Happy new year!

Folk dance classes will start up again in the new year at Herman Sons Hall in Petaluma on Mondays 7-9:15 p.m., January 11-May 3 (no class March 29) and at the Dance Palace in Point Reyes on Wednesdays 7:15-8:30 p.m., January 13-February 17. Ballroom dance classes are scheduled for Wednesdays 6-7 p.m., at the Dance Palace; the first session January 13-February 17 will focus on salsa, cha cha, and rumba.

Folk dances taught this session will include a few more from Turkey (Ordu, Oropa), a couple learned from Yves Moreau at the 2009 Kolo Festival (Pravo Cepalarkso Oro, Proletni Buenek, Zensko Zapansko), some classics that it would be nice to put back into the repertoire (Bucimis, Sandansko Oro, Kokice, Hora Fetelor, Vidinsko Oro, Zensko Pousteno Oro), and a couple of my favorite Israeli dances (Eilat, Bat Teiman, She'Keshe'Navo).

The beginning of the new year is a great time to start dancing! Bring your friends and come join us. Beginners, newcomers, drop-ins, intermediate/advanced dancers are all welcome, and no partner is necessary.

There will be two more weeks of folk dance classes in Point Reyes and Petaluma before we take a break for the holidays. We'll be reviewing the dances that have been taught throughout the fall: Agir Halay, Atabari, Bat Teiman, Bucimis, Gudi, Keje, Koritsa, Narino, Yeni Hamam, Zensko Pousteno Oro (Point Reyes): Atabari, Cicovata, Gruchkoto, Gudi, Hora de Langesti, Keje, Koritsa, Perdhika, Pravo Ceplarsko Horo, Troirou, Tsamiko Variation, Tzel Midbar, Zervothexios (Petaluma). You can view videos of many of these dances (plus a short video of some wonderful spontaneous street dancing from my trip to Turkey) by going to the Dance Videos section of the blog. The last class in Petaluma on December 14 will be our annual class party, with drinks and snacks.

Classes will start up again in the new year at Herman Sons Hall in Petaluma scheduled on Mondays 7-9:15 p.m., January 11-May 3 (no class March 29) and at the Dance Palace in Point Reyes on Wednesdays 7:15-8:30 p.m., January 13-February 17.