ISSN  1037-2660
Issue No 55 - February 2000

Bi-monthly Magazine of Folk Dance Australia Inc

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SPECIAL ONE-DAY SALE - up to 75% saving on dance books, cassettes and videos. FDA Stock-take sale! When:  20 February, 2000 (afternoon) Where:  The Edge, Newtown, Sydney What's for Sale? By André van de Plas: International Folk Dances for Adults. 1989 - 1997 tours. Book & cassette     $6 each set      (saving of $19 on original price) Videos     $20     (saving of $15 on original price) 1998 & 1999 tours Book & cassette     $12 each set.      (saving of $13 on original price) Videos     $25     (saving of $10 on original price) By Yves Moreau: Balkan & International Folk Dances, 1993 tour Book & cassette     $12 per set     (saving of $18 on original price) 'Ajde Na Horo' - 20 Bulgarian Dance Favourites. Book & cassette     $12 per set     (saving of $18 on original price) By Jim Battisson Book - "Glossary of Dance Terms" $8 (saving of $4) How to Order? To pick up your items on the day, please pre-order them from Kaye Laurendet on 02 9528 4813 by Saturday, 19 February. If you wish to order on the day (samples available at the AGM), then postage will be extra. Be there! ?** The views expressed in this magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of FDA. Events publicised in this magazine are not necessarily sponsored by FDA**

Teachers' Corner (excerpt from Folk Dance New Zealand Newsletter Vol 4, No 3, Nov 1999, p 30; article by Keiron.) Teaching "Zemer (Nigun) Atik". This is a popular beginners' dance, so it gets taught wherever we have participation. The dance itself is pretty simple, but often it's a struggle getting novices to get the hands right for the first part of this dance (sometimes called the "camel" position). You try to explain, saying, "put your left hand over your shoulder and you right in the hand of the person in front". The results are usually comical. Many who were at an Israeli dance camp some years ago, led by Edy Greenblatt, will remember her very successful method of teaching it: call it the "pizza dance" You're holding a pizza in your left hand over your shoulder as if rushing to deliver it in a busy restaurant, and you put your free hand into the pizza of the person in front... The result is less comical, but the description gets a few laughs and breaks the ice! FDA CONTACTS President: Sandra Bassetti , (02) 6552 5142, 23 Fotheringham St, TAREE NSW 2430. Vice-President: Chris Wild, (02) 9560 2910, 12 Burfitt St, LEICHHARDT 2040 Secretary: Gerda van de Kamp, 24 Bentham St, YARRALUMLA ACT 2600 Treasurer: Deborah Hotchkis, (02) 4294 1363 4 Old Station Rd, HELENSBURGH 2508 Workshop Co-ordinator: Angelika Lange, (02) 9632 3243, or email: A.Lange@cchs.usyd.edu.au 65 O'Neill St, GUILDFORD 2161 Publicity Officer: Gerda van de Kamp, 24 Bentham St, YARRALUMLA ACT 2600 Footnotes Editor: Maureen Petherick (02) 4736 3529, 18 Bayley Rd, PENRITH 2750 or email: liz@pnc.com.au Electronically Speaking Computers make very fast, very accurate mistakes. Computers are not intelligent; they only think they are. A computer's attention span is as long as its power cord. All computers wait at the same speed. As a computer, I find your faith in technology very amusing.

ROMANIAN REVIEW      - a little background reading

The Geography: Romania covers approximately 237,500 sq kms and is bordered by the Ukraine to the north and north east, the Black Sea to the east, the Danube and Bulgaria to the south, Serbia and Montenegro to the south-west and Hungary to the north-west. The large area in the north-west of Romania is Transylvania, a plateau edged by the Carpathian mountains to its east and the Romanian Alps to its south. To the north-east of the Carpathians lies Bukovina and to the east is part of Moldavia. South from here lies part of Dobrudja bordering the Black Sea. The river Olt flows south from Transylvania to the Danube, and divides the old province of Wallachia into Muntenia in the east (where Bucharest is situated) and Oltenia (the area to the west of it). The Banat lies adjacent to Oltenia and Transylvania in the south-west. The History:     To start at the beginning! The oldest traces of human habitation in Romania date from the paleolithic (stone age) period some ten thousand years ago. During the second millennium B.C.E, the Romanian area was inhabited by the autonomous Thracians, an Indo-European people, who merged with the native population to produce the Dacian people. Once the furthest north-eastern province of the Roman Empire, as its name and language indicate, Romania has had a long and varied history.

At various times its territory has been occupied by Hungarians, Turks, and Russians. About the 10th century, Hungarians arrived from the east and settled in the province known as Transylvania. For centuries thereafter Transylvania was a disputed territory with both Romanians and Hungarians claiming possession. Romanian states were established in Wallachia and Moldavia. These states (with Transylvania) suffered during the Turkish invasion and occupation of southeastern Europe from the 14th and 15th centuries. The Romanian principalities went through an extended period of political crisis in the 18th century when they became the scene of struggles between the Austrian, Russian and Ottoman Empires. Transylvania became part of the Austrian Empire, where it retained its autonomy, with the Emperor assuming the title of Archduke of Transylvania. Austria occupied Bukovina in 1775 and Russia annexed eastern Moldavia (Bessarabia) in 1812. At the end of World War II, the Soviets gave Transylvania back to Romania as a reward for participation on their side but kept Bessarabia. In 1947 the Communists seized power with Soviet support, and proclaimed the Romanian People's Republic in 1948. A member of the Soviet bloc for more than 40 years, Romania was the last stronghold of old-line Stalinist Communism to fall in late 1989. In May, 1990, Romania held its first free national elections in 53 years.

Castelul Bran - The castle of Vlad Tepes, the Dracul. The People: The population of Romania is more than 23 million. Of these the majority (88 percent) are Romanians. There are about 1.8 million Hungarians (about 8 percent of the population), who live mainly in the centre of the country, 371,000 Germans, 255,000 Gypsies and 26,000 Jews, all influencing the culture of Romania. The Romanian language is a Romance language akin to Italian and Spanish but containing some Slavic words. Romania has a rich and varied folk culture. Each of the country's regions has its own costumes, art, and customs. The Dances Many dances and rituals are akin to those of the neighbouring Slavs, whose culture was impressed on the Romanians between the 10th and 14th centuries, when the Slavs were being driven from place to place by various invaders. This influence is particularly noticeable when the Romanians accompany themselves by mouth music, or on the popular accordion. But their dances are far more exuberant than those of the Slavs, except in such ritual dances as those of the Calusari and dances performed at weddings. In Transylvania, the Hungarians have maintained dances in their original form, each member of the group working opposite their partner and indulging in wonderful feats of improvisation. Among the German minority of southern Transylvania and the Banat, several old, close-turning dances and more solemn, Teutonic processionals are found. Elsewhere there are Albanian, Armenian, Turkish and Greek dances. The dances of the Vlach shepherds, a nomadic people who travel through the Carpathian mountains, have similarities in performance to Hungarian, Gypsy and Basque. Their dances contain leaps and turns, deep knee-bends, and complicated rhythms. The many Gypsies living in Romania have influenced all dances, for often they are the only musicians available and so impose their will on the dancers.

The Romanian dance types are: Hora: can be "simple" (moving in one direction only or both, slow, simple steps, 2/4, 4/8 or 6/8 time); or include fast steps, leaps, stamps, and syncopated steps; music in 2/4. Brîul: usually a man's dance performed is a semi-circular line, with hands holding belts, incorporating syncopated steps in 2/4. There are two kinds of Brîul – "Brîul pe Opt" (Brîul in 8 beats, in which the music has a phrasing of 4 measures of 2/4, or "Brîul pe Sase" (Brîul in 6 beats, where the music has 3 measures of 2/4. Sîrba: derived from Brîul, a kind of light hopping dance to very fast 2/4 music. Polca: developed under the influence of the western Polka. Geamparaua: based on a ternary rhythm with accent on the 3rd beat in 3/8 or 7/16. Rustemul: originally in an asymmetric 2 beat rhythm with the 2nd beat elongated; music in 5/16, 6/8, 2/4 or 3/8. Schioapa: archaic form of women's dance based on music in 5/8, 5/4, 9/8, 9/16. Breaza: couple dance derived from ancient Briu, based on a constant binary syncopated rhythm included into a motif of 2 bars; music in 2/4. Hategana: fast, turning dance done in couples; music 2/4. Invîrtita: couple dance from Transylvania with turning syncopated steps. The original meter was 9/16 and 10/16, but now 2/4 is also popular. Calusul: famous men's dance performed with sticks. It represents an ancient fertility rite at spring celebrations. It utilizes peculiar intricate syncopated step patterns and is related to the Brîul; music is 2/4. Transylvanian Men's Dances: comprised of dances based on spur and heel clicks, slaps on boots and thighs and hand claps. The main forms are - "Fecioreasca" (specific to south Transylvania; music in 10/16 or 2/4), "Bota" (performed with long sticks; slow, 2/4); "Haidaul" (performed using the girl's arms to support the man; music 4/4): "Barbuncul" (fast dance with off-beat hand slaps and claps; music fast 2/4). A large number of folk dances are named according to their type, such as "Hora", "Brîul", "Sîrba". Other names show the place of origin, such as "Munteneasca" and "Ardeleana". Girls names (Marioara, from Mary, and Ileana, from Helen) are also used, as are common occupations (the shepherd, the cooper, the baker, the miner, the weaver, etc). Nature, too, is reflected in the dances and their names - many dances are dedicated to flowers and plants and their step patterns reproduce the design of the plant. This is also true of domestic animals, eg, the "Joiana" or cow with three calves (symbol of fertility). Wild animals are represented as main characters in winter and spring carnivals. Some dances are even named after household tools, clothing and accessories!

Couple from the Banat, 19th century. The Costumes: The costumes and embroidery reflect the Roman or Italian outlook in the use of colour and decoration, and can be decorated with beads, spangles, metal and silk threads. Parts of the costume date from the time of the occupation by the Ottoman Empire. The basic materials used for costumes are flax, hemp, wool and leather and more recently, cotton, which was introduced in the 19th century, and silk in veils and embroidery, following the growing of silk-worms in the south-east region of Romania. Although there are regional variations, the embroidery uses geometric designs. Red is popular in the north (colour obtained from the madder root) with brighter colours favoured in agricultural areas and darker hues in mountainous districts. In the southern Carpathians, black and white embroidery is used extensively. The basic dress for women is the long white embroidered smock or short chemise and petticoat, over which other garments are worn. Some areas favour a skirt, worn with or without an apron. A tight skirt, or "fota", woven in fine perpendicular stripes of any colour on a dark background, is worn in Wallachia. In Oltenia and Transylvania, the main feature is the double apron - one at the front and one at the back, not usually matching and not necessarily the same length. In the Banat the back apron ("opreg") is a short panel of richly woven or embroidered cloth with fringing, short at the sides and long at the bottom The headdress is usually a long silk or cotton scarf (or "manama"). The way of draping this veil indicates the status of the wearer - married women wear the veil covering the head and crossed under the chin, with one or both ends hanging down the back; single girls wear the veil away from the face and draped down the back.

In Oltenia the veils reach down to the level of the hem at the back In Transylvania and Moldavia, separate hoods, in a style that possibly goes back to the Dacians, provides protection for the head in winter. Men generally wear tight trousers for gala dress and loose for everyday. Black sheepskin caps and felt or straw hats are worn according to locality and season. The most spectacular hat comes from Bistrita-Nasavel (Transylvania) with its crown of peacock's feathers. Both sexes wear sheepskin waistcoats and coats for warmth. Footwear consists of turned-up leather moccasins bound onto the leg with straps ("opinci"), similar to those used throughout the Balkans. References: "Sixty Folk Dances of Romania" (1979, Eugenia Popescu-Judetz, Duquesne University Tamburitzans); "European Folk Dance - Its National & Musical Characteristics", (1955, Joan Lawson, Pitman & Sons); "History of the United Romanian Society" (1995, Nemoianu and Raica); "Folk Costumes of the World", (1986, Harrold & Legg, Blandford Press); "The Folk Dress of Europe", (1979, James Snowden, Mayflower Books); Couple from Poienita Voinii in Transylvania. Early 20th Century

Affordable Internet Web Site design and creation Free site hosting arranged if necessary. phone: 0414 874 649 or E-mail:  kitka@start.com.au See the FDA site at http://www.geocities.com/Vienna/4677/ created by Kitka Design! (Other URLs available on request) FOLK ON THE WEB FDA mail received: Name: Alastair Wilson From: Australia Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2000 Comments: I have started a web page with the instructions and glossary for the standard bush dances. There are currently 30 dances and I plan to progressively go up to about 100. I would be pleased if someone would like have a look at it and if you think it would be of interest to others include a link on your site. I also have a link to your site. If you don't want this let me know. My site is www.ozemail.com.au/~bytewise/bushdance/index.html Best wishes for year 2000 Alastair Wilson From: mef1726@yahoo.com Date: Mon, 17 Jan 2000 Subject: I want to learn more about Australian folk dancing Comments: My name is Mary E. Fulton, Address: 23905 Frank St. North Olmsted Ohio 44070 USA. E-mail address as above. If you could please send me some information about anything that is related to folk dancing, that would be great. Thank-you very much. Name: Vera Myronenko From: Sydney Date: Thu, 13 Jan 2000 Subject: Jan news 2, Amaranth Bellydance Group Comments: Thank you to all who contributed to the fundraisers for East Timor. The Dancing for Dili night at Randwick raised $867.65 already sent to Mary MacKillop Institute of East Timorese Studies and their letter assures us it has gone to the orphans in East Timor. The End of Year Party in the West raised $150 - so we now total well over $1,000! Congratulations to all who helped out as performers, caterers, assistants at the events and as audience. We needed ALL of you! THANKS! continued top of next column ->

If you wish to make a further contribution to East Timor call Mary Mackillop Institute of East Timorese Studies on(61 2) 96232847 P.O. Box 299, St Mary's NSW 1790 to make a tax deductible donation. Many other Charities are also involved. Please send by email or phone 9665 9713. Ed: PS. The "Amaranth" (formerly WOW - Women of the West) Bellydance group have been chosen to perform at the Easter National Folk Festival in Canberra this year. Name: Professor Alkis Raftis, Website: http://www.users.hol.gr/~grdance From: 8 Scholiou St, Athens, Greece Date: Wed, 12 Jan 2000 Comments: World Dance Directory The International Dance Council (CID-UNESCO) has announced the creation of a World Dance Directory, and The Greek Dances Theatre has been commissioned to make it. We have a team here in Athens working hard to put it together. They are typing addresses at the rate of 100 a day. Right now they must have about 2,000, from my own lists containing about 10,000 addresses collected over the past 20 years. The first version of the Greek addresses was published in my book "The World of Greek Dance" in 1984. The non-Greek dance addresses have not been published yet. After my own lists they will type the addresses sent by members and correspondents of the CID around the world. The directory will include all kinds of dance the folk and the ballet and the tap dance, schools and groups and individuals anything that moves is good. Everyone's help is welcome. You can send listings to the address above or tel +30 (1) 324-4395 or fax 324-6921. You will find the beginning of the directory at: www.users.hol.gr/~grdance/cid/cidlist.html and can send us any corrections. From: jdv@pgh.net From: Belgium Date: Wed, 12 Jan 2000 Subject: Duquesne University Tamburitzans Auditions Comments: The Duquesne University Tamburitzans will audition talent for the 2000 - 2001 performing season on February 2 and 3, 2000. Graduating high school seniors and current college undergraduates with dance, vocal or musical talent may audition for a spot in the ensemble, which presents the music, songs, and dances of Eastern Europe and neighboring cultures. The Tamburitzans perform from coast to coast, averaging 80 shows per season, which runs from mid-August through May. Successful auditionees will receive substantial scholarship aid to study in the field of their choice at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. Prior experience in folk arts is helpful, but not required. Now in its 63rd performing season, the Tamburitzans ensemble was the 1999 recipient of Pittsburgh Magazine's Excellence in the Arts Award in the category of dance, and has been likewise acclaimed by dance critics across the country. FOLK ON THE WEB ... continued next page...

For more information, or to schedule an audition, call 1 (412) 396-5185, fax 1 (412) 396-5583, e-mail pudlak@duq2.cc.duq.edu, or visit the Tamburitzans web site at www.duq.edu/Tamburitzans to download an application. If travel to Pittsburgh is not possible, a 15-minute video showcasing the applicant's talents may be submitted. Deadline for all submissions is February 1, 2000. (Ed: Probably too late for this year - but keep in mind for next!!) Name: Sara Marshall Website: Sara Marshall - Percussive Dancer From: Bristol, UK Date: 2000-01-04 Comments: Interesting site, lots going on. Keep on dancin' Name: Lance Court Website: Lance Court's Home Page From: Canberra Australia Date: 1999-12-11 Comments: An excellent and very useful site. Name: P. Narsing Rao From: India Subject: Nrityanjali Academy - introduction & hallo. Comments: We are fortunate enough to visit your website and found it very interesting and useful to the folk artists from all over the world. Nrityanjali Academy, a group of folk dancers from Andhra Pradesh [India], have been presenting the folk dances of Andhra Pradesh and India in various festivals organised by Govt. of India and Govt. of Andhra Pradesh. We, to our credit, can perform various folk dances like Mathuri, Bonalu, Koppulambadi etc., which has grass root levels of their origin in India. When needed we are ready to send the details of our organisation and its activities in detail to your office. We will be glad if you can include our name in your mailing list and send us the up-to-date information for our knowledge. If needed we are ready to become a member/submit an application to participate in the festivals organised by you. Our address: Nrityanjali Academy, H.No: 9-3-501, Regimental Bazar, Secunderabad-500025, Andhra Pradesh, INDIA. Ph: 7702641, 7705032, 7705034. P.Narsing Rao, Director/choreographer Name: Giorgio Mordenti Date: Wed, 8 Dec 1999 Subject: Welcome in the New Dance Millennium. Website: http://www.romagna.com/pragafestival Comments: It's NOT too early to start planning a "wonder gift" for your new millennium! - "the Easter Week" from April 23rd through April 29th 2000 in the Magic Prague, to live 6 days of total "world dance" to compete with more than 1000 dancer friends from the 5 continents. The "Prague Festival Dance & Theatre Prize 2000" is waiting for you! Don't hesitate in contacting me and asking for the new "2000" brochures in English, the Prague Festival's poster and the VHS Video of the past edition. (total free of charges) continued next column ->

Hope see you perform in Prague to make a "New Wonderful Y2K" where everyone dances. Best Regards Giorgio Mordenti and David Pospisil, directors An interesting site: Check out and listen to "Musical Notes from Eastern Europe" with Smilen Savov - a sort of "Top Ten" of Folk Dance music: http://tamburaweb.com/radio.htm OTHER RESOURCES: Greek Dancing with Athan Karras (a Dancing USA Series Video) An instructional video, designed to guide you into the world of Greek dancing. This specially designed instructional video will make you realize how quick and easy it is to learn these popular dances of Greece, including the exuberant Zorba dance. In a very short time you will dance your way into the land of mythology. For beginners, the video is informative and entertaining. Those with prior Greek dance experience, this video will introduce to you different variations and style in dances such as the: Syrtos - Hasaposerviko - Hasapiko - Tsamiko - Karsilamas - Zorba For further information or to order: for Athan Karras: 19300 Palomar Place Tarzana, California 91356-4409 USA or email: Xasapiko@aol.com for R&R Video: email RandRvideo@aol.com, tel: (323) 262-5942 or (818) 609-1386. CD available is coordinated with the video Macedonian Folk Music A CD of traditional and contemporary music, played by Linsey Pollak, Philip Griffin and Fuat Sazimanoski on gaida, tambura, tapan, sax, guitar, bass, etc. $25 plus postage, Contact Linsey Pollak, Kin Kin Rd, Kin Kin QLD, 4571, phone: 07 5485 4343, fax 07 5485 4463. Also find details on this web site: www2.spiderweb.com.au/~csheehan Welsh Folk Music CDs Emrys Jones, president of the St David's Welsh Society, Brisbane, has a supply of instrumental, vocal, and choral CDs available from Wales' premium company, Sain. Contact Emrys on 07 3214 8326 (w). Celtic Southern Cross For extensive listing of recordings, instruments, publications, phone 03 6397 3427 for a catalogue, or check the internet on http://www.tassie.net.au/~celtic/index.html. Pioneer Performer Series Over 45 Australian recordings and publications - catalogue available from Wongawilli Colonial Dance Club Inc. Contact 02 4257 1788 or check wollongong.starway.net.au/~gsmurray

COMING EVENTS FDA Workshop (20 Feb 2000) Dust off your Romanian outfit and join Ray Richardson as he presents three hours of Romanian dances from Mihai David's and André van de Plas' repertoire. Ray studied tap, ballroom, Morris, Primitive, Jazz and Contemporary dance styles before discovering International Folk Dance some 15 years ago. Since then he has been part of Sedenka's performing dance group and has danced with and taught at the International Folk Dance group in Katoomba for the last 10 years. When: 9.30am - 12.30pm, Place: The Edge, cnr Bray & King Sts Newtown South (near St Peters Station) Cost: $15 (concession $13 for FDA members). Bring your lunch! Stay for the AGM and THE ONCE-ONLY SALE. FDA Annual General Meeting (2000) You are invited to the FDA AGM - lots to discuss - come and participate by sharing your ideas over lunch. We need your comments! When: Sunday, 20/02/2000 Time: From 1pm Place: The Edge, cnr Bray & King Sts Newtown South (near St Peters Station) Stay for THE SALE and, later, for those with excess energy, request dancing (bring your favourite dance). Anglesea Recreation Camp 12-14 May 2000 Here is the news! Presented by VOSA, a Folk Dance and Music Weekend with Kay Laurendet, Bayram Kusman, Xenos, Skips Christoph Maubach, Jon Madin, and more. Anglesea on the Great Ocean Road, 75 minutes drive from Melbourne, is an is ideal venue for a weekend of recreation. The programme features a Saturday night social event and a wide range of stimulating and refreshing activities: International Dance for beginners, Introduction to Kurdish dance, Kurdish Dance for advanced dancers and style class, informal dance and music sessions, on-site masseur, beach walks, music and dance classes and recreational activities for children. Event Times: Friday 12 May 2000 Evening: Informal meal at Anglesea Pub, dance sharing 7.30 pm at campsite. Saturday 13 May and Sunday 14 May, Mornings: recreational dancing (introductory and advanced) and children's classes Saturday Afternoon: recreational dance classes, music and singing Saturday Night: International Dinner Dance. Sunday Afternoon: Review and sharing of weekend's activities, 3pm departure. Folk Dance CDs , cassettes and dance books for dance teachers and musicians will be on sale at the camp! For registration form and more information, please see page 15

INTERNATIONAL EVENTS MAZOXI Folklore & Dance Conference - in the village of Roustika, Rethymnon, CRETE, July 17th - July 30th, 2000 with Kety Karekla Fragiadaki and Andreas Fragiadakis. The MAZOXI Folklore and Dance Conference will once again feature several regional experts from various outlining provinces and islands with their unique individual unique and colorful traditions. Experts who have devoted their lives to gathering, promoting, and disseminating the regional authentic styles of Greek music, song and dance the history and traditions that often tell us the full story of folklore that still thrives in this land. A 14 day unique experience at this remote rustic village, Roustika, which still strives to maintain the living characteristics of traditional life unmarred. A peaceful haven away from the clamor of "civilization" and the fast pace of the technological revolution. If you have any thoughts how celebrate the new millennium. Visit Greece. Go to Crete. "Mazoxi" - a gathering of kindred spirits who share a devotion and deep appreciation for the folk customs of music and dance. Join the MAZOXI conference and dance your footsteps where the western civilization started. The conference includes: Dance sessions daily! Full participation and exercise! Folk dances for everyone in the family! Excursions to ancient Minoan ruins, museums, and Cretan caves! Organized guided tours! Evening gatherings. Dance to live music and village festivals! A true Cretan "glendi" Excellent updated comfortable facilities! Swimming pool to cool off for more dancing! Outstanding traditional Greek village cuisine! Home style meals, prepared by the village staff! Personal diets and requests are honored! Cost: *$700 (triple occupancy) - * $840 (double occupancy) - *$980 (single occupancy) for TWO WEEKS (Ed: cost is probably in $US) Special arrangements for groups and families are available. Other accommodation facilities are made upon request within the vicinity For further information and details contact: Andreas Fragiadakis, 81A Egialias Street, Byron 162 33 Athens, GREECE Tel/fax: (011-30-1) 7661-949 or fax: (011-30-1) 38 43 953 or email: Muntaner@otenet.gr Dance Workshop in Bulgaria - Jul/Aug, 2000 On the weekend of the 11 - 13 August, 2000, the Bulgarians are holding their traditional folk festival in Koprivstica. This festival, held every 5 years, is a genuine festival of authentic folklore with thousands of participants. To coincide with the festival, Belco Stanev is holding a two-week dance seminar, from the 31 July - 14 August, 2000, culminating in the weekend of the festival. 31 July – 8 August: stay in Varna at the Hotel Chaika (Dance Seminar, and visit the International Folklore Festival, 1 - 3 August) continued next page...

... continued from previous page 9 & 10 August: travel to Koprivstica via Veliko Târnovo (the ancient capital of Bulgaria) and Gabrovo; 11 - 13 August: visit the National Festival in Koprivstica. Judging from Belco's previous seminars, this promises to be lots of fun. Great dancing, excellent teachers, Bulgarian folk songs, instruments taught on request (extra), excursions to places of interest, good accommodation and good food - all that you need for a great holiday. Cost: US$790 (chn < 12 yrs = US$300) Deposit: US$200 (by 15th May, 2000) If you would like to know more, call me, Chris Wild, on 02 9560 2910 (after 5pm) or email: christine@shawaust.com.au "Balkanfolk" in Bulgaria - August, 2000 Choices, choices!! Balkanfolk 2000, held from August 5-19 by "Zornitsa", will also incorporate the Koprivstica festival. You can attend Balkanfolk 2000 for one week or two (they are not repeats); prices are the same as last year, ranging from $480 (no courses) to $810 (6 courses) - that's US dollars. Other countries represented in Balkanfolk for dance (besides Bulgaria) are Macedonia (the republic), Romania and Serbia. If you let them know when you are arriving in Sofia, they will meet you at the airport and take you to Koprivstica, and return you to Sofia or the airport after the seminar. You can contact "Balkanfolk" for more information through SC ZORNITSA, 74 Opaltchenska St., Sofia 1303 BULGARIA fax. 359-2-931-1346 email: zornitsa@info.unacs.bg or website: http://www.balkanfolk.com/workshop/workshop.html You can also register online if you wish (and bypass the uncertainties of the Bulgarian postal system!). Rae Marnham is the contact in Australia: 51 White St, Henley Beach, SA 5022 Tel. (08) 8356-2172 email: marnham.rae@saugov.sa.gov.au vvClosing Date for the next issue:vv Please send articles for the April, 2000 issue to:- The Editor, "Footnotes", 18 Bayley Rd, PENRITH 2750, by 15 March, 2000 or e-mail liz@pnc.com.au Newspaper Headlines that fell flat: Miners refuse to work after death. Juvenile court to try shooting defendants. Kids make nutritious snacks. Man struck by lightning faces battery charges. Red tape holds up new bridge.

œ CONTRA-LINES � by Gary King Dear Readers Firstly some dates for Contra dancing in NSW with Julie Bishop (02 9524 0247 or email maestrino@mpx.com.au) Sat 18 March at the Illawarra Folk Festival, Jamberoo Mon 17 April, 7.30pm Bush Music Club's Dance Workshop, Pennant Hills Sat 29 July, 8pm-12, at Granville Town Hall In Victoria, a dance party in February in Northcote and a Contradance in July - contact me (as below) for details. In this issue of Contralines I unravel a few thoughts of interest about introducing contradance moves to newcomers, particular starting off groups of complete beginners. I have tried a new dance for introducing minor sets with two different audiences. It is a kind of 'snowball' in long set formation and appears in a book called "Colonial Social Dancing for Children" written by Charles Cyril Hendrickson. The dance is called Yankee Doodle: Formation: 3 couples longways, or long sets: A: 1st and 2nd couples right hand across, left hand back B: Couple 1 lead down centre, turn alone, return and cast into second place. Each couple who reach the top dance the AB sequence twice before the next top couple begin the dance. I have had some interesting email correspondence about introducing contradance to general audiences with Jim, a Contradance caller from Topeka Kansas, where contradancing has is known as Barndancing. Jim says, "I nearly always do about 30-40% longways dances in an evening, maybe 20-30% circle mixers, usually at least 10-20% squares, and other assorted odd formations such as threesomes. A favorite circle mixer of mine is my variation on 'La Bastringue': Formation - a ring of couples facing into the center, A1; all into the centre (vocally!) & return, repeat that again; A2; circle Left and Right; B1; dosado and swing your corner (person beside you in the big circle who's not your partner); B2: promenade this new partner." The only challenging step in Contradancing is the buzz step, used in swinging. I have tried introducing this step via the rida step used in Hungarian and Romanian dances. I taught a Romanian dance called Itele, which uses the front basket hold - interlacing arms around the circle and really great for giving weight. I have had a good look at Tony Parkes' book, "Contradance Calling, A Basic Text". It's clear and comprehensive, eg, Tony details 7 basic figures for two persons and 11 basic figures for more than two persons. The National Festival in Canberra at Easter is shaping up to be a big opportunity for contradancing. Hope to see you there! Gary: (03) 9481 3386 or shenanigans@labyrinth.net.au

WHAT'S ON WHERE International Folk Dancing A.C.T. Canberra Monday 7.30 - 9pm. Advanced Classes, Folk Dance Canberra Hall, 114 Maitland St, Hackett. Enquiries Christine (02) 6241 3563. Tuesday * 10 - 11.30 am, Beginner/ Int. then, * 3.30 - 4 pm. Children's classes, 5 - 6 yo, * 4.05 - 4.50pm, Children's classes, 7 - 8 yo and then, * 7.30pm - 9pm, Introductory IFD, all above at Folk Dance Canberra Hall - contact as for Monday Wednesday * 1 – 2.30 pm. Beginner/ Int and, * 6pm - 7.30pm, World Bush, then * 7.45pm - 9.15, Israeli, both at Folk Dance Canberra Hall, contact (02) 6241 3563 * 7.30 pm - 8.15 pm Ongoing beginners; 8.15 - 10.30pm, Easy to Intermediate, CIFDA (Canberra International Folk Dancing Association) Hughes Community Centre, cost $6 (includes supper). Contact (02) 6231 5896 or (02) 6281 3987. Thursday * 6pm - 7.30pm, Greek dance and then, * 7.30 - 9.30 pm. Intermediate IFD at FDC Hall, contact (02) 6241 3563 * 7.30 - 9 pm, Israeli Folk Dancing, New Creation Ministeries Multi-purpose Hall, Dixon Drive, Holder. Contact Verna, (02) 6288 2476 Saturday Social Dance 2nd Saturday of each month (March - Nov) from 8 pm St John's Church hall, Constitution Ave, Reid with John Garden and 'Earthly Delights', $12, includes supper. Contact John or Aylwen 02 6281 1098. Sunday * 3.30 (beginners), 4.30 – 6.30 (dancing), Israeli Folk Dancing, Forrest. Contact Naomi on (02) 6258 9254 or email: peter_tina@one.net.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. *  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 per school term. Contact Carol Maddocks (02) 9905 1563.

NSW continued... Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday Sutherland Shire Folk Dance Group. Contact Kaye Laurendet (02) 9528 4813. Tuesday *  7.30pm - 9.30pm, Hungarian Dance classes, with Gary Dawson, Dance Action Centre, 17 Marlborough St Leichhardt. Contact Gary Dawson (02) 9559 4485. Tuesday, 8pm - 10pm, Turkish Dance classes, with Yusuf Nidai, Lidcombe Community Centre. Contact Yusuf Nidai (02) 9646 1166. Wednesday *  7.15 - 8.15 pm. Adult International Folk Dance classes. Collaroy Plateau Youth & Community Club, Blandford St. Collaroy Plateau. Cost $35 per school term. Contact Carol Maddocks (02) 9905 1563. *  8 - 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, Rozelle Neighbourhood Centre, 665A Darling St, Rozelle. 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 - 8.15 pm and/or 8.30 - 10 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 - 11am. Southern Highlands Recreational International Folk Dance Group. Presbyterian Hall, Bendooley St. Bowral. Beginners start at 9 am. Contact Margaret Connor (02) 4861 2294. Newcastle Saturday (2nd Saturday of month) 7.30pm, Wesley Fellowship Hall, Hamilton. Contact Bill and Vicki Wiseman: anvilbw@mpx.com.au or Cecille (02) 4957 0830 Taree Wednesday 5 - 8 pm. Lazarka International Folk Dance Group, Church of Christ Hall, Victoria St. Taree. Contact Sandra Bassetti (02) 6552 5142. We do not stop dancing because we grow old. We grow old because we stop dancing.

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 (h) QUEENSLAND Brisbane Friday (2nd & 4th of month) 8 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 - 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. Teaching for beginners from 7 – 8pm, cost $2. Contact Rae 08 8356 2172 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, Hobart Multicultural Dance Group, St Peter's Hall, cnr Lord & Grosvenor Sts, Sandy Bay, $3 + contribution to shared supper. Contacts: Graeme (03) 6239-1553, Krista & Peter (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. continued next column -->

...Victoria continued 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 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 *  9.30 am International Dancing, University of the Third Age, Dandenong. TAFE College (Robin McKay Hall). Contact Conny (03) 9792 9377. *  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. 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, 7pm teaching, 8.30 - 10 pm social dancing. Uniting Church Hall, cnr Tyrell and Elizabeth Sts Nedlands, WA. Contact John Whaite (08) 9444 4736, email: john.whaite@wpcorp.com.au or Martin (08) 9445 2072, email: martin.williams@wcorp.com.au 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. Just my Luck Surprised while burgling a house in Antwerp, Belgium, a thief fled out the back door, clambered over a nine-foot wall, dropped down, and found himself in the city prison Two motorists had an all-too-literal head-on collision in heavy fog near the small town of Gütersloh, Germany. Each was guiding his car at a snail's pace from opposite directions but both near the middle of the road. At the moment of impact, their heads were both out of the windows where they smacked together. Their cars weren't scratched.

3 Feb 00	3 weeks, Rio Carnaval - Brazil Tour, with Tanya and Tarcisio, visiting Buenos Aries, Salvador, Rio, northeast Brazil and the Amazon. Contact Tanya 07 3844 1824 or email: riorhyth@hotkey.net.au
5 Feb 00	2 days, Irish Set Dancing Workshop, Brisbane, with Margaret & Bill Winnett; at Danish Club, Newstead. 10am - 4pm (both days), evening socials. $60 (includes lunch). Contact Alison & Iain (07) 3371 2389 or email: macphail@powerup.com.au
6 Feb 00	1 day, Greek festival, Coburg, VIC, food, music, folk dancing, crafts at Bridges Reserve, Bell St, Coburg. Contact Bill Kardamitis, (03) 9480 5300 or 0418 322 078.
20 Feb 00	FDA Romanian Folk Dance Workshop, with Ray Richardson, 9.30am - 12.30pm, The Edge, cnr Bray & King Sts, Newtown South (near St Peters Station), $15 (conc $13 for FDA members).
20 Feb 00	FDA Annual General Meeting and Ordinary Meeting - with a difference, 1 pm, The Edge, cnr Bray & King Sts, Newtown South (near St Peters Station). Be there.
20 Feb 00	1 day, Britfest 2000, Frankston VIC, Dolphins Football Oval, Frankston, Melbourne, British food, drinks, entertainment. Contact 03 9787 3112 or 03 9239 4680.
24 Feb 00	3 weeks, Adelaide Fringe Festival, SA, local and OS artists, program available in January. Contact Barbara Wolke (08) 82317760 or buzz@adelaidefringe.com.au; web site: www.adelaidefringe.com.au
26 Feb 00	2 days, Cobargo Annual Folk Music Festival, NSW, local & international performers, music, poetry, dance, Cobargo Showgrounds (NSW south coast). Contact Jim MacQuarrie, 02 4474 2736, email
3 Mar 00	3 weeks, Rio 2000 Carnival, Brazil Tour, join Rio Rhythmics to dance Tango in Buenos Aires, Samba in Rio Carnival, visit the Amazon. No dance experience required. Contact Tanya, Rio Rhythmics, PO Box 5599, West End 4101, email
3 Mar 00	to 19 Mar, Adelaide Festival of the Arts, SA, International multi-arts biennial festival. Contact 08 8216 4444, fax: 08 8216 4455, email, web: http://www.adelaidefestival.on.net
3 Mar 00	3 days, Blue Mountains Festival of Folk, Roots and Blues, NSW, Claredon Hotel, Katoomba, combining talents of local, national and international performers (eg, Kristina Olsen, Margret Roadknight, Bluehouse & Karma County, Kavisha Mazella, The Fagans, Red Rivers & the Rocketones). Contact Festival Hotline: 1800 651 322 or website: http://www.bmf.org.au
4 Mar 00	2 days, English Country Dancing Workshop, Brisbane, with Chris Green, at Danish Club, Newstead. 10am - 4pm (both days), evening socials. $60 (includes lunch). Contact: Sheree (07) 3805 2030 (not during school hours, please).
4 Mar 00	2 days, Holland Festival, SA, at Dutch Club & grounds, Salisbury H'way, Greenfields, Dutch craft, foods, international groups - singing, dancing. Contact Anna Schoemaker, Dutch Social Club, ph/fax: 08 8258 5058.
4 Mar 00	to 20 Mar, National Multicultural Festival, ACT, various venues in Canberra, folkloric presentations, international & local performances, community participation. Contact 02 6207 6477.
9 Mar 00	4 days, Antipodes Festival, Melbourne, VIC, celebrating Melbourne's Greek community, includes food, wine, music, drama. Contact Fiv Antoniou 03 9662 2722, fax 03 9663 3307.
10 Mar 00	3 days, 4th World Music Festival, Thredbo, NSW, world music & cuisine, Australian performers, featuring 2nd Aust World Music Awards, guest compare Jaslyn Hall (from Radio JJJ). Weekend pass: $55, 2-night packages: $145, camping available, chair lift rides. Contact 1800 801 982 or 1800 020 589.
10 Mar 00	4 days, Edinburgh Military Tattoo, NZ!! For the first time outside Scotland, featured in New Zealand Festival 2000, 850 performers from Scotland, Britain, Pacific Islands and NZ.
11 Mar 00	Earthly Delights "Medieval Bushdance", ACT with John Garden, at St John's Church Hall, Constitution Ave, Reid, ACT, 8pm - midnight. $12 ($10 conc, under 12 free). Supper included. Contact (02) 6281 1098 or email.
11 Mar 00	St Patrick's Day, SA, Traditional Irish music, dancing, ceili dancing for everyone, Irish Hall, 13 - 15 Carrington St, Adelaide. Contact Bernie Boyle, Irish-Australian Assoc, 08 8260 3420 or 08 8212 3767, fax 08 8212 1355.
15 Mar 00	5 days, 15th Illawarra Folk Festival, NSW, at Jamberoo (10 kms inland from Kiama, south of Sydney), 250 international, national & local, singers, dancers, musicians, storytellers, St Pat's Day Dance, children & seniors concerts. Themes; Hispanic & railways. Season tickets ('til 14 Mar) $45. Contact Yvonne O'Grady, 02 4233 1073, fax 02 4232 3848, accom: 1800 803 897
17 Mar 00	2 days, Yackandandah Folk Festival, VIC, High St, Yackandandah, music, workshops, food stalls, concerts, children's activities, craft. Contact 02 6027 1237.

How does your FDA membership benefit you? 6 issues per year of the FDA newsletter "Footnotes" posted to you; Discounts apply to FDA members for: FDA workshops; Associated workshops; Folk Dance Videos, Cassettes, Dance Instruction Manuals and books; Nevofoon resources; Free advertising for your events and publications both in "Footnotes" and on FDA's world wide website: http://www.geocities.com/Vienna/4677/

FDA Renewal Time - last reminder Add this item to your 2000 New Year's resolution list: "Send in renewal to Folk Dance Australia"!!! Note that Annual Membership fees have been raised to $20 to reflect increased printing and postage costs. To join or renew your membership, cut off the Renewal Slip at the bottom of this page and send it, together with your $20 cheque or postal note (made out to "Folk Dance Australia"), to the Secretary, or, if you are attending the Annual General Meeting or the FDA workshop on the 20 February 2000 - then pay on the day. OVERSEAS MEMBERS - please note - it would be appreciated if your membership fee of AUS$20 could be sent as an Australian Bank Draft.

FOLK DANCE AUSTRALIA INC. MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL FOR 2000 Name: ____________________ Address: ____________________   ____________________   ____________________ Phone: (0__) ____ ____   Signed: ____________________

Please send Renewal Form with membership fee of AU$20 (postal note or cheque made out to 'Folk Dance Australia') to: The Treasurer Folk Dance Australia Inc 4 Old Station Rd HELENSBURGH 2508

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