Virtual Dancing: Our New Normal

Virtual folk dance classes, virtual folk dance parties, watching videos and dancing along -- this continues to be our new normal right now - and it looks likes it may last much longer than we every expected.

This means all of folk dance devotees need to keep dancing alive in our own homes and living rooms as best as possible. I continue to stay in contact with all of my students, checking in to see how they are holding up, and sending three videos a week (Israeli dances for my Israeli class, international/Balkan for my other classes) out each week for folks to dance by themselves, in whatever room is available.

Here are a few recent links that I have been sharing:

Sweet Girl (Armenia/U.S.): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piSysDxXHPU&t=15s
Zonradikos (Greece): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVxvLPuVCFw
Sadi Moma (Bulgaria): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tw9_PL5Y7g

Some resources to check out: the Peninsula Folk Dance Council (you can find them on Facebook) is doing virtual folk dance parties - the next one is scheduled for May 9, 3-6 p.m. And the Folk Arts Center of New England is offering Saturday morning classes - check this out at http://www.facone.org.

This too shall pass. It's going to be a long haul - but hopefully we'll all get through it with grace, a sense of humor, and hope for a better new world with lots and lots of dancing.

the New Normal: Dancing in Our Living Rooms

Virtual folk dance classes, virtual folk dance parties, watching videos and dancing along -- this is our new new normal right now.

I am staying in contact with all of my students, checking in to see how they are holding up, and sending three videos a week (Israeli dances for my Israeli class, international/Balkan for my other classes) out each week for folks to dance by themselves, in whatever room is available.

Here are a few links that I have been sharing:
Setnja (Serbia): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxC1e1Q8_Cg
Bavno Oro (Macedonia): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvNMluxewLk
Joc de Leagane (Romania): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNlFSrJqLoM

I have a houseful - my son, daughter-in-law and two grandkids (ages 5 and 2) are living with me right now - so I am usually dancing in a small space in my bedroom. But I'm also having fun learning new dances whenever I can.

Some resources to check out: the Peninsula Folk Dance Council (you can find them on Facebook) is doing virtual folk dance parties - the next one is scheduled for April 11, 3-6 p.m. And the Folk Arts Center of New England is offering Saturday morning classes for the next month (and perhaps more, if the shelter-in-place orders are extended - check this out at http://www.facone.org.

I miss my classes; I miss my students; I miss holding hands in a circle and dancing to all my favorite dances. But I'm dancing as best as I can, by myself, with my grandkids, and with my family. I'm grateful for all the folk dance connections I do have -- and so looking forward to being able to dance with all my folk dance friends again.

Coronavirus Crisis Hits the Folk Dance Community

So we are all social-distancing now – which means no large groups, no holding hands, and six feet between you and the next person.

I’m feeling bereft and adrift, as all of the classes I teach  - at the College of Marin, Osher Marin JCC, and Hermann Sons Hall in Petaluma – have been cancelled. Our annual spring folk dance party in Petaluma has been cancelled. Cancelling was the right thing to do, the safe thing to do, and I’m hating every minute of this.

This means no folk dancing right now, and possibly through the next several months.

Which means, for so many of us, that the activity we love is forbidden. That we won’t be seeing the long-time friends and community we cherish. That we won’t be hearing that wonderful Balkan music, joining hands together, and joyously dancing to our favorite dances.

So here’s what I’m doing to make it through these hard times:

• Listening to my favorite music
• Watching a lot of folk dance videos
• Working on learning some new dances to teach once classes can be resumed
• Dancing in my living room with my granddaughters
• Having long phone conversations with friends
• Taking hikes, doing yoga at home, and reading lots of books.

In these tough times, I’m doing the best I can to stay sane and healthy. I’m hoping you all will be able to do the same.

Coming up: Guest teachers in March! Spring Party in April!

Come join us in Petaluma in March for two special guest teachers!

On Monday, March 15, Nadav Nur from Kopatchka will be coming to teach Belcova Tropanka (Bulgaria) and Slave Mi Pija (Macedonia.

Two weeks later, on March 30, the inimitable Sani Rifati will be teaching Romani dances. Sani is a human rights activist and the President of Voice of Roma. A native Roma himself, he was born in present-day Kosovo, lived and worked in California, and since 2012 has resided in Berlin.

And mark your calendars now for our Annual Petaluma Spring Folk Dance Party on Saturday, April 18, 7:30-10:30 p.m. The first hour will feature dancing to old and new recorded favorites followed by a live music set with Staro Vino playing lively and beautiful Bulgarian, Macedonian, and Greek music. The members of Staro Vino are: Travis Hendrix on clarinet; Mark Jenkins on percussion and vocals, Peter Bonos on trumpet, and Jonathan Kipp on accordion and vocals.

2020: Time to Dance!

Lots of opportunities to folk dance the winter!

Come dance with us at Monday night International Folk Dancing, 7-9:15 p.m. through May 4, at Hermann Sons Hall, 860 Western Avenue, Petaluma.

You can join my College of Marin international folk dance class on Wednesdays 2:10-3:30 p.m. at PE #60, Kentfield campus. Class sessions run from January 29-March 4, and April 1-May 6.

And you can plunge into the vast repertoire of Israeli folk dancing on Thursdays 1:30-4 p.m. at the Osher Marin JCC, January 9-February 20, and February 7-April 6.

Newcomers, beginners to advanced dancers, and drop-ins are all welcome (noting that advance registration is required only for the College of Marin class.

Come join us on the dance floor!

Orchestra Euphonos Rocks the House!

A great time was had by all at our Annual Holiday Folk Dance Party on December 9!

Over 50 folks showed up to dance to old and new recorded favorites, followed by a fabulous live music set featuring Romanian, Israeli, Klezmer, and Greek Macedonians tunes played by Orchestra Euphonos in its debut performance in Petaluma. 

This was the biggest ensemble we've ever hosted -  seven musicians including Peter Bonos on trumpet, Balder Ten Cate on cimbalom; Zina Pozen on accordion; Travis Hendrix on clarinet; Asaf Ophir on Clarinet, vocals, and flute; Leo Perringer on bass; and Marco Ghezzo on violin. 

Dances included these classics: Ma Navu, Dodi Li, Hora Veche, Sofka, Jovane Jovanke, and a lovely waltz. 

And we had special fun doing the dances we learned in class this session including Sirba, Romanian versions of Paidusca and Daichovo, Hora Mare, Breaza, Zavlitsena, Bulgar, Zhok (a beautiful slow Klezmer hora in 3/8 rhythm), and a wild Klezmer hora. 

Mark your calendars now for the start of new classes on Mondays, 7-9:15 p.m. on January 9 at Hermann Sons Hall, 860 Western Avenue, Petaluma -- and for our Annual Spring Folk Dance Party on April 18.

Holiday Party with Orchestra Euphonos

Mark your calendars now for our annual Petaluma Holiday Folk Dance Party at Hermann Sons Hall, 860 Western Avenue, Petaluma, featuring live music by Orchestra Euphonos on Monday, December 9, 7-9:30 p.m.

The first hour will be dancing to old and new recorded favorites. After that, Orchestra Euphonos will take over, playing exciting lively music from Romania, Israel, and Greek Macedonia.

For the month of November, I'll be focusing on teaching dances that the band will be playing including La Breaza, Cadaneasca, Sirba, Geamparele, Hora Veche (Romania), Ma Navu, Dodi Li (Israel), and Zavitslena, Gaida, Sofka (Greek Macedonia), as well as a Slow Hora (Yiddish/Klezmer).

Come join us this month to learn the dances, and come celebrate holiday season with us at our annual party on December 9!