November 2006

Prez Sez

by Terry Abrahams 

Hello to all!  This newsletter follows a little close to the last, but hopefully it will put us back on schedule.

I got a note from Charlie Dyer asking me to fix some information about his group on a website I didn’t even know existed - www.foff.org .  I went to that site, only to find that the Tampa information was also wrong.  But the website is wonderful, and the person I’ve been corresponding with is very sensitive to everyone’s needs.  I am personally going to join the FOFF (Friends of Florida Folk).  I recommend that you at least look at the site and think of supporting them as well (and check your group’s info).  I will be sending news of our camp to them, as well as to other organizations such as New England Folk Festival Association (NEFFA).  If you know of any other group with a website or newsletter that would encourage people to attend our camp, please let me know how to contact them.

Last month I asked everyone to help find recipes.  Arleen Kaufmann hopped right on it and sent me some wonderful recipes for Hungarian dishes.  Thanks Arleen! 

Other camp stuff:  I just received a little bad news. Angel, the accordionist, can’t get a visa to the United States.  So he won’t be coming to camp.  The second bad news is that we were offered a substitute - a kaval player, but he discovered a conflict and can’t make it either. So, at the moment, Daniela will be teaching from her CDs – too bad. Should anything change, I’ll let you know.

I promised to have the teachers’ websites (with biographies) available for your perusal – to help you see what a wonderful camp this will be!  Bulgarian dance teacher Daniela Ivanova’s is www.dancing.cult.bg.   Go to “about us” on the left. 

Aron Szekely, our Hungarian, has a whole blog going with information about what he’s doing, what he’s thinking, etc.  Go to www.hungarianfolkdance.net.  Click where it says “pictures” and you will find his biography as well as pictures of him.  You can also see videos of him dancing.  

It's time to start thinking camp scholarships.  We have the Olga Princi fund, which helps a new (hopefully youngish) dancer, as well as work scholarships.  If you're thinking of not coming to camp because of your finances, please apply for one of these scholarships. And spread the word to others in your group. Send requests for scholarships to me.  We want everyone there!

I just got a message from the Florida Folk Festival people.  If we‘d like to perform there (we have in former years), we have to submit “stuff” by Dec. 1.  Are there people out there that would want to do a performance?  I believe we’ll have to have a video of us dancing somewhere in order to qualify.  Do we have any past videos of us dancing?  Do any of your specific groups have anything – I don’t think we would have to have those exact people in our show after we pass muster.  Please e-mail me if you feel the least bit interested in this concept.  The festival is Memorial Day Weekend.

OK – that’s enough for this month from your Sexy Prexy – yeah – in my dreams!

Daniela Ivanova

What's a Kaval?

Picking up on what our Prez sez –

Do you know what a kaval is?  I didn’t; so, naturally, I Googled it and found a website - www.robertsnider.com/Kavals/.  The short explanation is that a kaval is a very old folk flute from the Balkans, notably Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Turkey.  It is an end-blown flute with eight finger holes. An end-blown flute is one which has no windway or fipple on the end you blow into, but is just a straight hollow tube. If you want more, go to the website.  It even has sound samples, including a Trite Puti. 

- CL

Aron Szekely

2007 Camp Flyer - click to enlarge for viewing & printing

A Kaval

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Sharpes Assembly

by Catie Condran Geist

There were an English country dance on Friday evening called by all of the callers, two English workshops on Saturday morning taught by Bruce Hamilton (with music by Sheila Cootes and Bill Possi), a Fundamentals of English session taught by John Daly, a folk dance session in which Veronica Lane taught Israeli dances on Saturday afternoon, followed by a session of Recreational English taught and called by all of the callers. On Sunday morning all of the callers took turns teaching and calling dances. The weekend was over way too soon and I wish it could have gone on forever!

Please mark your calendars for the first weekend of October in 2007 (5th-7th) and plan to attend another wonderful weekend of English Country Dancing in Sebring.

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Photo by Catie

Views of Greece

Perspectives on a Tour with Jim Gold and Lee Otterholt

From Pat Henderson:

On October 14, several FFDC members boarded a plane in Orlando, headed for JFK and then on to Athens for either a 14 or 16 day tour of Greece.  Bobby and I joined Kelly Fagan, Ann Robinson, Fannie Salerno, Willa Davidsohn, Bernice Roth, Claudia and Joe Terrence, and Jan Lathi at the Orlando airport.  We met other dancers with Florida connections in New York:  Annette Brand from Ottawa, who dances frequently in Orlando, Carol McGinn, FFDC member now living in Albuquerque, and Mary Lea Bailey who formerly danced in Orlando.  We also enjoyed getting to know Andi Kapplin’s cousin, Ada Glustein, of Vancouver.  The entire group consisted of 38 people from the United States, Canada and Norway. 

We explored Athens in three days, took a four-day road trip to the Peloponnese and Central Greece and then a four-day cruise to five Greek islands plus the port of Kusadasi and ancient Ephesus, Turkey.

Of course, the main attraction of the whole trip was the dancing, handled splendidly by Lee Otterholt.  We had four Greek and Turkish dance workshops and several international dance sessions in hotels and on our cruise ship with Lee.  We now know the difference between a Kalamatianos and an island Syrto. 

Those of you who have been to Greece know the sheer amazement of looking at structures and statues that are thousands of years old.  We explored ancient ruins at almost every stop and visited the museums by the archaeological sites. This trip gave us the opportunity to see Greece (and Ephesus) in all its glory with the added dimension of dancing.

In a Restaurant under the Monasteries/Cliffs at Meteora

Photo by Kelly Fagan

Some of us found a taverna in Athens with live music and danced there twice.  We were the sole audience in a night club that called in its six performers for a show and we danced with them.  They were floored at how well we danced, especially when each of our men did the Zeibekiko.  Lunch in an estiatorio (restaurant) at Meteora resulted in more dancing and plates being broken on the floor.  This is what happens when lunch includes about 10 Greek dishes and all the wine, ouzo and retsina that we want. 

Most of the Floridians and friends enjoyed the extension on Santorini, an island that has its two largest cities built on the edge of the caldera of a still-active volcano.  It was the Ochi holiday, which commemorates when the Greeks said “NO” to Mussolini, refusing to join the Axis powers in World War II.  We saw a parade and later Jim got some Pontian dancers to come to our hotel and perform for us.  This was such a great trip and Jim Gold is doing it again next year if you are interested! 

See more from Pat in Orlando International Folk Dance Club.

From Willa Davidsohn:

This was a fabulous trip.  From the visit to the Acropolis in Athens to the last day in Santorini, we enjoyed beauty, history, dancing, food, and even the thousands of stairs we trudged up and galloped down.

There was an evening when Lee taught the Old Man's Dance and later did the Tango with Carol - a real treat.

Someone proposed a race in the Olympus stadium and four of the men actually did it.  Robert won, but only because Lee danced half way down the course before breaking into a run. Result: one strained leg muscle and fun for all.

The two monasteries we visited in Meteora on a misty, rainy day were awe inspiring.  They rose way up, placed on huge rocks and accessed  by stairs going down, then up and crossing a bridge. It was something out of a fairytale. All in all it was a fabulous journey!

On Board the Cruise Ship

Front: Kelly Fagan, Bobby Quibodeaux, Annette Brand; Back: Pat Henderson, Bernice Roth, Ann Robinson, Mary Lea Bailey, Fannie Salerno, Willa Davidsohn, Claudia Terrence, Jan Lathi

Impressions from Kelly Fagan:

A journey of deepening friendships, discovery, playfulness, learning, EATing, and, oh yes....dancing!   The sprawl and enchantment of Athens, the Acropolis, the Agora, the Plaka, Monasteraki, the museums ... MarOUUUla, our tour guide and expert ... whirlwind sensate bombardment in archeology, history, mythology.....Corinth, Mycenae, Agamemnon's tomb that really isn't ....Epidavros - acoustics! ... Nafplio ... Olympia and the footrace ... the Touris Club performing dance group ... the stunned look on the dancers' faces when Lee commenced to improvise!   The suspension bridge from the Peloponnese to central Greece ... Delphi and the oracle … more acoustics ... the view of the sea.....the pilgrimage to Meteora ... the Byzantine paintings ... dancing under Meteora ... plates breaking! OPA!  Lee picking up a cup with his teeth from the floor while dancing ... The Ocean Monarch ...  seasickness pills ... a fascinating multilingual Christina the tour director ...  Mykonos ... Rodos ... Patmos ... Ephesus ... Haraklion Crete ... Santorini … I am so glad I went ... so much to process.  What a lovely gathering of friends with very happy feet ... yamas!

- Kalista

From Jim Gold:

Greece was … intense, dramatic, personal, great dancing, and sights, the works!  I was really thrilled with the program and people who went with us. 

A Village on Santorini

Photo by Pat Henderson

Pontian Dancers

Photo by Kelly Fagan

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by Terry Abrahams

Judith, Ernesto, Bobbie Ward, Andy P. and Terry all hopped in one car and drove on a perfectly gorgeous day to the Masaryktown Community Center (M.  is a small Czech town) to help the Czechs and Slovaks celebrate their Independence Day on Sunday, October 29.   (We used to go up there for an occasional dance, but hadn't heard of one in a long time - thanks to Julius for discovering this one.) 

Dinner was served to over 300 people at 11:30 (choice of chicken and rice or sausage, potatoes and sauerkraut), followed by introductions, singing of all possible anthems, a memorial "service" for servicemen from the area, clever and pleasant entertainment by a pair of singers, and a performance by the Beseda Folk Dancers.  There were 4 couples dancing, doing similar dances to what Vonnie Brown taught us.  Their costumes were terrific; their dancing was not as good as FFDC dancers, but we thoroughly enjoyed them anyway.  

Then a band - Mario Deleon and friend - the piece de resistance - played while many people danced, but especially us!  We three women shared the two men, and the music was great.  Mario played the accordion, pushed the computer rhythm button and the other guy played every kind of reed instrument.  They sounded almost like a big band!  They played waltzes, polkas, tangos, rumbas, etc. and when we asked, did a Czardas as well.  We had a terrific time! 

Bobbie & Ernesto

We ended the day by crossing the road to visit my daughter the groomer and Cece Zaffuto, the flamenco dancer that many of us know.  I forgot to get on their mailing list, but will rectify that soon.  Shades of the old days!

Real dancers never quit!

Photos by Terry

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Tampa Scandinavian Performance and Workshop

On Saturday, October 21, six dancers - Kevin and Nil Wilkins, Judith and Ernesto Baizan and Caroline and Gary Lanker - performed Scandinavian dances at Tampa's Anderson Park Fall Festival. Kevin and Nil should be familiar to some of you. They danced in Gainesville. and Tampa years ago.

Judith really flew doing Schottis fran Viksta with Kevin.

A little audience participation ...

Ladies, take note - Ernesto and John Daly are dancing (no, not wrestling) with each other due to a severe shortage of women. If you have ever complained about a lack of men for couple dances, try Judith's Scandi classes and workshops! See announcement of next Scandinavian Workshop in Events and Tours.

After the performance, the dancers, well warmed up, moved inside the Kate Jackson Recreation Center for Judith's semi-regular monthly Scandi workshop and danced the rest of the afternoon.

Photos by Sara Wilkins, Caroline Lanker and Gary Lanker

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Gainesville Gossip

by Jack Seltzer

It’s been a busy month for us, with visitors coming by: Shelley, from Washington DC bringing us “Turkish Kiss” dance (Israeli), Arleen Kaufmann coming back from the past bringing us her smiles, and new folks such as Mirelle, from Brittany, and Shaila, from Julieta’s early folk dance experiences. We finished the month with a fun Halloween party of dancing, non-stop for 3 hours.

“We scooted over to the 3rd arrondissement.  The 3rd is in the middle of things and an old district, and this apartment is within spitting distance of the Pompidou Center…  We’re used to small elevators.  This one has a capacity of three, which in American English means one and a half…  But it was newish, the lobby was in good shape, and the building and its large courtyard oozed charm.  

“[After the elevator ride,]…we saw we only had to climb a few stairs to reach [the apartment on] the highest level.  They were steep, but very pretty, and someone had put ropes as handrails, a rather nautical touch.  Aeronautical, I thought, meaning the climb angle could easily cause a plane to stall. 

“The studio is 35 square meters (almost 400 sq.ft.)…  We found it very charming, with old wooden ceiling joists beneath a white plaster ceiling [and] a v-shaped roof support separating the bedroom area from the living area…Peg and I tried to walk past each other in [the bathroom] and almost got stuck.

“From all the windows you can see Notre Dame, the Pompidou Center (just across the street, so you have to be a very good spitter), and lots of neat roof profiles.  … the Bastille and its excellent street market [are] just 10 minutes away.  … we enjoyed a comfortable night on our very comfortable bed, on top of the Parisian world.” 

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Photos by Susan Abrahams

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Israeli Folk Dance in Sarasota

On October 5, Mary Finegold gave an Israeli Folk Dance demonstration to two Booker Performing Arts High School dance classes who were studying cultural diversity in dance. They learned Yemenite, Arabic, and classic horas popular in the folk dance repertoire. Cheryl Cohan, Mary Finegold and friends are giving two more demonstrations, to Temple Beth Israel November 6 and the Venice Jewish Community Center annual dinner on November 4. The dances will focus on the variety of dances displayed in Israeli Dancing through the last fifty years.

Mary and Cheryl run the local Israeli Folk Dancing Monday evening sessions at Colonial Park Community Center in Sarasota. If interested in attending e-mail: marifine@earthlink.net or call (941) 727-5109.

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by Pat Henderson

October was a very busy month.  It started with Bobby's birthday celebration on October 4, which we combined with our Oktoberfest party night.   Here's a picture of the gang (below, left). We had a great celebration, as is usual for our group!

Ellie Hall reported that she was in Indianapolis on October 15 for a 240th birthday party given by her daughter, Barbara, for her and Barb's in-laws, all 80.  The party was "fun wonderful."  Ellie wore a t-shirt that read, “This damn well better be a happy birthday.  I have enough candles to torch the place!”  Ellie was also there for the baptism of her 8th great grandchild, who is named after her. 

Our big news is the trip to Greece by several of our members.  See Views of Greece. We were saddened that Fred and Juanita Schockey were not able to join us due to Fred's illness.  We enjoyed seeing Carol McGinn again and hanging out together.  I joined her and Kelly Fagan and one other person for a hike up Lycabettus, the highest hill in Athens.  You look down on the Acropolis from the top.  We were there at sunset and into the evening when all the lights of Athens were visible. 

Many of you know that Kelly Fagan is an actress/singer in many musicals in the Central Florida area. Of course, she had to try out all the ancient theatres that we visited.  In the theater at Epidaurus, she lit a match and the sound could be heard in the top row.  She sang Ave Maria, which immediately silenced groups of tourists in the theater and resulted in very loud applause afterward.  In Delphi, she was told that her singing was beautiful but she was not allowed to sing.  The reprimand came after she had finished!

The Theater at Epidaurus

Photo by Bobby Quibodeaux

OIFDC had its annual Halloween Party one day late, on Wednesday, November 1 (picture at left).  Terry came from Tampa and everyone dressed for the occasion.  You can see Bobby in his shirt from Rhodes. 

We hope to see some of you in the Orlando area for the Serbian Festival (first ever, I believe), November 17-19.  If you need a place to stay, let me know.

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Florida's Own Folk Dance Hero

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A Note from Jeanie Whitehead

The following note from Jeanie Whitehead, a founder of FFDC, sent to Terry 5/9/06, recently made its way to me. -Ed

Hi Terry,

Each month I So Very Much enjoy reading the FFDC newsletter: and of course, especially about those of you I know, and, I even feel like I'm getting to know others thru it! I'm thrilled and so appreciative that "what we few started" has been so splendidly carried on" !

Prez Sez is Great! You said, "This month I'm just giving dribs and drabs of thoughts."  How about another of your  "Reminiscings" as you sort of promised last month ----- of course you know that "hit the spot" with me! I'll bet you had a great time going thru that file!

A few weeks ago I went with Craig and Paula to an ECD evening in Black Mountain.  WOW!! It seemed like I was actually dancing when the live music played Black Nag!  After reading in an issue of this newsletter of Dmitri Babiak's successful knee surgery, I may be a bit closer to having same!  In the meantime, My Many Many Mountain Top Experiences in Folk Dancing keep my Toes - A - Tappin'!

Happy Dancing (and Happy Fencing, for which I send you Kudos, and Happy Whatever Other Goings On You Have)!

With Hugs from Jeanie ( Whitehead )

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From the Editor

Wow, a lot has been going on in Florida Folk Dance circles in the past few weeks. I knew the Greek tour would be a big story. But, with this newsletter coming so close behind the last, I thought that the English Country Dance weekend in Sebring would be about the only other news. Was I wrong! Some people have really been dancing up a storm. I've had to make some choices and have left some material for next month.

Especially for those we haven't heard from in a while: what are you or your group doing, these days? Please write about it. Or send a picture of dancing people - or dogs! Did you see the article about dancing in the July National Geographic? It includes a picture of a dog dancing! Well, maybe we aren't doing anything as unusual as dancing with our dogs. But no matter. This newsletter exists to help keep our far flung dancing community in touch between those few occasions (mostly camp and flings) when we gather together. It will keep serving its purpose as long as you keep reading it and sending your news!

- Caroline Lanker

Conny Taylor

1921 – 2006

Conny Taylor passed away on Nov. 4, 2006.  He was a major figure in New England folk dancing for many years, from 1953 on.  Read his obituary on the Folk Arts Center of New England website, at http://facone.org/about/conny.htm .

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Events and Tours

November 17-19 Serb Fest

Place: St. Petka Serbian Orthodox Church, 1889 Lake Emma Rd., Longwood, FL 32750

Dates and times

Friday, Nov.17, 5 pm to 9 pm

Saturday, Nov. 18, 12 noon to 10 pm

Sunday, Nov. 19, 12 noon to 6 pm

Dancing every hour.  Main show Saturday, Nov. 18, 6 pm to 8 pm

Other attractions include Serbian food, a book store and candle shop and entertainment for kids (climbing wall, bounce houses, etc.).

Free parking at Orthodox Church of St Stephen, 1895 Lake Emma Rd., Longwood, FL; free shuttle to the Serb Fest..

Check out the Serb Fest website www.serb-fest.com for directions and more information on the event plus pictures and background on the featured dance ensembles and the Serbian food.  Call or fax St. Petka church at 407-831-7323 (407-831-SERB).  

Saturday, November 18 Scandinavian Dance Workshop

Place: Kate Jackson Recreation Center, Anderson Park, 821 S Rome Ave., Tampa

Time: 12:45 - 1:30 warm up dancing

1:30 - 4:30 PM teaching

Cost: $5

Teacher: Judith Baizan

  Jim Gold International Folk Tours

2007 Mad Shoe Travel Schedule

 Travel with international folklore and folk dance experts:

 Jim Gold, Lee Otterholt, Adam Molnar, Sanna and Mars Longden,

 Yves Moreau, and Richard Schmidt 

***

March 16-25 BUDAPEST and PRAGUE Spring Arts Festival Tour

Led by Adam Molnar. Prague extension: March 25-29.

***

May 14-24 NORWAY Norwegian and International Dancing

Led by Lee Otterholt.  Oslo, Bergen. Hovin, (Telemark), Voss, Aal

***

July 27 - August 6 HUNGARY Jaszbereny and Matyo Folk Festivals

Led by Adam Molnar with Sanna and Mars Longden

Eger, Jászberény Folk Festival, Budapest, Nyiregyhaza, Mezökövesd, Debrecen.

***

July 31 - August 12, 13-18 BULGARIA and MACEDONIA Koprivshtitsa and Dorkovo Festivals!     .    Led by Jim Gold 

Sofia, Bansko, Plovdiv, Veliko Turnovo, Skopje, Ohrid, Bitola, Sandanski

***

September 1-15 POLAND Mazurka, Polonaise, Kujawiak, and more!       

Led by Richard Schmidt.  Krakow, Zakopane, Torun, Gdansk, Olsztyn, Warsaw.

***

October 21 - November 2, 1-4 GREECE and the GREEK ISLANDS Hasapico to Syrto

  Led by Jim Gold and Lee Otterholt.

Classical Tour to Athens, Olympia, Delphi, Meteora, Mycenae.  Greek Island Cruise to Mykonos, Crete, Rhodes, Patmos, Ephesus, Santorini,  Santorini Extension

       ***    

Visit Jim's website: www.jimgold.com for itineraries and details. Jim Gold International, 497 Cumberland Avenue, Teaneck, NJ  07666. (201) 836-0362, e-mail: jimgold@jimgold.com

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FLORIDA FOLK DANCER

Florida Folk Dancer is a monthly publication of the Florida Folk Dance Council, Inc., a non-profit corporation whose purpose is to further knowledge, performance, and recreational enjoyment of International Folk Dance.

2006 FFDC OFFICERS:

President: Terry Abrahams

813-234-1231

terry.abrahams@verizon.net

VP: John Daly

321-951-9623

jdaly@palmnet.net

Treasurer: Pat Henderson

407-275-6247

henderp@bellsouth.net

Secretary: Jean Murray

321-952-7025

mmurray9496@cfl.rr.com

Historian: Dan Lampert

PO Box 151719

Altamonte Springs, FL 32715

dan@dlc2.com

Newsletter Editor: Caroline Lanker

1963 S. Lake Reedy Blvd.

Frostproof, FL 33843

863-635-9366

lanker2@attglobal.net

Submissions: Send all newsletter submissions to the Editor during the last week of the month, to be published the first week of the next month. Electronic submissions are preferred.

Copyright: Articles in the Florida Folk Dancer are copyright by the Florida Folk Dance Council, Inc., or by their individual authors.

Subscriptions are $15 per year and include membership in the Florida Folk Dance Council. The membership year runs from one Annual Camp (usually February) to the next. The newsletter is posted on the FFDC website and members with e-mail addresses are notified of its availability. Subscribers/members can also request printed copies to be mailed to them.

FFDC Website: www.folkdance.org