:45 am
Steve Kotansky

11:15 am
Bruce Hamilton

12:25 pm
Lunch, on your own. Google Restaurant Guide | Downtown Restaurant List c/o Barbara Bevan

2:00 pm
Bruce Hamilton

3:30 pm
Steve Kotansky

5:00 pm
Past President’s Reception

6:00 pm
Balkan Dinner, catered meal with an emphasis on Russian cuisine. Purchase in advance separately.

7:15 pm
Balkan Party with Chubritza and other special events. Following the Balkan Dinner will be an exhibition of Croatian dances and singing by Skalinada. Chubritza will then start the dance program. Several of the dances introduced by our guest teachers will be done during the evening. Be sure to wear something Balkan for the program. It will be a party to remember!

10:30 pm
Doors close

SUNDAY 5/20:

9:30 am
Doors open and warm up

10:00 am – 12:20 pm
Teacher reviews with Steve Kotansky and Bruce Hamilton

12:20 pm
Mexican Luncheon. Purchase in advance separately.

2:00 – 5:00 pm
All Request Program

Instructors and Band
Steve Kotansky
Steve Kotansky – Balkan Line Dances
Steve has taught folk dance in Western Europe and organized workshops in Hungary, Macedonia, and Serbia. In the late 1970s, Steve returned to Hungary and studied with dance master, Timár Sándor, among others. Steve has taught at every major North American festival and camp, often with his wife, Susy. Their work continues to be an expression of their love and passion for dance, finding time to teach dance to children K-12 in New York City area public and private schools. Steve also serves as a consultant to several Hungarian folk ensembles. Most recently, Steve has been researching Albanian and Roma dance from the Diaspora and continues his work and research in Balkan and Central European countries. He is particularly interested in dance culture as it has evolved since the “fall of the Wall” in these countries. More details…

Bruce Hamilton
Bruce Hamilton – English Country Dances​
Bruce has taught English and Scottish country dancing in the Bay Area for many years. He has become one of the country’s most popular English dance leaders, with invitations to many festivals and summer dance camps each year. In the spring of 1993, Bruce was featured dance leader with the band Bare Necessities on a sell-out dance tour of England. He has served on the board of directors of the Country Dance and Song Society since the 1990s and is the current president of the organization.
More details…

Chubritza
Chubritza – Traditional Balkan and International Folk Music
Chubritza is well known throughout California as they have been featured in several dance camps as well as past Statewide Festivals. They are known for their variety and mixture of international musical tastes and textures, while retaining a Balkan and Eastern European emphasis. Chubritza is Janet Finney-Krull, Meadow Lo, Jim Case, Linnea Mandell, Rick Kruse, and Craig Kurumada.
More details…

Venue and Hotel
Masonic Temple
Sacramento Masonic Temple
This site will be 100 years old in 2018. It has a large beautiful ballroom dance floor with a dining room next to it where you can meet and greet old friends. This historic building is in a great location in the heart of downtown Sacramento with shopping and restaurants nearby. More details…

Best Western Sutter House
Headquarters
Best Western Sutter House, 1100 H Street, Sacramento. Special room rates will be available starting in March. Contact the motel at (916) 441-1314. The final day reservation can be made with the special rate will be April. 18, 2018. Be sure to tell them it’s for the Statewide Dance Festival. All rooms have two queen beds. It has a very good morning breakfast. You will have free parking. It is an easy walk from the motel to the Masonic Temple (two blocks). A good plan to save some money would be to share a room and walk to the dance site. More details…

Parking and Street Closures
Parking and Street Closure Notices Although 2018 Statewide event will be several blocks away, the City of Sacramento encourages motorists to plan ahead for this year’s AMGEN Tour of California bicycle race on Saturday, May 19, which features the world’s most elite bicycle racing teams. Also, there are multiple events scheduled downtown for May 19. To help residents and event attendees plan ahead, please read below:
Road closures are Friday, May 18 Afternoon through Saturday, May 19 11:59 p.m.:

L Street from 9th to 19h streets
Capitol Mall from 3rd to 10th
N Street from 7th to 15th
Q Street from 14th to 19th Street
18th Street from L to Q
10th Street from J to P streets
11th street from N to P streets (on-street parking restricted)
12th Street from N to O Streets (on-street parking restricted
15th street from J to R

Link and MAP of street closures.
The city of Sacramento suggests for city events to RESERVE A SPACE AT ONE OF THE NEARBY CITY PARKING GARAGES. You can only reserve space for the city-listed events and you would have to get an additional ticket for extra time beyond the reservation. Contact the city at 916-264-5011.
There is a high rise parking garage at 10th and I Street behind the Masonic Temple. There other parking facilities in the area. Parking on the streets is expensive. Note: The streets in downtown Sacramento are named with letters A-Z (west to east) and with numbers 1-65 (north to south).
Meals
Meals are purchased separately from the program in advance with registration.
Saturday Balkan Dinner
The Saturday Balkan Dinner will be catered by the “Citrus Plaza Catering Service”. Menu: Greek Salad (v); Olive appetizer; Provencial Cabbage Salad (v); Eggplant Rolls (v); Puff Pastry Triangles; Special Ukrainian Plate; Koreyskava Morkava (v); Cabbage Rolls (v); Chicken Kabobs; Mashed Potatoes and Gravy (v); Rice Pilaf with Beef; German Bread; and to top it all off, Russian Napolean Cake. (“v” indicates vegetarian dishes).
Sunday Mexican Lunch
The Sunday Mexican Lunch will be catered by “Martha’s Taqueria” Menu: You will be able to make your tacos with Carnitas, tinga (shredded chicken), Fritos and rice and finally chips with two different salsas.
Registration
Register before Friday May 11, 2018 to obtain the special all event package pricing of $100, otherwise pay $110 at the door. Lodging should be purchased separately. Recommended group pricing available at Best Western Sutter House, (916) 441-1314.
Young adults under the age of 23 may register for any or all events at 1/2 price (excludes meals). Contact Barbara Bevan or call (916) 923-1555 for details.
Print and Mail Registration Form
Mail-In Registration
Mail-in registration has ended.
Online Registration
Register and pay online at http://statewide2018.bpt.me. Badges will be available by will-call.

Register Online

May Peninsula Folk Dance Party
2018-05-12 19:15 - 22:30 | St. Bede’s Church Hall, 2650 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, CA, United States
Ann Kleiman and Lon Radin will teach a Serbian folk dance from the 2018 Heritage Festival introduced by Bata Marčetić during the FREE pre-party workshop from 7:15-8:00pm.
Lucy Chang will emcee the all request party from 8:00-10:30pm.
Dances range from beginning to advanced and all forms (line, couple, set). Come dance on a great wood floor! Bring a snack to share!
DOWNLOAD, print, and share our flier.

Hungarian Festival
2018-05-12 12:00 - 22:00 | Twin Pines Center, 20 Twin Pines Lane, Belmont, CA, 94002, United States
Experience the tastes, sights and sounds of Hungary. Come see what makes Hungarian culture truly unique! All music and dance performances and exhibits are included in the price of admission.

Live Performances
Live Folk Dance and Music
Traditional Food and Pastries
Fine Hungarian Wine
Cultural and Art Exhibits
Puppet show and crafts for the Children
Hungarian Craft and Gift Faire
Evening Dance Circles

2017 Hungarian Heritage Festival
Tickets

Cinco de Mayo Party
2018-05-02 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 Cinco de Mayo folk dance party. Help bring snacks and non-alcoholic beverages to share for the refreshments table.

English and Scottish Country Dances with Bruce Hamilton and Alan Twhigg
2018-04-22 15:00 - 20:30 | St. Bede’s Church Hall, 2650 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, CA, United States
English and Scottish Country Dance afternoon workshop and evening party with master instructors Bruce Hamilton and Alan Twhigg. Includes potluck dinner!
2:30pm – Doors open
3:00 – 6:00pm – Workshop – alternating English & Scottish dances at all levels
6:00 – 7:00pm – Potluck dinner, bring your favorite dish. Snacks for the workshop also appreciated. Refrigerators available, but no oven.
7:00 – ~8:30pm – Dancing to our English and Scottish favorites.
DOWNLOAD, print, and share a flier!
Bruce Hamilton is a very popular and well-respected English country dance leader and instructor with over 45 years of experience. Alan passed both of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society exams at St. Andrews in the 1980s and since then he has been teaching regular weekly classes as well as serving as guest instructor at weekend workshops across North America. Both teachers emphasize the joys of these social dance forms.
No partners needed. We change partners after each dance. All dancers welcome however basic knowledge of the fundamentals of English and Scottish country dancing is beneficial.
Email your requests for dances to be taught or for the party to Lucy Chang. Sapphire Sea and Shiftin’ Bobbins are featured during the evening party already.
Bruce Hamilton
Bruce Hamilton is a well-respected, thoughtful, and energetic teacher of English and Scottish dancing with 45 years’ experience. He has launched dance classes, trained teachers, coached performing groups, and adjudicated festivals.
A retired research scientist, Bruce is always looking for new ways to understand and present ideas for the dancer. Whenever he presents workshops, he weaves many conceptual threads besides dance technique and choreography into his lessons. Musicality, sociability, and physiology are his current favorites. People often say they come away with a different way to experience and think about dance. Occasionally he holds a weekend teachers’ class that also draws high praise. He continues to run a bi-weekly English dance class in the Bay Area. In the recent past, he was the president of the Country Dance and Song Society. With invitations to teach at many festivals and dance camps each year, he has taught workshops all around the United States and in the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, and Australia.
Alan Thwigg
With Scottish heritage on both sides of his family, Alan developed a love for Scottish traditional music at an early age. His parents danced with the Reel & Strathspey Club that preceded the formation of the San Francisco Branch of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society. They often took him to the Highland games and pipe band concerts as a child.
Alan discovered Scottish Country Dancing as a college student, amongst other dance forms such as ballroom and international folk. The music resonated with some early memories, and the intricate patterns of SCD stood out from the other styles. He soon sought out a weekly class, then two…
Alan passed both of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society teaching exams at St. Andrews in the 1980s, and has been teaching regular weekly classes at various levels ever since. He has served as a guest instructor at weekend workshops across North America and tutored candidates for teaching exams. He also continues to participate in Scottish Country Dance performances, chiefly with the Red Thistle Dancers. Favorite memories include choreographing and performing a sword dance for the San Francisco Opera as well as teaching and performing in Norway, the Czech Republic, and Russia.
In addition to Scottish country dancing, Alan is an accomplished Highland dancer and performs frequently in public. He does both Scottish country dance and Highland dance with the Red Thistle Dancers, a performance group based in Palo Alto. Alan frequently travels to Scotland to attend dance training schools, and broaden his knowledge of the culture.

Spring Folk Dance Party
2018-04-14 19:15 - 22:30 | St. Bede’s Church Hall, 2650 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, CA, United States
Loui Tucker will be teaching Serbian folk dance Krivatvorena and Israeli dance Salamati during the FREE pre-party workshop from 7:15-8:00pm.
Jim Emdy will emcee the all request party from 8:00-10:30pm. Send him your program requests
Dances range from beginning to advanced and all forms (line, couple, set). Come dance on a great wood floor! Bring a snack to share!
DOWNLOAD, print, and share an event flier.
