Dances from Albania - and more

I've been focusing on dances from Albania learned from Steve and Suzy Kotansky in my international folk dance classes at College of Marin and in Petaluma. These are all dances Steve and Suzy saw and danced while they were traveling in southern Albania earlier this year. 

As opposed to what has frequently been in the international folk dance repertoire, these dances are not highly choreographed; there's a basic pattern, with perhaps a variation or two. Several of them are quite similar to dances done in bordering countries: Elenoqi and the Bulgarian dance Svornato are both in 9/8 rhythm with a 4-measure pattern; Valle Katushkes is basically a paidushko (Bulgaria and Macedonia), but danced in a 6/8 rhythm that also changes the styling; Valle e Isuf Apart is much like a Greek tsamiko. And all of the music is wonderful.

You can come learn all of these dances - plus some old favorites (Horehronski Cardas, Bufcansko), my latest favorite Israeli dance (Tzil Ha Emek), a new line dance I just learned (Summer Night Cha Cha) plus lots more on Monday nights in Petaluma (drop-ins are always welcome) and at my College of Marin class on Wednesdays (next session starts October 25; for this class you need to register for the full session in advance at https://marincommunityed.augusoft.net. ).

Note that there are numerous videos of dances that I am currently teaching, as well as others I've taught previously, on this blog in the Dance Video section.

Please feel free to contact me if you have questions about the dances or my classes at cjay@horizoncable.com or 415-663-9512.