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F D A |
Folk Dance Australia
FDA OBJECTIVES:
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THE PRESIDENT'S REPORT2001 was a very successful year for FDA. In Sydney we organised 5 workshops, 4 of which were financed by an Active Australia grant. We organised a very successful tour by Yves Moreau and were able to assist the Perth Folk Dance group in organising a tour by Tineke van Geel. Thanks to the grant money the financial year ended with a surplus. The Teacher Training sub-committee, based in Canberra, ran a very successful Teacher Training Course. The association is only this successful because of a lot of work by the members of the committee and sub committees. I want to thank the committee for their support over the year and their commitment to FDA. Special thanks to Maureen for an enormous amount of work as editor of Footnotes, Jo Wall for her work as secretary, Debbie Hotchkis for keeping check of our finances, Sandra Bassetti for co-ordinating workshops, and Helmut for assisting her, and to Kaye Laurendet who assists in many different roles. Thanks to Lesley Rose and her committee for running the Teacher Training Course. Our web page continues to attract interest world wide. Thanks to Ashley for maintaining it so professionally. Thank you to everyone who attended the AGM in February. Your support and ideas are greatly appreciated. A special welcome to the new members who have joined the committee - Vas Aligiannis, who has taken on the job of secretary, and Barbara Noske. And thanks to those who have put their hand up for another year. The new committee is already discussing plans for the year ahead. The "Revival Workshop" held in the afternoon of the AGM was well attended and lots of fun. It certainly showcased the wealth of teaching talent amongst our members. Thank you to all the teachers who gave their time to share their knowledge with the rest of us. The committee still seeks ways to increase the involvement of FDA outside of NSW/ ACT and are hopeful that this will be achieved in 2002. Happy Dancing. Chris Wild, FDA President Welcome - 2002 FDA Committee!
We still have a vacancy for the Grants co-ordinator. Anyone wishing to contribute on an ad hoc or other basis would be appreciated. |
TREASURER'S REPORT - 20012001 was a busy and productive year financially, in spite of the collapse of our insurer, HIH. A good number of workshops were held, including those by visiting teachers Tineke van Geel, Yves Moreau and Andre van de Plas. The sale of resources for these brought in some much needed revenue.With the collapse of HIH in early March 2001, our finances had to cope with the payment of two yearly premiums, as we had reinsured with HIH just before its collapse. The replacement insurer was QBE. Early in 2002, we changed our insurance broker and company to DanceSurance which gives us more cover (liability and conditions) for a smaller premium! With the introduction of electronic banking and the accompanying increase in bank fees and charges, I felt it was necessary to open another account (savings) to minimize these costs, for example, a charge imposed of 50 cents per cheque deposited once the (small) minimum number of deposits/withdrawals has been exceeded. There is also an account keeping fee charged ($6 per month) if our account falls below a minimum of $5,000. So a small amount of juggling was needed before our finances were improved by the last grant. Thank you to Active Australia and to those who put the submission together (and for the preceding grants, too). Debbie Hotchkis, FDA Treasurer FDA Teacher Training Course - 2001/2002GRADUATE SUB-COMMITTEE REPORT Unlike my last report to the Annual General Meeting in February 2001, I am very pleased to say that the current course is alive and well and now more than half-way through. At a meeting of the Graduate Sub-Committee in March 2001, the main topic of discussion was whether or not the course would be viable with only 4 students. This motion was tabled because this time around there were 4 very keen prospective students - 2 of whom had been quite disappointed when the previous course was cancelled. If possible, the Facilitator did not want to disappoint them again. After reviewing the budget, it was decided that a number of items could be reduced or deleted altogether. These included:
These measures alone resulted in a total saving of $2,100.00 for Stage 1. Further savings came from a generous discount in printing costs of the course brochure, and free printing of name tags, manual covers and Participation Certificates. continued next page... |
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This meant that Stage 1 fees of $2,000.00 (4 x $500.00) would just be sufficient and the Committee voted to proceed with the course. Ultimately, we gained 3 more students, which brought in a further $1,500.00. (One of these students, however, is currently paying for Stage 1 in instalments.) Also to boost the coffers, Folk Dance Canberra was successful in gaining a grant from the ACT Bureau of Sport and Recreation for the amount of $1,000.00. This grant was to help with administration costs for the course and meant that all teachers could then be paid for their services. Happy Days!! Stage 1 of the course duly commenced on 8 July 2001 with some change to the teachers involved. Theresa and Naomi had to withdraw and the Facilitator and Kaye Laurendet took over their sessions. All 7 students are now working very hard during the Apprentice Stage. One student is already very close to completing all requirements of the Apprentice Stage, with another three not far behind and the others working as hard as they can. Preparations for the Mid-Course Refresher session are underway. This will be held 27-28 March, just prior to the National Folk Festival, to enable the students access to more workshops. At present, all students, even those from Perth and Hobart, will be able to attend! Lesley Rose, FDA TTC Facilitator
FDA Dance Group Affiliation In response to many requests from various dance groups around Australia, the committee has agreed on the requirements for group affiliation to FDA. The cost to each group will be $20 per annum (or the cost of an individual membership if that changes) and will entitle the group to free advertising of their events in Footnotes and on the FDA website, links to their group's website from the FDA website and, of course, a copy of each Footnotes issue. Affiliated groups will also be entitled to apply to FDA for sponsorship of their events. Because affiliated groups are not members, discounts for FDA workshops and resources will NOT apply. Groups interested in affiliating, please contact our group and membership secretary, Debbie Hotchkis: 4 Old Station Rd, HELENSBURGH 2508.
Getting Boys to Dance. This topic was discussed by the committee at the AGM. The "Stomping Ground" festival at Bellingen successfully attracted between 300 - 400 participants (mostly male), with ages between 5 - 60. Here, many forms of male dance were showcased, including Greek folk dance with Vasilios Aligiannis, but also other activities, such as drama and yoga. It was suggested that promoting dance as "good training for soccer" may help to encourage male participants. If you have any thoughts or experience on the topic, please share your ideas by e-mailing the editor: liz@pnc.com.au |
International Dance Day - Every year since 1982, International Dance Day has been celebrated all over the world, on the 29th April, but has not featured widely in Australia. Can we remedy this? Your folk dance group may like to consider some special activity for either the Saturday or Sunday of the weekend of 27th - 28th April or the day itself (Monday), to draw the public's attention to the joys of dancing or promote the day in other ways, perhaps with a feature in your local newspaper. You may also consider special performances, open-door courses, public rehearsals, lectures, exhibitions, articles in magazines, dance evenings, radio and TV programs, visits, street shows etc. Your event could take place in a "new" setting, such as a street, park, square, shopping centre, factory, school or stadium. Let "Footnotes" know with a short article for the June issue (and with photos, if taken) about your activity to celebrate that day. |
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OTHER DANCE NEWS
Dancers' 25th Anniversary "How time flies when you are enjoying yourself" In 2002, the Carol Maddocks Folkloric Dancers celebrate their 25th Anniversary. A very special concert is planned, to be held in the Glen Street Theatre, Belrose (northern Sydney suburb) Sunday 7th July at 2.00pm. The concert will be a full theatre production, and a celebration of the work developed over the past 25 years - the teachers, choreographers and dancers with whom the group has had the privilege to work. The dancers will be from all levels - Junior, Intermediate and Senior classes. On researching through 25 years of records, the data base now compiled shows the incredible range of work covered. Nearly 150 choreographies from 30 dance cultures representing the work of 28 choreographers. Over 400 performances have been given for charity and community events from local fetes to the Sydney Opera House. The July concert, entitled "One World", will feature the premiere of a beautiful new Armenian choreography by Dianna Laska Moore, based on the work with students in 2001 by Tineke van Geel. The concert will also include works from over 15 dance cultures by Csaba Palfi, Dianna Laska Moore, Rolando Cano, Yves Moreau, Frantisek Bonus, Paula Luv, Amadio Rubion, Anatoli Borzov, Nellie Samsonova, Jacek Marek, Wanda Wojtulewicz-Levine, and Carol Maddocks. There is a wonderful heritage attached to this performance group which has been inherited by the current dancers. The experience of meeting and working with so many wonderful teachers and dance personalities has enhanced the lives of students and widened their knowledge of the world. The group continues to extend a cross-cultural link to the general community through its knowledge and appreciation of the dance cultures they study and perform, and live up to their motto 'Communication through Dance'. For further information on the concert and ticket bookings contact Carol Maddocks, 02 9905 1563, fax 02 9401 3451, email - maddocksdance@optusnet.com.au Dance Competency Standards On 23 October 2001, Maria Jenkins attended a meeting convened by Arts Recreation and Training ACT and YMCA to discuss the implementation of the Community Recreation Training Package. The following is a synopsis of the package and how it relates to the dance industry. This package was developed from the work that Christine (Battisson) was involved in - developing core competencies for dance. It provides the basis of training programs for workers in a wide range of community recreation activities - eg sports (there are specific units designed for swimming instruction and self-defence), community development, recreation programs for older people, as well as dance. The courses are at a number of levels, from the very basic to diploma level. The idea is to give a nationally recognized qualification which also meets the specific needs of particular employment areas. This is done by offering three levels of units: continued top of next column => |
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A good example is the Certificate III in Community Recreation (Instruct). The first 2 levels of units focus on skills that all community recreation workers at this level require, together with specific electives in Recreational Dance. In the discussion during the day, it was recognized that workers from a variety of occupations could come together for training in the 2 more general core groups of units, and the industry/various employers could contribute to the training in the more specialised electives. A CIT (Canberra Institute of Technology) representative at the meeting said that CIT would offer a Certificate III course in Community Recreation in 2002. Maria Jenkins (ACT) CIFDA's New Home After more than 20 years at Hughes, a suburb of Canberra, the Canberra International Folk Dance Association (CIFDA) is moving. Their new home will be the Uniting Church Hall, Denman St, Yarralumla (just across the way from the Governor General's residence!) They are rather sad to be leaving, but everyone felt it was a positive solution to rising hall costs. Vale to Dancers
Glenda was one of the first people in our folk dance group in Taree. She was so enthusiastic to learn and get the dance
steps right, and always offered words of encouragement, wanting to help and promote folk dancing. Sandra Bassetti.
Canberra International Folk Dancers Association (CIFDA) members were saddened by the death of Robert in December 2001. Siberian Dance Congress, August The Siberian Centre of Choreography and Folkraft, -Europe present "Dances of the Peoples of
Siberia" Congress, in Novosibirsk, Russia, from August 10-17, 2002. |
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VOSA 2002 Courses
The Victorian Orff Schulwerk Association (VOSA) is pleased to announce 2002 Certificate Courses
in Creative Music and Movement Education. Registration Fee includes tuition, course notes, tea and coffee during breaks:
For the registration brochure & registration enquiries, please contact: Paul Sierakowski, 03
9893 5081 or e-mail paulxs@optushome.com.au
CID World Congress - June 2002 The International Dance Council (Conseil International de la Danse - CID) is the official umbrella organisation for all forms of dance in all countries of the world. It is a non-governmental non-profit organisation (NGO) founded in 1973 within the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, where it is based. Its purpose is to act as a worldwide forum bringing together international, national and local organisations as well as individuals active in dance and it consults with governments and international agencies. The CID has organised the congress "Dance in the World Today 2 - Creativity and Education", which will be held at the Palais de l'UNESCO, Paris, 27-28 June 2002. Working languages are English and French, with simultaneous translation by UNESCO interpreters. Participation fee is 60 Euro or $50 per person attending, irrespective of status (individuals, representatives of organisations etc.). Participants are to make their own funding, travel and accommodation arrangements. After plenary sessions, participants will meet in work groups and also visit places of interest. To help you obtain a visa to France and/or financing of your travel, the Secretariat can send you a letter stating that you are a member of the CID registered to attend and to present a paper at the Congress. (Please Note - Presenting a paper is optional). Start preparations as early as possible! Publication of Papers: All approved papers will be published as a CD-ROM which will be
distributed world wide.
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Guidelines for papers:Only papers following the guidelines will be reviewed by the Scientific Committee. Languages should be in English or French. Text = 5,000 words maximum in "Text only" format. Pages with symbols, tables, graphs or pictures are to be separate from the text and sent as pictures. Pictures: You can send up to 9 pictures to illustrate your text. Format = .jpg, file size up to 200kb. Each image file must be numbered 1 to 9 and the same numbers used for the captions. Text for the numbered captions must be written underneath the text of your paper. Do not use captions as file names. Format: Send your text and images by Email, as attached files, free from viruses! Send also a paper copy, no more than 10 pages long. Please have your text corrected by a person very competent in the language used, in order to ensure it is absolutely ready for publication. Deadlines: Send notification before 1 May 2002; send your paper before 1 June 2002 (full text, captions and illustrations). Content: A paper objectively describes the present situation of dance in a country, or a region of a country. It can cover a particular form of dance ballet, folk, ballroom etc.) or a sector (education, performances, scholarship etc.) at national or regional level. It is a concise and informative document giving an overall picture. The focus is on giving facts, statistical figures or rough estimates (number of companies, schools, teachers, students, dancers, participants etc.), tendencies and needs. Avoid polemics or expressions that can be taken as publicity for persons or organisations. Structure: Divide your text into sections, each with a numbered heading. Start with an abstract, then an overview of developments till the present time. Finish with a short presentation of the author. Presentation: Bring a number of printed copies to distribute to participants. Time for oral presentation of the paper will be limited. Do not read your paper, just present it and comment on it. For other information and any changes, please consult the CID home page regularly at the UNESCO server: www.unesco.org/ngo/cid
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Other Resources CID PERMANENT PROJECTSFor more information on the following CID (International Dance Council) projects, please email the CID President's office: secretariat@cid-unesco.org 1. Dance Mobility: An exchange program between choreographers, educators, companies,
researchers in different countries. About 50 exchanges a year since 1990. Continued next page... |
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10. Save our Dances: A series of video cassettes or DVD, each one recording the dance repertoire of a single village or a group of villages. 11. Dance Day: Every year since 1982 Dance Day is celebrated all over the world, on the 29th of April. ABOUT SHENANIGANSSince 1981, Shenanigans have presented folk dance and music for schools and community groups. Currently, nine collections of dance music are available in CD format. New in 2002: In addition to School Dance Workshops and Bush Dance fundraisers, Shenanigans now offer the Australian Animal Show for lower primary and preschool groups. Costing is based on $3.50 rate per head, with a minimum fee of $300 per setup. New CDs released. Popular cassettes, "Dance Like a Kangaroo" (Singing Dances for Children) and "There's a Wombat in my Room" (Singing Games for Children) are now available on CD. The price of $20 each item includes postage and handling. These releases come close on the heels of the "Olympic Special", a collection of International folk dances, and the "Federation Special", a comprehensive introduction to partner dancing in primary schools. Each includes an instruction booklet at a price of $25. Shenanigans Band’s new website can be found at http://www.labyrinth.net.au/~garette . Alternatively contact us by email: shenanigans@labyrinth.net.au ; or phone 03 9406 7980. NEW CD RELEASESreviewed by Julius Timmerman "Voices Of The World – Sacred Voices on a Global Journey" - Various Artists, Latisphere LAT1009 (MRA) An attractively packaged assortment of 12 vocal traditional, and very authentic, tracks from
Colombia, India, Nigeria, Laos, Morocco, USA, Peru, Ethiopia, Turkey and Zimbabwe. This is real
roots material, not "on location" recordings but of studio quality. From a capella solo
recordings to full-blown choirs, meditative and gentle songs to gleeful chants, the album covers a
wide spectrum of native world music.
The Dorian label has recorded a variety of early and folk music and many recordings have included that most ancient of instruments, the harp. This compilation derived from eleven albums features the various types of harp as soloist, as a member of an ensemble or as accompaniment. Harps include Celtic, Flemish single-row, medieval, chromatic Paraguayan, Iberian Baroque cross-strung and bray. On the Celtic side the young enormously talented Alex Bigney from the Nova Scotian group Kirkmount opens proceedings with some sweet catchy strathspeys and reels, the very accomplished Carol Thompson plays traditional Irish in her typically delicate style from her fifth DORIAN album, La Nef plays lively Breton/Scottish tunes, and there’s nicely-arranged gentle traditional Scottish music from the Nordic Ensemble Polaris and Sue Richards with Ensemble Galilei. continued top of next column => |
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Early Music includes a Cantiga de Santa Maria, a traditional Portuguese melody, late Medieval European music and 13th century Scottish music (including an Orkney Wedding Song) from William Taylor who also plays the Welsh bray harp with its typical buzzing sitar-like sound. And there’s some Spanish Baroque and American folk music. The pieces all sit well together in this highly enjoyable program (great dinner music!), and the recordings are all excellent. Cajun Kings – Various Artists, Latisphere LAT1013 (MRA) Cajun folk music comes from Louisiana, unique music that goes with unique dances, with French, Creole and even Country Swing ingredients. Much of it is vocal music, and principal instruments are the fiddle and the accordion. This compilation of some top-notch Cajun bands and artists including Beausoleil, Dennis McGee, Sandy Courtville, Canray Fontenot and Bois-Sec Ardoin. The majority of tracks are by Beausoleil, headed by fiddle player Michael Doucet, arguably the finest exponent of Cajun music. All of the recordings on this compilation are live, something not stated on the packaging, but nevertheless the documentation is excellent and the recordings themselves quite good. This is a worthy introduction to this unique and effervescent music from the deep south as well as containing "new" material for the converted.
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A Greek Custom - "Arapides"
~ a prosperity- related custom of Monastiraki (Northern Greece) A very interesting custom in the form of dromenon*, called Arapides, is performed on Epiphany Day (January 6th), in the village of Monastiraki, near the town of Drama in Eastern Macedonia, in Northern Greece. The dromena owes its name to the predominant black colour in the masqueraders' costume, which consists of a long black shaggy shepherd's overcoat, an impressive tall goatskin mask and three large heavy sheep bells tied around the waist. In one hand, a long wooden sword is carried, while in the other hand they hold a small bag full of ash from the twelve days of Christmas hearth, tapping passers-by with it. This action is done for the good of the community! The team has a variety of members which usually include the 'Gilinges', men dressed in traditional clothes, the 'Papoudes' dressed in old local rural male costumes and the 'Evzones' or 'Tsoliades' who wear the national costume, stressing in this way the inhabitants' patriotism even in periods of foreign occupation. To the accompaniment of the local musical instruments lyra and daires (large tambourine), the performers go ceremoniously through the village, bestowing upon their fellow villagers wishes for a good year and accepting a rich treat as a reward. Finally the team ends up in the village square, where a communal dance joined by a great number of visitors takes place. Now and then, a mock bear appears, much to the delight of numerous onlookers. The dances and songs that are popular and danced till the early hours of the next morning are Kori Eleni (Eleno Mome), Baidouska, Karsi and Hasaposerviko. Songs include 'Maria Maria', 'Safto to spiti to psilo' (In this tall house) and Ehthes to Vrathi (Last night). The main objective of the dromenon called Arapides is to ensure a prosperous new year, good health and fertility, as stressed by the features of masquerading, the bells, wishes dances, treats and, especially, the intense Dionysiac element as well as the symbolic ploughing and sowing. Resources: 1. Aikaterinidis, George Ph.D. 'Arapides' A prosperity related custom in Monastiraki - Drama Cultural and Heritage Society of Monastiri, Drama, 1998 (in Greek).BR>
2. CD: Makedonika Paradosiaka -LYRA, CD 4653, 1996 Article compiled by Vasilios Aligiannis.
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Our "Revival"
Workshop
It was great to catch up with 20 or so dancers after the AGM and brush off the holiday season cobwebs with some new and old favourites. We started off with Cocek to "Lute Lute", a Kosovan wedding song in which each member of the bride's family entreats her to stay. She says her years at home have been good, but it's time to leave and leave she will. This tune is from a Xenos compilation CD called "Fire in the Feet". I found it at the Woodford Folk Festival this year. It comes with a booklet of Balkan Gypsy dances put together by Laura Shannon - a folk dance teacher living at Findhorn, Scotland, who was teaching to Xenos' music at the Festival. Things sped up with Krivatvoreno from Serbia, one of André's dances, taught by Lesley - lots of direction changes and exciting music - definitely a "super" dance, as the singers tell us. We all enjoyed Yves' Brasni Carvul ("shaved pigskin shoes") from Dobrudza, Bulgaria, led by Sandra. It warranted a repeat performance, as we felt as though we'd done a day's work in the fields - humidity was high. Next came an Irish Reel and, after Jeanette had tutored us in basic stepping, we were off in our fours - eat your heart out, Riverdance! After a break we were rejuvenated and given a special preview of Vas' Greek Workshop to come, as he led us in Drata, a women's dance performed after church at Easter. We even had live music, as Vas' friend, Con, played the resident piano, not only for this dance, but during breaks - anything from Gershwin to Kalamatianos - what a bonus! From this, the March Greek Workshop promised to be a beauty. Maureen provided us with the challenging Vidinsko Horo from the Vlachs in Bulgaria, taught by Yves last year. After plenty of promptings and run throughs to a slower tempo, we were off, and it was great to hear Roy and Helmut's deep "Hey ho"s and Maureen's "ee hah"s (if in doubt, do a "balance leap to right, left, 'ee-hah'") - all of this topped off with Lana's innfectious laughter. Shoulder shimmying while using a pinky hold and doing windscreen-wiper movements with our arms was our next test, only mastered by a select few, as Chris led us in Tamzara, from Armenia, taught by Tineke last year. The name is said to be derived from the leader of a village in Arapkir (W. Armenia) offering his guests his hospitality, always calling for his daughter-in-law, Zara, to serve them "Tam" (yoghurt mixed with salt and water), hence, "Tam Zara"! Before we could attempt Lesley's Hora Gesher from Israel, many kicked off shoes in favour of bare feet (the floor was slippery). How the older Greek women would have frowned on this, according to Vas, who told us the young Greek girls were looked on as wild women when they discarded their short-soled shoes during traditional dances! Finally, to appease the elders after our wild abandonment during the Hora, Jo led us in the beautiful, swaying Joc de Leagane from Romania, said to be danced by midwives, who were putting babies strapped to their backs to sleep. A fitting finale to a fun-filled afternoon. Thanks, everyone. ? Jenny Lester (NSW) |
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FDA Greek Dance Workshop
~ with Vasilios Aligiannis, on March 3, 2002. One perspective For those who attended - wow! For those who couldn't make it - WOW, you missed out on a real cultural experience. It was well attended, with people from near and far - South Coast, Canberra, Southern Highlands, Blue Mountains, Taree and even Darwin! Emanuel & Michelle Siriotis teach Greek folkdance in Darwin and it was wonderful to meet and dance with them. Vas' aim was to teach us what Greece is about and did this through selecting basic Greek dances, which are fun and actually danced by the villagers themselves. The twenty-two dances on the tape were taught and their background explained to us; as we celebrated Easter, farewelled Easter; planted and harvested; celebrated weddings; danced in colourful socks (Tsourapia); pleaded with a ship to bring our young men back to the village (really "kneaded" them!); and improvised the last dance, being individual … zeibekikos. More Greek culture was experienced in looking at the array of costumes he had displayed. Richly embroidered garments, belts and headpieces were on show, to name but a few. It was also delightful to see three of us dressed in some of these authentic costumes. Greek food was available at lunchtime too - delicious souvlaki and other savoury and sweet morsels were enjoyed. A tour of the Greek Orthodox Church next door to the hall was an added bonus, allowing us to gain more insight into Greek life. This was truly an enjoyable and worthwhile workshop - simple dances, enthusiastic teaching, fun atmosphere and lots of culture. I certainly would aim to go to the next one! ? Fiona Clark (NSW) 
Vas leading a group of dedicated followers.
Some of the fascinating artefacts on display. |
A second perspective
"How many dances do you think we did today? About 20?" "Don't know - felt like it at least." That was part of the conversation Megan and I had in the car going home to Bowral after a great day's Greek dance workshop in Newtown. I would have to say it was one of the best workshops we have had with FDA and I was glad it was the one my 17 year old chose to come to. (After a two month student exchange experience in France over December/January where she enjoyed some nights of international folk dancing with French friends, she got a taste for it and invited herself to accompany me to the Greek dance workshop to enjoy those exotic rhythms again.) Vas was an enthusiastic teacher and so-o-o knowledgeable about the dances, the costumes, the regions and histories pertaining to the dances. He taught easy Easter dances first, moving onto faster dances but ones based around only one or two patterns which were still easy to master and enjoy. Moving from the Neighbourhood Centre after the morning session to the Newtown Greek hall and church, enabled us to enjoy the freshly cooked, tantalising smelling Greek food for lunch; admire and some to even try on the traditional costumes, which are part of Vas' private collection. Photos were taken of three Aussies converted to Greek women from different regions. Megan was delighted to be amongst those chosen and hoped the Greek male dancers there noticed too! The tour of the neighbouring Greek church was a bonus with again a knowledgeable discourse given by our teacher of the day. "This guy's an all rounder!" was someone's comment. A video was made of the dances by Chris Wild, and an audio cassette and notes made available. If you feel you missed out, these may help. The day was not just one for learning dances, but experiencing part of Greek culture with the addition of the food and costume, some young members of Vas' dance group and some Greek family helpers who catered to our needs and came in and out of the dance circle at their leisure. Inviting members from local cultural groups, such as done with this workshop, must continue to foster good will and understanding and be a mutually satisfying experience. Well done FDA!. ? Margaret and Megan Connor (NSW) 
More participants being led by Vas' young assistant |
Canberra Kolo, National Folk Fest, 30 March The second Canberra Kolo, a 90 min "dancers' dance" for international folk dancers, has been co-ordinated by our president, Chris Wild, and programmed from dances requested by our members. The interim time slot is 3pm, Easter Sunday in Canberra's Exhibition Park (Canberra Showground). See you there! Szatmári Tabor 2002, 11 - 15 April This seminar, organised by the Transylvaniacs and Kengugro, will feature the band, Tükrös, and two dance teachers, Attila Olah and Kata Horkai, from Hungary. The seminar will concentrate on the music, dance and customs of the Szatmár region of Hungary. Each night will have a Táncház (a Hungarian Bush Dance) where you can use the steps learnt during the day in a more informal setting. Your choice of accommodation (4 nights), either in segregated dormitories (book early) or camping, the 4 days tuition and all meals in the Hungarian cuisine, are included in the price of the seminar. Venue: Heathcote Scout Camp For the registration form and more information, please call: 02 9399 3492 or email: castopic@optusnet.com.au or check the website: http://www,members.optusnet.com.au/~castopic FDA Folk Dance Camping Weekend, 20 April On the weekend of 20-21 April, introduce your family and friends to folk dancing in a friendly atmosphere where they can wonder off to bush walk, admire the scenery or explore a beautiful village. The showground at Mount Tamborine, QLD, has been booked for this weekend so that experienced folk dancers and musicians can exchange skills and people can try folk dancing. The weekend will feature Sellenger's Round and combined talents of participants. Contact Chris or Sheree, (07) 3806 1343,or email csgreenhill@optusnet.com.au (For more information and registration form, see insert). FDA Macedonian Dance Workshop 5 May, 2002 Yorgo Kaporis will present Macedonian dances in a not-to-be-missed workshop. Time: Sunday, 5 May, 2002, 10am - 3pm |
National Celtic Folk Festival, June 2 - 10
The National Celtic Folk Festival will take place in Geelong from June 2 to 10, 2002. It is Australia's largest and most diverse celebration of Celtic (Asturian, Breton, Cornish, Galician, Irish, Scots, Welsh and Manx) culture and features music, dance, drama, art, literature, poetry, arts and crafts, pipe bands and much more. Great family event, with special children's activities. Contact 0011 61 2 03 217 224; e-mail: oates@dodo.com.au FDA Lebanese Dance Workshop 30 June, 2002 Eli Akouri and the "Cedars of Lebanon" will share some of their exciting Arabic debka dances with us on: Time: Sunday, 30 June, 2002, 10am - 3pm Tapes can be bought and videos can be ordered on the day. Bowral Residential Workshop, 2 - 4 August Avdp World Dance, featuring André van de Plas as teacher, will again present a Folk Dance Weekend at Bowral. Accommodation will be at the Golf View Lodge and dancing as usual at the Bowral High School. Application forms will be sent to those who have attended in the past. Please note - bookings will only be accepted with payment.
Prague Festival Dance Prize 2002 & Access praguefestival.com for information on the Prague Festival 2002 which will be held in Prague from 25th April to 1st May 2002 Access www.dancefestival.it for information on the Grand Prix "Italy" Event which will be held in Italy from 20th to 25th June 2002. MAZOXI 2002 - Crete, July 2002 A Folk Dance Conference on the Island of Crete, 14 - 28 July, 2002, where you stay in the remote C16th mountain village of Roustika. Classes held at the landmark Mazoxi Folklore Center and Cultural Museum. Hosted by Kety Karekla & Andreas Fragiadakis. Once again, the MAZOXI Folklore and Dance Conference will feature instruction in the colorful folk traditions of various Greek provinces and islands. This unique experience takes place in the quaint village of Roustika, which maintains characteristics of unmarred traditional Greek life--a perfect vacation haven away from the clamour of civilization and the fast pace of technology.
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Cost is US$700 (triple occupancy), US$840 (double occupancy), US$980 (single occupancy). Price per person for two weeks includes room, board, seminar, and excursions! (Excludes airfare and transportation to Roustika). For further information contact: Athan Karras, e-mail: mazoxi@prodigy.net or Andreas Fragiadakis, e-mail: fragiad@yahoo.com 
Katy Sinton, Rebecca Officer, Rae Storey and Kate Goodwin from the inaugural FDNZ Folk Dance Camp. FDNZ 2nd National Folk Dance Camp, June 2002 On the Queen's Birthday weekend, Folk Dance New Zealand is holding their 2nd National camp at Tauranga in the North Island, at the Community Hall, Pillans Point School, 101 Maxwell Road, Otomoeti, Tauranga. The weekend will feature Koce Stojcevski (from Melbourne) teaching Macedonian dance, Alastair Sinton, Fiona Murdoch, and a 3 hour Israeli Dance Workshop with Jan Okey, Cleone Cawood and Raymond Matson. The full camp cost is NZ$100 - includes lunches and refreshments (other meals are the responsibility of participants). For more information on the Camp registration & media orders, please contact Kate Goodwin, 49 Pillans Rd, Tauranga, NZ or [ph NZ] 07 576 9749, or email: kandn.goodwin@actrix.co.nz Greek Dance Seminar in Nea Aghialos, July The seminar, with Kyriakos Moisidis, for Greek traditional dance and song will be held in Nea Aghialos, Magnisia, from July 17 - July 27, 2002. There will be 4 -4.5 hours of lessons each day. Videotaped examples of the dances taught will also be shown. There will be live music almost every day. In addition to the dance lessons from various regions in Greece, Yannis Amaradidis will display and explain the costumes worn in the same regions. At the beginning of the seminar each participant will receive an information packet about the dances and the songs that will be taught, pictures of the costumes, and a CD of the music. The participants will also be able to dance at local panigiria, organized both by the villagers and by the seminar. Also scheduled are several bus tours to Delfi, Pilio, etc. The cost of the seminar includes accommodation, breakfast and dinner, at the beachfront hotel "Protesilaos". continued top of next column => |
The double rooms have air conditioning, satellite TV, refrigerator and
balcony.
Nea Aghialos is found 18 km south of Volos in central Greece. Due to the number of ancient artefacts found near the village, we know that the village existed in ancient times as well. In 1923 people from Aghialos in Northern Thrace moved to the village and gave its name Nea (New) Aghialos. Today it is a beautiful and hospitable town near the sea. One can reach Nea Aghialos from Athens by bus or by train to Volos and then connect to a local bus. From Thessaloniki there are trains and buses to Volos. The seminar costs US$575 (650 euro). Registration before May 31, 2002. For more information, contact Kyriakos Moisidis, e-mail: krksm@hotmail.com Greek Dance Seminar, Prespa Lake, Aug 2002 This seminar, on Greek traditional dances will be held in Macedonia at Prespa Lake (the natural border between Greece and Albania) in the village of Agios Germanos, about 60 kms from Florina and organised by Yannis Konstantinou, from 5 - 17 August 2002. This region is rich both in history and traditions - the natural park, protected for its rare varieties of birds and flowers where Nature has not been subjected to massive tourism and where traditions have remained what they were and are still strictly observed. Prespa is an area rich in humanity, where alongside the Macedonians, live Vlach and Pontic families, refugees from Minor Asia and Albanians. This rich mixture delights the dance workshop participants at local "panegiri" where one can dance a Levendikos with the natives, followed by an equally authentic Eleno Mome, then a Kotsaris or Tik, followed by a Sta Tria or ZaXaroula, without forgetting the Sarakatsans, living each year from April to October with their flocks, up in the mountains. The program gathers all the "facets" of the Greek traditional dance: dances from all Macedonia (Florina, Serres, Alexandreia, ), Epirus, Pondos, Minor Asia, Cappadocia, Crete and islands, dances from the Sarakatsans, Vlachika, Thraki-Anatoliki, Romilia, with each "facet" being taught by dancers native from the region and respectful of its traditions, accompanied by local musicians. Teaching will be 5 hours per day. During August, there is always a lot of "panegiria" (village festivities) and we will have many opportunities to join the natives of the neighbouring villages and share with them the happiness in dancing their own dances, still alive in this region. As usual, a one-day excursion in the mountains will be planned (with the traditional picnic) to enjoy the picturesque and the beauty of this area. Various visits are organised: eg, drive to the traditional village of Psarades, Agios Achilleos island, the Sarakatsans living in the mountains, etc, and every night, at the "baraki" of the village, the typical Greek parties with the musicians, the teachers, their friends, and neighbours. Price/Accommodation (includes teaching): US$575 / or Euros 650 per person. Accommodation in traditional Macedonian houses (rooms 2/3 persons with baths) but, all kinds of arrangements (meals, accommodation, including camping) are possible, on request. A few places are kept for the accompanying persons. Registration: before July 1st, 2002. For more information, e-mail: maryse.fabre@eu.rhodia.com |
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Name: Georgi Mitchev Name: greekdancer2000@yahoogroups.com Name: Maryse Fabre From: Akranes, Iceland Name: The Forbes Family continued top of next column => |
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Our dream is to perform in Australia. We are members of Folklore Canada under CIOFF. Traditionally, when we travel, we are responsible for air travel to the country we are visiting. Inland transportation, lodging and meals are provided by the host country. We have participated in International Folk Art Festivals involving dance troupes from around the globe. We would appreciate your help in contacting the necessary organisations in Australia. We would like to invite you to visit our web site at www.magma.ca/~macdance/ Name: Raelene Allen
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30 Mar 2002 |
International Folk Dancers' Dance, the Canberra Kolo, at the National Folk Festival, 3pm, Easter Sunday in Canberra's Exhibition Park (Canberra Showground), ACT. |
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11 Apr 2002 |
4 days, Szatmari Tabor 2002 Seminar, Heathcote Scout Camp, 2 Freeman Rd, Heathcote, Sydney. Contact 02 9399 3492, email: castopic@optusnet.com.au , website: www,members.optusnet.com.au/~castopic |
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19 Apr 2002 |
3 days, Fairbridge Folk Festival, WA. Check Web: www.fairbridgefestival.com |
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20 Apr 2002 |
English Country Dance Night, Canberra, with Earthly Delights. 8pm, St John's Anglican Church Hall: Constitution Ave, west of Anzac Pde, Reid. Contact: www.earthlydelights.com.au |
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20 Apr 2002 |
2 days, FDA Family Folk Dance Camping Weekend, showground at Mt Tambourine, QLD, featuring Sellenger's Round and combined talents of participants. Contact Chris or Sheree, (07) 3806 1343,or email csgreenhill@optusnet.com.au (For more information and registration form, see enclosed flyer). |
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24 Apr 2002 |
5 days, St Albans Folk Festival, NSW. Contact Alison Boyd, email alison@easy-pulse.com or phone 02 9862 9515. |
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25 Apr 2002 |
One week, International Prague Dance Festival 2002, Contact e-mail dancefestival@dancefestival.it or david.pf@volny.cz or dancefestival@albaclick.com |
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25 Apr 2002 |
4 days, International Russian Spring Folk Music Festival, contact Alexander Ivanov, folk@sp.ru |
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27 Apr 2002 |
Heritage Ball 2002, "Celebrating the ANZAC Tradition", Parramatta, NSW. Contact 02 9874 7875. |
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5 May 2002 |
FDA Macedonian Dance Workshop, with Yorgo Kaporis, at the Newtown Neighbourhood Centre, cnr Australia St and King St (ie, the old Newtown Town Hall), opp Newtown Station, Sydney. Contact Sandra, 02 6552 5142 or Kaye, 02 9528 4813. |
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12 May 2002 |
Masquerade Ball from 7:30, Albert Hall, Canberra, with Earthly Delights and guests; masks available for purchase. Contact: John or Aylwen 02 6281 1098 or www.earthlydelights.com.au |
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17 May 2002 |
3 days, Bacchus Marsh Camp, VIC. Held at Lady Northcote venue. Contact Dorothy 03 9580 4117. |
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1 Jun 2002 |
3 days, 2nd National Folk Dance Camp, Tauranga, NZ, featuring Koce Stojcevski. Contact Dr Kate Goodwin, kandn.goodwin@actrix.co.nz More info next issue. |
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2 Jun 2002 |
9 days, National Celtic Folk Festival, Geelong, VIC, e-mail: oates@dodo.com.au |
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5 Jun 2002 |
6 days, 7th Australian Folk Music and Dance Gathering, in Albion Park, Contact Chloe Roweth, 02 4236 0949, email: chloeroweth@bigpond.com or website: www.wongawillicolonialdance.org.au |
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19 Jun 2002 |
6 days, 3rd Kadikoy International Folklore Festival, Turkey, HAFEM-Halay Folklore Education Centre. Contact Halay Folklor Egitim Merkezi, Altiyol, Semisitap Sokak No: 7, 1 Kadikoy, Istanbul, Turkey. |
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30 Jun 2002 |
FDA Lebanese Dance Workshop, Arabic and Debka dancing, with the "Cedars of Lebanon" and Eli Akouri, at the Granville Town Hall, 10 Carlton St, Granville, Sydney. Contact Sandra, 02 6552 5142 or Kaye, 02 9528 4813. |
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7 Jul 2002 |
25th Anniversary "One World" Concert, with the Carol Maddocks Folkloric Dancers. contact Carol Maddocks, 02 9905 1563, fax 02 9401 3451, email - maddocksdance@optusnet.com.au |
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2 Aug 2002 |
weekend, Bowral Residential Workshop, with André van de Plas. Contact Kaye on 92584813 or email okaye@optusnet.com.au |
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11 Sep 2002 |
5 days, 18th Illawarra Folk Festival at Jamberoo, contact: website: www.illawarrafolkclub.org.au |
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