You are invited to 

Annual Petaluma International Folk Dance Party!

Saturday, April 14, 8-11 p.m.
Dancing to old and new recorded favorites 8-9:15 p.m.
Live music 9:15- 11 p.m.
At Herman Sons Hall, 860 Western Avenue, Petaluma

Admission $8

Dena, Diana, Greg & Mark play a great mix of Bulgarian, Macedonian, and Greek dance music. The members of the group are:
Dena Bjornlie: gadulka & vocals

Greg Jenkins: clarinet & vocals

Diana Strong: accordion & vocals
Mark Jenkins: percussion & vocals

Great dance floor, a wide range of music and dancing, and good company!
Sponsored by Petaluma Snap-y Dancers; drinks and snacks provided by the group.

We hosted two wonderful Armenian dance workshops with renowned dancer, singer and folklorist Hasmik Harutunyan this past weekend.   She taught a wide variety of village dances from various regions of Armenia, including Papouri, Tamzara, Shoror, Ververi, and Kochari as well as two Pontic Armenian dances (Shrapar and Trtrook) and an Armenian version of Sheighana. 


We'll be reviewing and dancing many of these dances over the next few weeks at the Monday night class in Petaluma. I will also be teaching a 6-week session of Armenian and Turkish dances in Point Reyes from April 5-May 9.  

When I was in Greece last summer attending  a wonderful folk dance seminar, I fell in love with Greek Pontic dances. These dances originated in the area on the shores of the Black Sea, and came to Greece after the Treaty of Lausanne of 1923 forced an exchange of populations between Turkey and Greece. 


The rhythm and style of Pontic dances are among the most difficult but also deeply compelling. The movements are sharp, precise; the body help upright, the arms close to the body; the dancers shoulder to shoulder, in closed circles (I was told this was to keep the good in, the evil out). We've been learning and dancing Dolme, Samson, and Dipat.


Throughout the next month, we'll also be reviewing and doing dances (Melnik, Thracian Racenica, Karamfil, Ballos, Eleno Mome, and more) that will be played by Deena, Greg, Lisa & Mark at our Annual Spring Party on April 14, 8-11 p.m., at Hermann Sons Hall in Petaluma. Be sure to mark your calendars now for this fun folk dance event!
   

It's been exciting to welcome so many new students to Monday night dancing in Petaluma! The first half hour of class have been dedicated to teaching, doing quick reviews, and dancing favorite beginning dances including Kokonjeste, Boreasca, Narodno Horo, Lo Ahavti Dai, Rumalaj, Cocek, Ketri Ketri, Ivanica, Adje Jano, Koritsa, and Andro Retourne. 


 We've also been learning several great intermediate dances: Tikfesto and Mori Odajo Sarena (Greece), Esmer (Turkey), Cicovata and Isu Byala Nedo (Bulgaria), Mindrele (Rumania). Coming up in the next few months will be t'Smidge (Belgium), Giovarlandum (Greece), Retko Kolo (Serbia), and Mojo Mambo (U.S.)


Newcomers, beginners, and drop-ins are always welcome in both Petaluma and Point Reyes Station.

Happy New Year! I hope you all had a great holiday, and are ready to start dancing again. 

• Classes at Herman Sons Hall, 860 Western Avenue, Petaluma, will resume on Mondays 7-9:15 p.m., January 9-May 7. I'll be teaching a beginning lesson at 7 p.m., and an intermediate lesson around 7:45-8:15 p.m., with the rest of the evening filled with dancing to old and new favorites. 
• Classes at the Dance Palace, 503 B Street, Point Reyes will resume on Wednesdays 7-8:15 p.m., January 4-February 8. Note that the first class on January 4 is free for newcomers who want to check out how much fun folk dancing can be. 
• I'll be teaching several dances taught at this year's Kolo Festival including Retko Kolo (Serbia, taught by Bata Marcetic), Mori Odajo Sarena and Vallja Hajde Merre Furken (both from Albania, and taught by Steve Kotansky), and Kokonjeste (Serbia, with great new music from John Filcich). Also on the list: Tikfesto, Zagarisios, and Troirou (Greece); Boreasca and Joc Batranesc (Rumania), Isu Byala Nedo, Cicovata, and Narodno Horo (Bulgaria); Agadelcha and Hora (Israel).

Beginners, newcomers, and drop-ins are always welcome; hope to see you on the dance floor!

You are all invited to come to our annual Petaluma Holiday Folk Dance Party on Monday, December 12, 7-9:30 p.m.!


The first part of the evening will feature dancing to old and new recorded favorites, followed by live Balkan music by Santa Rosa Vecherinka with Nuri Bal on percussion; Barbara Babin on vocals and gadulka; Jim Avera on vocals and gajda; Natalie Hicks on vocals, tambura, percussion, and saz.


All welcome - visitor fee is $7, and drinks and snacks will be provided.

Monday night dancing in Petaluma continues though December 12, with a special Holiday Folk Dance Party on the last Monday featuring live music by Santa Rosa Vecherinka. 

In November and December, I'll be teaching these new dances:

• Or Chadash - a lively Israeli dance choreographed by Gadi Bitton
• Staro Bansko Horo - a simple slow Bulgarian dance done to haunting vocals 
• Ratevka - a popular 8-measure Macedonian dance in SQQ (7/8) rhythm)

And I'll be reviewing a few classics and favorites including: Jove Malaj Mome and Vidinsko Horo from Bulgaria; Tzel Midbar, and Erev Shel Shoshanim from Israel.