Ruth Gundelfinger's 80th birthday will be celebrated with a big party (and dancing, of course!) this Saturday from 4:30 p.m. on at Cafe Shalom, 1399 3rd Street, San Francisco. Ruth has taught Israeli folk dancing in the Bay Area since 1960. She started Cafe Shalom in 1969 and has taught on Thursday mornings at the JCC in San Rafael since 1996. She is one of the loveliest and most graceful dancers I have ever seen, and knows more Israeli dances than anyone I know. I hope you'll join me this Saturday, April 25, in honoring Ruth.

In Petaluma, we'll continue to learn the great Israeli dance Salamati as well as a new Rumanian dance, Hora Lui Serban. Classes in Point Reyes will start up again next Wednesday, April 29; beginning class 6-7 p.m., intermediate class 7-8:15 p.m.