Inside this Issue Nomination for the Texas International Folk TIFD Board of Directors 2 Dancers’ ALL-STAR TEAM Next Board Meeting 2 Steve Kotansky Bio 3 Susy Kotansky Bio 3 What does it take to be on an All-Star Team? Talent, dedication, Merita Halili & dependability, perseverance, striving for excellence, a spirit of Raif Hyseni Bios 4 cooperation, integrity, a passion for the activity. News from Local Groups 4 Calendar of Events 7 Who, in your community exhibits these attributes? To Travel Opportunities 8 whom are you grateful? About Albania 9 Who could you simply not dance without? It may be your best dancer, your best instructor...or it might be the person who never forgets to bring refreshments, who is always willing to carry the equipment and set it up...the person who makes your dance community a major priority in his or her life. Here is your chance to thank them.

Texas International Folk Dancers would like to recognize one or more people from each of our International communities. Please fill out the nomination form by going to: http://tifd.org/all-star-team/. Forward it to Lissa Bengtson 1343 W. Lullwood Ave. San Antonio, TX 78201-452. Texas Camp 2013 Deadline: August 22, 2013. Lineup Announced At the TIFD Board meeting on August 24, the Board will compile This Thanksgiving weekend, the list of the 2013 All-Star Team. Presentations to the All-Star join us for our annual four-day Team members will be made at Texas Camp 2013. folk festival featuring Steve ______and Susy Kotansky teaching Hungarian couple and Bruceville Roadhouse and Contra afternoon delights. Balkan line dances, with a special focus on the dances of The Balkan Bazaar returns again to delight you with treasures from near Albania. and far, and that isn’t all. More details to be announced soon!

We’ll also be offering singing New this year: we’re pleased to announce that kids under 16 are and live music classes taught by free with a parent or guardian! professional musicians, wonderful ethnic cuisine and To register for Camp, go to Registration Page. our ever-popular Page 2 August-October 2013 TIFD News

TIFD Board of Directors Deadline for the next issue of TIFD News is October 18 Lissa Bengtson, President [email protected] Jan Bloom [email protected] The TIFD Quarterly Newsletter is Bruce Bostwick [email protected] published on the first of the month, Terri Chadwick [email protected] in February, May, August, and Emily Clement [email protected] November; the eLetter is sent on Garry Karner [email protected] the first of the remaining months. Sara Talbot, Vice-President [email protected] Send news to [email protected]. Misi Tsurikov, Secretary [email protected] Articles received after the deadline Kathleen Yoder [email protected] may be postponed until the next issue or the next eLetter. Deadline Ex-Officio for the September eLetter is August 25. TIFD Treasurer: Georgia Horn [email protected] Membership Chair: Chuck Roth [email protected] TIFD News is published four times TX Camp Co-chairs: Genevieve Kent [email protected] a year for the members of Texas Jay Elbaor [email protected] International Folk Dancers, a non- TIFD News Editor: Jasmine Guha-Castle [email protected] profit educational organization. TIFD Recognition Chair: Elaine Moczygemba Submissions for publication are welcome, yet subject to editing. Next Board Meeting All opinions expressed are those of the author exclusively. Material The next TIFD Board meeting will be on Saturday, August 24 at the herein may be reproduced with the Southeast Austin Community Branch Library, 5803 Nuckols Crossing editor’s permission. Road, Austin, TX 78744. Tel. 512-974-8840. Time: 11:00 A.M. – 4:45 P.M. CALENDAR LISTINGS: Send email to [email protected] and NOTES: If you have an item you would like the Board to consider [email protected]. or if you would like to attend, please contact [email protected]. If members of TIFD wish to have a copy of Board minutes, please ADDRESS CHANGES: request by email to [email protected] or contact any Board member. For newsletter mailing list or TIFD Member Directory, contact TIFD, Texas Camp Silent Auction PO Box 4516, Austin, TX 78765; Attention: Chuck Roth, 512-453- Doing some summer cleaning? Don’t forget the Texas Camp silent 8936, [email protected]. auction! Just box the items you are donating and store them in that special closet until it's time to load the car for Camp. SOUTHWEST FOLK DANCE DIRECTORY: Contact

[email protected]. Also, consider asking your employer and friends for gift certificates. If you want to take on this project. Next time you visit your favorite restaurant, ask the manager about

donating a $50 certificate. If a request by letter is required, contact GENERAL CONTRIBUTIONS: Lissa Bengtson, furnishing her with the name and address of the Email [email protected] or mail to establishment, and the name of the manager or person-in-charge. TIFD News, PO Box 4516, Austin,

TX 78765. If you have questions or would like more information about Texas

Camp’s popular Silent Auction, call Lissa at 210-867-0692 or email [email protected].

Page 3 August-October 2013 News

Steve and Susy Kotansky Career Highlights

Stephen Kotansky has been active in for over four decades as a teacher, researcher, performer, and choreographer throughout North America and Europe. He began his career as a high school student in the San Francisco Bay Area and now lives with his wife, Susy, near New York City. During the early years, Steve danced with the Westwind Folk Ensemble and the San Francisco Russian Dance Group before becoming a dance major at UCLA and joining the Aman International Folk Ensemble. Meanwhile, he continued his study and teaching of Balkan and Central European dance culture. He made his first research trip to and former Yugoslavia in 1970.

In the early 70’s, Steve traveled throughout for seven years. He worked with ethnic communities in Munich, teaching international folk dance, performed and co-founded the performing group GAJDA, while taking advantage of his proximity to Balkan and Eastern European countries to pursue his interest in the study and research of their dances. He also lived in Bucovina for a while learning local folklore. He taught folk dance in Western Europe and organized workshops in Hungary, Macedonia, and . In the late 70’s Steve returned to Hungary and studied with dance master, Timár Sándor, among others. It was during this time that Steve met his future wife, Susan Snyder. Upon returning to the United States, Steve and Susy taught their first dance workshops, co-founded the Guzsály Hungarian Dance Group in New York and became instrumental in introducing the Táncház movement in North America. **He has since taught at every major North American festival and camp, often with his wife, Susy.

Steve and Susy have two grown children, Jesse and Maya. Their work continues to be an expression of their love and passion for dance, finding time to teach dance to children K-12 in New York City area public and private schools. He also serves as a consultant to several Hungarian folk ensembles.

Most recently, Steve has been researching Albanian and Roma dance from the and continues his work and research in Balkan and Central European countries. He is particularly interested in dance culture as it has evolved since the “fall of the Wall” in these countries. (Article extracted from material supplied by Steve Kotansky and from the following sources: http://www.eefc.org/Kotansky.shtml, http://folkdancecamp.org/Oldsyllabi.html, and http://folkdance.com/Statewide2012.html).

** Steve Kotansky’s first teaching engagement at Texas Camp was in 1981. He returned to Texas Camp in 1988, 1994, 1997, and 2004. (dates researched by Sally Jenkins). For a list of many dances made popular by Steve Kotansky, go to the following: http://www.folkdancecamp.org/oldsyllabi.html.

Susy Kotansky studied as a young child and has been dancing ever since. As a young adult she danced with the George Tomov Folk Ensemble, Hungaria, and the Hungarian , Hungaresca. Her passion for Hungarian dance and music led her to a dance seminar is Sarospatak in northern Hungary. There she met master teacher, Sandor Timar, who had a large role in initiating the Táncház movement. Inspired by the organic method of teaching dance that he espoused, Susy returned to spend a year studying with Timar at the Folk Dance Section of the Ballet Institute in Budapest and the Bartok Ensemble of which he was the director. At the same time she made many research trips in Hungary and Transylvania. During this time, Susy met her future husband, Stephen Kotansky, and together they brought the táncház style of teaching to NYC. They created and co-directed the Guzsaly Ensemble while teaching weekly classes. They invited master teachers Zoltan Zsurafszky, Zoltan Farkas (Batyu), and Ferenc Sara to choreograph and teach their ensemble. In addition, Steve and Susy took many trips to Hungary for the purpose of studying and learning dance. Susy has co-taught couple dances with Steve at many folkdance camps (including Texas Camp!). Page 4 August-October 2013 TIFD News

Merita Halili and Raif Hyseni add Musical Thrills to Texas Camp

Merita Halili is one of Albania’s top performers. Born in the capital city of Tiranë, Merita grew up singing the lyric songs of her native region of Central Albania. Her nationwide debut came in 1983, at the age of 17, when she sang at the National Folk Festival in Gjirokastër.

Soon thereafter, she began to perform on Albanian Radio and Television and as a soloist with the State Ensemble for Folk Songs and Dances, later becoming one of the most popular singers in the country. Merita’s greatest recognition came in 1995, when she was awarded first prize at a gala festival held in Tiranë in which 90 singers from throughout the Albanian diaspora participated.

The repertoire for which Merita is best known is that of the towns of Central Albania, particularly Tiranë, Elbasan, Kavajë, and Durrës, but her singing style has also been influenced by the music making and recordings of famous singers of the generation that preceded her. She has developed her own approach to the songs from that rich legacy by including more elaborate instrumental arrangements and full use of her prodigious range and vocal technique.

Raif Hyseni, accordionist, composer, arranger and teacher hails from The Republic of Kosova, which has a large Albanian majority. He grew up in the town of Mitrovicë, where he studied at music school and performed in amateur ensembles.

Before moving to Tiranë in 1992, Raif was a well-known radio and television performer in Prishtinë, the capital of Kosova, where he was a member of the group Besnikët. Through his recordings and media appearances, Raif has become known as a major innovator on the accordion, for which he has composed dozens of instrumental melodies.

Raif and his wife, singer Merita Halili, immigrated to the United States in 1995. They now make their home in New Jersey. They perform frequently around the country on numerous stages, festivals and at community weddings.

News from Local Groups Austin Mediterranean Cruise Night Saturday, June 22, 2013, was a special night in Austin. Our Board (especially Brenda Benton, VP) came up with the idea for a Mediterranean Cruise program. Costumes were encouraged as were snacks and treats from the Mediterranean regions. Board members and volunteers decorated the enchanting Hancock Recreation Center Dance Hall for the special night. Mood lighting was installed and a seaside backdrop was put in place for photo opportunities. Thoughtful props were put together and crafted for the special event. The Board determined ports-of-call from Spain, around the Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas all the way to Turkey with appropriate dances at each stop. They thought of everything. Why, we were even treated to a Romanian pirate invasion and made to give up one of our passengers to the marauders. (by Deborah Robertson) Iola Hallock adds, “We had fun dancing Patrioti in Naples, Italy, Krici Krici in , , Cho Cho on the Greek island of Corfu, Moj Maro Moj Marie in Sarende, Albania, among many others”. Page 5 August-October 2013 TIFD News

L to R: Deborah Robertson, Misi Tsurikov, Misi leading Siriysko Horo, from Syria and Pamela Weems

L to R: Frances Danis, Kostya Samsonov, L to R: Nicolae Family, Max, Rikki, Calin and Laura and Kristina Kinsel Houston On Sunday, July 20, thirteen HIFD dancers performed a Mediterranean suite of dances for the University Place Retirement Community where the mother of Houston folkdancer, Kristin Lucas, lives. The dancers wore

Happy dancers pose after a fine performance. Croatian dance Posavski Ples

Page 6 August-October 2013 TIFD News costumes and performed dances from Turkey, Greece, , Italy, Lebanon, Egypt, Israel, and Croatia. It was an intimate venue with an audience of seniors – all seats occupied. Dancers and audience members enjoyed the performance. (by Kristin Lucas)

Oklahoma City Old Country Weekend The Oklahoma City International Folk Dancers will host its 30th Old Country Weekend (OCW) on October 18- 20. The folk dance and music camp will be held at Cross Point Camp in Kingston, Oklahoma on the shores of Lake Texoma. Gyslaine Van Tilbeurgh, from France, will teach a variety of French and Basque dances, including bourees, bransles, and circle dances. Gyslaine is a delightful teacher who has introduced many fresh, fun, and exciting dances to OKCIFD. Don Weeda and Anne Alexander from Austin, Texas will lead the camp band and will provide live music for the dance parties. The first Old Country Weekend was held in 1983 at a Girl Scout camp near Marlow, Oklahoma. The emphasis on the camp was to dance to live music. Pat Dretzka, who had performed with a Romanian dance troupe in Milwaukee, chose the name "Old Country Weekend" because we danced and played traditional music from the "old country". Pat invited Izvor, a Balkan band from Milwaukee to be the featured band. Participants danced all night to live music and participated in informal dance and music workshops during the day.

We held Old Country Weekend for the next few years, using a format of informal workshops and dance parties featuring live music. In 1986, we changed the venue to Cross Point Camp, and we brought in a nationally known teacher for a dance workshop. In order to maintain the tradition of having live music, we selected Bulgarian teacher Jaap Leegwater, who was also a musician and was able to lead singing and music workshops as well as dance workshops. Heavy Village, our own OKCFD dance band, provided music during the dance parties. Since 1986, we have had many featured teachers, including Suni Bloland, Richard Powers, Nicolaas Hilferink, Steve Kotansky, Yves Moreau, Ahmet Luleci, Andor Czampo, Roo Lester, Mihai David, Lee Otterholt, and Joe Graziosi. Austin musicians Anne Alexander and Don Weeda have provided live music for the last several years. In 2010, due to increasing expenses of bringing in well-known teachers, we changed the format of OCW to in house, local workshops. Although the format and venue has changed over the years, all of the Old Country Weekends, from 1983 to present, have featured live music and singing. (by Noel Osborn) Memories of Old Country Weekend

Balkan Singing, 2010 African drumming workshop led by Lissa Young From left: Don Weeda, Lissa Young, Lydia Hill, and Kyna Burnett in 2012. Page 7 August-October 2013 TIFD News

Anne Alexander and Don Weeda playing for OCW L-R, Lita Pinter (LA), Sally Jenkins (Bartersville, OK), in 1997 Mary Jo Watson (Tulsa), and Karen Murray (Dallas) dancing In 2011. San Antonio SAFD continue to attract at least fifteen dancers every week, some of whom are enthusiastic about leading and teaching dances. With Texas Camp coming up soon, SAFD will provide generous stipends to several of their own dancers who plan on attending Camp this year. San Antonio folk dancer, Terri Chadwick, attended Cultural Focus: Jamaica Dinner and Dancing at the International Folk Culture Center of Our Lady of the Lake University on July 20, 2013. The activity was organized by Lissa Bengtson, Director of the IFCC. Cultural Focus Nights at the IFCC happen about once a month, celebrating the food and dances of the countries featured. For Jamaican Night, the menu included a wide variety of typical Jamaican specialties, such as jerk chicken, curried cabbage, Jamaican rice and beans, fried plantains, a Jamaican citrus-cucumber quinoa salad, sweet potato pudding and homemade ginger beer. Jamaicans have a rich and diverse dance tradition which includes quadrilles and African dances. However, traditional Jamaican dances were difficult to find. So for fun they did an Ira Weisburd done to Summer Celebration, a Reggae song. Previous Cultural Focus nights have highlighted Cajun, Hungarian, Romanian, Canadian, African, Greek, Indian and many other cultures. Most of the cooking is done by volunteers in the IFCC kitchen. Attendees are asked to contribute a $5 donation; volunteers are exempt. The next Cultural Focus Night is September 13, celebrating Puerto Rico. Calendar of Events August 4-11. Raft Island, WA. Ti Ti Tábor, Hungarian Music and Dance Camp, with teachers Norbert Kovacs and Beáta Gaschler, singing by Erika Juhász, and music by Düvö Együttes. http://www.tititabor.org August 10-17. Iroquois Springs, Rock Hill, NY. and Dance Workshop. http://www.eefc.org August 18-24 and August 25-31. Fryeburg, ME. Mainewoods Dance Camp. Two week-long sessions with different teachers and musicians each week. http://www.mainewoodsdancecamp.org August 30-Sept. 1. West, TX. Westfest Czech and Festival featuring polka bands, ethnic food and entertainment. http://www.westfest.com August 30-Sept. 2. Camp Angelos, Corbett, OR (near Portland). Balkanalia! Dimitrios Kontogiannis and Jaap Leegwater, teachers. http://balkanalia.org Page 8 August-October 2013 TIFD News September 22. Victoria, TX. Victoria County Czech Heritage Festival, featuring polka music, arts and crafts, Czech foods, beer and exhibits. Info: http://www.victoriachamber.org/event/victoria-county-czech- heritage-festival/ September 20-22. Black Mountain, NC. Mountain Playshop. Dances from the with instructor, David Vinski. http://mountainplayshop.org September 27-29. Atlanta, GA. Fandango! All English program with caller and instructor, Bruce Hamilton; music by Bare Necessities. Brochure and registration information follows: http://www.ecdatlanta.org/fandango-2013-dance-weekend September 29. Houston, TX. 50th Annual Sts. Cyril and Methodius Slavic Heritage Festival, featuring singing, dancing and food from the Czech, Croatian, Polish and Ukrainian peoples. http://houstonslavicheritagefestival.com October 17-20. Dummerston, Vermont, (15 minutes from Brattleboro, Vermont). Co-sponsored by the National Folk Organization, Pourparler “brings together those who do school residencies, community gigs, traditional and IFD groups, and are educators in schools and universities. The weekend includes discussions, parties, networking, music, and much dance-sharing.” Info at: http://www.nfo-usa.org October 18-20, Kingston, OK. Old Country Weekend. Folk dance and music camp sponsored by Oklahoma City International Folk Dancers. Teaching by Gyslaine Van Tilbeurgh (French and Basque); live music by Don Weeda and Anne Alexander. http://www.okcifd.org/ October 18-20. Springfield, MO. SoleFest Weekend, featuring music by RIPTIDE and caller, Nils Fredland. http://www.springfieldcontra.org November 1-3. Austin, TX. Fire Ant Frolic Contra Dance Weekend. Diane Silver calling to music by Contrazz and Ladies at Play. http://www.fireantfrolic.com November 1-3. Nashville, TN. Autumn Leaves, 30th annual folk dance workshop, featuring Yuliyan Yordanov teaching dances from Bulgaria. http://www.nifddance.com November 1-10. New Braunfels, TX, Wurstfest. 53rd annual celebration, featuring Alpine and Bavarian food, music, dance, etc. http://www.wurstfest.com November 15-17. Lawrence, KS. 19th annual contra dance weekend, Pilgrim’s Progression, featuring music by The Great Big Taters and caller, Cis Hinkle. http://www.lawrencebarndance.org/lbdawknd November 28 – December 1. Bruceville, TX. Texas International Folk Dancers Texas Camp. Steve and Susy Kotansky will be teaching Hungarian couple dances and Albanian line dances, with live Albanian music and singing instruction by Raif Hyseni and Merita Halili. Stay tuned for further details. http://tifd.org Travel Opportunities

Mel Mann September 3-19, 2013. Cruise Italy and Croatia. Anniversary Cruise for Yves’ 65th birthday. Guest teacher, Zeljko Jergan – Croatian dances. Info: www.folkdancecruise.com Jim Gold October 6-18, 2013. Albania and Corfu, led by Jim Gold and Lee Otterholt. www.jimgold.com.

Page 9 August-October 2013 TIFD News

National Flag of Albania

Facts About Albania Capital: Tirana

What are the languages used in Albania? Albanian (official language-derived from Tosk dialect), Greek, Vlach, Romani, Slavic dialects. Many people are proficient in Italian and English as well. (one source added Macedonian, Serbo-Croatian, Aromanian).

What are the prominent festivals of Albania? Albania observes a dance meeting at Durres in April which includes a captivating array of modern, classical and folk dances. An international Film Festival on Human Rights is held at Tirana every March which is open to citizens and tourists alike. The Korce City Beer Fest held in August is perhaps the most jovial occasion in Albania. Korce also holds a carnival in May much along the lines of Rio de Janeiro. A family event called the Pie Fest held in July also adds to the attractions of Korce. Albania also celebrates Christmas, New Year, Good Friday, Eid, Nawroz and Easter. The Independence Day falls on 28th November and the subsequent day of 29th November is celebrated as the Liberation Day. The day of Beatification of Mother Teresa on October 19 also falls in the list of major celebrations.

What is the currency of Albania? The currency of Albania is called Lek and is issued by the Bank of Albania.

What are the ethnic groups of Albania? Albanians constitute 97% of the population, followed by 1% Greeks. The remaining 2% is comprised of Vlachs, Roma, Serbs, Macedonians, Balkan Egyptians, and Bulgarians.

What type of Government does Albania have? Albania has a Parliamentary Democracy with three branches of Government namely the Executive, the Legislature, and the Judicial Wing. The Executive wing is made up of the President as the Head of State and Prime Minister as the Head of Government. Voting rights are granted to every individual above 18 years of age. The current president is Bujar Nishani (since 24 July 2012); the current Prime Minister of Albania is Edi Rama (since June 2013). Sources: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/.../al.html Facts About Albania: www.mapsofworld.com/facts.html Flag of Albania: Wikipedia