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Dated Material Published by the Folk Dance Federation of California, South Volume 41, No. 9 November 2005 Folk Dance Scene Committee Club Directory Coordinators Jay Michtom [email protected] (818) 368-1957 Beginner’s Classes SAN DIEGO CLAN MACLEOD DANCERS Jill Michtom [email protected] (818) 368-1957 INTERNATIONAL Calendar Jay Michtom [email protected] (818) 368-1957 FOLK DANCERS Mon 7:30-9:30 (818) 761-4750 Deanna St Amand On the Scene Jill Michtom [email protected] (818) 368-1957 CABRILLO Wed 7:00-9:30 EAGLE ROCK, Women’s 20th Club Directory Steve Himel [email protected] (949) 646-7082 INTERNATIONAL (619) 463-0434 Rodney Henderson Century Club, 5105 Hermosa Ave. Contributing Editor Richard Duree [email protected] (714) 641-7450 FOLK DANCERS SAN DIEGO, Balboa Park Club, Presidents Way off Park, Balboa Park Contributing Editor Jatila Davis [email protected] (805) 964-5591 Tue 7:00-8:00 DUNAJ (858) 459-1336 Georgina Proofreading Editor Laurette Carlson [email protected] (310) 397-2450 SKANDIA INTERNATIONAL SAN DIEGO, Balboa Park Club FOLK ENSEMBLE Design & Layout Steve Davis [email protected] (805) 964-5591 Balboa Park FOLK DANCE CLASSES Business Managers Gerda Ben-Zeev [email protected] (310) 474-1232 Mon 7:00-10:00 Wed 7:00-10:00 Wed 7:00-10 Forrest Gilmore [email protected] (310) 452-0991 (714) 893-8888 Ted Martin (714) 641-7450 Richard Duree CONEJO VALLEY (310) 827-3618 Sparky Sotcher Circulation Sandy Helperin [email protected] (310) 391-7382 FOLK DANCERS SANTA ANA, WISEPlace, Subscriptions Gerda Ben-Zeev [email protected] (310) 474-1232 ANAHEIM, Community Ctr, 1414 N. Sycamore Wed 7:30 250 E Center (Mon) Advertising – Info & Payment Beverly and Irwin Barr [email protected] (310) 202-6166 (805) 497-1957 Jill Lungren CULVER CITY, Lindberg Park, Advertising – Submission Steve Himel [email protected] (949) 646-7082 THOUSAND OAKS, Hillcrest Center, 5401 Rhoda Way (Wed) INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY Marketing Gerri and Bob Alexander [email protected] (818) 363-3761 403 W Hillcrest Dr OF MIDDLE EASTERN DANCE SOUTH BAY FOLK DANCERS (818) 343-4410 Suzy Evans Jill & Jay Michtom Gerda Ben-Zeev Sandy Helperin Steve Himel 3rd Fri 7:45-8:15 VAN NUYS, Dars Art Center, 10824 Crebs Ave. 2010 Parnell Ave. 4362 Coolidge Ave. 1524 Vivian Ln. ETHNIC EXPRESS Northridge CA, 91326 Los Angeles, CA 90025 Los Angeles CA, 90066 Newport Beach, CA 92660 (310) 320-9758 Mary Steinkamp 7412 Balboa Blvd INTERNATIONAL TORRANCE, Cultural Arts Center FOLK DANCERS Folk Dance Scene 3330 Civic Center Dr. (310) 781-7150 KARPATOK HUNGARIAN Wed 6:30-7:15 except holidays FOLK ENSEMBLE Copyright 2005 by the Folk Dance Federation of California, South, Inc., of which this is the official publication. (702) 732-4871 Richard Killian WEST LOS ANGELES All rights reserved. Contents may be freely reproduced. FOLK DANCE SCENE is published ten times per year LAS VEGAS, Charleston Heights Art FOLK DANCERS Wed 8:00-10:00 on a monthly basis except for combined issues in June/July and December/January. First class postage is paid Center, 800 S. Brush St. Mon 7:30-8:30 (310) 514-1706 Livia Gaspar LOS ANGELES, Magyar House, in Inglewood, CA, ISSN 0430-8751. (310) 202-6166 Beverly Barr WEST L.A., Brockton School 1975 Washington Folk Dance Scene is published to educate its readers concerning the folk dance, music, costumes, customs, lore HAVERIM INTERNATIONAL 1309 Armacost Ave and culture of the peoples of the world. It is also designed to inform them of the opportunities to experience folk FOLK DANCERS NAMAH ENSEMBLE dance and culture in Southern California and elsewhere. Sun 7:00-9:00 WESTWOOD CO-OP FOLKDANCERS Sun 6:00 - 9:00 SUBMISSIONS. Information to be included in the Scene should reach the editor by the 10th of the month (805) 676-7705 Nancy Benz (818) 888-8225 Bana Sayyad preceding publication. We reserve the right to edit all submissions for space considerations. Electronic VENTURA, Temple Beth Torah Thu 7:30-8:00 SHERMAN OAKS 760 Foothill Rd (corner Kimball) (310) 202-6166 Beverly submission (including all photos) is preferred. Views expressed in Scene are solely the opinions of the authors. (310) 657-6877 Rita Neither Scene nor the Federation assumes responsibility for the accuracy of the information sent in. WEST L.A., F. Mahood Senior Center, SCANDIA DANCERS SUBSCRIPTIONS. Subscription orders and renewals should be addressed to Gerda Ben-Zeev, see above. The ISRAELI DANCING 11338 Santa Monica Blvd. Natalie Stern (714) 533-3886 Donna Tripp subscription rate is $15.00 per year U.S.A., $20.00 for Canada or Mexico, $25.00 for other foreign countries. LONG BEACH, Roosevelt School Changes of address and circulation problems should be addressed to Sandy Helperin, see above, at least one Mon noon-1:00 Wed 7:30-8:30 (818) 343-8009 Natalie Stern Dance Companies and month prior to the mailing date. L.A., Univ of Judaism Dance Studio Exhibition Groups UCSB MIDDLE ADVERTISING. Ads must be consistent with the purposes of the magazine, accompanied by full payment, and 5600 Mulholland EAST ENSEMBLE either camera-ready on bright white paper or 300 dpi electronic format (TIF, JPG, or PDF). Ads that are not AVAZ INTERNATIONAL Tue 7:00 - 10:00 camera-ready will be returned, or an additional fee will be charged to make the ad camera-ready. KAYSO FOLK DANCERS DANCE THEATRE (805) 967-7125 Scott (805) 687-8823 Alexandra Size (width x length) Federation Club Others To: [email protected] Fri 10:00-noon Wed 7-10 (619) 469-7133 Evelyn George (323) 663-2829 Jamal SANTA BARBARA, Gehringer 1/4 page (3" x 3 1/2’) $ 10 $ 15 Folk Dance Scene Ads SAN DIEGO, Balboa Park, L.A. Church of Guardian Angel, 1118 Music Bldg., UCSB Campus 1/2 page (6" x 3 1/2" or 3" x 7") $ 15 $ 25 1524 Vivian Lane Casa del Prado room 206 St N. Commonwealth Ave. full page (6" x 7 1/2") $ 25 $ 40 Newport Beach Ca 92660 WEST VALLEY Email submission preferred (949) 646-7082 PASADENA CO-OP BALLET FOLKLORICO FOLK DANCERS XIUXTLA Fri 7:45-8:30 Sun 1:00 - 4:00 On the cover: Traditional Greek Cypriots dancing during celebrations (626)446-5160 Marsha Fenner Fri 4:00 (818) 346-5152 Joan Waller of the national holiday. (photo permission from the European Commission). PASADENA, Throop Memorial (760) 414-9245 Jose Lucero WEST HILLS See Cover Story page 4. Church, 300 S. Los Robles CARLSBAD Folk Dance Scene2 November 2005 November 200523 Folk Dance Scene Club Directory Folk Teachers Corner VESELO SELO CAFÉ DANSSA SAN DIEGO Athan Karras is a well- FOLK DANCERS BALKAN DANCERS FOLK DANCE CENTER Dance known authority on, and Sat 8:00-11:00 Wed 7:30-10:30 Every Evening Call for Schedule. performer and teacher of, (714) 738-8008 Phyllis Pivar (310) 474-1232 Gerda (619) 281-5656 Greek folk dance. He was FULLERTON, Chapman Park, 2515 [email protected] Sherry SAN DIEGO, 4569 30th Street Scene lead dancer with the San Carlos WEST L.A., Café Danssa National Dance of Greece 11533 W. Pico Blvd. Volume 41, No. 9 SAN DIEGO Ensemble under the VINTAGE ISRAELI DANCING FOLK DANCERS November 2005 CAL TECH INTERNATIONAL direction of Dora Stratou. 4th or 5th Sat confirm Mon 7:30-9:30 Athan's instruction FOLK DANCERS (858) 571-2730 Kin Ho Editor’s Corner (818) 990-8925 Louis This month's cover story is about Greek dancing.Our explores the various [email protected] Tue 7:30 SAN DIEGO, Balboa Park Club, SHERMAN OAKS, Anisa's School (626) 797-5157 Nancy Mulligan Balboa Park cover story is by Athan Karras on the history of Greek styles of Greek folk dance, of Dance, 14252 Ventura Blvd. PASADENA, Throop Mem. Church Dance, and there is an accompanying article by Dora covering the provinces 300 S. Los Robles SAN PEDRO Stratou on the different types of Greek dances. Sandy and islands of the Aegean KOLO DANCERS Helperin has also contributed a few of her favorite and Ionian Seas. He WEST LOS ANGELES FOLK DANCE CLASS FOLK DANCERS Mon 7:30-9:30 Greek recipes. continues to teach Mon 10-11:30am Wed 10:15-11:45am (310) 832-1074 Pauline Klak In Dancers Speak, Lou Pechi continues his column regularly at various venues: Loyola Marymount Mon 7:30-10:30 Fri 7:45-10:45 (310) 652-8706 Tikva Mason (310) 202-6166 Beverly Barr SAN PEDRO, Dalmatian-American "Dancing with Two Left Feet", this month sharing with University, Center for Modern Greek Studies, St. L.A. Robertson Rec Ctr. 1641 Preuss Club, 1639 S Palos Verdes St. WEST L.A., Brockton School W HOLLYWOOD West Hollywood us his experiences at the Esma Redzepova concert. Nicholas Greek Church of Northridge and with the 1309 Armacost Ave Park, San Vicente at Melrose I would like to mention two upcoming events. This California Traditional Musical Society (CTMS). SANTA BARBARA month, the Budapest Ensemble performs Csárdás, With Rudy Dannes, Athan co-founded The BALKAN FOLK DANCERS WEST VALLEY INTERNATIONAL AND Tango of the East, at locations in Los Angeles and Intersection Folk Dance Center in Los Angeles in 1964. ISRAELI FOLK DANCE FOLK DANCERS Wed 8:00-10:30 Santa Barbara. This "not to be missed" show is For many years, The Intersection was the premier (805) 964-5591 Jatila Davis Fri 7:15-10:00 Sun 7:30-11:30 sponsored by Kalman Magyar, who has promoted location for folk dancing in Southern California. Athan (310)560-4262 Avi Gabay SANTA BARBARA, Oak Park Stage, (818) 368-1957 Jill Michtom Hungarian dancing for many years throughout the US. carried on the tradition by founding the Athens CANOGA PARK, Senior Center NEWPORT BEACH, Avant Garde corner Junipero and Calle Real 7326 Jordan Ave Ballroom, 4220 Scott Dr In January 2006, two master artists from Skopje Intersection in Athens below the Acropolis. SANTA MONICA COLLEGE Macedonia, Goran Alacki (accordionist) and Ljupço Athan has traveled the United States, teaching and ISRAELI DANCING INTERNATIONAL Manevski (lead dancer with Tanec, the Macedonian lecturing in major cities and conducting seminars and WESTCHESTER LARIATS DANCE CLUB James Zimmer National Ensemble) will be performing and teaching in workshops at many of the leading college and Mon 3:30-9:00 Tue, Thu 11:15am-12:35 (310) 645-5078 Ann Stenglein Tues 8:00-11:00 Thu 8:00-9:30 Chicago, Tempe AZ, and parts of California. More university campuses. He has presented several folk (310) 284-3638 James Zimmer (310) 284-3637 James Zimmer LOS ANGELES, Westchester SANTA MONICA, Santa Monica information will be available in the next issue. festivals, featuring dancers, singers, and musicians at Methodist Church, 8065 Emerson [email protected] WEST HILLS, West Valley JCC, College Clock Tower or LS Bldg – Steve Davis UC Berkeley, UCLA, and Loyola Marymount 22622 Vanowen ENCINO, 1900 Pico Blvd University. Athan has directed his own Greek dance WESTWOOD CO-OP Community Ctr 4935 Balboa Table of Contents groups, including the Intersection Greek Dancers FOLK DANCERS UCLA BALLROOM Teachers Corner ...... 3 and Dionysos. DANCE CLUB Thu 7:30-10:20 ISRAELI DANCING History of Greek Dance...... 4 He has been an instructor of Greek dance and (310) 202-6166 Beverly UCLA INTERNATIONAL Greek Dances ...... 8 Yoni Carr culture at Loyola Marymount University and the United (310) 657-6877 Rita FOLK DANCE CLUB Greek Food ...... 10 Wed 7:00-11:30 Thu 7:00-11:30 States coordinator for Mazoxi, an annual dance WEST L.A., F. Mahood Senior Center, (760) 631-0802 Yoni Mon 7:00-9:00 (ballroom dance) Calendar...... 12 11338 Santa Monica Blvd. Mon 9:00-11:00 (folk dance) conference held on the island of Crete. Athan has COSTA MESA, JCC, 250 Baker St Cristian & Sonia on Tour ...... 13 (310) 284-3636 James Zimmer produced numerous dance festivals and events in the LA JOLLA, Beth El, 8660 Gilman Dr On the Scene ...... 14 [email protected] United States and Canada and created ethnic folklore WESTWOOD, UCLA Ackeman Dancers Speak...... 18 Non–Federation Clubs programs for the Southern California Heritage Society. ISRAELI DANCING Union Room 2414 Club Directory ...... 21 Natalie Stern Athan is a member of the Dora Stratou Greek (818) 343-8009 Natalie Stern Dances Theatre and Foundation, a member of the ANAHEIM INTERNATIONAL WEST COAST Federation South Officers FOLKDANCERS L.A., Univ of Judaism Board of Directors for the AMAN Folk Ensemble, and GAMMELDANS CLUB President Karen Wilson-Bell (310) 320-3658 5600 Mulholland Mon 10:00am-1:00 Vice–President Marsha Fenner (626) 446-5160 Wed 7:30-9:30 Wed 7:30-10:00 Thu 10:15-noon; an Advisor and Director of the Folk Dance Programs (714) 893-8127 Carol Maybrier Wed 7:30-9:30 Treasurer Rick Bingle (626) 914-4006 for the California Traditional Musical Society (CTMS). L.A. Shaarei Tefila, 7269 Beverly (714) 932-2513 Allan and Shirley Secretary Lynn Bingle (626) 914-4006 ANAHEIM, Unitarian Church, Mon 6:15-8:45, Tue 10:15a-noon He also founded and served as Director of the 511 S Harbor [email protected] www.wcgc.us Membership Steve Himel (949) 646-7082 Wed noon-1:15 WESTMINSTER, 5361 Vallecito A Historian Julith Neff (562) 867-4495 (continued on page 11) Folk Dance Scene22 November 2005 November 20053 Folk Dance Scene History of Club Directory Lindy hop. I was even approached to dance on Federation Clubs KYPSELI GREEK SAN DIEGO Broadway but my parents didn't understand that kind of FOLK DANCING VINTAGE DANCERS “monkey business” and forbade it. Later, when I joined CABRILLO INTERNATIONAL Fri 8:00-11:30 Thu 8:00 - 9:30 FOLK DANCERS the Coast Guard and was sent to the South Pacific, the (818) 990-5542 Dalia Miller (858) 622-9924 Mary Jennings Tue 7:00-10:00 PASADENA, Skandia Hall SAN DIEGO, Normal Heights only way I knew to communicate with the natives was (858) 459-1336 Georgina 2031 E. Villa Methodist Church 4650 Mansfield St. by dancing with them. They loved showing me their SAN DIEGO, Balboa Park, Balboa Park Club moves. We couldn't speak to one another but through LAGUNA FOLK DANCERS SANTA BARBARA dance we expressed our joy and feelings. CONEJO VALLEY Sun 7:00-10:00 Wed 8:00-10:00 COUNTRY DANCE SOCIETY As a sailor in San Francisco, after losing all my FOLK DANCERS (714) 893-8888 Ted Martin Sun 6:30-10:00 Tue 7:30-9:00 money in a crap game, I browsed along Market Street Wed 7:30-9:30 LAGUNA BEACH, Community Ctr (805) 682-1877 Elliott Karpeles until I heard the familiar eerie sounds of a clarinet (805) 497-1957 Jill Lungren 384 Legion Ave (805) 682-5523 Gary Shapiro coming from a Greek restaurant. Homesick and THOUSAND OAKS, Hillcrest Center, SANTA BARBARA Carrillo Rec Ctr 403 W Hillcrest Dr 100 E. Carrillo St. (Sun, Tue); Oak yearning for the taste of anything with olive oil, I strode LEISURE WORLD INTERNATIONAL Park 300 W. Alamar (Sun-summer) in and ordered a familiar dinner. While wondering how CULVER CITY FOLK DANCE CLUB Athan Karras leading a Greek dance I was going to cover the check, a nice-looking family HOLLYWOOD PEASANTS Tue 8:30am-11:00 Sat 9:00am-11:00 at the Intersection Reunion, 2004. SANTA MARIA with two gorgeous daughters caught my eye. As the Wed 7:30-10:00 infrequently (949) 455-9527 Thelma Rosenblum FOLK DANCERS music began they started to dance, I leapt onto the (310) 398-8187 Al Drutz LAGUNA WOODS, Leisure World GREEK DANCE: AN ANCIENT LINK -- A LIVING CULVER CITY, Culver West Park, Mon 7:00-9:00 dance floor and joined the line. In no time, the girls Club House 1, 24232 Calle Aragon HERITAGE 4162 Wade St. (park on Moore St.) (805) 528-0568 Jean Wheeler pushed me to lead the dance, and soon we were SANTA MARIA, Veterans Memorial First, let me take a moment to tell how I came to love laughing and dancing as if we knew each other all our ETHNIC EXPRESS MOUNTAIN DANCERS Ctr, Pine & Tunnell Sts Greek dance, and why I so strongly identify with it. Like lives. Their father generously took care of my bill and FOLK DANCERS Thu 7:00-9:30 many Greek families, mine celebrated all our events many years later, when I returned to California, I met Wed 6:30-9:00 except holidays (626) 794-8889 Vicki Davis SKANDIA DANCE CLASSES with dance. My greatest joy as a child was looking (702) 732-4871 Richard Killian S. PASADENA, Woman’s Club, these same two sisters again. This time they were Mon 7:00-10:00 Wed 7:00-10:00 Call forward to two seasons: spring and summer. In LAS VEGAS, Charleston Heights 1424 Fremont Ave. married with families of their own. We were dancing at Art Center, 800 S. Brush St. for others springtime, when sounds of protomayia echo (714) 893-8888 Ted Martin a Greek gathering. When I asked them to teach me a everywhere the first of May, all of Greece is dressed in MULTIETHNICAL DANCERS (714) 533-3886 Donna Tripp particular step they were doing, they laughingly replied GOTTA FOLK DANCE (310) 827-3618 Sparky Sotcher a petticoat of red poppies. There are picnics and rituals Wed 6:00 that they had learned these very steps from me years Mon 7:30 - 9:30 ANAHEIM, Downtown Community of gathering wild flowers that date back to ancient (805) 643-2886 Ann Zacher (949) 770-7026 Miriam Kahn ago in that San Francisco restaurant. That's how LAGUNA WOODS, Leisure World Center, 250 E Center (Mon) times. Some of the choicest days in my early life were VENTURA, Washington School, CULVER CITY, Lindberg Park, dance is disseminated – we transmit, we share, we 96 S MacMillan Club House 1, 24232 Calle Aragon the late winter Karnavalia celebrations before Lent, 5401 Rhoda Way (Wed) make dance our own and pass it on. and the grandest holiday of all—Easter! Exploring the roots of modern Greek dance in the HAVERIM NARODNI INTERNATIONAL As a child, I spent summertime in my parents’ village INTERNATIONAL FOLK DANCERS SOLVANG VILLAGE ancient Greek culture is an adventure in itself. of Litohoron nestled in the foothills of Mount Olympus. FOLK DANCERS Thu 7:30-10:30 FOLK DANCERS Evidences of a connection are found in the popular Every weekend, various chapels in the nearby hills Sun 7:00-9:00 (714) 932-2513 Shirley Hansen Sat 7:00-10:00 rhythms in Greek dances today. They are the same (805) 676-7705 Nancy Benz (805) 688-2382 Jean Menzies celebrated a saint’s day with a feast. People gathered DOWNEY, Dance America, 7/8 and 5/4 rhythms discovered in ancient poetry. In VENTURA, Temple Beth Torah 12405 Woodruff Ave. SOLVANG, Jonata Elementary School under the shade trees preparing foods, as the icy the Iliad, Homer wrote about a wedding dance where 7620 Foothill Rd (corner Kimball) 301 2nd Street, Buellton waters from the melting snow of Olympus quenched brides singing wedding songs were led from their PASADENA our summer thirst and cooled watermelons in the KERN INTERNATIONAL homes up through the city by the light of flaming FOLK DANCE CO-OP SOUTH BAY FOLK DANCERS nearby running brooks. My uncles played gaidas and FOLK DANCERS torches, while young men danced and whirled to the Wed 7:00-9:00 Fri 7:45-11:00 3rd Fri 7:45-9:45 klarina setting the pace for all to dance. I wish I had sounds of flutes and lyres—this scene was depicted on (661)831-5007 DelphineSzczepkowski (626)446-5160 Marsha Fenner (310) 320-9758 Mary Steinkamp realized then that dance was my destiny; I would have PASADENA, Throop Mem. Church TORRANCE, Torrance Cultural Ctr, Achilles shield. Homer also mentions the Syrto dance BAKERSFIELD, Wayne Van Horn paid closer attention to what I was dancing! School, 5501 Kleinpell Ave. 300 S. Los Robles 3330 Civic Center Dr. in his writings and dozens upon dozens of references For me, dance has always been a way to to dance are found in ancient texts from Lucian to KRAKUSY POLISH SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL TUESDAY GYPSIES communicate when words failed. I came to America as Epaminondas. FOLK DANCE ENSEMBLE FOLK DANCERS a teenager, and before I learned to speak English, I Tue 7:30-10:30 In early societies, dance derived its importance from Tu, W, F 7:00-9:00 Sat 2:15-3:15 Wed 7:00-9:30 learned the “American” dances. Friday nights, kids (310) 390-1069 Millicent Stein its function as an integral part of social and religious (310) 394-3500 Bogna Szupinska (619) 463-0434 Rodney Henderson CULVER CITY, Masonic Lodge 9635 were dancing to big bands in the parks of Brooklyn and LOS ANGELES, Polish SAN DIEGO, Balboa Park Club, life. The feeling of being part of a larger unit grew into Venice Blvd. before I knew it, I was doing the boogie woogie and the Parish Hall, 3424 W Adams Blvd. Presidents Way off Park, Balboa Park group customs and dancing started to reflect human Folk Dance Scene4 November 2005 November 200521 Folk Dance Scene Greek Dance

circumstances by expressing emotions that regulated According to legend, Cronus would habitually devour the consciousness of man’s identity. Early Greek his children at birth so that none would succeed him. dance was most likely done on the chorostasi Rhea fled to Crete to give birth to Zeus in a cave on Mt. (threshing floors), a circular paved area where the Ida. Cronus pursued Rhea and her baby and when he wheat was harvested. A charioteer stood on a flat confronted Rhea, she gave Cronus a stone wrapped in board, underneath was assembled stone to thresh and swaddling clothes, which he promptly swallowed. separate the wheat from the chaff as he was pulled Meanwhile Rhea placed the baby in the care of the around and around by a horse with blinders. After the Kouretes. In order to prevent Cronus from hearing the harvest, it was time for celebration, and only natural to baby’s crying, she besieged the Kouretes to dance clear the space of the circular threshing floor and wildly and noisily while beating their swords and celebrate with dancing. The circle—a key factor in shields. For this favor, Rhea honored the Kouretes by early dance—is recognized as a universal symbol making them priests of Zeus and their descendants conveying infinity. Dance is often identified with other carried on their dances as cult rituals. The dances universal symbols, such as the sun and the moon. The Pentozali and Maleviziotikos with their fierce noise threshing floor was called orchestra named after the making and leaping movements are believed to be Greek word for dance, orchesis. In time, the orchestra evolved versions of the Kouretes’ dance. became the focal point of rituals and festivities leading Ancient Greeks believe that dance was divinely to the birth of Greek tragedy. inspired. Plato said that dance arose from the natural The earliest "folk" dances executed in this area desire of the young to move their bodies and express continued to develop into dramatic dance-songs emotions—especially that of joy—or hara, thus the known as the dithyramb, and eventually through use of word for dance—horos. Others attribute the inspiration antiphonal singing—a statement and a reply—brought to dance to a need to dramatize heroic deeds or about the form of dialogue and character which perhaps mythological tales, or it may have come from Thespis introduced. the stimulation of wine, the gift of the god of wine These first enacted dithyramb rituals were derived Dionysos and the dance forms known as Bacchic from primitive "folk songs", which in turn developed a (Dionysian) from Thrace and Phrygia. What were these story line, becoming dramatic works in reverence to the dances like? All attempts to answer this question come god of wine and fertility, Dionysos. As an inherent part from reconstructing information from ancient texts, of Greek tragedy, the chorus is expressed with mentions about dance in meters of poetry, ancient antiphonal singing and dancing simultaneously musical remnants, or archeological depictions in art, creating the beginning and foundation of theater, as we epigraphically, linguistic and lastly, any anthropological know it in the western world. Theater to the Greeks sources. however was a place for spectators; the kernel of The 7/8 Epitritos, the 5/8 Paionas and the 9/8 dramatic action took place in the orchestra. Remnants Thochmios rhythms were known in ancient times and of antiphonal singing and dancing remain in Greek the lyrics did not always adhere to a set formula. This dances and the Greek orthodox liturgy today. Many of is much like the folk music we find in the villages today our Greek folk dances still thrive in the countryside and when the folk dancers sometimes keep their own until recently, were also executed at the alonia rhythm, quite apart of the accompanying singers. (threshing floors). Today the folk songs of the Archeological sources can be convincing with statues countryside still reflect antiphonal singing in their or figurines of dancers, but they cannot give us an dances, especially in processional dances, when a accurate representation of movement. leader will sing a verse, which the chorus repeats. Inscriptions found in Delos mention the Geranos Greek mythology weaves a wonderful tale about dance where people holding torches most likely how dance began. Before man, Titans inhabited the danced at evening ceremonials. This dance movement earth. Titan goddess Rhea, wife of the god Cronus, imitates the winding path of a serpent and the taught the art of dance to the Kouretes, sons of Earth inscriptions suggest that the dancers carried garlands. who dwelled on the island of Crete, and to the Most believe the Geranos dance was linked to the Corybantes who lived in Phrygia in Asia Minor. Minoan folklore tale about how Theseus found his way Folk Dance Scene20 November 2005 November 20055 Folk Dance Scene History of Dancers Speak

On a visit to a late-night taverna in Athens, I once to Sami, the boy with the drum, who now a grown man, saw a young man dancing wildly to a soulful DANCING WITH TWO LEFT FEET (9) played the clarinet in Esma's group (see picture). Zeimbekiko. After breaking dishes and tossing chairs I met Esma almost forty years ago. Besides seeing Esma and having her sign my about as a way of showing that material things were of This beautiful Macedonian Roma record, what touched me the most was the pride of the no consequence, he grabbed a bottle of brandy, girl, dressed in her native costume, Roma people, when they realized that a Gadjo poured it in the area he was dancing, and lit a match gracing a Monitor 33 1/3 LP, was (Foreigner) admired their Rom singer and their culture. setting the dance area on fire. As he leaped in and out serenading a small boy beating a You could see it in their eyes as they passed the of this fire, I was reminded of how ritual dance is huge drum at her feet. Her image autographed LP record from hand to hand. utilized to express emotions. and the beautiful songs she sang So what did I learn from this? swirled in my mind for all these There are several instances of ancient dances that I learned that just a small token of recognition, such years. Chaye Shukariye or beautiful girl in Roma, was as a smile or even better a minor local phrase such as still survive in contemporary traditional Greek life. The one of my favorites Keleustes—an ancient dance for oarsmen—is similar Kako Si? or Sar San? (How are you?) can open the When I found out that Esma finally decided to come door to the soul of the people. We are all one big family with the help of Ariadne through the labyrinth maze to a traditional song for sponge divers on the island of to California, I made a date to see her perform at the with the same needs and desires. We all celebrate our after victoriously defeating the Minotaur. The Kalymnos who—in a heaving song Dirlada—pull the Santa Monica Pier. joy with songs and dances. And, as you folk dancers Tsakonikos dance in Tsakonia, Peloponesus reminds oars in a rhythmic pattern while singing. The ancient LP record in hand, I sat in the intimate performance know, the songs and dances are as varied as the us that Peloponesus' earliest settlers were Minoan. dance Pyrrihios is associated with fire by its very name. hall as it slowly started to fill with people. Local Roma cultures on this planet. Animal worship was also evident in ancient mime This is one of the most referred-to dances of ancient seemed to dominate the few folkdance friends I spied Smile. Learn a phrase in the local language. Hum or dances, such as the Tauromachia or "bull dances" in times. Fire portends movement whether it is the fire in the audience. Finally the band filed in and started sing a song to a dance you learned. Crete. Pollux mentions the Morphasmos, an imitation from within the dancer causing him to dance wildly, or playing some of the tunes I carried in my mind all of Try it. You will get what I am talking about. of animal movements, and Athenaeus mentions dance if it is the external open fire that he dances around. It is these years. What a difference hearing the live band with "Morphe" images of animals in ritual tribute to a classified as an orgiastic dance with Dionysian roots. instead the scratchy records. As the excitement – Lou Pechi divinity, which degenerated into hilarity, that can be These dances emphasize earthiness and downbeat increased, the band was joined by a beautiful older seen today in Carnival representations, especially in heavily accented by rhythm and percussion. The string lady. I was waiting for my young friend, however as Sohos and Skyros. and wind instruments emphasizing melody are more soon as this lady started singing I realized that this was With the decline of Greek civilization, dance also akin to spiritual harmonics representing the Apollonian Esma. The image of the girl in my mind has not aged a declined from religious to festivals that in turn became aspects in dance. bit over the forty years, yet when I heard the voice, more spectacular, losing their revered characteristics. A perfect example of the Dionysian and Apollonian Esma became again the youthful image of my dreams. Dance movements changed from sacred ceremonies forces evident in dance is the Tsamiko dance from She sang both in Serbian and Roma, but as the to primitive rites. The Dionysian ceremonies became Tsamouria, Epirus depicting a reenactment of a battle. requests from the audience for Roma prevailed and as carnivals, the Bacchic dances turned into orgies, and The dance begins with a military cadence, like a the folkdance audience joined in, the party became a dance was reduced to vulgarity. Lucian, Athenaus, and march, a heavy beat depicting preparation for combat. true Rom event. Pollux write of the lascivious hip swaying by courtesan Through numerous calculated and improvised At the intermission I was finally able to elbow my way dancers. In his symposium, Xenophon mentions movements, the leader expresses vigor, power, and through the crowd to Esma to talk to her and have her toasting with merriment the flute girls and professional strength. He falls to the ground as if wounded only to sign my LP record. She was delighted to know that I GYPSIES HELPING CANCER PATIENTS dancers. Many dances aligned to deities and rituals rise leaping in the air, victoriously overcoming his admired her singing all these years and introduced me The Tuesday Gypsies have another hobby--knitting! that once were ceremonial and processional swiftly wounds. This dance gained great prominence during A number of our dancers have been knitting scarves went from hilarity to burlesque until they were shunned the War of Independence, when Greek brigands hid in for cancer patients. The yarn comes in a kit sold by altogether. the mountain peaks preparing to confront their Turkish “Knit for Her Cure” an organization that contributes to In folk dance, there are ritual movements connected oppressor. The warriors gathered around a fire singing the Gynecological Cancer Foundation. The organi- with tilling the soil, harvesting crops, and periods of songs of freedom that incited fevered dances. The zation hopes to raise at least $25,000 each year for the drought. There are carnival celebrations and soil dance reminds us of a fire within the dancer shown by GCF. Upon completion, the scarves will be donated to fertility rituals during the twelve days of Christmas. energetic acrobatic feats. Due to its popularity when women undergoing chemotherapy. By joining in this Many rituals celebrated today are hidden in religious the new nation was formed, it is believed that the effort, the Gypsies are proving that they have not only holidays. For example, starting with Lent there is Tsamiko is a dance of the 1800s, but it is a wonderful nimble feet, but nimble fingers and big hearts. Cheese Monday in Thrace, when they celebrate the example of a dance with ancient roots and a strong Pictured are: Millicent Stein, Asako Oshiro, Carolyn Kalogeros, a folk playlet assuring villagers of a good presence throughout history with a vital presence to Brent, Frances Slater, Edith Sewell, and Marian Fogle year and harvest, as well as prosperity for their herds. this day. – Millicent Stein Folk Dance Scene6 November 2005 November 200519 Folk Dance Scene Dancers Speak Greek Dance

persecute Christians. Ironically, his mausoleum was For the dancers in a line dance, it is the leader who spontaneous choreographic steps within the form and DANCING ON THE WATER turned into a cathedral; and his temple to Jupiter executes multiple actions expressing emotions, often the technique of the region. It is then that he With special folk dance events scheduled at every became a baptismal. It began to grow into a town in the sharing the lead with others, each one interpreting their momentarily becomes the “artist.” These “moments” port, the cruise ship M/S Dalmacija carried Mel Mann's seventh century, when inhabitants of the nearby town own feelings. In the Tsamiko, the lead dancer reenacts cannot be reproduced or reenacted, they live and die in group of ninety folk dancers to seven lovely "Pearls of of Salona took refuge in the palace during the invasion a battle, swinging his arms and slapping heels as if he that brief time, and what is important is that he or she is the Adriatic," June 11-18, 2005. Dance teacher and of the Avars and Slave. Outside the palace walls is a were a warrior with a sword. Even though the sword is not “performing” but living and acting out the emotions leader, Lee Otterholt, has led many "Dance on The large open-air market where a great variety of vibrant no longer a relevant weapon of warfare, the dancer still and feelings of that moment. The motifs or specific Water" cruises. An international folk dance figure, Lee colors, pungent odors, and interesting interactions demonstrates the need to overcome an oppressor, movements that are copied or imitated rise out of the knows many dance leaders in Europe, and arranged between buyers and sellers were there to experience. visible or invisible, to assert victory. Currently, the need for expression deeply steeped in the Greek special dance events at each port in addition to his own At the ship, dancers from the group, Jedinstvo taught Tsamiko dance is no longer the sole domain of the culture encompassed within music and tradition. teaching. a formation style dance from Split. Greek villages. Urban settlers also respond with equal Greek dance teaches us how to remain human in The first pearl visited was Korcula, a charming old The outstanding feature of Pula, our sixth pearl, is fervor to make this dance not just an empty exercise, this whirlwind of technology and the pursuit of material town considered the birthplace of Marco Polo. One the coliseum. Smaller than the one in Rome, the but rather a dance with a psychological function things. Today, the preservation of Greek dance is could visit the house where he was born, and climb a people of Pula consider it to be more beautiful. Built in articulating the need to overcome obstacles and primarily through public performances. It is—in tower for a birds-eye view of the medieval town and the 1 AD, a local legend has it that the coliseum was built demonstrate victory for survival. essence—a break in tradition. By bringing in external Adriatic Sea. Back at the ship, we learned Croatian in honor of a beautiful slave girl. After our tour, some of It wasn't until the 1950s when Dora Stratou, forces, which are unconnected with the life of the partner dances taught by local performers. us climbed to a hilltop tower with an excellent view of believing that to remember the historic continuity in community, we have changed the characteristics and the whole area. That afternoon, on board, we had a Greece, we need to look to the traditions and customs the relationship of the individual dancer to society and The next pearl, delightful Dubrovnik, offered the of its people. Within folk songs and dances we can find its culture. The idea of placing Greek dance on a stage most spectacular performance of the trip. On an Croatian dance performance and lesson with live music, by dancers from the old dance ensemble Cere. the living history whether it be to celebrate with joy or to reminds me of a philosopher who was an advocate of outdoor stage at the edge of the harbor, the "Lindjo cry and shed tears in our sorrows. By establishing a acquiring more and more books. His unique and Ensemble" of fifty performers gave a forty-five minute The most beautiful pearl was saved for last- national folklore ensemble, Dora Stratou brought massive collection lined bookcases along the walls of private show that will be long remembered. Later we Venice. We took a water taxi tour of Venice by night attention to the Greek dances evident in the provinces his home until one day they were so top-heavy that the were treated to a two-hour lesson, dancing with that was magical. Cruising the Grand Canal we viewed of Epirus, Macedonia, Thrace, Crete and Pontos. It is bookcases collapsed, fell on his head and killed him members of the Ensemble to live music. What more palaces built over a period of five centuries. Lit up like of the utmost importance that these provinces and instantly. could a traveling folk dancer wish for? a Christmas tree, the town was reflected in the busy islands never severed their ties to Hellenic culture, Dance in any period of history will remain alive in as On the Greek Island of Corfu, we toured the waters where gondolas bobbed as water taxis sped by. language, religious traditions, and certainly not their much as people continue to give it the respect it needs Achillion Palace and a monastery. The palace, St. Mark's Square was amazing, with street artists, dances. The Franks and the Venetians on the Greek to survive, remain pertinent, and timely. Otherwise it surrounded by elegant, colorful gardens dominated by colorful shops, sidewalk cafes and live music in all islands introduced court dancing such as the Ballos, becomes simply a symbol of its time and as Wozien a huge statue of Achilles, is the former summer places. from the Latin word to dance ballore, but they didn't said, "When a symbol is made to have a finite meaning residence of Austrian Empress Elisabeth. The Curious for some time about Mel Mann's cruises change the music, the rhythm, or lyrics, they simply as opposed to merely being a paraphrase of the monastery, situated on cliffs high above the beautiful on the water, the trip was all I had hoped-and more. danced their island Syrto in couples in order to imitate mysterious, an approximation to reality, then it beach village of Paleokhasastritsa, has spectacular The group was a wonderful mix of folks from many the court dances of western renaissance Europe. becomes an idol...” views of the coast and the glistening turquoise Ionian places, some experiencing their first sailing with Mel, Finding a kinesthetic response while doing a Syrto, I have been involved in Greek dance now for more Sea. In the evening, two couples performed traditional while others had as many as twelve trips with him. It or Tsamiko, or getting into the groove during a years than I even like to remember, and I welcome the and contemporary Greek dances on the ship, and led was nice that we had most of the day at the ports-not Hasapiko, we do not articulate our feelings verbally. gift Terpsichore bestowed on me. I feel exhilarated to us in line dances. just a couple hours. The best part of traveling by ship is The vibrations speak louder than words. And from it, see others join in with equal and even greater passion, The fourth pearl on our itinerary was Kotor, in that we only unpacked and packed once. That left a lot we feel emotionally cleansed, relieved, enthused and to ask questions and carry on the legacy of Greek Montenegro. According to our tour guide, it is located more time for dancing and sight seeing. spiritually invigorated. When Zorba danced he didn't dance. It is, after all, not an idle exercise but a on "one of the 25 most beautiful bays in the world." For more information about yours, visit the website: say, "Hey, watch me!” He danced to destroy the pain meaningful art form that is valuable and evocative to Kotor was an interesting surprise with its protective folkdanceonthewater.org and anguish he felt when his son died, "For if I didn't the human spirit by connecting our history and our four-kilometer long wall and battlements. Eight lovely dance, I would have burst.” He snapped his fingers to future. What I have hoped to touch upon is not to ladies from the "Bernice" group came to our ship in the – Bobi Ashley his own inner rhythm just as the ancient poet Anacreon "reincarnate" our past but to awaken the communion evening to sing and perform a dance done by wives of See Mel Mann's ad on page 11 of this issue. Mel said: "When old age leads the dance his white hairs we sense when doing a simple Syrto. Traditional dance sea captains for many generations. reports that the signups for this Mekong River trip are only tells his years, but youth is in his heart.” is very much alive everywhere Greeks feel the pulse of coming in fast and he expects this trip to sell out early Under certain circumstances a dancer may choose that beat, and we keep it—not as a relic—but as a The fifth pearl, Split, began 1700 years ago as a the way his Croatian trip sold out. to lead, or may be selected by those in the circle, and testimonial to an ancient link—a living heritage. palace for Diocletian, last of the Roman Emperors to in assuming that role he or she elects to improvise – Athan Karras Folk Dance Scene18 November 2005 November 20057 Folk Dance Scene Greek Dances

Greek dances are divided basically into syrtos Labyrinth. In some mazes the dancers held a card (dragging dances) and pidiktos (springing dances). which helped them keep their proper distance and Sometimes they are composed of both forms execute the pattern faultlessly. There is a dance in the combined. They also have various other names as neighborhood of Thessaloniki and elsewhere, where at well. For example, from the names of regions: the certain moments, the handkerchief is twisted until it tsakonikos, the kalamatianos, etc., where the place- turns into a rope. This was a catalyst for using the name has come to mark the kind of dance. Other handkerchief later on in various other dance patterns. names come from persons, who may have given rise to In Alexandria, in the Kyra Maria dance, the lead the dances, e.g., Nikolos, Menousis, Manetas, Kyra woman dancer holds the handkerchief precisely as the Maria, Papadia and so on. There are also seasonal dancers in ancient times used to wield the krotala (an names for various dances: St. Basil for the New Year, ancient percussion instrument very much like casta- the Easter Dance, etc., as well as names from nets). In time, the handkerchief was probably used for professions and guilds, for example, the hasapiko (the more practical reasons, such as helping the lead butcher's dance) and the mihaniko (from the divers). dancers spin about more easily in their various leaps The syrtos is the oldest dance. We may plausibly and pranks. The handkerchief may also have been hypothesize that the syrtos and Greek dances in used for reasons of modesty, so that the young man's general (which have preserved a very special form and hand would not directly touch the young woman's. pattern different from all other dances) were essentially The sousta is danced mainly in Crete and in the the dance danced around the altar in all the sacred Dodecannese, but the springing dances throughout the rituals of the ancient Greeks. For the joining of hands northern parts of Greece are also called sousta, as is and the formation of an unbroken circle can only be the main dance in the Dodecannese. Each island is explained in this way. In many ancient vases can be different in the character of its dance. In Rhodes, for seen this same circular dance and this same hand- example, the dance is undulating with a limited grip. And numerous frescoes in various monasteries springing movement. In Chalki it has a more definite depict this dance with the lead dancer holding a hand- springing movement. In Carpathos, up in the villages of kerchief in his hand. The kalamatianos, which has Olympos, they dance the sousta more heavily and ended up as a Panhellenic dance, is a kind of syrtos, statically. only more springing and faster. In Crete, the basic dances are the pendozalis, a war The tsakonikos (and the name still survives for this dance which until just recently was still danced by kind of dance) has deep roots in a very ancient armed men, the sousta and syrtos. The pendozalis and tradition. Many research scholars believe it is the syrtos are circular dances; in the former they hold each Crane. It is danced in Tsakonia, the southern area of other by the shoulders. The sousta is danced by cou- the Peloponnese, to this very day. The dancers hold ples and is playful, with various tricks, erotic in mood. each other tightly by the arm, as though striving not to In Cyprus the dances are basically antikrystos, lose one another. An extremely old tradition tells that where the dancers face one another at a certain this dance resurrects the exodus of Theseus from the distance apart. They are also danced in many parts of Labyrinth at Knossos. The candiot has the same Greece, but in Cyprus they are mostly danced either by movements as the tsakonikos: the trick with the knee women alone or by men alone. There is a whole and the foot in the air on the fifth beat of the dance, as separate music for the series of women's dances and it is still danced. The lead woman dancer holds a big for the series of men's dances. handkerchief in her hand. The same kind of dances The Greeks of Pontos have many dances: war where the same big handkerchief is held in precisely dances and dances of a ritualistic character. They are the same way are found in dances from various parts extremely attached to their homes and their traditions of Greece: Souphli (Thrace), Siatista (Macedonia) and are deep-rooted, with a curious mixture of Christian Karditsa (Thessaly). worship and worship of the ancient divinities. In certain What is the significance of the handkerchief in Greek parts of Pontos, the people had the custom of dances? What is the real explanation? From the 13th masquerading in the fustanella and helmet of century are found writings of dancers holding a rope to Alexander the Great. help them remember and learn the twistings of the Folk Dance Scene8 November 2005 November 200517 Folk Dance Scene On the Scene Greek Dances

The Greeks of Cappadocia clearly show a strong symbolic character during the period of slavery. The NEW FOLK DANCE CLASS AT TEMPLE ISAIAH influence of Christian religion. In Pharassa, for in- natives themselves say the raising of the sword, for The new session of international folk dance classes, stance, the dances are religious in character. Their two example, symbolized the mystic oath for freedom and with Beverly Barr teaching, will begin at Temple Isaiah, basic dances are for St. Basil's Day and for Easter. the struggle for liberation. The quivering of the body at 10000 Pico Blvd. in Los Angeles (across the street One of the most impressive dances is danced with a certain point of the dance is also a display of strength from the Rancho Park Golf Course). The class will wooden spoons. Another depicts a long journey up a and gallantry. Another traditional boula dance was meet on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Wednesdays of the mountain, combining lively springing steps with a slow danced by women during the Independence War, who, month at 7:30 p.m., beginning Nov. 2, 2005. dragging pace, which allowed the dancers to catch in order to avoid captivity, had cast themselves over For information call Beverly at (310) 202-6166. their breath in the course of the long journey. The lead waterfalls, singing and dancing as they did so. Accor- WEST L. A. FOLK DANCERS man holds a staff in his hand, giving the impression he ding to this legend, the woman who had led the dance Friday - Nov. 25 - Day After Thanksgiving Party is guiding the dancers on their way. was called Krinio, so the dance was called Krinitsa. In Alexandria Macedonia, some 50 villages of the The Ionian dances are of a different style and This annual party held the day after Thanksgiving is region have a ponderous Macedonian dance, ritual in musical quality. The music is strongly influenced by the always so well attended and so much fun. It is the start character, danced by women usually dressed in their West, having come in contact with it far more of the holiday season and a happy time of the year. bridal gowns. They wear an elaborate headgear with a frequently. The dances are graceful, coquettish and full Dance off that Thanksgiving dinner and have a terrific legend: In one of Alexander the Great's battles, the of erotic swaying. In Cephallonia and Zakynthos, we evening of folk dancing and warm friendship. men warriors were not faring too well. The women have lost track of the traditional costumes, whereas in New Years Eve (and more) rushed in and won the battle! To reward them for their Cythera, Lefkas and Kerkyra, they are still worn. We will be celebrating New Years right here on our CSÁRDÁS - The Tango of the East brave conduct, Alexander granted them the privilege of Several regions most characteristic of the variety of home turf. We are planning a Pre-New Years' Eve After its successful tour of 2000 and 2004, the wearing the helmet. Their dance is slow and difficult to dances in Greece have been mentioned. But there are Party the day before New Years' Eve and a Post New Budapest Ensemble happily returns to North America. dance. The lead woman holds a handkerchief moving also dances danced from one end of Greece to the Years' Day Party the day after New Years. One week Encouraged by reviews that called it "admirable it in a way that gives extra-ordinary emphasis and other: In Central Greece - Roumeli and the later, Jan. 8–12, 2006, we will take a trip for 5 days and …vibrant …compelling" (The New York Times) and character. Peloponnese, for example - two dances are danced: 4 nights. See the ad and OTS article for Winter Break "rousing …remarkable …terrific" (The Boston Globe), The dances of Epiros are heavy, with strange jerks the tsamikos and the kalamatianos. But these are also in this issue. this company of fabulous dancers and superb musi- made by the leg. They are a bit slow, but have an danced in all other parts of Greece, including the Friday - December 30 - Pre-New Year's Eve Party cians is set to charm audiences once more with its unsurpassed dignity. Their music is fundamentally islands. In some places they are slower, in others, production: CSÁRDÁS - The Tango of the East. Let's make this a long New Years' weekend influenced by medieval polyphony. The women's quicker. Each dance, even the most limited in local The story line of the show would do Disney proud. It celebration. We will party the night before New Years' costumes are the most beautiful of all our costumes origin, has its own peculiar variations, even in the starts with a modern day Táncház - an urban dance Eve, on Dec. 30, and we will celebrate the beginning of and the most splendid in hand embroidery. In Epiros neighboring villages of the same locale. revival session and then takes a fantasy time-trip the New Year on... (see next paragraph). and especially in Pogoni, the finest folk Greece is a land whose language has been in through the historical regions of Central Europe. There Monday - Jan. 2, ‘06 - Day After New Years' Party instrumentalists are to be found. The hasapiko is a very continuous use since time immemorial. Its dance, like are love spells and enchantments; hardships and We are living up to our name of "Party People", given old dance, danced in the Byzantine era by the butchers its language, is an equally ancient survival. Through- conflicts; jealousies and star-crossed lovers. The story to us some time ago. We enjoy dancing and partying guild. Now it is mostly danced in the islands and ports. out the centuries the Greeks were not aware of the culminates in a grand celebration that will set your toes and will do our best to make this a memorable New Throughout the long ages of all the various con- significance of their dances and their songs. For them, tapping and your heart warming. All this, of course, to Years' celebration. quests, and above all throughout the Ottoman Empire, it was just their way of 'letting go.' It was their need for fiery Gypsy music with some of the most intense and High energy parties are planned with an all request we Greeks have always found some way to preserve gathering together. It was their way of life as Greeks. spectacular dancing you'll ever see. program. Bring the names of your favorite dances, as our traditions. Often in order to keep the Governor of Many regions of Greece, and their dances, have Csárdás, the national dance of Hungary, was also well as snacks and desserts for the pot luck table. the province from possibly forbidding them, the Greeks gone unmentioned. Like the language with its wildly popular among Slovaks and is adored by Brockton School, 1309 Armacost in W. L. A. (1 1/2 would make light of their dances as though they were numerous dialects, so it is with the dance and its many Transylvanian-Romanians, Polish Highlanders, blocks north of Santa Monica Blvd., between just a part of Carnival. forms. It is impossible to cover them all. It is amazing a Croatians and Serbs. And when it came to Csárdás Barrington & Bundy). Party begins at 7:30 p.m. and Certain examples are the boula dances from Naousa small country like Greece should have such diversity in music, Gypsies were the undisputed master ends when you are too tired to dance anymore. in Macedonia as well as certain Carnival customs of dance! musicians. No wonder classical composers like Liszt, The West L. A. Folk Dancers meet on Monday and the people of Pontos. The boulas are a series of Brahms, Bartók and Kodály drew inspiration from the – Dora Stratou. Friday nights. We will be teaching new dances that dances executed by men masquerading as women or music of these legendary musicians. This article was excerpted from the September 2005 were taught at the recent camps and workshops as wearing fustanellas. The chests of the fustanella- See this exciting performance on Nov 13, 14 or 15. issue of Northwest Folkdancer, and originally well as some good oldies. For information call (310) wearers are covered with florins which make a din of Locations and times are in the Calendar. appeared in the March -April 1991 issue of Viltis, under 202-6166 or (310) 478-4659 music when the dancers leap up three times as a form the title “The Greek Dances, Our Link with Antiquity”. – Beverly & Irwin Barr – Steve Davis of greeting. Some of these movements acquired a Folk Dance Scene16 November 2005 November 20059 Folk Dance Scene Greek Food On the Scene

feeding of the Balkan voice class and Rajna Ledoux BRIAMI teaching Croatian singing. There will also be DENNIS BOXELL’S SEPTEMBER TOUR (POTATOES, instrument instruction in melody and percussion by With Dennis in Southern California for the ZUCCHINI AND teachers still to be announced. Tamburitza Extravaganza, the Cal Tech Folk Dance EGGPLANT) club booked him for two sessions. We arranged a tour The dance teachers are: Ahmet Lüleçi, Turkish; through Laguna Beach, Veselo Selo, Narodni, the 2 pounds of Erik Bendix, Macedonian and Bulgarian; Marko Dalmation Club and Santa Barbara. potatoes Vukadinovic, Serbian and Jerry Duke and Bob and The dances he teaches are enjoyable, and he shows 4 medium zucchini Sharon Gardner, Northern Greece. how people really do them in the villages. The music he 2 medium eggplants There will be live music each evening, featuring uses is always good. I also recommend personal Anoush, Bebelekovi, Zabava, Zaedno and others. 1 lb. of tomatoes lessons, or master classes, to anyone interested. An And a concert will be presented at 6:30 pm Saturday, instrument lesson one night at my place helped turn 2 onions 2 green or red peppers followed by more dancing to live music. concert music into dance music. 1/2 cup parsley 1 cup of olive oil And a feature that has been brought back this year is For this trip Dennis produced a CD of dances from salt and pepper the opportunity to practice the dances being taught in Srem, which is in the North Serbian region of the studio Saturday night after the concert. Peel and slice the potatoes and put in a large, oiled tamburitza land. Over the border, Croatia calls its part AVGOLEMONO SOUPA (EGG AND LEMON SOUP) casserole. Slice the zucchini, peppers, and eggplant For more information and registration, please see of the country Srijem. When the Hungarians were in 8 cups of chicken soup 1/2 cup of rice and add to the potatoes. Finely chop the onion and add our web site: www.balkantunes.org/kolofestival or call charge, they called it all Szerem. That’s folklore for (800) 730-5615 or email Jerry Duke at you. Dennis also brought a DVD showing a local dance 2 eggs 2 egg yolks with the sliced tomatoes, chopped parsley and the oil, salt and pepper. [email protected]. group doing their dances. At each stop on the Calif. 1/2 cup of lemon juice salt tour he taught at least one dance from Srem, and Bake in a 350 degree oven for about an hour and a – Kay James Bring the soup to a boil, add the rice and cook over a reviewed dances he had taught before. half, stirring after the first hour. medium heat, covered, for about 20 minutes. HUNGARIAN DANCE PERFORMANCE This region is home to Malo Kolo (little dance) and Beat the eggs and egg yolks and slowly add the 8-10 servings Jon and I strongly recommend the upcoming Veliko Kolo (big dance), which many of us know. The lemon juice. Add some of the hot soup while beating performance of the Budapest Ensemble's Csárdás, dance called Stremsko Kolo (dance from Strem) is a KOURABIEDES (BUTTER COOKIES) and then stir the egg mixture into the soup. Tango of the East at the Alex Theater in Glendale on version of Malo Kolo. There is good music for it on 1 pound of almonds (ground)1 pound of butter “Dances from Strem”. The first dance on the CD is Kolo Serve immediately. November 13, 2005. We've seen this show on video 2 egg yolks 1/2 pound sugar and it is etched in our memories as a distinguished na Jednu Stranu (dance on one side), which goes to 4-6 servings piece of dance theater. It stays true to the roots of the right with suitable jiggling and a neat three-step. 2 pounds of flour cinnamon Hungarian dance while conveying a beautiful love story As a change of pace, Dennis reviewed dances of SPANAKORYZO (SPINACH WITH RICE) 1 cup of brandy powdered sugar that is well told, well acted, and strongly danced. Thrace, a region that runs across borders of Bulgaria, 1 cup of olive oil 1 onion, chopped Beat the butter for about 15 minutes, or until it turns Kalman Magyar, who has promoted Hungarian dance Greece, and Zervos with stamping, Ksi-Syrtos and 1 cup of rice 1/2 cup of dill white. Add the sugar, while beating and then add the and music in the U.S. for years with his sponsorship of Tap’nos and Zervodexios with hand movements, Troirou to high energy bagpipe music. About a pound and a half of spinach, well washed (I egg yolks, cinnamon to taste, and brandy. Mix in the annual Hungarian dance camps on the East coast used baby spinach and did not have to chop it at all) almonds. Add the flour in small amounts, while mixing feels so strongly about this performance that he is What about Macedonia? That wasn’t the focus of with a wooden spoon. Shape into small balls (the size personally sponsoring this group's tour. This is his gift this tour, but we got a glimpse. He did teach the the juice of 2 lemons 3 cups of water of a walnut) and bake on greased cookie sheets for to both the Hungarian community and those who love Kosovo dance Memede, and the Roumlouki dance salt and pepper about 15 minutes at 350 degrees. Sprinkle with their dance. Katsamba. More will come another time. Heat the oil in a large pot and saute the onion until powdered sugar while warm. Please do not miss this show! 3:00 and 7:30 on Dennis tells where dances are from, and whom he golden. Add the dill, spinach, and water. When the I found these cookies a bit bland and would probably November 13 at Alex Theater, 216 North Brand Blvd. has seen doing them. He’s willing to give us coaching mixture comes to a boil, add the rice, salt and pepper add some grated citrus rind next time I made them. The To purchase tickets call: (818) 243-2539 or got to and drills in local movement style, and hearing the and stir well. Cover and cook over a low flame until all original recipe said to beat the butter for 40 minutes, alextheatre.org. For more information visit csardas.org music, which he says is where the fun is. He of the water is absorbed. If necessary, stir occasionally but I think it must have been written before electric for a list of other theater locations if you do not live in encourages different people to take turns leading. to keep the rice in the water. beaters were available, so I only beat the butter for 15 Los Angeles. The next big event for Cal Tech is our Halloween Party, on November 1st (the nearest Tuesday). We’re Pour the lemon juice over the rice and spinach, and minutes. – Debbie Rand serve. still dancing at Throop Unitarian Church, Del Mar at Makes about 6 dozen cookies Ed: This show will also be in Santa Barbara on Los Robles, Pasadena. 6 servings – Sandy Helperin November 15. See Calendar for details. – Nancy Milligan Folk Dance Scene10 November 2005 November 200515 Folk Dance Scene On the Scene Teachers Corner

11. Silver filigree broche of an 'opanka.' (continued from page 3) VESELO HAPPENINGS 12. Turkish coffee pots (dzezve), individual size, Laografia International Greek Folklore Society and is Main message for November is that we are back at and a matching tray. a Cultural Consultant for the Greek Heritage Society of our Hillcrest Park; the address is 1155 N. Lemon St. in If interested, please email: [email protected] Southern California, Member of the LA Cultural Arts Fullerton. Phone (714) 738-8008 for information. for further details. (510) 428-0206. Committee, and Founder/Director of the International November 5 Nostalgia Night. Do all your old – Nevenka Greek Folklore Society. He had the lead role of Yanni favorites. Martakis in the acclaimed 1957 black-and-white film noir November 12 Fun For All Night with emcee Carol WINTER BREAK Dark Odyssey (in one scene he leads a Tsamiko dance Maybrier. Dances anyone can do. We have a new New Years plan this year and hope with a sword!), now available on DVD. He is a lifetime November 19 All Request Night. Dances new and many of you will join us. The American Bus Association member of The Hellenic University Club of Southern old, whatever you like. announced that Winter Break has been designated as California, which recognized him for his contributions to November 26 Thanksgiving Day After Party. How one of the Top 100 Events in North America for 2006. Greek Culture and Heritage. He was named Man of the about bringing those left-over goodies to share. All This is the second consecutive year that Winter Break Year at the Levendia Conference, a Greek Folk Festival request dancing. has been selected for this honor. in Tarpon Springs, Florida. He received the 2001 – Lu Perry What is Winter Break? It is a festival celebrating Athenagoras I Humanitarian Award, highest award adults and seniors living life to the fullest. Spring Break given by the Greek Orthodox Folk Dance Festival of the CAFE AMAN was, and is still, a way for students to escape the Western Diocese and also was honored with the Come join us at Cafe Aman on Saturday, Nov. 12th! challenges of the classroom, but has also grown to Lifetime Achievement Award of the California 7:30 pm to 11:30 pm. Live Macedonian music played become a celebration of life without worry. Winter Traditional Musical Society (CTMS). As an by Veselba Izvorno and Anne Sirota teaching Pontic Break is somewhat the same, a celebration of life and entrepreneur, Athan brought the Parthenon Dancers of Dances. a place to act your age - give or take 30 or 40 years. Greece to the United States and Canada for several At Cafe Danssa; located at 11533 West Pico Blvd., The event will educate, stimulate, and offer non-stop tours and has taken groups to Greece to visit dance CA 90064-1519 in West LA, between Sawtelle and entertainment. Many daily choices will be available. festivals and ancient sites. Barrington, on the north side of the street, upstairs. Tel: Activities include all types of dancing, dance classes, Athan has produced several outstanding recordings (310) 478-7866. Street parking. art classes, wine tasting, parades, educational of Greek folk dance music that include the regional Please pass this message on! seminars, single's events, healthy cooking classes, sounds of the mountains and the islands. He was – Shirley J. Hansen writing seminars, on-going live entertainment, Ice featured in a multicultural video produced by Human Cream Social, Classic Car Show, Wellness Clinic, free Kinetics and produced an instructional video, Learn CROATIAN ITEMS FOR SALE gaming tournaments, Native American Arts, Crafts & Dances with Athan Karras, that details steps and styling 1. Tamburitza, brac, beautiful, handmade, like new, Jewelry Show, and more. Be sure to see the World's of Greek regional dances. G(2x) DAE strings. Photo available, please contact me. Largest Chorus Line. You can even join an organized Among Athan's CDs, videos, and publications are: 2. 'Opanke,' folk footwear from the Zagreb region Dip in the Colorado River. (Sestine, Prigorje), size 7 1/2 - 8. Dance Songs of Greece. Basic and popular Greek This event is held in Laughlin, Nevada and all 9 of dances (CD). 3. Slippers, fancy with leather trim, size 7 1/2 - 8. the hotels in Laughlin take part in Winter Break. This Did You Say Dance? The Hellenic Journal, July 4. Croatian-English dictionary by Drvodelic, 847 will be a 5 day 4 night trip. Round trip transportation will 2002. pp. hardcover. be by motorcoach, which will stay the entire time. 5. English-Croatian dictionary by Filipovic, 1435 See the ad in this issue of Scene. For information Greek Dances with Athan Karras. Video. Several pp. hardcover. call Beverly at (310) 202-6166 or (310) 478-4659. dances, variations. R&R Video International.(Video). 6. 'Godina dana hrvatskih narodnih obicaja' (A year – Beverly & Irwin Barr Greek Traditions in Music and Dance. Article. of Croatian folk customs) by Gavazzi, with English, Learn Greek Dances. Video. Basic Greek dances French and German summaries, 250+ pp.hardcover. 54TH ANNUAL KOLO FESTIVAL, SAN FRANCISCO for beginners (Video). 7. Music books for tamburitza. Dance away those Thanksgiving pounds in San More Dance Songs of Greece. Popular Greek folk 8. Music books of Croatian songs. Francisco, Friday and Saturday, November 25 and 26, dances (CD). at the Russian Center, 2450 Sutter Street, San 9. Music book of various kolos for accordion. Songs of Greece. The Intersection, c. 1960. Francisco. Classes will start at 9:30 each morning. 10. LP, 45 rpm and 78 rpm records, as well as Spirit of Greek Dance. Travel in Greece (CD). This year’s Kolo Festival will feature three singing cassettes, of mostly Croatian singers and musicians, teachers: Juliana Graffagna teaching an overview Traditional Greek Dances. A collection by Athan including Zvonko Bogdan. class both days, Michele Simon teaching a care and Karras (CD). Folk Dance Scene14 November 2005 November 200511 Folk Dance Scene Calendar Calendar Cristian & Sonia

Note: Federation Events are in Bold. DECEMBER 11/13 Zado Singers perform 3:00-3:45, at Albert CALL TO CONFIRM ALL EVENTS. 3 Linda Dewar & guests, concert and CD Einstein Residence Center, 1935 Wright St., NOVEMBER Release party. Scottish, Irish and American songs. Sacramento. Info: www.ZadoSingers.org. 1 Miamon Miller and Friends play at Cal Tech Sponsored by Folkworks. 8:00 at CTMS Center for 11/18-20 West Coast Ragtime Festival, Red Lion Folkdancers Halloween party. Costume contest. Folk Music, 16953 Ventura Blvd. Encino. Info: (818) Inn, Sacramento. Dance instruction by Richard 7:30 at Throop Church, 300 S. Los Robles, 785-3839, [email protected]. Duree, Bruce Mitchell and Stan Isaacs. Information: Pasadena. Info: (626) 797-5157, 11 Early California Christmas and Fandango, at www.WestCoastRagtime.com. [email protected]. Rancho Los Alamitos, Long Beach. A celebration 11/23 Afternoon Of Israeli Golden Oldies, 1:30-5:30 7-11 Cruise and Dance on the Paradise Cruise ship and re-enactment of Christmas traditions of Early at Ashkenaz, 1317 San Pablo Avenue @ Gilman St., for 4 nights with Beverly & Irwin Barr and the California, including a fandango. Richard Duree will Berkeley. Info: (510) 525-5054. West L.A. Folk Dancers, leaving from Long serve as 'el tecolero' Don Juan Bandini. 11/25, 26 54th Kolo Festival at the Russian Center, Beach. Info: (310) 202-6166. 26 Scandia Holiday Party at Women’s Club of 2450 Sutter Street, SF. Two days of dance classes 12 Lanterman Ragtime Tea Dance. Lanterman Orange, 121 Center Street in Orange. One of the with Ahmet Luleci, Jerry Duke, others. Also singing House, Pasadena. Dance and tea in a beautiful year’s best potluck dinners and dance parties. and music classes, culture lectures, two nights of historic home setting. Info: lahacal.org/1918. Live music all evening. Info: Ted Martin: traditional live dance music in three venues and a CRISTIAN AND SONIA ON TOUR 12 Living History Day, Mission San Juan [email protected] / (714) 893-8888. Saturday night concert with music and dance For over two weeks, Sonia Dion and Cristian Capistrano – Baptism and Fandango. A real 30 A Pre-New Years' Eve Party with West L. A. exhibitions. See OTS. Info: (800) 730-5615 or http:// Florescu toured and taught Romanian dances across baptism in the Great Stone Church, re-enacting Folk Dancers, (Friday). Request dance program balkantunes.org/kolofestival/. California, and proved to us once again that true dance the traditions of Early California, followed by a played by Irwin & Beverly Barr at 7:30 at OUT OF STATE is much more than just moving your feet… traditional fandango by Living History Society Brockton School, W.L.A. Bring snacks and ARIZONA Cristian was born in Bucharest and began dancing and Dunaj Folk Ensemble. desserts for pot luck. See OTS. Info: call Beverly 11/11–13 Dance in the Desert, contra dance camp with various folk groups in 1982. In 1991 he received 13, 14, 15 Performances by Budapest Ensemble's at (310) 202-6166. with Susan Michaels. YMCA camp, near Tucson. his certificate as a solo dancer and choreographer from Csárdás, Tango of the East. Sunday: 3:00 and 7:30 JANUARY, 2006 Info: (520) 408-6181, [email protected]. the Romanian Ministry of Culture. He choreographed at Alex Theater, 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale. 2 Day After New Years' Party with West L.A. OHIO for many Romanian folk ensembles and studied with Tickets, call: (818) 243-2539 or (818) 243-ALEX, Folk Dancers, (Monday). Request program 7:30 11/3 Georgian Voices: The Anchiskhati Ensemble, various experts, including Theodor Vasilescu. Sonia was born in Québec and has been a profes- Website: www.alextheatre.org. Monday: 7:30 at the at Brockton School. Pot luck snacks and from Tbilisi, The Republic of Georgia perform 8:00 at sional dancer for over 20 years. She was a lead dancer East El Cajon Performing Arts Center, El Cajon. Info: desserts. See OTS. Info: Beverly at (310) 202- The Beck Center for the Arts, 17801 Detroit Avenue, and choreographer of Les Sortiléges, Canada's oldest www.csardas.org. Tuesday 8:00 pm at the Lobero 6166. Lakewood. Info: (216) 521-2540. professional folk dance ensemble 8 - 12 Winter Break for adults & seniors with Beverly Theater, 33 E.Canon Perdido Street, Santa Barbara. TEXAS Cristian and Sonia met at Les Sortiléges and formed Tickets, call (805) 963-0761 (see OTS). & Irwin Barr. A planned program with choices each 11/24–27 Texas Camp, with Roo Lester, Ya’akov a professional and personal partnership. Ahmet Luleci 18 Nevenka in Concert at a new world music day, including dancing, entertainment, seminars, Eden, others. Bruceville. Info: (52) 453-8936, and Yves Moreau recognized their unique talent to venue, Club Tropical in Culver City. An evening of contests, wine tasting, a Big Band Senior Prom, & [email protected]. instill excitement on the dance floor, and recom- Eastern European song. Info: Nevenka.org. more. Events held in hotels in Laughlin, Nevada, WASHINGTON mended them to the Stockton Folk Dance Camp. 24–27 Southern California Scandia Festival. with travel by motorcoach. See OTS for details. Info: 11/5 Scandinavian Fair, at Hampton Inn's Fox Hall, Those who were fortunate to meet Cristian and Three days of intense instruction and live music call Beverly at (310) 202-6166 Bellingham. Music and folk dancing throughout the Sonia at Stockton in 2004 and 2005 knew what other at a beautiful mountain camp near Julian. Make 14 Viennese Nights: A Ball, 7:30 at Prado day. Crafts, Nordic delicacies. Info: (360) 592-4065, dancers were missing. A tour was organized for reservations early: Carol Martin (714) 893-8888. Restaurant, Balboa Park, San Diego. The second 360-752-2225 or email [email protected]. September and October (14 workshops). Cristian and 25 The Day After Thanksgiving Party by West Viennese Ball hosted by the San Diego Vintage FOREIGN Sonia taught with energy and compassion. They approached the dancers on the floor as if they were L. A. F. D. (Friday). Request program played by Dancers. CANADA Irwin & Beverly Barr at 7:30 at Brockton School. FEBRUARY old-time friends. They delighted them with "Shaking les 12/2 Special Birthday Celebration for Sandy Bijoux" and "Small Romanian Banana" steps. Above Potluck snacks. See OTS. Info: Beverly at (310) 3,4,5 Dickens Festival, Riverside. Info at website: Starkman. Presented by Hamilton FD Club. 8:00 – 202-6166. http://www.dickensfest.com/. all, their enthusiasm and excitement engulfed the most 11:00 at St.Paul’s Anglican Church, Toronto. Info: impassive participants. 26 St. Andrews Scottish Ball, hosted by LA Branch 10–12 Laguna Folkdancers Festival. Ensign (905) 528-4026, [email protected]. They will teach at the upcoming Laguna Festival in RSCDS. Live music. At Masonic Lodge, El Segundo. School, Newport Beach. Teachers: Cristian CENTRAL AMERICA February, the Statewide Festival in San Jose in May, Info: Doris Fisher (310) 324-2759 Florescu, Sonia Dion, and Steve Kotansky. Info: 12/28/05–1/11/06 Cruise to Panama Canal and and Mendocino Folklore Camp in June. 26 Social Daunce Irregulars, Victorian Grand Ball. (714) 893-8888, [email protected]. Central America. Folk dancing led by Sandy Thank you, Cristian and Sonia, for that special spark 7:30 at Pasadena Masonic Hall. Information: http:// NORTHERN CALIFORNIA Starkman. Info: Sandy at (416) 633-4852, that you bring to the dance floor… victoriandance.org/. [email protected]. – Gerda Ben-Zeev Folk Dance Scene12 November 2005 November 200513 Folk Dance Scene