Family Fun and Dancing
2023-11-24 19:00 - 22:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | 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.
$8 Adults (first time free!), Kids always free!

End of Quarter Party with Da! Mozhem
2024-03-28 19:30 - 22:15 | St. Archangel Michael Serbian Orthodox Church, 18870 Allendale Avenue, Saratoga, California, 95070
Celebrate an end-of-quarter party with the Saratoga International Folk Dancers with live music by Da! Mozhem!
Warmup and dances for beginners between 7:30 and 8:15pm. Recorded music alternates and live music by Da! Mozhem. $8-10 plus tips for the band.
Party theme: Flower Power!
This is a large, friendly group; you won’t be disappointed! Drop in fee $8, seniors $6, and first visit free. More details…
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.

NFO Conference 2024
2024-04-04 - 2024-04-09 | Greene Family Camp, 1192 Smith Lane, Bruceville, TX, 76630, United States
Annual NFO Meeting and Conference 2024
April 4 – 9, 2024 in Bruceville, Texas
Two great opportunities at the same time!
NFO Conference and Total Solar Eclipse Viewing
The upcoming conference will have everything you’ve come to expect from NFO – a broad array of fascinating workshops, presentations, arts, crafts, music, and dance; our annual membership meeting and elections; and a wonderful opportunity to network.
This year we will also have a special bonus, a total solar eclipse! Take advantage of this rare celestial event; the next total solar eclipses visible in the US won’t occur until 2044 or 2045.
Registration
Conference registration includes lodging for 5 nights, meals, and all NFO Conference activities. Fees range from $500 to $650 per person for the entire Conference, depending on your room assignment. The rooms at Greene Family Camp are described in detail below. For those living close by or who manage to find other nearby lodgings, there is a less expensive commuter rate; but be warned that due to the eclipse, many hotels are already booked and room rates are high!
For those who live nearby or have lined up their own accommodations and transportation in the area, we are offering a Commuter rate which covers meals and NFO Conference activities (not lodging): $325.
Details and Registration
Venue
Greene Family Camp, 1192 Smith Lane, Bruceville, Texas (same as TIFD’s Texas Camp location) is located in the eclipse’s longest zone of totality and has the best chance of good weather in the US (of course, eclipse viewing can not be guaranteed). GFC is basic but comfortable, with climate controlled lodging and event venues spread out over their 150 acre campus. All meals and NFO dance parties will be in the Chadar Ochel Dining Hall. Other events may take place in the Goldberg Performing Arts Center and at the lakeside Pavilion. For more information about lodging see the registration section below or the camp’s web page.
Travel
Plan your flights to the Austin (preferred) or Dallas airports. There is no public transportation from either airport to the Camp, and due to the eclipse, rental cars will be increasingly more expensive and hard to find. So if you plan to rent a car, you may want to do that now!When planning your transportation, note that the Conference runs from Thursday to Tuesday. The total solar eclipse occurs on Monday April 8, roughly 12 – 3 pm, and because of expected traffic and airline schedules, you will not be able to view the eclipse and get to the airport to catch a flight out later that day. Stick around at camp to join the post-eclipse fun, including various activities and a final Monday night dance party!
For ongoing updates in programming, schedule, and registration visit the NFO 2024 Conference Web Page.

Jaap Leegwater Bulgarian Dance Workshop
2024-04-09 17:00 - 19:40 | Cerritos Senior Center, 12340 South Street, Cerritos, CA, 90703, United States
Cerritos Folk Dancers (CFD) hosts a Bulgarian dance workshop, featuring Jaap Leegwater. Donation:$10.
Please DOWNLOAD, print, or share a flier.
Please don’t come if you have fever, coughing, or other Covid-19 related symptoms.
If you have signed the Cerritos waiver forms earlier, you don’t need to sign them again. Otherwise, you may DOWNLOAD them, read and sign, and bring them to the registration desk of the event. Alternatively, you may pick up the blank forms at the registration desk and sign the waivers over there.
Jaap Leegwater
Jaap Leegwater Jaap Leegwater started his dance career in his native country, The Netherlands, where he earned degrees in both education and international folk dance. Fascinated with the irregular Balkan rhyhms and drawn to the expressiveness of its movements, Jaap specialized in Bulgarian dance and choreography. In 1969, he was one of the first non-Bulgarians invited to study at the State Choreographer’s Schools in Sofia and Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Mr. Leegwater was first introduced to the American folkdance scene by the late Ciga Despotovic in 1980. He gratefully recognizes the support and inspiration received from Marianne and Michael Herman, Dennis Boxell and Yves Moreau in establishing himself in Northern America professionally.
For the past 30 years Mr. Leegwater has conducted workshops and dance seminars in various countries: The Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Israël, England, United States, Canada, Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. He is a regular instructor at many major dance camps and organizations including Maine Folk Dance Camp, Stockton Folk Dance Camp at the University of the Pacific, Mendocino Folklore Camp, the EEFC Balkan Music and Dance Camp, Kolo Festival, in San Francisco, Texas Folk Dance Camp, New Mexico August folk dance Camp, Santa Barbara Folk Dance Symposium, Montreal International Folk Dance Camp, Ontario Folk Dance Camp and the Bulgarian Festivals in Vancouver, B.C. Read more…

Workshop and Dance Party with Jaap Leegwater
2024-04-13 15:30 - 20:30 | St. Bede’s Church Hall, 2650 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, CA, United States
Jaap Leegwater will be teaching a Bulgarian Dance Workshop at 3:30 PM, with live music from Jaap on flute and Filip Filipov on accordion, followed by a dinner break and an International Folk Dance Party.
Dress comfortably; sneakers or low-heeled dance shoes recommended. Party snacks welcome.

Schedule

Time
Event
Cost

3:30 – 5:00pm
Dance Workshop with Jaap and Filip
$10

5:00 – 6:00pm
Dinner Break – please bring your own dinner; we will provide a few Bulgarian snacks to share

6:00 – 8:30pm
International Folk Dance Party – We’ll have dances for all levels, beginning to advanced, all countries, and all forms (line, couple, and set). We will of course include many of Jaap’s dances in the program and he and Filip will be there to dance with us and play for us! Emcee: Adony Beniares
$10

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.
Jaap Leegwater
Jaap Leegwater Jaap Leegwater started his dance career in his native country, The Netherlands, where he earned degrees in both education and international folk dance. Fascinated with the irregular Balkan rhyhms and drawn to the expressiveness of its movements, Jaap specialized in Bulgarian dance and choreography. In 1969, he was one of the first non-Bulgarians invited to study at the State Choreographer’s Schools in Sofia and Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Mr. Leegwater was first introduced to the American folkdance scene by the late Ciga Despotovic in 1980. He gratefully recognizes the support and inspiration received from Marianne and Michael Herman, Dennis Boxell and Yves Moreau in establishing himself in Northern America professionally.
For the past 30 years Mr. Leegwater has conducted workshops and dance seminars in various countries: The Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Israël, England, United States, Canada, Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. He is a regular instructor at many major dance camps and organizations including Maine Folk Dance Camp, Stockton Folk Dance Camp at the University of the Pacific, Mendocino Folklore Camp, the EEFC Balkan Music and Dance Camp, Kolo Festival, in San Francisco, Texas Folk Dance Camp, New Mexico August folk dance Camp, Santa Barbara Folk Dance Symposium, Montreal International Folk Dance Camp, Ontario Folk Dance Camp and the Bulgarian Festivals in Vancouver, B.C.

Filip Filipov
Filip Filipov Filip Filipov is a musician, born and raised in Varna, Bulgaria who plays the accordion, tupan, as well as keyboard. Filip has played numerous performances throughout the Bulgaria as well as at many international festivals in Finland, Russia, The Czech Republic, Germany, Spain, France, Norway, Denmark, the Azores, Brazil and so on. He has also played with many wedding bands such as Folklorni Ritmi (Folk Rhythms) where I worked side by side with the well-known folk singer Rouska Dobreva. During that period we had several appearances on national TV and recorded two CDs. Filip has played with many other bands and ensembles as a guest soloist. In 1994, he created his own band Chernomorec. Filip has a very large and diverse repertoire. Read more…
Please send your dance requests and questions to pfdcparty@gmail.com
DOWNLOAD, print, and share a flier.

Workshop with Jaap Leegwater
2024-04-15 19:00 - 21:00 | Hermann Sons Hall, 860 Western Avenue, Petaluma, CA, 94952, United States
Dance workshop with Jaap Leegwater hosted by Petaluma Folk Dancers. More details coming soon!
Jaap Leegwater
Jaap Leegwater Jaap Leegwater started his dance career in his native country, The Netherlands, where he earned degrees in both education and international folk dance. Fascinated with the irregular Balkan rhyhms and drawn to the expressiveness of its movements, Jaap specialized in Bulgarian dance and choreography. In 1969, he was one of the first non-Bulgarians invited to study at the State Choreographer’s Schools in Sofia and Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Mr. Leegwater was first introduced to the American folkdance scene by the late Ciga Despotovic in 1980. He gratefully recognizes the support and inspiration received from Marianne and Michael Herman, Dennis Boxell and Yves Moreau in establishing himself in Northern America professionally.
For the past 30 years Mr. Leegwater has conducted workshops and dance seminars in various countries: The Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Israël, England, United States, Canada, Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. He is a regular instructor at many major dance camps and organizations including Maine Folk Dance Camp, Stockton Folk Dance Camp at the University of the Pacific, Mendocino Folklore Camp, the EEFC Balkan Music and Dance Camp, Kolo Festival, in San Francisco, Texas Folk Dance Camp, New Mexico August folk dance Camp, Santa Barbara Folk Dance Symposium, Montreal International Folk Dance Camp, Ontario Folk Dance Camp and the Bulgarian Festivals in Vancouver, B.C.

Bulgarian Dance Workshop with Jaap Leegwater and Filip Fiipov
2024-04-16 19:00 - 21:00 | Monroe Hall, 1400 W. College Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA, 95401, United States
Join the Razzmatazz Folk Dancers for a very special Bulgarian dance workshop with Jaap Leegwater and Filip Filipov.
$10 for non-members of Razzmatazz Folk Dance Club.
Jaap Leegwater
Jaap Leegwater Jaap Leegwater started his dance career in his native country, The Netherlands, where he earned degrees in both education and international folk dance. Fascinated with the irregular Balkan rhyhms and drawn to the expressiveness of its movements, Jaap specialized in Bulgarian dance and choreography. In 1969, he was one of the first non-Bulgarians invited to study at the State Choreographer’s Schools in Sofia and Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Mr. Leegwater was first introduced to the American folkdance scene by the late Ciga Despotovic in 1980. He gratefully recognizes the support and inspiration received from Marianne and Michael Herman, Dennis Boxell and Yves Moreau in establishing himself in Northern America professionally.
For the past 30 years Mr. Leegwater has conducted workshops and dance seminars in various countries: The Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Israël, England, United States, Canada, Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. He is a regular instructor at many major dance camps and organizations including Maine Folk Dance Camp, Stockton Folk Dance Camp at the University of the Pacific, Mendocino Folklore Camp, the EEFC Balkan Music and Dance Camp, Kolo Festival, in San Francisco, Texas Folk Dance Camp, New Mexico August folk dance Camp, Santa Barbara Folk Dance Symposium, Montreal International Folk Dance Camp, Ontario Folk Dance Camp and the Bulgarian Festivals in Vancouver, B.C.
Filip Filipov
Jaap is traveling with master accordionist Filip Filipov who has worked with Bulgarian choreographer Belcho Stanev in Ensemble Varna.

Filip Filipov – Sedi Donka | Филип Филипов – Седи Донка

Bulgarian Music and Dance Workshops with Jaap and Filip
2024-04-18 17:30 | Chico Creek Dance Center, 1144 W. 1st Street, Chico, CA, 95928, United States
Join a music and/or dance workshop with legendary masters Jaap Leegwater and Filip Filipov hosted by Chico World Dancers! One may attend one or both workshops: music workshop 5:30-6:30pm and dance workshop from 6:30pm.
Jaap Leegwater
Jaap Leegwater Jaap Leegwater started his dance career in his native country, The Netherlands, where he earned degrees in both education and international folk dance. Fascinated with the irregular Balkan rhyhms and drawn to the expressiveness of its movements, Jaap specialized in Bulgarian dance and choreography. In 1969, he was one of the first non-Bulgarians invited to study at the State Choreographer’s Schools in Sofia and Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Mr. Leegwater was first introduced to the American folkdance scene by the late Ciga Despotovic in 1980. He gratefully recognizes the support and inspiration received from Marianne and Michael Herman, Dennis Boxell and Yves Moreau in establishing himself in Northern America professionally.
For the past 30 years Mr. Leegwater has conducted workshops and dance seminars in various countries: The Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Israël, England, United States, Canada, Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. He is a regular instructor at many major dance camps and organizations including Maine Folk Dance Camp, Stockton Folk Dance Camp at the University of the Pacific, Mendocino Folklore Camp, the EEFC Balkan Music and Dance Camp, Kolo Festival, in San Francisco, Texas Folk Dance Camp, New Mexico August folk dance Camp, Santa Barbara Folk Dance Symposium, Montreal International Folk Dance Camp, Ontario Folk Dance Camp and the Bulgarian Festivals in Vancouver, B.C.
Filip Filipov
Jaap is traveling with master accordionist Filip Filipov who has worked with Bulgarian choreographer Belcho Stanev in Ensemble Varna.

Filip Filipov – Sedi Donka | Филип Филипов – Седи Донка

Lyrids Folk Dance Festival 2024
2024-04-19 - 2024-04-21 | Peretz Center, 6184 Ash Street, Vancouver, British Columbia (BC), Canada
Save the date for the nineth Lyrids Folk Dance Festival 2024 featuring folk dances presented by Cristian Florescu & Sonia Dion (Romanian dances), and Tom Bozigian & Sheree King (Armenian dances). Zakuska from Seattle, WA will be the Saturday evening party band. Save the date!
Register
For more details e-mail info@lyridsfolkdancefestival.org

2024 Blossom Festival
2024-04-20 12:30 - 17:00 | City College of San Francisco, Wellness Center, 50 Frida Kahlo Way, San Francisco, CA, 94112, United States
The annual Blossom Festival includes a folk dance party, short dance workshops, and more. Free!
Dance activities will be held in the Wellness Center, 3rd Floor, Studio 301. Use of public transit is encouraged (BART Balboa Park Station or SF Muni). The first hour will feature Dancing for All Ages especially for new dancers and families.

Schedule

Time
Activity

12:30 – 1:30 PM
Dancing for All Ages

1:30 – 5:00 PM
General Dancing

COVID policy
Vaccinations and all boosters required. Masks strongly encouraged but not required.
Parking
Because of parking limitations, you may want to consider carpooling or public transportation. Parking on-campus $5. Campus parking information

Global Folk Dance Party
2024-04-20 15:00 - 18:30 | Online, CA, United States
Dance with Jaap Leegwater and Filip Filipov online and us on Saturday April 20! We’ll have our usual team of dance leaders and this month we’re also joined by guest leader Sherry Cochran. Have any ideas? Send them along to us! The playlist is still being compiled so email your dance requests or questions to virtualfolkdance@gmail.com.
Please come at 2:30pm to listen to pre-show music presented by Murray Spiegel. And the afterparty this month is being hosted by Lyrids Folk Dance Camp and you won’t even have to log into a different Zoom to attend – just stay right where are for the GFD Party!
Connect Globally, Dance Locally. Follow folk dance leaders and dance watching enthusiasts worldwide.
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.

Cabrillo International 55th Anniversary Celebration
2024-04-20 15:30 - 21:00 | Live Oak Grange, 1900 17th Ave, Santa Cruz, CA, 95062, United States
******SAVE THE DATE******
Cabrillo Folk Dancers are planning a 55th ANNIVERSARY PARTY
>>>>> LIVE MUSIC….POTLUCK!….LIVE MUSIC

Zabava Dance Party
2024-04-21 14:00 - 16:30 | Strawberry Recreation Center, 118 E. Strawberry Drive, Mill Valley, CA, 94941, United States
Kopachka Folk Dance Party with Orkestar Zabava, Mill Valley
Dance to exciting and soulful music from the Balkans and Beyond, with Bill Cope (gajda, bouzouki, tambura, accordion), Michele Simon (vocals, tambura), Asaf Ophir (sax, clarinet, kaval), Emily Salatan (tambura, percussion, guitar) and Dan Auvil (percussion). A long-time Bay Area favorite, Orkestar Zabava plays energetic, soulful and rhythmically dazzling music from Bulgaria, Macedonia, Greece, the Romani, Albania, Armenia, and Romania.
$10 for students, $20 adults otherwise. Spacious sprung wood floor; lots of free parking.
COVID Safety Protocol
Vaxes & booster encouraged or masks N95, KN95 or KF94 required.

Roberto Bagnoli Dance Workshop
2024-04-26 - 2024-04-28 | Avalon Ballroom, 6185 Arapahoe Road, Boulder, CO, 80303, United States
The Boulder International Folk Dancers host a folk dance workshop with master instructor Roberto Bagnoli.
For more details e-mail boulderfolkdancers.org.

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…

International Dance Day Celebration
2024-04-26 19:30 - 21:30 | Carnegie Arts Center, 250 N. Broadway, Turlock, CA, 95380, United States
International folk dance, belly dance exhibition, discussion, and lesson, followed by more folk dancing!
$10 admission, students free.

Int'l Folkdance Camp
2024-05-10 - 2024-05-12 | Circle Lodge on Sylvan Lake, 355 Sylvan Lake Rd, Hopewell Junction, NY, 12533, United States
An amazing International Folk Dance weekend with great teachers in Hopewell Junction, NY.
Teachers are Petur Iliev (Bulgarian Dance) and Caspar Bik (Int’l & Georgian Dance). Petur is a renowned dancer previously in Bulgaria’s Ensemble Filip Koutev and now teaches professional and non-professional dance companies all across the US and Canada. His career is deeply steeped in the rich folk dance traditions of his family. Caspar is a rising star in the field of folkdance teachers. Born in the Netherlands, his teaching style is impeccably clear, precise and authentic; his selection of music is ideally suited for recreational dance groups. You will love meeting and learning from both of them!
Camp includes: Huge Wooden Dance Floor, Delicious Meals & Snacks, Evening Dance Parties
More Information and Registration

Changs International Folk Dancers Party with Da! Mozhem
2024-05-10 19:00 - 22:00 | Miraloma Park Clubhouse, 350 O’Shaughnessey Boulevard (at Del Vale Avenue), San Francisco, CA, 94127, United States
Dance to your favorite international tunes with Da! Mozhem and Changs International Folk Dancers. Please bring a snack to share.
$5 plus tips for the band.
REMEMBER: Please help with set up and/or clean up if you can, remember that we are a fragrance/scent free club, and please bring your own bottle or cup to get water.
Masks are not required, but are recommended. Please remember not to attend if you feel ill, have been exposed recently or have traveled to a COVID hot spot recently.
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.

Alice in Wonderland Tea and Folk Dance Party
2024-05-11 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 party and dance! Share your favorite brew, tea time stories, and folk dances with your friends!

Schedule

Time
Event

3:30 – 4:15pm
Tea in Wonderland

4:15 – 6:30pm
Dancing (including a Lobster Quadrille!)

Statewide 2024
2024-05-17 12:00 - 2024-05-19 18:00 | Newark Pavilion, 6430 Thornton Ave., Newark, 94560, United States
Statewide 2024 is a weekend festival of folk dance workshops and parties including

Dance workshops
Dance performances
Evening Parties with Orkestar Unbound
Sunday Square Dance Hoedown called by Kurt Gollhardt
Culture Corners
Request Dancing
Meeting friends – Old and New

All events take place at the Newark Pavilion, Newark, CA.
Registration >>

Festival Schedule

Instructors and Band

Yannis Konstantinou – Greek/Macedonian
Yannis Konstantinou Yannis Konstantinou is an internationally renowned instructor and ethnologist of Greek Macedonian dance and culture. His passion for traditional music and dance began in his childhood, dancing with his family in his parents’ villages of Alona and Akrites in the Florina region of Greece. Today, his knowledge extends beyond that of the Greek Macedonian people indigenous to the area. Since 1990 he has conducted research on the impacts on Florina dances due to the migration of social groups and ethnic minorities to northwest Greece, such as Vlachs, Sarakatsani, and refugees from Thrace and Asia Minor. He also has participated in comparative research studies of Macedonian communities beyond the Greek borders. In 1994 Yannis produced The Musical Tradition of Florina, a long-playing album, in collaboration with the Center of Greek Tradition.
Yannis is President and Artistic Director of the “Lygkistes” Cultural Association and a founding member of The Academy of Traditional Folklore Dance and Music located in Athens, Greece. He is actively involved with the “Association for the Preservation and Dissemination of Traditional Dance and Music” whose members are dedicated to sharing with children and youth living in urban areas an appreciation of traditional lifestyles of the outlying areas of Greece. Since 2001, he has been the Director of the student dance association of the Balkan Studies department of the Aristotle University of Thessalonika. Yannis Konstantinou is very well-known as a teacher of Greek Macedonian dance and culture throughout Greece and Europe and among those North Americans who have had the good fortune to experience the dance seminars he organizes annually in Agios Germanos, overlooking Lake Prespa.

Cesar Garfiaz – Salsa Rueda and More
Cesar Garfiez Cesar Garfiaz was born and raised in Los Angeles , CA (Hollywood). He has been hyperactive since early childhood, and has always enjoyed moving. Being partly raised by his aunt, Garfiaz was influenced by her affinity for Salsa. He began dancing Salsa at the young age of seven, going on Sundays to Steven’s Steakhouse with his Tia Raquel. In high school, he was part of a performing arts class for two years, where he learned of his passion for performing. Garfiaz joined UCLA’s Department of World Arts & Cultures in the Fall of 2004. In the Spring of 2003, Garfiaz began working and collaborating with Ana Maria Alvarez and was a cast member of her original thesis concert “contra-tiempo”. Over the past seven years he has studied various styles including modern, hip hop, house, tai chi, Ghanaian, Mexican Folklorico & Afro-Cuban. As a part of UCLA’s Repertory Tour Ensemble, Cesar performed and inspired young people in high schools all over Los Angeles. Through his work with Rep Tour, he became passionate about youth arts education, and is continuing this important work with his involvement in CONTRA-TIEMPO. He currently teaches Salsa and Latin Dance at Cal Poly Pamona and at several studios around Los Angeles. As a founding member of the company, he is committed to seeing this group actualize its’ full potential as an agent for change. Garfiaz is dedicated to being a leader in this important work and sharing with others his absolute love for movement.

Kurt Gollhardt – Square Dance
Kurt Gollhardt Kurt Gollhardt is President of the Santa Clara Valley Callers Association and has been calling in the San Francisco Bay Area since 2006. He began calling square dances in 1996 and frequently calls for weekend hoedowns. He has been very active in promoting new approaches to teaching and supporting newer dancers, most recently as a champion of CALLERLAB’s new Social Square Dance (SSD) program. Kurt has been voted a Top Ten Caller by the Santa Clara Valley Square Dancers Association (SCVSDA) since 2017.

Orkestar Unbound
Bill Cope will be assembling Orkestar Unbound for Statewide 2024. Bill is a multi-instrumentalist who is drawn to play music without borders, that will get people on their feet, dancing! Orkestar Unbound guest artists include Dan Auvil, Janie Cowan, Ralph Iverson, Asaf Ophir and Emily Saletan, playing international folk music from the Balkans and beyond!
Hotels
Statewide 2024 will be happening May 17-19 in Newark the weekend prior Memorial Day Weekend. Please book your rooms early.
Chase Suite Hotel
Spacious extended stay suites, with separate living room and individual bathrooms. Free Wi-Fi. Plus a full kitchen! More details…
There is a very low rate on the hotel rooms (Chase Suite Hotel in Newark), but it is only good until March 31 (now extended from December 31). If you know you’ll be going to Statewide this year, grab one of these rooms now. The room is only $120 per night (plus tax). It’s the “Signature King Suite” that includes a king-size bed, a fully-equipped kitchen, and a pull-out couch in the living room for two more people — plus a grab-and-go breakfast. Four friends could easily share this suite.
To book discounted rate, visit Chase Suite Hotel online, click the “Book Your Stay” button, select the date May 17, 2024 (2 nights), and use discount code “Folk2024” under Group Code. The first option should be the Signature King Suite for $120 per night (plus tax). Look for the two-bedroom suite which comes with a complete kitchen. Use the button for the May 17, 2 nights, booking and correct the number of adults staying.
Book May 17 Discount

Registration
Lodging should be purchased separately. Recommended group pricing available at Chase Suite Hotel, Newark, CA.
Children under 13 are admitted free with a paying adult. Young adults aged 13-21 will receive a 50% discount, but may be required to volunteer from 1-2 hours during the festival.
Register Online

Mail-In Registration
Print and Mail Registration Form
Print and complete registration form and send with your check (made payable to Folk Dance Federation) to:
Statewide Registrar
Sabine Zappe
153 Race Street
San Jose, CA 95126.
Download, print, and share a flier

Assistance
General and Mail-in Registration: Loui Tucker 408 771 4542
Web and Online Registration: Kevin Greek

Global Folk Dance Party
2024-05-18 15:00 - 18:30 | Online, CA, United States
This month the Global Folk Dance Party team and guest leaders Kathleen Mazurek, Roo Lester, Larry Harding, and Adony Beniares feature dances that only go one direction, or dances with multiple figures that don’t repeat!
Have any ideas? Send them along to us! The playlist is still being compiled so email your dance requests or questions to virtualfolkdance@gmail.com.
Please come at 2:30pm to listen to pre-show music presented by Murray Spiegel.
Connect Globally, Dance Locally. Follow folk dance leaders and dance watching enthusiasts worldwide.
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.

Land Dancers Folk Dance Weekend
2024-05-25 11:00 - 2024-05-27 11:00 | Cliff’s land in the Santa Cruz Mountains, CA-9 & Skyline Blvd, Saratoga, CA, 95070
Please join Land Dancers this Memorial Day Weekend May 25-27 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.

Scandia Camp 2024
2024-06-08 - 2024-06-15 | 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, waltzing, and your requests

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.
Swedish 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://scandiacampmendocino.org/
Register

15th Annual Cerritos Festival
2024-06-08 13:00 - 17:30 | Cerritos Senior Center, 12340 South Street, Cerritos, CA, 90703, United States
Help the Cerritos Folk Dancers celebrate their 15th 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.

Palomanians Ice Cream Social
2024-06-08 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!
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.

Dance in the Park with Da! Mozhem
2024-06-09 14:30 - 17:00 | Serra Park, Sunnyvale, CA, 94087, United States
Everyone who came last year to our “open rehearsal” in Serra Park had fun dancing, catching up and being together! Let’s do this again on June 9, 2024!
Da! Mozhem will present their well-loved (and even some new!) dance party tunes in Serra Park (corner of Hollenbeck and the Dalles in Sunnyvale) on Sunday, June 9, beginning at 2:30 p.m. We hope to play until about 5:00, depending on weather (and other) conditions.
You are warmly invited to drop by— to say hello, listen to us play, dance, or all of the above! There is a well-demarcated area in Serra Park (visible from major streets and the parking lot) for such an informal party. However, the “dance floor” surface is cement that can be somewhat uneven. Please wear appropriate footwear.
Band members are all fully vaccinated and boosted. Covid seems to be at bay for now, but we encourage precautions.
Restrooms and a water fountain are available near where we will be playing. Feel free to bring your own non-alcoholic beverages and snacks. There are some nearby benches, but bring a chair if you want to be sure of having a seat.
You are welcome to invite others! Please help us publicize this live music event by forwarding this to fellow dancers. Feel free to share on Facebook or other social media.
We would love to play for and dance with you!
Best wishes,
The Members of Da! Mozhem for this adventure
Joyce Clyde, Sonne Lemke, Sue Lindner, Paul Litsky, Alan Moore, Lew Smith, Ginny Snyder, Holly Thuman.
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.

Federation Board Meeting
2024-06-09 15:00 - 16:30 | Online, CA, United States
Join the Folk Dance Federation online for their board meeting. Various topics such as event planning, membership, scholarships, publicity, insurance, and budget are discussed.
Sunday June 9, 3:00pm-4:30pm, online
Meeting ID: 893 5363 4541
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Join Online

June Camp 2024
2024-06-13 - 2024-06-16 | Lake Forest Academy, 1500 West Kennedy Road, Lake Forest, 60045, United States
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 Roberto Bagnoli will be our featured guest.
See you at June Camp!
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 lived for many years 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). Read more…
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 all our evening parties provided by Tom Pixton, Ralph Iverson, and Brian Wilson who are in residence throughout camp.
Registration
Room registration is available until June 1
Registration including meals is available until June 6

International Folk Dance Party
2024-06-14 13:15 - 16:00 | Age Well Center at South Fremont, 47111 Mission Falls Ct., Fremont, CA, 94539, United States
Join the Smile Folk Dancers for their June rainbow-themed International Folk Dance Party. No partner or experience needed. Enjoy easy and fun dances from around the world.
