Summer Dancing in Petaluma continues! Come dance to old and new favorites (and bring your requests) on Mondays 7-9:15 p.m. through July 30 at Herman Sons Hall, 860 Western Avenue, Petaluma.


A few upcoming events to mark on your calendar:

• Free Line Dance Class at the Point Reyes Farmers Market, Toby's Feed Barn, Point Reyes Station on Saturday, July 14, 9:30 a.m.
• Live Greek music by Dromeno at Papa's Taverna, Lakeville Highway, Petaluma on Thursday, July 26, 7 p.m.

And note that I will be teaching two new classes in the fall through the Marin Community College District Community Education program: 

• International Folk Dance on Wednesdays 2:10-3:30 p.m. starting September 5 at College of Marin, PE #22, Kentfield 
• Line Dancing on Tuesdays 7:10-8:30 p.m. starting September 4 at Indian Valley College in Ignacio.

Summer dancing in Petaluma starts on June 4!


Come dance to old and new favorites (and bring your requests) on Mondays 7-9:15 p.m., June 4-July 30, at Hermann Sons Hall, 860 Western Avenue, Petaluma.


Everyone is welcome - beginners, newcomers, intermediate/advanced dancers - and no partner is necessary. 

Almost 100 people came and danced at our Annual Petaluma Folk Dance Party on April 14! 


Special thanks go to musicians Mark and Greg Jenkins, Diana Cross, and Dena Bjornlie who played a fabulous set of Macedonian, Bulgarian and Greek music for our dancing pleasure.


Monday night classes in Petaluma continue through May 7; on April 30 I'll be reviewing all the dances I've taught this session; on May 7 we'll have our annual end-of-session party. Summer dancing in Petaluma will run from June 4-July 28. Wednesday night classes in Point Reyes go through May 9; we're learning a great set of Armenian and Turkish dances.

You are invited to 

Annual Petaluma International Folk Dance Party!

Saturday, April 14, 8-11 p.m.
Dancing to old and new recorded favorites 8-9:15 p.m.
Live music 9:15- 11 p.m.
At Herman Sons Hall, 860 Western Avenue, Petaluma

Admission $8

Dena, Diana, Greg & Mark play a great mix of Bulgarian, Macedonian, and Greek dance music. The members of the group are:
Dena Bjornlie: gadulka & vocals

Greg Jenkins: clarinet & vocals

Diana Strong: accordion & vocals
Mark Jenkins: percussion & vocals

Great dance floor, a wide range of music and dancing, and good company!
Sponsored by Petaluma Snap-y Dancers; drinks and snacks provided by the group.

We hosted two wonderful Armenian dance workshops with renowned dancer, singer and folklorist Hasmik Harutunyan this past weekend.   She taught a wide variety of village dances from various regions of Armenia, including Papouri, Tamzara, Shoror, Ververi, and Kochari as well as two Pontic Armenian dances (Shrapar and Trtrook) and an Armenian version of Sheighana. 


We'll be reviewing and dancing many of these dances over the next few weeks at the Monday night class in Petaluma. I will also be teaching a 6-week session of Armenian and Turkish dances in Point Reyes from April 5-May 9.  

When I was in Greece last summer attending  a wonderful folk dance seminar, I fell in love with Greek Pontic dances. These dances originated in the area on the shores of the Black Sea, and came to Greece after the Treaty of Lausanne of 1923 forced an exchange of populations between Turkey and Greece. 


The rhythm and style of Pontic dances are among the most difficult but also deeply compelling. The movements are sharp, precise; the body help upright, the arms close to the body; the dancers shoulder to shoulder, in closed circles (I was told this was to keep the good in, the evil out). We've been learning and dancing Dolme, Samson, and Dipat.


Throughout the next month, we'll also be reviewing and doing dances (Melnik, Thracian Racenica, Karamfil, Ballos, Eleno Mome, and more) that will be played by Deena, Greg, Lisa & Mark at our Annual Spring Party on April 14, 8-11 p.m., at Hermann Sons Hall in Petaluma. Be sure to mark your calendars now for this fun folk dance event!
   

It's been exciting to welcome so many new students to Monday night dancing in Petaluma! The first half hour of class have been dedicated to teaching, doing quick reviews, and dancing favorite beginning dances including Kokonjeste, Boreasca, Narodno Horo, Lo Ahavti Dai, Rumalaj, Cocek, Ketri Ketri, Ivanica, Adje Jano, Koritsa, and Andro Retourne. 


 We've also been learning several great intermediate dances: Tikfesto and Mori Odajo Sarena (Greece), Esmer (Turkey), Cicovata and Isu Byala Nedo (Bulgaria), Mindrele (Rumania). Coming up in the next few months will be t'Smidge (Belgium), Giovarlandum (Greece), Retko Kolo (Serbia), and Mojo Mambo (U.S.)


Newcomers, beginners, and drop-ins are always welcome in both Petaluma and Point Reyes Station.