Prez Sez, from Page 1

Next. Syllabi. We’ll post the camp syllabi on the web site and send out a notice ahead of camp via email – same as last year. If you want to have a hard copy at camp, print it out and bring it. If you want to buy one at camp, you MUST check it on your registration sheet and pay the extra $5.00. Only those who ordered will receive a hard copy. Last year some people suddenly decided to buy one and there were no extras. There will be no extras this year either.

Next. T-shirts. See the basic design of the T-shirt at FFDC Camp 2007 T-shirt Design on page 6. I may tweak it before having them printed, but you to get the idea. If you like it, order one. It is multicolored, on either a white or a black T-shirt. You may have a regular shirt, a scoop neck, a V-neck, a sleeveless (but regular neck) or a tank top. That should help you decide to buy a shirt this year. Children’s sizes are available (have always been, I just never thought to mention it), but only regular shirts. These are for you little people, or your children, or grandchildren.

Next. Officers. This is election year. Are you one of next year’s officers? Would you like to tell me about it? Inquiring minds want to know!

Thanks already to: Melbourne for Friday night snacks, Arleen Kaufman for Hungarian recipes, Bernice Roth for Bulgarian recipes, Orlando for decorations.

P.S. Not camp – Newsletter: If you have a computer that you can read the newsletter on – it’s SOOO much better in color. If you have a printer, you can print the newsletter in color, and read it in your easy chair or share with your group. We can’t afford to print it in color for you. Think about doing it yourself and taking yourself off my snail mail list – save me time, save FFDC money. Apologies to those whose newsletter did not get there whole – I re-sent a couple.

“And we should consider every day lost on which we have not danced at least once” (Nietzche)

-Terry Abrahams

Lodging Information for FFDC Camp

Florida Camp 2007 will be at Camp Crystal Lake, close to Keystone Heights, FL. This is the second year to have camp at this location. One pleasant surprise last year was the satisfaction from the dancers for the accommodations in the cabins at Camp Crystal Lake.

Cabins: There are ten cabins and each has a beautiful lake view. The cabins are very spacious and most of them have two sleeping areas with an open doorway between the bedrooms. The bathroom opens to one of the bedrooms and has two showers, two toilets, three sinks and a water fountain. There are usually nine bunk beds in the entire cabin. It is our desire to have no more than six people in each cabin, so that is why we are asking for your choice of cabin mates on the registration form. However, you may have more than six on Saturday night, our busiest night.

Each cabin has a cement floor and is heated. You may want to bring throw rugs and folding chairs. There are no closets but we suggest using the top bunk for your clothes. No one should have to sleep on a top bunk.

Bed and Breakfast: If you decide not to stay at the camp, you can reserve one of the six bedrooms at the Hampton Lake Bed & Breakfast just eight miles from the camp on Hwy. 301. This is a different bed and Breakfast from last year. The Hampton Lake B & B is on a lakefront and has an outdoor hot tub. It has five downstairs bedrooms and a loft. Four of the bedrooms are for two people (double) and two are for three (triple). The loft is a triple. Three of the doubles each have a queen bed and one has two twin beds. The room with the twin beds shares a bath with a double and the rest have their own bath. We will try to use the rooms sharing a bath last. If you have stayed in a motel in the past, you might want to consider the Hampton since it is closer than Starke.

The cost to stay at the B & B is more than staying at camp and that additional cost is reflected on the registration form. We deducted the camp charge for breakfast from the total. If you want one of the B &B rooms, please arrange for your roommate(s) and send in your registration form by January 15. We will release any unreserved rooms after that date. Priority will be given to full time campers since we have reserved the entire inn for all three nights.

Go to Lodging on page 3

On Mikonos - Kelly Fagan dancing with Orestes Vlandis. In background, Bernice Roth dancing with Robert Null of California.

Photo by John Silverstein

Lodging from page 2

We were able to obtain a group discount so here are the rates per person for the entire camp (full-time), staying at the B&B: $280 double, $260 triple. If you wish to stay only two nights, contact Pat Henderson (407-275-6247) to see if that can be arranged. If you want to see what the rooms and grounds look like, check the inn’s website at: www.hamptonlakebb.com. There is also a link to directions to the facility.

Motel: Another option is to stay at one of the motels in Starke (12-14 miles from camp). This year’s camp is President's Day Weekend once again so reservations in advance are highly recommended. You are responsible for you own reservations at the motels.

Best Western - 904-964-6744, 1-800-528-1234

Days Inn - 904-964-7600 or 1-800-329-7466

Deluxe Inn - 904-964-6784

Red Carpet Inn - 904-964-5590, 1-800-251-1962

- Pat Henderson

Directions to Camp Crystal Lake

The camp is located on Camp Crystal Road about 5 miles north of Keystone Heights, FL.

Maps to the camp: None of the standard online map websites recognizes the address of the camp. If you want to use an online map, here is one way.

Go to: http://maps.google.com/

And type: 7100 Airport Rd., Starke, FL

(this is the address of the Keystone airport).

It will show you a map with Airport Rd. and Camp Crystal Rd. The camp is on Camp Crystal Rd. The Hampton Lake B&B website, directions page, also has a map of the area.

There are a lot of ways to get to the camp. Here are the main ones. Take any of the following directions (or make up your own), depending on where you are coming from. Also read For All, at right, for some additional pointers.

From Jacksonville: Take I-10 West to US301 at Baldwin. Turn left (south) onto 301 which you'll take through Lawtey (watch your speed) all the way into Starke, where you'll turn left (east/south) on SR 100. It is about 10 miles to the Keystone Heights Airport Road. Turn left, go one mile and turn right on Camp Crystal Road. Follow the signs into camp.

From the North via I-75: Exit at Lake City onto US 90 E; go about a mile or two and then turn right to take SR 100 East (You will actually be going south). Go through Starke and then it is about 10 miles to the Keystone Heights Airport Road. Turn left, go one mile and turn right on Camp Crystal Road. Follow the signs into camp.

From the East Coast through Flagler Beach: From I-95, exit at Flagler Beach on SR 100 West. Follow SR 100 through Palatka and Keystone Heights. Go four or five miles beyond Keystone Heights to Keystone Airport Road. Turn right, go one mile and turn right on Camp Crystal Road. Follow the signs into camp.

From the South via I-75: Stay on I-75, heading north, past Ocala. Exit at Hwy. 318, turn right (east) and go several miles, crossing US 441, to Citra. Turn left (north) on US 301. Continue on US 301 through Waldo. (Watch your speed.) About 5 miles beyond Waldo, look for a sign to Hampton and turn right (east) on Hwy 18. Go about 4 miles; Hwy 18 dead ends at SR 100. Turn right onto SR 100 E; go 1 mile to the Keystone Airport Road. Turn left, go one mile and turn right on Camp Crystal Road. Follow the signs into camp. (Note: If you miss Hwy 18, go to Starke and then take SR100 E to the camp.)

From Gainesville: Take Waldo Road (Hwy 24) or take 39^thAve east to Waldo Road (Hwy 24) to Waldo; turn left onto US 301N in Waldo; about 5 miles from Waldo, look for a sign to Hampton and turn right on Hwy 18 to Hampton; go about 4 miles. Hwy 18 dead ends at SR 100; turn right onto SR 100 E; go 1 mile; turn left at Keystone Airport road. Go one mile and turn right on Camp Crystal Road. Follow the signs into camp. (Note: If you miss Hwy 18, go to Starke and then take SR100 E to the camp.)

For All: There's a standard highway airport sign on SR 100 to warn you in time to turn and a big brick and plaster sign for Keystone Heights Airport at the turn itself. After one mile, turn right at the Camp Crystal sign and follow this road all the way to the end.

Return to Contents

Dancing on the Greek Cruise ship with a teacher from Rhodes. Lee Otterholt, Ann Robinson, Claudia Terrence and Bobby Quibodeaux are pictured.

Photo by John Silverstein.

Marcetic Troupe Performs in St. Petersburg

by Terry Abrahams

As you know, Miroslav “Bata” Marcetic and his troupe gave a Serbian dance performance on November 3 at the Palladium Theatre in St. Petersburg. Thirty-five Florida dancers and spousim ("im" is plural in Hebrew - this is a word I made up, meaning many spouses) were in attendance and the performers were TERRIFIC! Before the show Bata came into the audience and found us, giving big hugs and smiles to us all. When the young announcer did her thing, the FFDC was mentioned (and ME, as president - very exciting). The show itself was wonderfully choreographed by Bata, and it was great fun to see his beautiful daughters on stage, one of them being a lovely singer.

After the show all were invited to the church for a dinner and dancing, and the entire Tampa group went. The dancing wasn't as exciting as we had hoped; they only did maybe two Serbian line dances. The rest was mostly a singer, albeit a good one, singing mostly Serbian songs, but not really danceable; but we met the PR guy of their troupe, many of the dancers up close and personal, and the food was good!

It was wonderful seeing Bata again. Since he is doing Atlanta's Rang Tang next spring, some of us are planning on going to it, as we loved his dances and him.

Bata Marcetic Folk Dance Ensemble

Photos by Sara Osborn

Andi Kapplin, Bata Marcetic and Terry Abrhams

Philippine National Dance Company

by Julieta Brambila

On November 21, I attended a performance by The National Dance Company of the Philippines. I found Jack and Linda in the audience and they generously guided me to a seat much closer to the stage than where I started. We made the error of assuming it was a folk dance group. The program did include folk dances, but it was not the main goal of the show, nor the general style. It included modern-dance-like presentations, either very abstract or very ancient, such as the dance "Earth Rhythms".

The program seemed to present the history of Philippine dancing from its origins to the early 1900s, definitely not including modern history in that none of the dances were designed with American-style flavor.

The printed program indicated that the Philippines were under European and specifically Spanish influence for four centuries, when they incorporated the

jota, mazurka, polka, and waltz, but danced them daintily Filipino-style.

It also stated that due to trading, they have influences from the Chinese, Spanish, Indian and Mexican cultures. I felt I was watching Thai or Indonesian dances at some point, with much Indian influence, as found in Bali. Some of the music seemed in part Korean to me, a strange mix of loud off-tune sounds. I really appreciated other music, though, which was mostly percussion with rain-like and other jungle-like sounds. The western type music for their European dances had string instruments (guitars, mandolins, etc.), and was thoroughly appreciated by the audience. Probably the best dance was, as perfectly described in the program, the "breath-taking dance on benches piled on benches". It was like watching a flirtatious waltz danced on the edge of a cliff.

Return to Contents

Serb Fest

A number of Florida folk dancers enjoyed the Serb Fest, held November 17-19 at the St. Pitka Serbian Orthodox Church in the Longwood-Lake Mary area north or Orlando. It was the first Serbian festival in the Orlando area. They had periodic dance performances throughout the festival as well as a "Main Dance Event" Saturday night. Most of the Orlando area dancers went on Saturday and Gainesville dancer Julieta Brambila attended on Sunday. Pat Henderson and Julieta reported on the event.

From Pat:

The current Orthodox Church is a converted home on about five acres of land. They plan to build their permanent church in the same location. They played recorded Serbian music in between the dance performances. Also, a musician played a keyboard and we did a dance or two with the Serbs when he was playing.

At the "Main Dance Event" 6:00 to 8:00 PM, a Serbian dance group and a Greek group alternated sets. The performing groups of both were young people, especially the Serbs. I remember when the local Greek group was composed of older adults. We learned one thing for next year -- we will make a CD with our beautiful Serbian dance music and take it with us in the hope that they will play it so we can dance more.

From Julieta:

The youth dance group "Sumadia", which means Serbian Crown, danced very well, and were in costume (photos this page). I relearned how simple dances can look great just by wearing a folk costume. Some dances were pretty energetic while others were complicated, forming figures on the 'stage' (a patio). There was no chance for the public to join the dances, and maybe I should have talked to the cleric who organized the event, about just playing the taped music and letting the public join the dancers onstage. I heard familiar songs, so we could have danced, since we do know the general style of Serbian dancing.

They also invited the Hellenic Dancers, who were outstanding. Some of their dances included jumping and hitting their shoes with their hands, or kneeling and slapping the ground with their hands. I expect this from other countries, but not from Greece.

Photos by Julieta Brambila

The primary purpose of the event was to raise funds for the St. Pitka Serbian Orthodox Church. The food was very good, especially the Serbian sweets, which included Rolnice (rolls with vanilla cream), Strudia (strudels with walnuts), Baklawa (same as Baklava), Vanilice (vanilla cookies with jam), and Bajadera (cookies with ground walnuts and chocolate). A handout explained that Serbian food is a unique mix of traditions from Greece, Hungary, Turkey and Austria. The youngest children only wanted hotdogs, though, not Serbian food (Sarma, Cevapi, Pljeskavica, Hleb, etc.). They also sold food for cooking, religious items, and lots of modern Serbian music on CDs.

Grapevine International Folk Dancers

by Marie Millett

Sarasota is welcoming our Winter dancers. June and Tom Morse are back. And it's great to have Susan Barach back, too. Nancy Wilusz has returned from Minnesota with some good dances

from the Door County folk dance camp which she shared with us last week. Sidney and Edith had a good trip to Israel. We missed Andi the night before Thanksgiving, but were lucky to have seventeen out and danced up a storm.

Return to Contents

FFDC Camp 2007 T-shirt Design

Olga Princi Scholarship

Each year a few deserving dancers attend Florida Camp courtesy of the Olga Princi Scholarship. Olga Princi was a talented young folk dancer from Daytona Beach whose life was ended by a tragic automobile accident. In her memory, contributions are accepted and a silent auction is held at camp to raise money for this scholarship.

The Olga Princi scholarship is different from work scholarships, in that the scholar is not required to work, but hopefully is someone who is very interested in getting more involved in dancing, may help teach, etc. Usually it’s a young person, relatively new to folk dancing, but that is not necessary. Over the years, a variety of people of all ages have benefited from the scholarship. Some have been new to folk dancing, while others have been long time dancers. Some have been potential leaders of a new group.

This scholarship is not necessarily connected to a monetary need. It is a privilege and honor to be nominated. Nominations usually come from leaders of Florida dance groups. You may also make a self nomination. There is no application form. If you are interested or want to nominate someone, please send a note to Terry Abrahams, with a brief description of the applicant’s interest in dancing. Describe how the scholarship would encourage that person to contribute either individually or as a leader to international dance in Florida. Deadline for nominations is January 1, 2007.

Reflections on Dance

by Dan Lampert

Over the years, I’ve found many excellent benefits of dancing: social skills, physical exercise, mental activity, building cooperation, etc. But in my quest [what is dancing?], I have found something new, which is suitable for this time of year.

The holidays are the time of year when we enjoy getting together with our family, extended family, and close friends. That “togetherness” gives us a good feeling, regardless of our religious beliefs. Now, consider how we meet people and exchange ideas throughout the rest of the year. We use phones and email a lot; those are usually “one-to-one” meetings. These meetings have some value, but you’re only sharing ideas with one person. And you may already know that person and their ideas, so the chance of personal growth is small. Furthermore, some of us attend conferences for work or pleasure; these are “one-to-many” meetings. These meetings have greater potential (because of the large group of people), but everyone’s there to discuss one topic, and discussions on other topics are rare. So, now, let’s consider a dancing event. It could be ballroom, latin, or folk dancing; it doesn’t matter. It’s a “one-to-many” meeting, and there are no boundaries on the topics you can discuss. Everyone has different backgrounds, careers, and ethnicity. The possibilities for sharing ideas and information are unlimited.

So, now you know a secret - a secret only dancers can know... only dancing events can bring together large numbers of people, people with varied backgrounds and knowledge, and people from all over the world. No other human events offer this. Wouldn’t it be great if dancing could help people from around the world understand each other better? As dancing grows in popularity, it’s hopeful (and very exciting) to think that dancing could influence world peace via “togetherness.”

At your next dance event, remember the possibilities. Dance with someone you don’t know. And when you’re resting between dances, talk to someone you don’t know. The road to world peace is a long journey, but even a long journey begins with a single step.

If you have some ideas to add, or any comments on this article, please send them to Dan at his email Dan@DLC2.com.

Return to Contents

the nearby mall, La Mostaza Restaurant provided our first Uruguayan meal.

Sunday morning the Mission Office was closed, but a cabbie took us to the nearest Mormon Church. There we made the connection that would lead us to meeting our grandson on Monday, and the successful delivery of the goodies from home. On Tuesday we did the Buquebus in reverse, successfully boarded our standby flights that evening and were in Tampa on Wednesday.

Then came Scand class Wednesday evening, repacking again, Scand workshop on Saturday, and a very early flight to Los Angeles on Monday of Thanksgiving week. Just me this time. Visits with family and friends, dancing in Anaheim on Monday, in San Diego on Wednesday, and Thursday through Sunday morning at the Southern California Scandia Festival in Julian CA. Wonderful music and dancing, and good food too. Overnight with used-to-be Floridians Suzanne and Kevin, and home by supper time Monday the 27th. That, friends, was my November to remember!

A November to Remember

by Judith Baizan

My November like was one long trip from early in the month until after Thanksgiving, with a couple of layovers in Tampa. What prompted It was our daughter's recent employment with Continental Airlines which offers special travel benefits to employees’ immediate family members.

This travel is all standby, but so economical I couldn't resist giving it a try. I settled on a date to meet with my brothers in Las Vegas, but that hadn't even happened yet when we were talked into flying to Buenos Aires so we could take some peanut butter to our grandson who is a Mormon missionary in Montevideo, Uruguay. It soon became not only peanut butter, but Christmas presents and a suitcase full of Halloween candy as well.

OK, on Monday the 6th I went to Las Vegas; on Wednesday noon I returned to Tampa via the Red Eye flight. Then I taught my Scand class and repacked (for Ernesto too). On Thursday we caught a morning flight to Houston, the first leg of our Montevideo adventure. The once daily 9 PM flight to Buenos Aires was delayed several times and then it checked in full. We were out of luck. Well, that's the way the game is played. We got a room in the hotel, had a drink in the lounge, and went to bed.

On Friday we had a great time visiting with Ernesto's extended family in Houston and went back in the airport to stand by for the evening flight. As passengers began boarding a storm erupted with thunder and heavy rain that threatened to cancel the flight. (A canceled flight would mean the adventure was all over before it really got started because our possible window of time did not allow for another missed outbound flight.) Standbys were called. . . we were on the plane, but it was going nowhere. For about an hour we sat there wondering, but then the rain let up, and we were off!

After the normal security and immigration holdups in the Buenos Aires airport, we taxied to the port to arrange for transportation across the Rio Plata to Uruguay and on to Montevideo. An outfit called Buquebus (Boat bus) handles this very neatly with a one-hour ferry crossing followed by a three-hour bus ride. Unfortunately we had to wait several hours for the only remaining departure that day. Small matter, we were in Buenos Aires, actually!

After a comfortable bus ride, the Days Inn we were aiming for was in sight. But it was full. We rolled our bags along to another hotel a block away and got the very last room. It was midnight and we hadn't eaten in many hours but Montevideans keep late hours. In

Society of Folk Dance Historians

In case you don’t already know about it, the Society of Folk Dance Historians publishes a nationwide directory of folk dancers, folk dance groups, teachers, musicians, etc. every year. They also keep an archive. Members receive the directory, a Folk Dance Problem Solver and four Reports to Members each year. It’s run by Ron Houston, in Austin, TX.

I recently received their membership renewal form for 2007. The cost is $25 for the one year ($20 if you get the money to them by Dec. 24). Or $30 for first class postage ("airmail" on the form). If your address changes seasonally, you need to pay for first class postage and tell them to request forwarding. Otherwise, they use bulk mail and their mailings are not forwarded.

Group leaders or contacts, you can list yourself and your group. (Listing is free; the fee pays to receive the mailings.) The directory is published in April. The deadline for getting directory information to them is Feb. 24, 2007.

If you are interested in becoming a member and/or listing your group in their directory, contact the Society at SOFDH, 2100 Rio Grande, Austin TX 78705, email fdhist@yahoo.com. They do not accept listings by email or phone, so ask for the form. (Sorry, we don't have space to include the form in this newsletter).

-Ed

Return to Contents

Orlando International Folk Dance Club

by: Pat Henderson

A few of our members attended the first Orlando Serb Fest on November 18. The weather was extremely cold for this time of year so we did not last long into the evening. The same day, Ann Robinson won "Best Artist" award at the Great Day in the Country, a craft show in Oviedo (close to Orlando). Way to go, Ann! She also had her annual open house at her studio on December 2nd and 3rd.

We took a break for Thanksgiving and did not dance the night before "Turkey Day". Now we are looking forward to our Holiday Party on December 13. We start with a pot luck dinner at 6:30 pm. Come join the fun!

We are not dancing December 20 and 27, since Bobby and I are going to see our daughter in Nevada and then to his family reunion in Louisiana for New Year's Day. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to one and all! Keep dancing!

Tampa Tales

by Terry Abrahams

I started a column a couple of days ago, and lost it in cyberspace, so am starting over again – I hate that when it happens. I’ve also lost my CD of pictures from Ireland and Scotland, my 2007 calendar, and today can’t find my briefcase of camp 2007. It’s a little house – this shouldn’t be happening to me. Well, enough about me, what about us?

On November 17, the international group had a wonderful visitor – Kathy Dudek was down for her nephew’s soccer tournament and was just in time to dance and eat with us. Wonderful seeing her after all these years. She’s a speech therapist now and seems very happy. (See picture at right.)

We’ve all been on the theater warpath. Of course we canceled our regular Friday dancing and all went to see Miroslav’s group perform on November 3 – and they were so much better in person than in his videos he showed at camp. It was wonderful seeing him too, and dancing (a little) with him afterwards.

The next day many of us showed up at the Greek Festival at St. John’s and did some more dancing and eating. That night Andy P and I attended a concert by the Battlefield Band (from Scotland) – they were great! And the next day I went to see a friend in Fiddler on the Roof, followed by a Florida Orchestra concert. How’s that for a full international weekend?

Then there were Broadway shows, American Stage plays, a Pirate Fest (we helped with the fencing ring), Judith’s November workshop, Bobbie, Barbara and I went kayaking, contra dances, yoga, jazzercise; Andi and I went to Orlando when there was no dancing in Sarasota and danced with the O gang – such a nice group. Thanksgiving found Andi in Jax’ville, Judith in California, Ken’s Dad in for a visit from CA, the rest of us with families near here. We’re cross pollinating with Sarasota, with Andi teaching there, and the dancers there sharing dances they learn elsewhere, such as Door County Festival.

I guess we’re busy…. !

L to R: Andy Pollock, Andi Kapplin, Terry Abrahams, Kathy Dudek, Bobbie Ward, Judith Baizan, Nil Wilkins and Ernesto Baizan.

Photo by Kevin Wilkins

Israeli Folk Dancing in Sarasota

by Mary Finegold

"What a fun way to exercise!" was a comment heard from one of the ladies of the Sisterhood of Beth Israel Synagogue after viewing an Israeli folk dance demonstration performed by Mary Finegold and Cheryl Cohen on November 6th.

Mary and Cheryl run the weekly Israeli folk dance session on Monday evenings at Colonial Oaks Park in Sarasota. They have been busy this fall doing demonstrations throughout the area to share the beauty and excitement of Israeli dancing. Their program includes traditional horas, Yemenite dances and some of the contemporary dances from recent Israeli dance workshops.

If you are in the area of Sarasota, join the Israeli dance group for an exciting Monday evening. Call 941-727-5109 for more information.

Return to Contents

From the Editor

FFDC is getting geared up for Camp 2007! It’s not too far away, now. Terry is busy as a bee doing all the arrangements, as you can see in this newsletter.

I think I’ve finally figured out how to do one newsletter layout that works for print, online PDF and HTML. If you’re looking at the HTML version online, you’ve probably noticed that it looks a lot like a paginated document. If you’re reading it in print, you'll see vestiges of the online navigation aids. These are the compromises I’ve make to be able to do one layout instead of two or three. It makes a big difference in the time it takes to do the newsletter!

On the home front, Gary and I are continuing to hold dances about once a month at our house. We had 16 people at the last one, in November.

Gary is easing into retirement and has cut back to working three days a week. That enables us to dance more. Last Wednesday, Nov. 29, we went to Tampa for Judith’s weekly Scandinavian class and got a big treat when a Tom Paley, a musician, showed up and played Swedish music for our dancing. It seems he was in Tampa to give a

concert on guitar and banjo, but he plays Swedish fiddle music for fun. Don’t know how he got Judith’s name, but he just called her up and asked if she’d like him to come play for her class. Wow!

My sister and brother-in-law stayed with Gary and me for a week over Thanksgiving. In the summer, they live in the small village of Espedaillac, in Southwest France (near Cahors; Toulouse is the nearest airport). I mention this because their village is in a historic/agricultural reserve. They hold village fetes (festivals) which involve community meals and traditional regional music and dance. My sis had been telling me about this stuff. This visit, they brought a CD of some of the music and showed us one of the dances, called Le Brise-Pieds (pronounced Luh Brisuh Pee-aid), which means “The Break-Feet” (dance). It is a simple dance that speeds up at the end. Apparently, the fun is in seeing how many people mess it up, especially when the party’s been going on for a while and everyone isn't entirely sober. The villagers also do a number of bourees but, unfortunately, my sister hasn’t learned any of those.

-Caroline Lanker

Events and Tours

Wednesday, Dec. 13. Orlando Imtermational Folk Dance Club Annual Holiday Party

Place: Bobby and Pat's dance room

Time: starting at 6:30 with a potluck dinner. Bring a dish to share. If you have to be later than 7pm, please bring a dessert.

Contact: Pat Henderson, 407-275-6247, henderp@bellsouth.net

Saturday, Decembr 16 Scandinavian Dance Workshop

Kate Jackson Rec Center, Anderson Park, 821 S Rome Ave., Tampa.

Time: 12:45 to 4:30 PM

Price: $5

This workshop is taught by Judith Baizan. Please register in advance: judithbaizan@verizon.net

or 813 254-3359.

Terry Abrahams leading Tampa Israeli dancers, on Israeli Independence Day, May 7, 2006.

Return to Contents

Wednesday January 3 and Thursday January 4 Duquesne University Tamburitzans

Place: Tarpon Springs Performing Arts Center, Tarpon Springs, FL

Time: 7:30 PM both days

Contact: Box Office 727-937-0686

Place: Watson B. Duncan III Theatre, Lake Worth, FL

Time: 7:30 PM, both days

Contact: tamburitzans@duq.edu, 1-877-826-6437

Friday January 5 and Saturday January 6 Duquesne University Tamburitzans

Place: Watson B. Duncan III Theatre, Lake Worth, FL

Time: 7:30 PM, both days

Contact: tamburitzans@duq.edu, 1-877-826-6437

Saturday, January 20 Scandinavian Dance Workshop

Kate Jackson Rec Center, Anderson Park, 821 S Rome Ave., Tampa.

Time: 12:45 to 4:30 PM

Price: $5

This workshop is taught by Judith Baizan. Participants should be comfortable with basic hambo, polska, and bakmes turns. Please register in advance: judithbaizan@verizon.net or 813 254-3359.

January 4-7 Winter Dance Conference

Place: St. Nicholas Community Center, at 348 S. Pinellas Ave., Tarpon Springs, FL

Price: $99.

This Greek dance conference includes dance workshops, parties and performances. Teachers are Kosta Mitsis from Epiros and Joe Graziosi, who has taught at FFDC camp and Atlanta’s Rang Tang. The St. Nicholas Cathedral Epiphany celebration, including a procession, service and diving for the cross is Saturday, January 6 at noon.

Registration deadline: December 20, 2006. Go to the website of the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral's Levendia Dance Troupe (www.levendia.org) for more information and to download the registration form. See the St. Nicholas Cathedral website, www.epiphanycity.org, and go to the calendar for a schedule of events around Epiphany.

The Duquesne Tamburitzans performances in Florida, through March 2007, are included in this list. The Tamburitzans are a music and dance group from Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA. They perform folk music and dance from mainly Balkan and other Eastern Euorpoean countries. If you have seen them, you know they put on a wonderful show. If you haven't, try to make it to one of these performances. You're in for a treat! For more information, visit their website at www.tamburitzans.duq.edu.

-Ed

Saturday March 3 Duquesne University Tamburitzans

Place: Palm Beach Comm. Coll. Eissey Campus Theatre, Palm Beach Gardens, FL

Time: 7:30 PM

Contact: tamburitzans@duq.edu, 1-877-826-6437

Sunday March 4 Duquesne University Tamburitzans

Place: Curtis Peters Auditorium, Lecanto, FL

Time: 3:00 PM

Contact: Cash Pealer 352-873-5808

Monday March 05 Duquesne University Tamburitzans

Place: Central FL Community College - Fine Arts Auditorium, Ocala, FL

Time: 7:30 PM

Contact: Cash Pealer 352-873-5808

Saturday March 10 Duquesne University Tamburitzans

Place: EAU Gallie High School - Performing Arts Center, Melbourne, FL

Time: 8:00 PM

Contact: Ticketweb 1-866-468-7619 or Dotti Denick 321-751-5434

March 16-25 Jim Gold Tours: Spring Arts Festival Tour to Budapest

with optional March 25-29 extension to Prague

Led by: Adam Molnar

The Budapest tour includes the National Táncház (folk dance) Festival and Craft Fair, two one-day village visits, other visits with crafts people, local folk groups, and a rehearsal of a professional folk dance ensemble, concerts, ballets, and operas. Prague extension includes sightseeing in the city, an evening of Bohemian folk dancing, and a day cruise on the Vltava (Moldau). Jewish Heritage tours of both cities are offered.

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

April 20-22. "Rang Tang" in Atlanta

Miroslav Marcetic will teach Serbian dances.

Look for more details in upcoming FFD issues.

Friday February 16 to Monday February 19 President's Day Folk Dance Camp

Presented ty FFDC

Place: Camp Crystal Lake, near Keystone Heights, FL

See information in this newsletter, the November newsletter and the FFDC website.

Return to Contents

Return Address:

FFDC Newsletter Editor

701 W. Idlewild Ave.

Tampa, FL 33604

USA

FIRST CLASS

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


	*December 2006*
	Contents Prez Sez Lodging for FFDC Camp Directions to Camp Marcetic Troupe Performs in St. Petersburg Philippine National Dance Company Serb Fest Grapevine International Folk Dancers Camp 2007 T-shirt Design Reflections on Dance Olga Princi Scholarship A November to Remember Society of Folk Dance Historians Tampa Tales Orlando International Folk Dance Club Israeli Folk Dancing in Sarasota From the Editor Events and Tours			Prez Sez This column will be dedicated strictly to camp. Please read it carefully and act or react! Much has been done, much needs to be done. First: Work Scholarships. One of the most important things is to find scholarship workers. If you are thinking you would like to come to camp, but just don’t feel you can quite swing it monetarily – please, please, please ask for a scholarship. This camp, more than the other, needs helpers to do many things, the most important of which is snacks – during the day and evenings – nothing fun, but a real necessity – setup, cleanup; also help running the music during teaching, sweeping between sessions. If scholarship people are not found, then the next step will be for me to assign each camper a specific job that would last about one hour. Contra camps do it all the time and it’s not the worst thing, but very involved to set it up. Certainly, each group must have someone that wants to dance, learn, eat, talk, dance – for free! I did it one year and it’s not so difficult! But don’t make me do it this year – I’ve got enough to do!!!! (As I write this, I have received one application! Who’s next?) Next: Olga Princi Scholarship. We have not yet received any Olga Princi scholarship requests. See Olga Princi Scholarship on page 6. Next. Snacks. Melbourne is doing Friday night snacks. I still need two groups – one for Saturday (Bulgarian), one for Sunday (Hungarian). If you get to me in time and want to reverse it, i.e. do Saturday Hungarian or Sunday Bulgarian, I can be flexible (should that make the difference for you). Snacks need not be as extensive as last year, but should be relative to the country. Clubs will be reimbursed for the expenses. Next. Registration. It’s time to think about registering. If you have a computer, you should go to our website (where you might be reading this right now). You have three choices: 1) print a copy of the “printable registration form”, fill it out manually, and send it in with your check to Pat, or 2) fill out the “web-based registration form” while on your computer, then print it out, and mail it and your check to Pat or 3) snail mailers - just fill out your form that is included in the newsletter, write a check and mail it to Pat. Group leaders, if you have dancers who are not FFDC members, please make copies to distribute. This year we will go back to packets. You’ll receive a packet when you check in. It will include your button, your syllabus if you ordered it, T-shirt if you ordered it, the camp schedule and anything else we want to put in it. Next. Sleeping arrangements. Those of you who were at camp last year know the cabins were very, very nice. The other options are a bed and breakfast near the camp and motels in Starke. See Lodging Information for FFDC Camp. on page 2. Go to Prez Sez, page 2
	Pictures which were received late for previous newsletters are used in odd spaces in this one - like this picture of dance instructors Jim Gold, Orestes & Lilian Vlandis and Lee Otterholt on Mykonos, Greece, from the October Greek Tour.

	Photo by Carol McGinn
	Return to Contents