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.