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F D A |
Folk Dance Australia FDA OBJECTIVES:
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1998 has been another year of enjoyable workshops, which has brought us together to share in dancing, music, conversation, knowledge, food, wine, fun and friendship.
We have had some very good teachers, beginning the year with Yusuf Nidai and the wonderful rhythm of the Turkish drum. In May, Gary Dawson brought us dances from Moldavia and Hungary, and, in the afternoon, Andrea Stern came to teach us dances of Israel. André arrived in July, when we had a very well attended and lovely weekend in Bowral at Annesley, where we learnt dances from a variety on countries. In September, Djordje Nikolic gave us a Serbian workshop of dances from different regions of that country, and on the same day, we had an Indonesian teacher, Poppy Tijam, where we experienced dances of Indonesia. In November, Chris Wild and I gave a Bulgarian dance workshop, combined with a Bulgarian singing workshop with Jacqueline Hansen.
Another treat was a folkdance weekend at Kerever Park, Bowral, where we did mainly Greek with one or two Romanian dances with Kaye Laurendet and Margaret Connor.
Several of us attended Belco's Bulgarian seminar in Varna (Bulgaria); Kaye's group danced at Dance Week, which was opened by Robina Beard, and many of us enjoyed the National Folk Festival in Canberra at Easter time.
Kaye has just returned from follow-up classes in New Zealand for the teachers she trained. The FDA Teachers Training Course, held in Canberra, resulted in six new FDA teachers. Congratulations to them.
Finally, I think we have worked well and harmoniously in our pursuit of happy dancing.
| Sandra Bassetti, President |
WELCOME to the NEW FDA COMMITTEE
On February 28th, these people committed their time and energy for the next 12 months to these positions, for which we are truly grateful.
President: Sandra Bassetti
Vice-President: Chris Wild. We appreciate that they are prepared to continue their support;
Secretary: Gerda van de Kamp, who has taken over from Liz Hull and will also continue to act as ...
Publicity Officer: Through Gerda's efforts in contacting the local council, the workshop for Pre-school teachers, held during last year, was attended by many more participants than had been expected;
Treasurer: Deborah Hotchkis, a new face on the committee. Finally, Kaye has been able to step down after more years than she cares to remember, but will be there to support Debbie if she needs it..
Workshop Co-ordinator: Angelika Lange, who has already begun the organising for future workshops. However, she would welcome your suggestions for dance or dance-related workshops, so, to contact her to pass on your ideas, see page 12.
Footnotes Editor: Yours Truly. If you don't like something about "Footnotes", you have three choices: nominate for editor at the next AGM, contact us with your suggestions, or write interesting / newsy / challenging / informative articles or titbits (PLUS PHOTOS) for inclusion into an edition.
FDA TTC COURSE - 1998 Graduate Sub-Committee Report
The Graduate Sub-Committee currently consists of Christine Battisson (Facilitator), Jim Battisson, Lesley Rose, Fran Robertson and Maureen Petherick. Sandra Bassetti, Jo Barratt and Robyn Priddle withdrew their membership of the sub-committee during the year. The next election for the sub-committee is due on or before 27 July 1999.
Stage 3 of the 1997/98 Teacher Training Course commenced in Canberra in September 1998 with six students from New South Wales and the ACT.
Stage 3 consisted of methodology review, dance analysis, international dancing, professional practice, teaching children, teaching the elderly, Romanotation, running a dance class Part 2, examination of teaching skill and examination of dancing skill.
Teachers were: Christine Battisson - various subjects;
Jim Battisson Romanotation, dance analysis;
Lesley Rose assisted with the organisation and smooth running of Stage 3 during the week.
Dance examiners were Kaye Laurendet, Christine Battisson and Kirsty Hilson. (Kirsty is a graduate of the University of Western Sydney with a BA in dance and is a full time teacher of dance covering ballet, modern, jazz, etc.)
Folk Dance Canberra members attended as the class for the three sessions of the teaching skill examination.
A party night was held at the conclusion of Stage 3 when Participation Certificates and Graduation Certificates were presented to the students. All attendees of Stage 3 passed both their teaching skill and dancing skill examinations. The graduates are Debbie Hotchkis (NSW), Maria Jenkins (ACT), Jenny Lester (NSW), Alison McLean (NSW), Theresa Orchard (ACT) and Naomi Toth (ACT).
Christine served as a member of the National Dance Teacher's Reference Group who published the Interim National Competency Standards for Dance Teachers in September 1998.
The Graduate Sub-Committee has completed documentation for the Professional Practice component of the course in accordance with the Interim National Competency Standards for Dance Teachers and is currently working towards accreditation as a Registered Training Organisation and having our course accredited under the principles of the Australian Recognition Framework. These two above tasks are expected to fully absorb the energies of the Graduate Sub-Committee over the next 12 - 18 months with an expectation that the next TTC course will be held in September 2000.
| Christine Battisson | |||
| Facilitator, Graduate Sub-Committee, FDA |
Page for Financial Statement
At the AGM, the Committee decided to investigate nominating FDA for Active Australia. Folk Dance Canberra has "been there, done that"; their report follows.
"Exercise: you only have to take it regularly - not seriously"
"What is Active Australia? Active Australia is all about getting Australians up and active, whether that means going for a walk, cycling with the family, joining a health club or being involved in the many sport and recreation opportunities on offer.
Active Australia focuses on two main areas - encouraging people to be more physically active and working to improve the places where people can be active. These places include sport, recreation and fitness clubs and organisations as well as schools, local parks and areas where we walk or cycle.
Why? Research tells us that being active is a key step toward improving health, well-being and quality of life. Being physically active helps increase muscular strength, improves endurance, flexibility and general health, prevents disease, increases bone density, reduces body fat, improves motor coordination and increases personal energy levels.
And the benefits go beyond just the physical to include social and emotional benefits. Many people find that exercise helps them work more effectively and have more energy to enjoy their lives and leisure time activities. For older people, in particular, regular activity can help meet the demands of daily life and community living, as well as increasing their sense of general well-being. The broader community also benefits from increased participation with improved community health, more support networks, less anti-social behaviour and a better community identity.
If you're involved in sport, recreation and fitness and you're looking for something to help improve the way your club or organisation works, the Active Australia Provider Model could be the answer.
The model has been put together by Australia's sport, fitness and recreation industry to help your club or organisation identify what you're doing well and how you can improve in areas where you're not doing so well.
At the end of the process your club or organisation will be recognised as an Active Australia Provider and be able to market and promote itself to people as they make decisions about their physical activity needs.
To find out more about the Active Australia Provider Model and how to become involved telephone 1800 151 000 for a free information brochure."
The above is an extract from Active Australia. The Federal Government is promoting a healthy lifestyle in an effort to reduce medical services so there is a reasonable potential for some funding to be provided to help the system along. The Government estimates that medical service costs reduce by $10.00 for every $1.00 spent keeping people fit and healthy.
How did Folk Dance Canberra become involved?
We were introduced to Active Australia at a seminar in November 1997. The majority of attendees represented sporting bodies with very few representatives from recreational organisations. Speakers from the Bureau of Sport and Recreation and Tennis ACT (an Active Australia Provider) described the provider process. At the conclusion of the seminar, I spoke to one of the speakers and told him we represented a recreational folk dance organisation. He implied that dance was generally considered to be an art form, but from a recreational point of view conceded that we would probably fit the Bureau's criteria and suggested we send away for the Active Australia Provider kit. This cost us $40.00.
The kit details the process organisations need to go through to become a provider. (If you think you can become a provider overnight then you're going to be very disappointed.) It didn't take us long to realise that this would involve committee meetings and all club members over a considerable period of time.
Firstly, it was necessary to inform our members about our quest to become an Active Australia Provider and provide them with a draft Business Plan for comment. Secondly our teachers needed to be qualified and thirdly our teachers needed to have their first aid certificates. Fortunately it is a policy of Folk Dance Canberra to only employ qualified teachers (graduates of the Folk Dance Australia Teacher Training Course) and we subsidise their first aid certificate training.
Next we were required to complete a 30 page checklist. This checklist has seven categories - Leadership, Planning, Information, Human Resources, Client Focus, Quality of Service and Overall Performance, each with ten questions. A National Resource Directory is provided in case there is a need to undertake short courses before you can do the checklist. The checklist is a self-assessment list (there's a test later so you have to be honest). We photocopied several copies for distribution to the committee and we worked in pairs. We drafted answers and eventually put all our ideas together for the final document. We were required to rate all bolded criteria in each of the seven key areas as a 4 or 5 before we could send away our Achievement Form to show that we are both committed to Active Australia and are capable of providing well-managed activity. Questions which were not in bold could be given 1, 2 or 3 ratings and this didn't affect our achievement.
The next step cost us $80.00 for our recognition materials containing logo guidelines, logo, bromide, Certificate of Achievement and chart of Active Australia principles. With our recognition letter we were advised that we were the first dance organisation in Australia to have achieved Active Australia Provider recognition. Recognition lasts for two years at which time we will need to re-apply.
The provider process took us from November 1997 until July 1998 to complete.
We are now expected to continue to work through the checklist and work towards maximum points for all criteria. This will mean that we are continually improving the way we do things.
The final step is assessment. At some stage in the future we may be required to participate in an industry based assessment process. Organisations to be assessed will be identified randomly. This could involve a desk assessment or a visit assessment.
What has happened since we became an Active Australia Provider and what have been the benefits?
The Active Australia Provider process has certainly involved and motivated all our members and not just the committee of management. Marketing, promotion, image and exposure have improved. We are entitled to use the Active Australia logo on our letterheads, flyers and brochures.
The attention we have received from Active Australia has been amazing. We have received correspondence, brochures, pamphlets, circulars, post cards, posters and newsletters on a regular basis. Our Active Australia Provider sign (approx. 1 metre high) was hand delivered and I have received numerous telephone calls from the Bureau of Sport and Recreation and the Australian Sports Commission asking me how we found the Active Australia provider process. I have been interviewed for the front page of a magazine, invited to take part in a Marketing Forum and also to be part of an Active Australia Video Reference Group. Folk Dance Canberra has been filmed during classes as part of a nationwide promotional campaign for Active Australia and a number of us have been involved in a photo shoot for Active Australia posters. We have received numerous gifts - drink bottles, T-shirt, sports bag, frig magnets, stickers and complimentary copies of films and posters.
There are also awards to apply for - Active Australia Awards (10 categories worth $1,000 each) and the Minister's Awards for Excellence in the Sport and Recreation Community ($1,000 in cash or prizes). There are also funding prospects.
The accreditation process has made us think about where we are going. It certainly was a challenge but not too difficult if you are prepared to put in the time. Fortunately, our committee has some experience/knowledge of business plans, strategies, industry guidelines, safe dance practices, government legislation e.g. insurances and the Privacy Act, financial controls, access and equity and KPI's (key performance indicators).
News just to hand. On 24 November 1998 Folk Dance Canberra was advised that it has received funding for a Development Program (this is the first time we have ever received funding) and, at a presentation on 2 December 1998, the Minister for Sport and Education, Mr Bill Stefaniak MLA, awarded Folk Dance Canberra with a Special Commendation for the 1998 Minister's Awards for Excellence in the Sport & Recreation Community for The Active Australia Commitment to Participation Award.
As you can imagine we are absolutely thrilled.
| ? | Christine Battisson (ACT) | |
| Folk Dance Canberra |
SKIPS Balkan Dance Group
We have been lucky enough to perform for local ethnic communities on several occasions. We worked for some time at a new Serbian set, taught to us by Olga Maryon, whose beautiful and authentic style is always an inspiration. Serbian dancing is usually high impact, with lots of hops and knee raising (even for the women). Having tried this set out a few times, we ventured to perform it to an audience at a Yugoslav dinner dance - mostly Serbians - and were just astounded at the tumultuous applause. This caused us a little difficulty, when we couldn't hear the rather quiet music at the beginning of one dance! When we invited the audience to join us in a dance afterwards, most of them got up and danced with us, & afterwards several came up to talk to us.
Skips has also performed twice for dinner dances of the Melbourne Macedonian Vlach community. The Vlachs were in the past nomadic people in the Balkan region with their own language (related to Romanian), but today they live a settled life in several of the Balkan countries. Again we got a wonderfully warm welcome and resounding applause to our Bulgarian and Serbian dances. We hope to be able to continue our association with both of these ethnic communities.
Other new dances have been Greek, taught to us by the inimitable Peter Williams, and performed together with members of his performing group Philhellenic. Peter's Greek dances provide quite a contrast to our Serbian, Bulgarian and Macedonian sets, in that they have little or no choreography, and the focus is on the beauty of the unadorned village style dance.
Skips has also performed for the Orff Association, and enjoyed being able to demonstrate to music teachers the relationship between the irregular rhythms of the traditional Balkan music and the dance steps with which they are inextricably tied.
A fantastic development has been the opportunity to perform with live music provided by Xenos. This is something we hope will happen again - there is nothing like it. Of course, you're not tied to the particular version on a tape - the musicians can play exactly at the tempo and for the time you require. But more importantly than these technical advantages, there is the sheer pleasure of being able to relate to the musicians while you're dancing.
This year, Skips is entering its 10th year of existence. We currently have 8 full time members, 6 women and 2 men, and an age range from 16 to 60.
Any Melbourne person reading this who would like to join a performing group that works hard to achieve the authentic Balkan style, but has a lot of fun along the way, please ring me: Janey Stone, (03)-9534 9493.
| ? | Janey Stone (VIC) |
FDA mail received: From: Gary King, Coordinator, Victorian Folk Music and Dance Weekend Comments: Wanting to renew some old contacts with folk dancers in Tasmania I thought I would search the WWW, knowing that FDA had a list of contacts on their website. I was delighted and impressed by the scope, and wanted to express my appreciation. From: Anna Bates, New Zealand Comments: I am a member of "Tzinakis" a performing international folk dance group taught by Ruth Ames in Auckland. We are, at present, an all women group numbering 12 and range in age from 35-65 years. To dance is to live! From: Jane Robertson, Kalinka Dance Company Melbourne Comments: I am the secretary for the Kalinka Dance Company, we are interested in becoming members of your group. From: Robyn Northwood, Central Coast Bush Dance & Music Association Comments: The Central Coast Bush Dance & Music Association holds bush dances for adults on the fourth Saturday of each month (except December) at the East Gosford Progress Association Hall, cnr Henry Parry Drive and Wells St. For more information, call Robyn or Mark on (02) 4344 6484.
From: Ivan Dimitrov, Bulgarian Dance Teacher and Ivan Dimitrov Dance Ensemble; Washington USA: email:
Comments: If you have interest from Bulgarian Folk Dance teacher, Traditional and folk kostum from Bulgaria and koncert with my Dance Ensemble my: Tel/Fax-/301/ 530 22 86 or Tel /301/404 48 26 |
From: Raymond La Barbera,
Comments: I (Raymond La Barbera) am the founder and director (as well as webmaster, entire office staff and dishwasher) of Folk Dance Association. I composed this entire site, from conception and design to execution and typing) so I take full blame for what's wrong and full credit for what's right. The site has 117 pages, of which 97 (about 85%) are devoted to Folk Dance Directory. Folk Dance Association is pleased to announce its new web site, which you can visit at http://www.folkdancing.org/. Our site is devoted to all types of folk dance including Balkan, Cajun, clog, contra, English country, international, Israeli, Morris, Scottish country, Scandinavian, square, swing, vintage, western square and all others types of traditional & ethnic folk dance. In fact, we use the term "folk dance" to refer to all these types of dance. We've devoted 97 pages (about 85%) of our site to Folk Dance Directory, the Internet's first nationwide on-line directory of folk dance classes, sessions, dances, events, products and services throughout the United States and Canada. We welcome your submissions to the directory. If you're in charge of a folk dance group or activity you want to list, correct or revise, please use the form on the appropriate listing page (e.g., "Listing a Cruise or Tour". "Listing a Group" or "Listing a Teacher"). We hope you enjoy our new web site and find it useful in pursuing your interest in folk dance.
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National Folk Festival (Canberra)
The National folk festival will be held over four and a half days next Easter, 1 5 April.
In more than 100 concerts, the National will present Australian and international artists, including Sirocco, the Wrigley sisters, Nancy Kerr and James Fagan, and the National Fiddle Orchestra. This year will feature Western Australia and include ABC's Lucky Oceans and his groups Zydecats and Snakefoot.
More than sixty workshops will cover dance, poetry, storytelling, etc, and the children's festival, singing and music sessions, and food and craft markets will add to the entertainment. There will also be a two-day Easter School before the festival starts.
The National Festival is held in Canberra's Exhibition Park, which has a fully serviced campsite for those who can't bear to leave the site for one moment.
Cost for Season ticket = $115 (or $90 prepaid)
Cost for 5 nights Camping = $30 (or $25 prepaid)
For more information or credit card booking, contact the Festival Office on (02) 6249 7755.
Sunshine Coast Party: 18 April (QLD)
Noosa International Folk Dancers will be celebrating their 5th Anniversary this year (yes, I know we're still very young, but we're keen). As part of their celebrations, they will be holding a dance party on Sunday, 18th April, with the live music of Linsey Pollack to dance to, as well as taped music for some favourite dances. Everyone is asked to bring a plate of food with an international flavour to share for dinner, and there will be a small cost to cover hall hire and musicians.
If our last event is anything to go by, this should be great fun, so, if any of you are holidaying on the Sunshine Coast at that time of year, phone Danni (07) 5442 8821 for further information.
Folk Dance & Music Weekend: 15 16 May (VIC)
with John Garden, Koce Stojcevski, Xenos, Skips, Christoph Maubach, Jon Madin, Gary King and more, at: Erskine House, Great Ocean Rd, Lorne, in Victoria.
Erskine House is 90 minutes drive from Melbourne, situated in six hectares of lawns and gardens with beach frontage. The program features a Saturday night dinner dance and over twenty sessions encompassing a broad range of topics - Western European, Circle Dances, Couples Mixers, Sets and Challenging Steps, Balkan Style Class, Dances for Threes and Unusual Formations, Playing for Folk Dancers, music and dance classes for preschool and school age children, teaching folk dance to children, informal dance and music sharing sessions, an on-site masseur, childcare, beach walks and children's recreational activities.
John Garden, of the Earthly Delights Band, Canberra, brings an exciting collection of dances in Traditional European styles, suitable for beginners and more experienced dancers. Koce Stojcevski will teach authentic village dances from Macedonia and the Balkans, style workshops for experienced dancers, and easy material for beginners.
The Backpackers in Mountjoy Parade will be the focus for folk music and singing sessions throughout the weekend.
Xenos (Anne Hildyard and Rob Bester), accomplished in the dance music of many traditions on a wide variety of instruments, will rehearse a group to play at the Saturday dance.
Christoph Maubach, specialist in Orff music and movement education at Mercy Campus, ACU, will conduct classes for children and teachers.
Jon Madin, inventor of the Australian marimba, will lead percussion music sessions.
Skips International Dance Ensemble will present a dance performance.
Saturday Night Dinner Dance - all the talents combine in a feast of music and folk dance!
Camp Times: Our Program starts 9am Saturday and finishes 3pm Sunday.
The Erskine House package includes meals and accommodation during these times.
There will be an informal meal at the closest Pub and a dance sharing at Erskine House on Friday night, but please note you will need to organise your own accommodation and meal if coming on Friday.
Friday night accommodation is available from Erskine House, ph 1800 629 417, or at a number of economical alternatives including the Kia Ora Caravan Park cabins (see registration details).
Write to:- The Secretary, Folk Music and Dance Weekend, PO Box 5267, Mordialloc, Victoria, 3195 Australia or Phone: (03) 9481-3386 or email: garette@pa.ausom.net.au
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DANCE WEEK, 1999
will be celebrated by Carol Maddocks' and Kaye Laurendet's groups with performances between 12.30 and 2 pm on 24 April at Darling Harbour, Sydney. How is your group going to be involved?
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Israeli Dance Weekend: 28 30 May (NSW)
Get away from it all. Join us in the Blue Mountains in another fantastic weekend (from Friday evening 28 May, to Sunday afternoon, 30 May) for dance, music, fun, sustenance, wonderful surroundings and great company. Application forms available from next April.
For more information, contact Martin Friedman on (02) 9337 6643.
Australian Youth Dance Festival 1999
Sunday 27 June - Friday 2 July 1999
Join in Australia's foremost dance Festival for young people in Townsville, Queensland. Be quick - only 500 places available at for the most unique dance Festival in the Asia Pacific region.
The AYDF program provides new opportunities for young people to have access to some of the finest dance experiences available in Australia. The emphasis is upon creative development for all levels of dance experience. The Festival will consist of two major strands - one for young dancers who are still students, one for new dance graduates and independent artists and one for youth dance leaders and teachers. Specific activities include:
For more information, contact Ausdance National Secretariat, PO Box 45 Braddon ACT 2612 AUSTRALIA, (02) 6248 8992, fax (02) 6247 4701 email: ausdance.national@anu.edu.au internet: http://sunsite.anu.edu.au/ausdance
Bowral Residential Workshop, 1999!
The dates will be 23rd 25th July, 1999 and the venue, once again, will be the Annesley Guest House.
Applications forms are now available and will be sent to Folk Dance Groups and also to those 77 people who attended the 1998 weekend.
For further information and application forms, please ring Kaye on (02) 9528 4813.
| INTERNATIONAL EVENTS |
Romanian Tour; Pitesti, 1 8 May 99
This itinerary has been designed by Silviu Ciuciumis (your host) for the Doina Foundation. Flying from London or Amsterdam to Bucharest, you transfer to a touring car to arrive at Pitesti. The next day is spent getting familiar with your surroundings while you visit potters, shepherds, be entertained with shepherd dancers, eat and party. During the following three days, the dancing lessons are followed by various excursions, performances, etc. The fourth day includes visiting a most historical city with monastery, church and a royal court, as well as craftsmen, dancers and musicians. The following day finishes with a farewell party, ready for your departure the following day.
For prices, registration forms and more information, phone Silviu on +31 10 421 8622, or write to him at Aarhuispad 22, 3067 PR Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Netherlands & Bulgaria Tour; June 99
Spend 2 weeks or so from June 14 on The Netherlands & Bulgaria Dance Seminar / Folklore tour, with Jaap Leegwater & Nina Kavardjikova as your native tour leaders.
For more information, write to Jaap Leegwater & Nina Kavardjikova at Folklora Balkana, 2214 Gateway Oaks Drive, #370, Sacramento CA 95833-3207, USA.
Balkan Festival, Zetten, July 1 4, 1999, (Netherlands)
This seminar has a variety of teachers who present dances from Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Macedonia, and other Balkan countries to the live music of "Kaleb" and Trediki". The organiser is again Silviu Ciuciumis (for contact details, see the Romanian Tour to Pitesti).
The location is the Social Cultural Centre "de Wanmolen", Schweitzerpaark 2, Zetten (near Arnhem) in the Netherlands
MAZOXI '99 July 12-25, 1999
Is a FOLK-DANCE CONFERENCE in the village of ROUSTIKA, Rethymnon, CRETE and hosted by Kety Karekla Fragiadaki & Andreas Fragiadakis.
Ketty and Andreas proudly announce the opening of the Folklore Center and Museum in Roustika in the area of Rethymnon. Crete Official commemorative celebrations will take place during the MAZOXI '99 Folk Dance Conference beginning Monday July 12, to Sunday July 25, 1999.
The MAZOXI folklore and dance conference will once again feature regional experts from various provinces and islands, who have devoted their lives to gathering, promoting, and disseminating authentic styles of Greek music, song and dance.
A 14 day unique experience in this remote rustic village, Roustika, which still harbors vestiges of traditional life. A peaceful haven away from the clamour of "civilization"!
Cost: US$660 (triple occupancy) US $795 (double occupancy) US$935 (single occupancy)
For further information and details contact: Andreas Fragiadakis 81A Egialias St, Byron 162 33 Athens, GREECE or Tel/Fax: (011-30-1) 7661-949 or Fax: (011-30-1) 38 43 953
Athan Karras 19300 Palomar Place, Tarzana, California 91356-4409 USA Tel/Fax: (818) 609-1386 email: Xasapiko@aol.com
BalkanFolk '99, (Bulgaria) from July 17
BalkanFolk'99 gives you the opportunity to choose a 2 week (July 17 31) seminar (AUD810 approx), or either week separately (ie, 17 24 July or 24 31 July) (AUD445). BalkanFolk'99 is organised by a group called SC ZORNITSA.
Should you decide to go, you'll need to send a filled-in registration form (see December issue of "Footnotes"). For more information, contact Rae Marnham on Tel. (08) 8356-2172 or email: rmarnham@denr.sa.gov.au
OR phone SC ZORNITSA on (+359 2) 322 010, 334150 or email: seminar@balkanfolk.com.
Stockton Folk Dance Camp, (California) from 25 July
In its 52nd year, the Stockton Folk Dance Camp week-long workshop runs from July 25 July 31 and again from Aug 1 Aug 7 as two identical weeks. The workshop presents dances from Israel, America (contra and American squares, clogging, St Louis Shag and the Savoy Lindy Hop), the Balkans, Turkey, England and Scandinavia with teachers who are outstanding in their field.
There are classes for new dancers and one hour of recreational dancing every day, accompanied by the live music of the Folk Dance Camp Band.
The cost for the week for full tuition, room and meals is US$560.
For more information, write to Bruce Mitchell, Director, Stockton Folk Dance Camp, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA 95211 or email: dancebruce@aol.com
Romanian Tour; Radauti, 29 July - 12 Aug, 99
Again from the Doina Foundation, led by Silviu Ciuciumis, this seminar includes 5 days of dancing, and international Folklore Festival, Potters' Market, visits to places of interest in Romania, meeting local craftsmen and performing groups, singing, eating and partying. Train travel is organised for you from Bucharest to Suceava, then touring car to Radauti (30 km). The contact details for Silviu are as for the earlier Romanian Tour.
European Summer Folk Dance Week '99 July 31 Aug 8 (Prague and Slovakia)
This wonderful seminar begins in Prague with three days of dance classes of Czech and Moravian folk dance, with an accompanying dance and culture program which includes meetings with folk groups from the surroundings of Prague.
After a night train trip in a first class sleeping car, you awake in Slovakia and begin four days of Slovakian folk dances right at the frontier of three folklore regions. Each evening you visit a village where the dances come from. This is a unique opportunity to learn about the authentic roots of the Slovak culture. The last day is spent sightseeing through Slovakia, Moravia and Bohemia back to Prague.
For more information contact Dvorana, Spanielova 38/1275, 163 00 Praha 6, Czech Republic, or phone (+420-2) 301 8267, or email: dvorana@mbox.vol.cz or visit their website at: http://www.dvorana.cz
Koprivstica in August
There will be a dance seminar in beautiful Koprivstica run by Stefan Vaglarov and his son Bogdan, both of whom speak English well.
From: 3 August 99 12 August 99
Cost: DM850 (Deutschmark). This includes accommodation with families in the town, all meals, tuition & excursions.
The program includes dances from all regions of Bulgaria, some singing, visits to museums, folklore and historic sites and visits to folkdance groups.
Margaret Porter has been to five of Stefan's seminars in this historic mountain village and other places and says that Koprivstica is a very special place where the Bulgarian spirit has been preserved over centuries, and its architectural style is still preserved in its old and new houses and many museums. It is a place where the old life style is visible as horse and oxen drawn carts pass through laden with hay for the winter.
For another DM270, there is a new addition this year 3 extra days for "Days of Folk Lore" where you can see various dance groups, songs, rituals and life from all parts of Bulgaria, and displays of folk articles.
For registration details or more information, please contact Margaret on 02 6281 3150 or write to her at 24 Harpur Pl, GARRAN, ACT, 2605 .
Machol Pacifica 99, October, NZ
The Palmerston North Shalom Israeli Dance Group proudly presents Shlomo Maman at the 1999 Machol Pacifica Israeli Folk Dance Weekend (22 25 October).
Direct your enquiries to W. Brown, phone (NZ) 06 329 6723.
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DANCE STYLES
Reprinted with permission from Yvonne Trask, Editor, Rokdim Yechefim Magazine, NZ. Kiwis are courtesy of Sasha Ketko. Yvonne's observations on dance styles: "The Learner" We all dance in approximately this style when learning. Graceful feet become clumsy as the (usually very crowded) dance floor surges with a sea of bodies, lunging randomly at each other. Culture plays a part in this dance style, as the more underconfident societies show a greater level of paranoia in the learning process. New Zealanders, for example, who, in my estimation, suffer badly with low self esteem, often express their fear that the teacher and other dancers are all noticing their every move and judging them for every misstep. While in my darker moments I can relate to this terror, I try to calm the panic by chanting the following mantra: "Maybe I should take up embroidery". "The Folkie"
The "Folkie" dancer makes up a huge proportion of Israeli dancers outside of Israel. These dancers have studied other forms of folk dance before discovering Israeli. It's a precise, down-to-earth style that holds years of Romanian horas under its belt. NOTE: Just because you're an all round folk dancer doesn't necessarily mean you fit into this category! "Desert Dancer" Very common in Israel! This style indicates that the dancer knows well the effects of extreme heat and has minimised movement to counteract them. The "Desert Dancer" rarely makes physical contact with other dancers (for reasons I won't go into but I'm sure you can imagine) and preserves energy by maintaining a low center of gravity (no bouncing!). "Hot Potato" Adhering to another style that may well have originated in the desert, the "Hot Potato" dancer's feet rarely make contact with the ground for long. The followers of the Hot Potato ideology vary in their approach to get their feet off the ground. Some dance primarily on their toes and hop a lot (great calf muscles) while others use their whole feet to shoot themselves into the air as a syncopated missile. Usually very fit! "Aerobic" Has a similarity to Hot Potato, but has the whole body involved. Reminiscent of "Flashdance". "Englishman in a Nightclub" This dance style, so named in recognition of young British gentlemen who will only stand up in night clubs during the slow dances, is rare in NZ due to the limited interest in partner dances, but is seen regularly in USA, Israel and Australia. This style is mostly seen in men (with exceptions) who arrive at the end of the class when the partner dances are on.
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"Broadway"
The type of dancer who is born to perform. Has the style, grace and energy to show any dance to advantage, but often makes the other dancers feel like orang-utangs. These dancers have often missed their vocation and should really be on the stage! "Balletic" This style often interprets beautifully into Israeli dance, especially when the dancer acknowledges that the tutu and points are not appropriate. A very graceful style we all love to watch.
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WHAT'S ON WHERE
International Folk Dancing |
Monday 7.30 - 9 pm. Advanced Classes, $7 Corroboree Park Hall, Paterson St, Ainslie. Enquiries Folk Dance Canberra (02) 6241 3563.
Tuesday 10 - 11.30 am. Corroboree Park Hall, Paterson Street, Ainslie.
3.30 - 5 pm. Children's classes, Corroboree Park Hall, Paterson Street, Ainslie. Enquiries Folk Dance Canberra (02) 6241 3563.
Wednesday 1 2.30 pm. Corroboree Park Hall, Paterson Street, Ainslie.
Enquiries Folk Dance Canberra (02) 6241 3563.
7.45 pm 10.30 pm CIFDA (Canberra International Folk Dancing Association) Hughes Community Centre, cost $6 (includes supper). Contact Shannon D'Arcy (02) 6287 2525 (h), Carol (02) 6251 3096 (h) or Margaret (02) 6286 5647 (h).
Thursday 7.30 - 9.30 pm. Beginners' classes, Corroboree Park (small hall) and Intermediate classes, Corroboree Park (large hall), Paterson St. Ainslie.
Enquiries Folk Dance Canberra (02) 6241 3563.
7.30 9 pm, Israeli Folk Dancing, New Creation Ministeries Multi-purpose Hall, Dixon Drive, Holder. Contact Verna, (02) 6288 2476
Sunday 3.30 (beginners), 4.30 6.30 (dancing), Israeli Folk Dancing, Forrest. Contact Naomi on (02) 6258 9254 or email: petina@dynamite.com.au
5pm, Scandinavian Folk Dance Group, Weston Scout Hall.. New members very welcome. Contact Brad Sherman (02) 6288 3050 ah, or email: brad.sherman@cbr.clw.csiro.au
NEW SOUTH WALES (Sydney)
Monday 10 - 12 noon. During school term. Earlwood Senior Citizens Centre,
362 Homer St. Earlwood. Contact Gwynne (02) 9558 4753.
1 2.30 pm, Folk Dance workshops, Hannaford Centre, cnr Darling & Nelson Sts, Rozelle. Contact Ann (02) 9211 1303
7.30 pm. Bush dancing workshops for beginners (Bush Music Club) Pennant Hills Community Centre (downstairs, opp railway station); Contact Linda Nilson (02) 9674 1184 (ah)
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
After school classes in International Folk Dance for children 6 - 18 years. Collaroy Plateau Youth & Community Club. Cost $28.00 per school term.
Contact Carol Maddocks (02) 9905 1563.
Tuesday, 11 am - 12.30 pm, Folk Dance workshops, Auditorium (behind car park), Francis St, Broadway. Contact Ann (02) 9211 1303.
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday Sutherland Shire Folk Dance Group.
Contact Kaye Laurendet (02) 9528 4813.
Wednesday 7.15 - 8.15 pm. Adult International Folk Dance classes. Collaroy Plateau Youth & Community Club, Blandford St. Collaroy Plateau. Cost $35.00 per school term.
Contact Carol Maddocks (02) 9905 1563.
Wednesday 8.00 10 pm. Australian Heritage Dancers, rehearsals, Annandale Neighbourhood Centre, 79 Johnston St, Annandale). Contact Patrick Burnett: (02) 9957 6049.
Thursday 7.30 - 10 pm North Parramatta. Contact Chris Green (02) 9749 1968
Friday 8 - 11 pm. Sedenka International Folkdance Group, Village Church Hall, Cnr. Newcombe & Oxford Sts. Paddington. Contact Chris (02) 9560 2910.
Saturday (am) Children's classes in International Folk Dance, 6 - 18 years. Pennant Hills Community Centre, Yarrara Rd. Pennant Hills (opp. railway station). Contact Carol Maddocks (02) 9905 1563.
(Blue Mountains)
Monday 7.15 - 8.45 pm. Beginners at Uniting Church Hall, Katoomba. Contact Bronwyn on (02) 4757 2441.
Thursday 7.00 - 8 15 pm and/or 8.30 - 10.00 pm. The Blue Labyrinth International Folk Dancers, Baptist Church Hall, King St, Glenbrook. Contact Jo (02) 4739 6498 or Pat (02) 4739 1005.
(Bowral)
Thursday 9.00 - 11.00 am. Southern Highlands Recreational International Folk Dance Group. Presbyterian Hall, Bendooley St. Bowral.
Beginners start at 9 am.
Contact Margaret Connor (02) 4861 2294.
(Cooma)
Thursday 6 - 7.30 pm, Uniting Church Hall, Soho St. Beginners & upwards.
Contact Fran (02) 6452 4225 (w) (02) 6453 3282 (h)
(Taree)
Wednesday 5.00 8.00 pm. Lazarka International Folk Dance Group, Church of Christ Hall,
Victoria St. Taree.
Contact Sandra Bassetti (02) 6552 5142.
NORTHERN TERRITORY (Darwin)
Tuesday 7 - 9 pm. International Dance (mainly European and Israeli) - Beginners to advanced; $4.
9 - 9.30 pm. Advanced Israeli Dance. The Dance Co-op, Leanyer Primary School (GP Room) Leanyer. Contacts: Anna (08) 8984 4775 or
08) 89816400 or Sue (08) 8985 1827 a.h.
QUEENSLAND (Brisbane)
Friday (2nd & 4th of month) 8.00 pm. Brisinta International folk dancing, Uniting Church Hall,
cnr Kingsley & Kadumba Sts. Yeronga. $4.
Contact Lyn (07) 3879 1224.
(Cairns)
Wednesday 8 pm; Italian dancing classes, Tennis Court Hall, Windarra St, Woree. Contact (07) 4054 4259 or (07) 4051 1065.
Thursday 7 pm, Bavarian, Austrian and Swiss folk dance practice, Germania Club, Winkworth St.
(Sunshine Coast)
Monday 9.30 - 11.30 am, Lutheran Hall, Sydney St, Nambour. $4
9.30 - 11.30 am, St Mary's Hall, William St, Tewantin, $5
Thursday 9.30 11.30 am., Lutheran Hall, Sydney St. Nambour, $4.
Friday 9.00 12 noon, Noosa Bicentennial Hall Annexe, Bicentennial Drive, Noosa, $5.
For Nambour contact Jean (07) 5441 2315 or Lorraine (07) 5445 1740; for Noosa and Tewantin contact Danni (07) 5442 8821.
The Queensland Folkloric Dance Association (QFDA) is a central organisation for recreational and ethnic folk dance. Write to PO Box 3011, Yeronga, QLD 4104 or phone/fax (07) 3848 7706.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Monday Adelaide Traditional Dancers, RSL Hall, Norwood Oval, Norwood
Thursday International: 1st, 3rd (& 5th) Thursday of the month, Broadview Baptist Hall, cnr Collingrove & Howard Sts, Broadview. Contact: (08) 8356 2172
TASMANIA (Hobart)
Thursday 8 pm, $3, Hobart Multicultural Dance Group, St Peter's Hall, cnr Lord & Grosvenor Sts, Sandy Bay, contact (03) 6223 5241, (03) 6227 8471 or email Peter: Peter.Sands@ffp.csiro.au
VICTORIA (Melbourne)
Monday 1.45 pm. International Dancing, University of the Third Age, Rob Roy Rd, Chadstone. Contact Margaret (03) 9530 4372 or Audrey (03) 9898 3567.
Tuesday 7.30 - 10 pm. Greek traditional, popular, national & folkloric dancing at Margaritas Centre of Greek Dance & Folklore, Richmond Community Primary School, Cnr Davidson & Kent Sts, Richmond. Classes for beg/inter/advan or private lessons. Also available for teaching intellectually, sensory & physically disabled (03) 9583 1173 (all hours) or Mobile 015 821 203.
8.00 pm, every 1st and 3rd Tuesday, International Dance Workshop, St. Michael's Church Hall, Cnr MacPherson & McIlwraith Sts. N. Carlton. Beginners start at 7.30; ongoing class 8.30 pm.
Contact Audrey (03) 9898 3567.
Wednesday 6 - 10 pm. Pine St Hall, Pine St. Cheltenham. Contact Margarita (03) 9583 1173.
Thursday 7.45 - 9 pm during school term. Adult classes. Thomas St, Hampton.
Wide range of dance styles taught & danced in small friendly class.
Contact Kim Dunphy (03) 9555 4813.
7.30 - 10 pm. Circle Dance, Tapscott-Milbourne Centre, Cambridge Rd. Montrose. $5. No partner necessary.
Contact Gwendolen Storey (03) 9756 7691.
Friday 10 am. International Dance, Council of Adult Education, City Campus, 256 Flinders St. Contact Liliana (03) 9652 0668 or Audrey (03) 9898 3567.
7.30 - 10.30 pm 2nd, 4th & 5th of each month. Eltham International Dancing,
St Margaret's Church Hall, Putt St. Eltham.
$4 or $20 for 8 week term.
Contact Ina Bertrand (03) 9439 9991.
Sunday 2 - 4.30 pm. Margaritas Centre of Greek Dance. (See above, Tuesday).
WESTERN AUSTRALIA (Perth)
Monday Perth International Folk Dance Group, 7.00 teaching, 8.30 10 pm social dancing.
Tuesday 7.45 9.45 pm. Hora Dance (Israeli), Temple David Social Hall, 34 Clifton Cres, Mount Lawley. Contact (08) 9276 7566 or (08) 9335 2042.
Thursday 10 am Noon, St Paul's Hall, 162 164 Hampton Rd, Fremantle. Contact (08) 9276 7566 or (08) 9335 2042.
Uniting Church Hall, cnr Tyrell and Elizabeth Sts Nedlands, WA.
Contact John Whaite (08) 9444 4736 or Martin (08) 9445 2072.
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Keeping Sane or sending Others Insane!
"Hi-lite" your shoes. Tell people that you haven't lost your shoes since you did this. When driving acquaintances around insist on keeping your car windscreen wipers running in all weather conditions "to keep em tuned up." As much as possible, skip rather than walk (inside). Staple papers in the middle of the page.
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FDA CONTACTS
President: Sandra Bassetti , (02) 6552 5142, Vice-President: Chris Wild, (02) 9560 2910,
Secretary: Gerda van de Kamp, (02) 9569 7481
Treasurer: Deborah Hotchkis, (02) 4294 1363
Workshop Co-ordinator: Angelika Lange, (02) 9632 3243, or email: A.Lange@cchs.usyd.edu.au
Publicity Officer: Gerda van de Kamp, (02) 9569 7481, 58 Gould Ave, PETERSHAM NSW Footnotes Editor: Maureen Petherick (02) 4736 3529, 18 Bayley Rd, PENRITH 2750 or email: liz@pnc.com.au |
Full Page for graphic Advertisement:
Come and enjoy FREE concert at the Sydney Opera House!
Australia-Japan Folk Song & Dance Fiesta
After much success in many other countries including Europe last year, more than 30 performing groups, a total of over 500 folk musicians and dancers will bring Japanese traditional musical culture to the Concert Hall.
Unique instruments including Japanese Lute, bamboo flute and dynamic taiko drums will be performing over thirty tunes. You will also enjoy an exciting dispay of Multicultural World Dance by the Carol Maddocks Folkloric Dancers in their performance of "Journeys". With their motto "Communication Through Dance" they join us to celebrate together and share cultures.
So why don't you join us to feel a touch of Japan with wonderful performances!
Sunday 11 April 2 pm, SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE CONCERT HALL.
Bookings Necessary!
Send A STAMPED SELF ADDRESSED ENVELOPE with your name and address and how many tickets are required to:
Visit Australia, PO Box 1218, Crows Nest NSW 2065
For more information phone (02) 9906 2033
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1 Apr 99 |
5 days, National Folk Festival, Canberra, contact the Festival Office on (02) 6249 7755 or email: natfolk@spirit.com.au or web: http://www.spirit.com.au/~natfolk . |
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9 Apr 99 |
3 days, Fairbridge Festival, WA Theme Indian Ocean Voyage, contact (08) 9332 3652 |
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17 Apr 99 |
Music & dance of India, 8.15 pm, the Boîte World Music Café, 1 Mark St, Nth Fitzroy, Melbourne, VIC; email: boitevic@internex.net.au , or web http://home.internex.net.au/~boitevic |
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18 Apr 99 |
Noosa International Folk Dancers, 5th Anniversary Party, with Linsey Pollack; contact Danni (07) 5442 8821 for more information |
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Apr/May 99 |
China Performing Arts tour, contact Kim Dunphy: on 03 9555 0654 or InterAsia Tours on 03 9523 6555 |
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1 May 99 |
Ceilidh with "Comhaltas", 8.15 pm, the Boîte World Music Café, 1 Mark St, Nth Fitzroy, Melbourne, VIC. email: boitevic@internex.net.au, or web http://home.internex.net.au/~boitevic |
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1 May 99 |
9 days, Romanian Tour to Pitesti, contact Silviu Ciuciumis on +31 10 421 8622, or write to Aarhuispad 22, 3067 PR Rotterdam, Netherlands. |
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15 May 99 |
2 days, Folk Dance & Music Weekend, Lorne, VIC. Contact: The Secretary, Folk Music & Dance Weekend, PO Box 5267, Mordialloc, Victoria, 3195 Australia, ph (03) 9481-3386, email: garette@pa.ausom.net.au |
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28 May 99 |
Weekend, Israeli Dance Camp, Blue Mountains, contact Martin Friedman on (02) 9337 6643. |
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14 Jun 99 |
2 weeks, The Netherlands & Bulgaria Dance Seminar / Folklore tour, with Jaap Leegwater & Nina Kavardjikova, 2214 Gateway Oaks Drive, #370, Sacramento CA 95833-3207, USA. |
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27 Jun 99 |
1 week, Australian Youth Dance Festival, Townsville, contact (02) 6248 8992 or email: : ausdance.national@anu.edu.au, web: http://sunsite.anu.edu.au/ausdance |
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1 Jul 99 |
4 days, Balkan Festival, Zetten, Netherlands, contact Silviu Ciuciumis on +31 10 421 8622, or write to Aarhuispad 22, 3067 PR Rotterdam, Netherlands. |
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17 Jul 99 |
One or two weeks, BalkanFolk '99, Pamporovo, Bulgaria, contact Rae Marnham on Tel. (08) 8356-2172 or email: rmarnham@denr.sa.gov.au or SC ZORNITSA on (+359 2) 322 010, 334150 or email: seminar@balkanfolk.com or rmarnham@denr.sa.gov.au. |
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12 Jul 99 |
2 weeks, MAZOXI, Greek / Cretan Folk-Dance Seminar, contact Athan Karras 19300 Palomar Place, Tarzana, California 91356-4409 USA Tel/Fax: (818) 609-1386 email: Xasapiko@aol.com |
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23 Jul 99 |
2 and a half days, Bowral Weekend Workshop with André van de Plas. Contact Kaye: 02 9528 4813, or watch for the brochure at your local folk dance group. |
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25 Jul 99 |
1 week, either week beg 25 Jul or week beg 1 Aug, 52nd Stockton Folk Dance Camp, California, write to Bruce Mitchell, Director, Stockton Folk Dance Camp, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA 95211 or email: dancebruce@aol.com |
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29 Jul 99 |
2 weeks, Romanian Tour to Radauti, contact Silviu Ciuciumis on +31 10 421 8622, or write to Aarhuispad 22, 3067 PR Rotterdam, Netherlands |
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31 Jul 99 |
1 week, Summer Folk Dance Week '99, Prague and Slovakia, contact Dvorana, Spanielova 38/1275, 163 00 Praha 6, Czech Republic, or phone (+420-2) 301 8267, or email: dvorana@mbox.vol.cz |
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3 Aug 99 |
10 days, Koprivstica Bulgarian Seminar with Stefan Vaglarov, contact Margaret on 02 6281 3150 or write to her at 24 Harpur Pl, GARRAN. 2605. |
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24 Sep 99 |
9 days, 10th Biennial International Eisteddfod, Roodepoort, South Africa, contact International Eisteddfod '99, PO Box 738, Roodepoort 1725, South Africa. |
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22 Oct 99 |
Weekend, 99 Machol Pacifica Israeli Folk Dance Weekend, Palmerston North, New Zealand, with Shlomo Maman; contact to W. Brown, phone (NZ) 06 329 6723. |
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ADVERTISING IN FOOTNOTES Full page $40.00 20% discount for members. Other sizes are available on a pro-rata basis. Anyone wishing to advertise in Footnotes please contact the Editor on 02 4724 0837 or email: liz@pnc.com.au |
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v Closing Date for the next issue: v Please send articles for the June issue to:-The Editor, "Footnotes", 18 Bayley Rd, PENRITH 2750, by 15 May, 1999 or email liz@pnc.com.au |
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