You are all invited to an evening of Turkish food and dancing on Monday, December 20, 6-8 p.m., at Afendi's Turkish Grill, 299 North McDowell, Petaluma.

Classes will resume after the holidays -- International Folk Dance at Herman Sons Hall, 860 Western Avenue, Petaluma, on Mondays 7-9:15 p.m. starting January 10-May 2; International Folk Dance at the Dance Palace, 503 B Street, Point Reyes, on Wednesdays 7:15-9:30 p.m., January 12-February 16; Swing & Salsa at the Dance Palace on the first and third Tuesdays 7:15-8:30 p.m. starting January 18.

Happy holidays to you all!

You are all invited to come to the Petaluma Snap-Y Dancers Holiday Folk Dance Party on Monday, December 13, 7-9:30 p.m.! The evening will feature dancing to favorite recorded music, as well as live music by Santa Rosa Vecherinka (Nuri Bal, Barbara Babin, Natalie Hicks, and Jim Avera).

During the month of November, I will be teaching Padez Cacak, a lively Serbian dance that Michael Ginsburg led at a Balkan Camp evening party; Iste Hendek, a classic from Turkey; Severnjasko Paidusko, a Paidusko-style dance in three parts; Garoon, from the Armenian-American community; and Hora de Mina, a dance from Rumania done to new music by Les Yeux Noirs.

On December 6 in Petaluma, I will be reviewing all of the dances we have learned this fall. We'll be taking a break after our end-of-the year party for the holidays, resuming classes on January 10 through May 2. Classes in Point Reyes will continue through December 15, and resume in the new year on January 12.

In both the Point Reyes and Petaluma folk dances classes, we are learning Aj Lipo Ti Je, a beautiful Croatian circle dance in front basket hold. The dance was taught by Zeljko Jergan at the Statewide Festival in June. The song is sung while talking to and from a field or party; the lyrics say "it's nice to seed wheat but nicer when you see two in love."

We're also learning two dances from Macedonia (Changulovo and Elerinka), a very aerobic dance taught by Yuli Yordunav at Balkan Camp (Boaliysko Horo), a Rumanian classic (Vulpuita), two Israeli dances (Al Sadenu and Maria), and a lively Serbian cacak that was danced by Michael Ginsburg at a Balkan Camp party (Padez Cacak).

From 7-7:15 p.m. in Petaluma, I am teaching/reviewing one beginning dance from the repertoire each week. So far, I've gone over Setnja, Rumalaj, Vodeno Horo, and Gori Mare. The week of October 18, I'll be teaching the lovely Rumanian Dance, Hora Mare. Beginners and newcomers are always welcome to join both classes.

New international folk dance class sessions will be starting up in Petaluma and Point Reyes next week!

Here's the schedule:
Mondays 7-9:15 p.m., Herman Sons Hall, 860 Western Avenue, Petaluma
Wednesdays 7:15-8:30 p.m.,The Dance Palace, 503 B Street, Point Reyes

I've got a long list of wonderful dances to teach that includes: Changulovo, Dolgoto Oro, Elerinka, Ravno Oro (Macedonia); Boaliysko Horo, Severnyashko Paidushko (Bulgaria), Tremouliastos (Greece), Vulpuita, Hora de Mina (Rumania); Kak Po Logu (Russia); Al Sadenu, Ya Habib, Maria (Israel); Padez Cacak (Serbia), Iste Hendek (Turkey). In Petaluma, I'll teach and/or review a couple of beginning dances during the first 20 minutes if there is a critical mass of newcomers/beginners, then teach 2-3 intermediate or advanced dances around 8 p.m. the rest of the evening will be open dancing to requests and old favorites. We'll also have snacks and drinks each night.

Looking forward to seeing you all on the dance floor!

Mark your calendars now for fall 2010 classes:

International Folk Dance in Petaluma: Mondays 7-9:15 p.m., September 13-December 13, at Herman Sons Hall, 860 Western Avenue, Petaluma

International Folk Dance in Point Reyes: Wednesdays 7:15-8:30 p.m., September 15-October 27, November 3-December 15, at the Dance Palace, 503 B Street, Point Reyes

Ballroom Dance in Point Reyes: Wednesdays 6-7 p.m. - Cajun, September 15-29; Cha Cha & Rumba, October 13-27; Merengue, November 3-17

Turkish dancing at
Afendi's Restaurant in Petaluma!

I'm just back from Balkan Camp where I took fabulous classes with Michael Ginsburg and Yuliyan Yordanuv! I learned many wonderful new dances that I hope to teach in the fall including Dolgoto Oro, Chanugulovo, Turkish Ramo, Shopska Ruchenitsa, and Padez Cacak.

Summer Dancing continues in Petaluma at Herman Sons Hall, 860 Western Avenue on Mondays 7-9:15 p.m. through August 9. Come drop-in on a Monday night any time; bring your requests. And if you want to learn to Salsa Dance, I'll be teaching a 3-week session at the Dance Palace in Point Reyes from July 7-21.