Massive storms, flooding, and power outages delayed the start of my classes that had been scheduled to begin again the week of January 9. This included three days without power or Wi-Fi, significant flooding, plus periodic power outages and downed trees blocking the roads throughout the rest of the week. A huge Monterey Cypress tree branch fell on my property - luckily it just missed my garage. 

I’m glad to report that the Balkan/International class on Mondays 7-9 p.m. and the Israeli folk dance classes on Thursdays 1:15-3:15 p.m. were able to resume the third week in January. Both classes will now be held at Herman Son’s Hall, 860 Western Avenue, in Petaluma. As always, we’ll be doing a mix of beginning, intermediate and advanced dances – and requests are always welcome. It’s always fun and interesting to see what folks come up with; recent requests on Monday have included Bannielou Lamboal (France), Cetvorno Horo (Bulgaria), and Joc in Patru (Romania). On Thursdays, we've been reviewing Lev Patuach, Harmonica, and Shav Al Admati.

 I’m also continuing to introduce dances that I have choreographed, including one to beautiful Ukrainian music by Kitka (Oj, jak ze bulo) and a lovely simple dance Kenyan music (Kothbiro).

And a heads up that the wonderful vocal ensemble Kitka will be performing in my neck of the woods on Saturday, May 20, at the Dance Palace Community Center in Point Reyes Station – be sure to mark your calendars for this special event.

I continue to teach one Balkan/International Zoom class, noting that it is now scheduled for the second Wednesday of each month from 7-8:15 p.m. 

Newcomers and visitors are always welcome to join any of these classes; for more information, contact me at 415-663-9512 or cjay@horizoncable.com. 

Balkan and Israeli folk dance classes will be starting up again in the first week of January 2023, and both classes will now be held at Herman Sons Hall, 860 Western, Petaluma.

Balkan/International class will be on Mondays 7-9 p.m. First session is January 9-April 24; second session runs from May 1-July 13 (no classes on May 29 or July 3). Requests are always welcome. We'll continue to review and dance Stamena (Bulgaria) and Hora Anton Pann (Romania), and I'll also be introducing two new dances I have choreographed done to music from Ukraine.

Israeli folk dancing will start on January 12 and run through March 8; second session will be March 1-April 27. The first hour of this class is beginning/intermediate dancing; second hour will be intermediate and advanced dances, with lots of time for requests. I'll be teaching a (new to me) Avak Hadrachim, a lovely waltz as well as introducing a dance I choreographed to a wild and fun version of Adon Olam.

Beginners, newcomers and drop-ins are always welcome. Please feel free to contact me for more information at cjay@horizoncable.com.

                                                     Fun time dancing at the Officers' Ball!

Balkan/International folk dancing continues Herman Son's Hall in Petaluma on Mondays, 7-9 p.m. through December 12 (note: no class on December 5). Current favorites include Kune, Brestacka Racenica, and Nyandolo.

Israeli folk dancing at Marin JCC on Thursdays 1:30-3:30 p.m. runs through December 6. We've been learning Or Veyershalyim, and resurrecting some oldies including Hora Or and David Melech Yisroel. Note that as on January, this class will be moving to Herman Son's Hall (same day, same time.

Wishing you all a happy healthy holiday season, with lots of friends, food, celebration and dancing!

2022 Officers Ball Syllabus

I'm pleased and excited to be a guest teacher again at the 2022 Officers' Ball on Saturday, October 22, 1-10 p.m. I'll be teaching Cicovata (Bulgaria) and introducing Nyandolo (a lovely easy dance to music from Kenya).

Here are the dance notes for you:

Cicovata

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Du0stocXWw

Bulgaria 

 

This dance is a multifigure variation on the dance Cicovoto (or Cicovo), apparently from the Vidin area of North Bulgaria. It was taught by Steve Kotansky based on how the Bulgarian community in the St. Louis Area did the dance. Other versions have been taught by Yves Moreau, Yulian Yordanov and Iliana Bozhanova. I have chosen three variations to teach that I like (there are many others).

 

To R, Facing C, Arms W, 12-count phrases

 

Basic: 

1-6: Step R to R, XLB, R, XLF, R, XLB (6-step grapevine)

7-8: Step R to R, tch L

9-12: To L: Step L, together R, step L, tch R

 

Variation #1 – Lift step

1-6: Step R to R, XLB, R, XLF, R, XLB (6-step grapevine)

7-8: Lift R circling to step LB

9-12: To L: Step L, XRF, step L, tch R

 

Variation #2 – Back & Front

1-4 Step R to R, XLB, R, XLF

4-12: Step RF, L in place, RB, L in place; repeat all

 

Variation #3 – Around the world

1-4: Step R to R, XLB, R, XLF

5-8: Lift XRF to L, step R, step LB, step RB

9-12: Lift step XLB, step R, step L

 

Nyandolo

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwopjqGMH88

Kenya 

Taught by France Borque-Moreau, who learned it from Michel Hepp in Germany. The song is sung in the Kisa language by Ayub Ogada.

 

4/4 rhythm

Arms: V

Closed circle

Intro: 8 bars; start with singing

 

Face C, to R:

Sway R to R

Sway L to L

Sway R to R

Close L next to R

 

Questions or more information:

Carol Friedman: cjay@horizoncable.com

415-663-9512

 

Workshop with Jaap Leegwater

 We had a fabulous time dancing with Bulgarian dance teacher Jaap Leegwater in Petaluma on August 8!  He taught Sapil Dobri and Staro Erkecko, danced Mari Mariko with us, and thrilled us by playing his flute for Melnik.

Looking forward to dancing with you all again at Hermann Son's Hall, 860 Western Avenue, Petaluma, on Mondays 7-9 p.m. starting August 12. Israeli folk dancing at the Osher JCC in San Rafael on Thursdays 1:30-3:30 p.m. will resume on September 8.

We are thrilled and excited to host a special workshop with Jaap Leegwater at Hermann Son’s Hall in Petaluma on August 8. Jaap is a folk dance legend; he introduced so many Balkan dance classics -  including Karamfil, Sedi Donka, Melnik, and Vlasko Horo. We plan to add more to our repertoire after the workshop.

The fall session of Balkan/International dancing at Hermann Son’s Hall in Petaluma on will start up on Mondays, September 12 from 7-9 p.m. and continue through November 28. Newcomers and beginners are always welcome. Note that we are continuing to wear masks for safety, by mutual consent, and require proof of vaccination.

Israeli folk dance classes at the Osher Marin Jewish Community Center in San Rafael are scheduled for Thursdays 1:30-3:30 p.m. from September 8-October 13, and October 27-December 8.  Folks can sign up through the JCC website for a 6-week series, or drop-in when it fits into your schedule. Latest favorites include Ya Raya, Hora Simchat, and Lakum Vel’Amod. In this class as well, we are wearing masks.

I am also having fun choreographing my own dances, and introducing them in my classes. So far, I have created Oiydo mi Novya, a beautiful Sephardic song from Spain, as well as the classic Yiddish workers' solidarity song Ale Brider (using a fabulous version featuring Itzak Perlman with the Klezmatics). More to come...stay tuned!

For those of you who still prefer the safety of Zoom, as well as folks who live too far away to attend my in-person classes, I teach one Balkan/International Zoom class on the third Wednesday of each month from 7-8:15 p.m. 

 

I invite any of you who are looking for more opportunities to dance (whether it be virtual or in person) to contact me at 415-663-9512 or cjay@horizoncable.com.

Summer Dancing 2022

The summer session of Balkan/International dancing at Hermann Son’s Hall in Petaluma on Mondays 7-9 p.m. runs from June 6 to July 25 (no classes on June 20 and July 4). Summer dancing is free-flowing, with lots of requests, along with periodic teaching and reviews when requested. We'll definitely be dancing a few new favorites including Vallja Hayde Merre Furken, Usti Baba, Sofka, and Fado Portugues. We are continuing to wear masks for safety, by mutual consent.

Summer Israeli folk dance classes at the Osher Marin JCC in San Rafael on Thursdays 1:30-3:30 p.m. are scheduled for June 30 to August 6. Folks can sign up through the JCC website for a 6-week series, or drop-in when it fits into your schedule. Latest favorites include Rokdim Yechefim and Nitzmadnu.

And for those of you who still prefer the safety of Zoom as well as folks who live too far away to attend my in-person classes, I teach one Balkan/International Zoom class on the third Wednesday of each month from 7-8:15 p.m. 

 

I invite any of you who are looking for more opportunities to dance (whether it be virtual or in person) to contact me at 415-663-9512 or cjay@horizoncable.com.