North/South Folkdance Teachers’ Seminar
2026-10-09 19:00 - 2026-10-11 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Monte Toyon, 220 Cloister Lane, Aptos, CA, 95003, United States
Are you a folkdance teacher who would like to hone your skills or a dancer who would like to learn to teach? If so, plan to come to the N/S Folkdance Teachers’ Seminar!
About
North/South Folkdance Teachers’ Seminar is a gathering of teachers focused on improving teaching skills and sharing information and ideas with other teachers. All Folk Dance teachers, both current and prospective, are welcome. Each annual seminar features two master instructors who have specialized knowledge of folk dance.
The 2026 North/South Master Teachers are Tineke and Maurits van Geel. They will lead workshops on Saturday morning, Saturday afternoon, and Sunday morning, plus cultural or teaching presentations. Both are professional teachers with decades of experience in welcoming and retaining dancers in the folk dance world.
Price
$320 with on-site accommodations, $270 off-site. Price includes meals from Saturday breakfast through Sunday lunch and all activities. On-site accommodation is dorm-style with shared bathrooms. Registration coming soon. Save the date!
Featured Guests
Tineke van Geel
Tineke Van Geel
In 1977 Tineke van Geel received her degree as folk dance instructor. She specializes in Armenian dance and works as a choreographer. Tineke conducts workshops for students at various levels, beginners to professional, and has taught classes in international folk dance, Dutch and Armenian dances in many countries around the world. Her main focus is to break down complicated steps and movements to basic elements and slowly ‘rebuilding’ them to the original dance form. This skill is part of her worldwide success and is combined with a vast knowledge of Armenian dance and culture.
Since 1985 she has regularly visited Armenia to study folklore at the Pedagogic Institute and Choreographic School in Yerevan. A part of each research trip was devoted to working with several amateur groups in Armenia and doing research on costumes. Two of those research trips were sponsored by the Dutch government. On several occasions Tineke visited the USA to observe the dances performed by the Armenian communities there. Read more…
Maurits van Geel
Maurits Van Geel
Maurits was artistic director of the professional Dutch dance performance group The Internationaal Danstheater for 24 years. During this interval, the group performed 47 different evening shows. Part of this job involved several months of dance research each year in order to prepare for these programs.
Maurits has traveled extensively in his dance research that has emphasized the Roma culture and those in the Caucasus. These travels have included India, Pakistan, Turkey, Russia, England, France, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ossetia, Dagestan, and Cherkassy. He has also choreographed many dances.
In the last several years, Maurits has been teaching often with Tineke, and this has included workshops in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia. In North America, the couple have taught at Oktoberfest in Montreal, Pinewoods Camp in Maine, and Stockton Folk Dance Camp. Read more…

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

Peninsula Folk Dance Party
2026-10-11 18:30 - 22:00 | St. Bede’s Church Hall, 2650 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, CA, United States
Join the Peninsula Council Folk Dancers for an all-request dance party with Marurits and Tineke van Geel and Adony Beniares as MC! Invite your friends for a short beginner dancer workshop at 6:30pm.
We’ll have dances for all levels, beginning to advanced, and all forms (line, couple, and set). Dress comfortably in layers; sneakers or low-heeled dance shoes recommended. Donations to help cover the cost of the hall are welcome. We do dances from nearly every country in the world, and the music is incredible.
Send your dance requests to pfdcparty@gmail.com along with any questions, comments, or suggestions
Please stay home if you are sick, and please wear a mask if you are unsure or have been exposed to someone with a contagious illness. Thank you for your thoughtfulness.
Maurits van Geel
Maurits Van Geel Maurits was artistic director of the professional Dutch dance performance group The Internationaal Danstheater for 24 years. During this interval, the group performed 47 different evening shows. Part of this job involved several months of dance research each year in order to prepare for these programs.
Maurits has traveled extensively in his dance research that has emphasized the Roma culture and those in the Caucasus. These travels have included India, Pakistan, Turkey, Russia, England, France, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ossetia, Dagestan, and Cherkassy. He has also choreographed many dances.
In the last several years, Maurits has been teaching often with Tineke, and this has included workshops in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia. In North America, the couple have taught at Oktoberfest in Montreal, Pinewoods Camp in Maine, and Stockton Folk Dance Camp. Read more…

Tineke van Geel
Tineke Van Geel In 1977 Tineke van Geel received her degree as folk dance instructor. She specializes in Armenian dance and works as a choreographer. Tineke conducts workshops for students at various levels, beginners to professional, and has taught classes in international folk dance, Dutch and Armenian dances in many countries around the world. Her main focus is to break down complicated steps and movements to basic elements and slowly ‘rebuilding’ them to the original dance form. This skill is part of her worldwide success and is combined with a vast knowledge of Armenian dance and culture.
Since 1985 she has regularly visited Armenia to study folklore at the Pedagogic Institute and Choreographic School in Yerevan. A part of each research trip was devoted to working with several amateur groups in Armenia and doing research on costumes. Two of those research trips were sponsored by the Dutch government. On several occasions Tineke visited the USA to observe the dances performed by the Armenian communities there. Read more…

Peninsula Folk Dance Party
2026-11-14 18:30 - 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! Invite your friends for a short beginner dancer workshop at 6:30pm.
We’ll have dances for all levels, beginning to advanced, and all forms (line, couple, and set). Dress comfortably in layers; sneakers or low-heeled dance shoes recommended. Donations to help cover the cost of the hall are welcome. We do dances from nearly every country in the world, and the music is incredible.
Send your dance requests to pfdcparty@gmail.com along with any questions, comments, or suggestions.
Please stay home if you are sick, and please wear a mask if you are unsure or have been exposed to someone with a contagious illness. Thank you for your thoughtfulness.

Palomanians Pie Party
2026-12-12 15:30 - 18:30 | St. Bede’s Church Hall, 2650 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, CA, United States
The annual Palomanians Pie Party featuring ice cream, refreshments and pie all provided by the Palomanians! Come join us for an evening of dancing and pie. Denise Heenan is MC.
Nothing to bring, all pies, ice cream, and refreshments will be supplied by the Palomanians. Dances range from beginning to advanced, and all forms (line, couple, and set). Email your requests or questions to pfdcparty@gmail.com
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.

Christmas Night Dance Party
2026-12-25 19:00 - 22:00 | St. Bede’s Church Hall, 2650 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, CA, United States
Once upon a time, a family gathered with friends and relatives every Christmas Night to celebrate the day. They shared food and beverages, and danced away the evening. John Nicoara was there. It was from the stories of these warm memories that Jan and he, and Becky and Adony, were inspired to continue that tradition with a new family — YOU!
All request Folk Dance Party hosted by the Peninsula Council! Send your request to pfdcparty@gmail.com. This is our 20th annual Christmas dance party.
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.
Bring a finger food snack to share. Water and punch will be provided.

New Years Eve Dance Party and Lucy Chang Memorial Fundraiser
2026-12-31 19:00 - 2027-01-01 00:15 | All Saints’ Episcopal, 555 Waverley St., Palo Alto, CA, 94301, United States
Come help Moveable Feet celebrate the arrival of 2027 with an in-person potluck supper and dance party while raising money for Second Harvest, a local food bank!
The combined, New Year’s Eve International Folk Dance Party and Lucy Chang Memorial Second Harvest Fundraiser will kick off on December 31, at 7:00 p.m. and wind down not long after we ring in the New Year next morning.
We’ll start with a potluck dinner at 7 p.m. (doors open at 6:45), followed by dancing from about 8 p.m. to 12:15 a.m. Bring a favorite dish to share (label your serving utensils). Moveable Feet will supply drinks, plates, and utensils.

Please make a generous donation to Second Harvest, either in advance or bring to the party cash, checks, or a smart phone to use a credit card. You may also bring cans, jars (peanut butter), bags (rice, pasta), and boxes (cereal, cake mix) to be delivered to SHFB.
Additional notes: Parking is free on New Year’s Eve and no time limit in Palo Alto city lots and streets.
