Once again, our members have proved that folk dancing is alive and well in Florida. This issue was intended to be a quick catch-up on what else has been happening after the extensive reports on Presidents’ Weekend in last issue. But, you all surprised me with the number and variety of things that you’ve been doing this spring. I can’t wait to see the stories of your summer adventures for the next issues.

–CL

Wow! Time is going by so fast! Lots of people are getting ready for great travels, some are going to their northern homes, some groups are taking a break, some should be taking a break. I’m not taking a trip this year, nor going to fence at Nationals, as I have to regroup my budget, so am living vicariously through friends that are doing my thing – sob!

I did go to Spring Fling, went to my fencing coach’s 95th birthday party in Boynton Beach, saw my Sis in Sanibel, went to Sarasota for Andi’s last dance of the year, will teach a couple of times for them in August, will hit the Sunshine State Games in June, and boo – that’s it for me. But I’m working on next year’s camp and have the teachers lined up – who, you ask? Read my poem! Loved Caroline’s last issue reminding us of all the fun we had at the 2012 camp, and am hoping this next one will be just as good. Have a great summer!

– Terry Abrahams

Sound of Music on page 9.

Bok Tower Gardens on page 3.

Audience participation on page 5.

2012 NFO Conference

by Pat Henderson and Jan Lathi

The National Folk Organization (NFO) Conference was held April 26-29thin Bethesda, MD. Pat is the current secretary of NFO and Jan is a new member. Jan learned that NFO is a networking tool for recreational and international dancers, festivals, teachers, performing groups, and ethnic groups. Part of the Mission Statement includes preserving folk arts, and encouraging the exchange of dance-related folklore in the U.S. and abroad. The organization keeps a calendar listing major national folkloric events. NFO provides liability insurance coverage for members who teach classes and/or hold events.

The conference began Thursday with the President’s Reception. After the reception, most attendees enjoyed a dinner and entertainment in Rockville. However, Loui Tucker drove three of us to dance in Glen Echo, MD.

Friday was spent in morning meetings and then a tour of the Library of Congress and the American Folklife Center. In the ornate Great Hall of the Jefferson Building, we looked down at the main reading room from the Visitor’s Gallery and viewed the many statues around the room. In a conference room of the American Folklife Center, we saw a presentation of the history and purpose of the center. Friday night, most of us attended the Greenbelt International dance group led by Michael Gelman. It was a very energetic and advanced group and we enjoyed many dance classics.

Carpathia performing Polish dances

Saturday, there were more business meetings and a lunch. Loui Tucker, Katherine St. John and Sanna Longden, among others, demonstrated some dances and techniques for working with beginners. Loui’s six minute moving to music to learn basic steps and directions was marvelous. Saturday night was the banquet and dance party. The Heritage Award was given to Sanna Longden and Larry Weiner for their outstanding contributions to the folk dance world. Family members of the winners were in attendance and an inspirational letter from Sanna’s daughter was read.

After dinner and the awards, it was time to dance to Larry Weiner’s Bulgarian band, Lyuti Chushki. His son and daughter-in-law were part of the group and she was the vocalist.

Larry Weiner playing drum, with dancers

The Great Hall of the Library of Congress

Photos by Pat Henderson

Foreground: Jan Lathi, Raluca Rosca and Pat Henderson

Photo by Eric McKenzie

NFO, continued next page...

NFO, continued from previous page...

During breaks of the band, we danced to recorded music and were entertained by four different performing groups: Hungarian, Bulgarian, and Polish dancers and Balkan singers. Raluca Rosca, who used to dance in Gainesville, is a member of the Polish group. We enjoyed seeing her again.

It was encouraging to see that in the Washington area there are so many groups and that many young people are involved, especially in performing groups. By the time the wonderful night was over, the attendance for the evening was at least 200 people. The conference ended Sunday morning with a closing business meeting in the hotel. Many important topics were discussed during the conference, including lifetime dues, insurance procedures, establishment of a data base to all dances, online membership renewals, next year’s conference location.

Good-byes were said and we all left with happy memories of NFO 2012.

After the conference ended, we took the Metro to the Mall area and visited the National Art Gallery and Museum of Natural History. On Monday, we had a splendid trip to see Mount Vernon with one of Pat’s high school friends. On the way back to the hotel, we visited Fords Theatre, where Lincoln was shot and saw the room across the street where he died. Did we ever pack a lot into five days! It was most informative and enjoyable!

Bok Tower Gardens

Concert Under the Stars

Donna Young and Bonnie Olsen at Bok Tower Gardens.

One of the featured items in the Olga Princi Scholarship Fund Auction at Presidents’ Weekend was tickets to the Bok Tower Gardens “Concert Under the Stars” on May 5. The two high bidders, who each received two tickets to the Gardens and Concert were Donna Young, who brought fellow dancer Bonnie Olson, and Jean Murray, whose guest was her co-worker, Liz Green. I met Donna and Bonnie in the early afternoon and toured the gardens with them before the concert. Jean and Liz arrived in time to hear the carillon concert at 3 PM. The evening concert featured the Frank Vignola jazz quintet and Solas, an Irish band whose members were from Ireland and the U.S. Afterwards, Donna and Bonnie accepted our offer of overnight hospitality at the “Lanker Bed and Breakfast”.

– Caroline Lanker

Caroline and Gary Lanker devised a very creative way to enhance the Olga Princi Scholarship Fund. The package of a visit to Bok Tower Gardens, the evening concert, and an overnight stay at their lovely home made a great weekend deal. The administration at Bok Tower Gardens donated two pairs of tickets to the Gardens and the Concert that evening. Caroline met Bonnie Olson and me and became our personal guide while visiting the Gardens. The two bands that were the featured performers were very good.

– Donna Young

Jean Murray and Liz Green enjoying the Concert Under the Stars.

Photos by Caroline Lanker

The gardens are truly beautiful. I wish they were closer to me! Having the full moon rise over the concert was an extra treat! The experience has made me wonder what there is to offer around here for next year.

– Jean Murray

Seltzers on a Trip

by Jack Seltzer

As I write this (May 8), Linda and are half way through our six-week trip to Europe. We’ve cruised the Atlantic on the Liberty of the Seas, stopped in the Canary Islands and visited the volcano there, enjoyed a sherry winery in Cadiz, Spain and been overwhelmed by a flamenco dance performance in a Barcelona nightclub – just plain riveting, the whole two hours. I couldn't breathe when they sang, danced or played their guitars.

Fast forward ten days or so and we’ve rented a car in southern France and driven north from Perpignan to Saumur. It hasn’t been easy driving, but it has been unique in the terrain, great ambiance, and the people. Speaking French, is the "the passport to the French heart." When they hear you say, “Je parle un peau Francais,” just right, they quickly give you their ear. I can’t say quickly enough, “Parlez vous anglais?” But they are most warming to English or French. To talk with a Frenchman is extremely warm and heartfelt.

We’ve visited the walled city of Carcassonne with its incredible “old town” up the hill in the middle of town; Rocamodour, which is a town built on the side of rocks – extremely spiritual and esthetic; Chenonceaux with its unbelievable chateau in the middle of the Loire valley. Now, we sit and relax a little with a bottle of Veuve Amior from the winery in Saumur, which is internationally known for its delicious sparkling wines.

We’ll finish this trip in Paris with Gary and Peggy and then head to home on May 25th. Lots of fun, experiences and memories. Miss folk dancing a lot.

Teenagers dancing the Sardana in the Catalunga Square in Barcelona

Flamenco dancers in Barcelona

Linda Seltzer by the "Old City" in Carcassonne, France

Tiede Volcano on Tenerife Island, Canary Islands

Photos by Jack Seltzer

Melbourne Maypole Dance

by Fannie Salerno and Marilyn Frew

On Friday May 4, South Brevard International Dancers held a Maypole Dance. The 12-foot-high Maypole, constructed by Marilyn Frew, had a wreath of flowers on the top and lovely multi-colored ribbons.

We danced the Maypole twice, winding and unwinding the ribbons to live music provided by John Daly on keyboard, Jean Murray on guitar and Robert Frew on recorder. After that, it was nearly dark and the moon was rising; we retired inside and continued to dance. It was a wonderful, fun evening.

John Daly planned the event as a fundraiser for restoring an old Queen Anne house in Melbourne. We raised some starting money and, better than that, we had all the viewers dancing the Maypole. Oh, and we saved the pole and the ribbons so we can do it again next year!

Maypole and dancers, L to R: Jack Floyd, Allyssa Stanley, Evanne Floyd, Fannie Salerno, Randy Pasinsky, Willa Davidsohn, David Davia, Eldona Mellen, Mike Mellen, Aurora Frew, Marilyn Frew and Lou Davia.

Photo by John Daly

Dancing the maypole.

Photo by Mike Mellen

Tampa Israeli Dancers

by Terry Abrahams

Once a year the Tampa Israeli Dancers are invited to participate in the celebration of Israel’s Independence. This year marks Israel’s 64^th year as a country, and the local Jewish Community Center and Jewish Federation sponsored a festive day outside of the Straz Performing Arts Center. We were first on the docket for performing, and therefore had a small audience, but we always enjoy donning our blue and white costumes and doing our bit for Israel.

We did five numbers (or pieces of them) covering all aspects of Israeli dancing (Chassidic, line, waltz, and two just fun ones) and ended with our usual audience participation, always hoping to garner new dancers. Don’t we all? I think this year I got one or two for David’s group in St. Pete. Oh well – it was fun anyway, and eating falafel afterwards always makes it a good day.

Right: Tampa Israeli dancers performing. FFDC members are Terry Abrahams, left end, and Bill Schwarz, second from right.

Sarasota Grapeviners

by Judy Merkt

Well, it’s spring-almost-summer in Florida. Of course, it’s hard to tell the difference, since we really didn’t have a winter. But then again, there is all that pollen to remind us that spring has sprung!

A nice contingent of Sarasota dancers attended both the FFDC Presidents’ Weekend and the Spring Fling in Orlando. All reported having very good times at both. Kathy Fico injured a shoulder at the February workshop, but it is healing nicely.

Our last two Wednesdays in April were special events. On the 18th, we had our first ever Marathon Review. With a super effort by both Andi and our dancers, we managed to review all 35 dances that Andi had taught during the fall/winter sessions one last time before she left for Vancouver for the summer. Whew! We plan to do it again next year but split it into two different nights so it is not quite so intense.

World Dance Day celebration - left: Andi Kapplin, Sharon Brannon (hidden), Faye Babker, Bev Mann, Thekla Kahn, Bill Schwarz, Susan Barach, Cate Mamber, D.A. Tyler, Vicki Kulifay; right: Susan Barach, Lynda Harris, Ron Fico, Ursula Tison and Sue Gordon.

Photos by Judy Merkt and Caroline Lanker

On April 25th, Sarasota held its annual World Dance Day celebration with a good crowd, delicious refreshments, and a whole lotta good dancing.

In addition to our Sarasota dancers, Tampa dancers Terry Abrahams, Bill Schwarz, and Ursula Tison joined us, as well as Vicki Kulifay from Dunedin, Caroline and Gary Lanker from Frostproof, and Kerry Nemo from Las Vegas. Marie Millett’s son Robert, visiting from New Jersey, also attended. Although we couldn’t coax him onto the dance floor, he was an appreciative audience.

At the break, we did one of our occasional member profiles, this time honoring long time Grapeviner, Thekla Kahn. See her bio, next page.

Susan Barach and I were interviewed on Sarasota radio station WLSS AM for a program that aired May 5^th and 6^th. The subject was our folk dance group. The interviewer was very good and Susan and I really enjoyed getting the word out about international folk dancing. We hope to see some new dancers as a result – we’ll keep you posted.

In other news, Linda and Rich Nicoli, who have danced in Sarasota for several years, have

moved to Cocoa Beach as of May 18th. This is a real loss for us, but a nice gain for the Orlando and Melbourne groups, as Linda and Rich can reach both of them pretty easily. We wish them a wonderful new experience in their east coast location. We have enjoyed them immensely during their time with us and thank them for their teaching and dancing.

Our summer crowd is reduced in size but not in enthusiasm! In Andi's absence, Dimitri Babiak, Susan Barach, Delores Lustig, Cate Mamber, Judy Merkt, and Varda Ruskin from our own group will share the teaching responsibilities with guest teachers Caroline Lanker, Terry Abrahams, and Andy Pollock. The photo below shows Susan Barach kicking off our summer teaching season on May 2.

Our Summer Stomp is scheduled for June 27th.^.Come join the festivities – no teaching, just dancing and refreshments. We’re done for the summer at the end of August, taking September off as we did last year. Andi Kapplin begins teaching again in October.

Sarasota Member Profile – Thekla Khan

Condensed from the original by Judy Merkt

Thekla (“Teckie”) was born in Germany and grew up in Sweden, where, as a teen, she first became interested in folk dancing. There was a long hiatus between this introduction and her dancing as an adult in New York State in the 70s. Besides the music and dance, Teckie mentioned another motivator that explains her continued interest in folk dance – she loves the people.

Teckie was a medical secretary in her career and has lived in Florida full-time since 1989. She now gives of her time to the Mote Aquarium, the Sarasota Music Archive, her condo association, and the Sarasota Folk Club. Teckie is married to Warren and has three grown children, seven grandchildren, and 1½ great grandchildren …. oh, and lots of great-grand-dogs and cats.

In closing, Susan and I offer our “Thank you” to Teckie for her years of service with the Grapeviners as the group’s Treasurer. She recently passed that baton to Susan Barach.

Judy Merkt, Thekla Kahn and Susan Barach

Photo by Caroline Lanker

One last report from Sarasota: Eva Stunkel, whom some of you have known for many years, is seriously ill. We do not anticipate that she will be coming back to dance with us. She has been hospitalized several times in recent months and is now residing at a health facility here in Sarasota. Two things that bring a smile to her face now are cards and pictures from her fellow dancers. Her address is:

Eva Stunkel

Manor Care Health Services

5511 Swift Road

Sarasota, FL 34231

May teachers in Sarasota:, clockwise from upper right: Susan Barach, with Thekla Kahn and Marie Millett; Varda Ruskin with Flo Korchin and Christine Vincent; Caroline Lanker, with Delores Lustig, Susan Barach, Faith Kibler, Cate Mamber and Varda Ruskin.

Photos by Judy Merkt

May 2, at our favorite Sarasota after-dancing eatery - the Broadway Bar: Judy Merkt, Sergio Zigras, Lynda Harris, Caroline Lanker, Gary Lanker

News from the Northland

by David Digby

A number of Atlanta International Dancers went to the Steve Kotansky workshop in Knoxville, TN, March 16-18. We came home really fired up with his dances. Several of our English Country Dancers also attended the Playford Ball in Nashville, TN, a week later. Dorothy and I have wanted to attend this event for a long time, and finally made it this year. Yes, there were some elegant and elaborate costumes there, but unlike the impression one gets from afar, we found we were quite welcome in much simpler attire. I also think the overall format was amazingly similar to our “Fandango” English Country Dance weekend here in Atlanta, which I hope many of our Florida friends will be able to make this year (September 14-16, 2012).

Atlanta English Country Dancers at the Playford Ball: Ginger Pyron, Everett Lunsford, Dorothy Archer, Andrea Nettleton, Amy, Edwina Spivey, Debora, Verley Spivey, David Digby, Karen Hudlow, Gail Beck, Janet Shepherd, Barbara Katz, and Christine McKay

Mary Turlington, Steve Kotansky, Dorothy Archer and David Digby

Photos by David Digby

Eight dancers from Atlanta went to Brasstown, NC for the English Country Dance weekend at the John C. Campbell Folk School, April 27-29, 2012. Catie Geist, from Florida, also attended. Resident caller Bob Dalsemer was joined by David Millstone from New Hampshire in presenting some 70 dances, ranging from easy and familiar favorites to some that were quite challenging. A few dances were brand new to everyone, and one dance had been composed (and so named) in honor of “Mr. Millstone’s Inauguration” as the new president of the Country Dance and Song Society. Bruce Hamilton, the outgoing president of CDSS, also attended the English Country Dance weekend.

John C. Campbell Folk School, English Country Dance Weekend: Ginger Pyron, Christine McKay, Karen Hudlow, Mary Ellen Doughty, Dorothy Archer, David Digby, Susan Davis and Scott Russell

I will travel to Portland, Oregon for my granddaughter Kathleen’s graduation from Reed College on May 14. Dorothy will join me a week later, for visits with the rest of my children, ending with the Reed Alumni Reunion, May 30th to June 3rd. This will also celebrate the end of Reed’s year-long centennial anniversary. On June 4^th, we get to sleep off the effects of our “red-eye-special” fight home.

Much of the rest of June will be taken up by less distant vacation adventures, such as Jekyll Island and Hard Labor Creek State Park, with Dorothy’s grandson, Timothy. How time flies; Timothy will be ten years old on July 4th, 2012!

Four of us from Atlanta stayed with former Florida dancer Kathy Dudek in her “Swing House, Bed and No Breakfast”, just a mile and a half up the road from the Folk School, and had a nice visit with her, including some “serious porching”.

Orlando International Folk Dancers

by Pat Henderson

This spring, our club keeps dancing up a storm with 15-20 dancers every Wednesday. The big event for April was the April 18^th celebration of Caroline Lanker's 70th birthday. It was actually a double birthday party, since Gary Lanker’s birthday is on the same day as Caroline’s (April 15), but his was not a big x0 year. We started an hour early with a potluck dinner and then danced afterward.

Jan Arcari appeared in the Central Florida Community Arts Choir Broadway Show on May 10th and 11th in Longwood. The choir of 200 and soloists performed songs from various Broadway shows, accompanied by the dance team and orchestra, with a few acting scenes when appropriate. Jan related, “People literally danced their way out the doors to "You Can't Stop the Beat", proving that dancing rocks!” Our group is so fortunate to have singers among our dancers!

Jan Arcari

Kelly Fagan played the Mother Abbess in Sound of Music, which ran weekends from April 20 to May 6. Many of us saw her in the show and her voice was incredible. Kelly wrote:

“I was truly blessed to be invited to join the cast of ‘The Sound of Music’ at The Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center, as the Mother Abbess. In these photographs, the Abbess joins the other sisters considering How Do You Solve A Problem like Maria, listens as Maria shares her memories of growing up in the mountains singing, and finally inspires Maria to Climb Every Mountain ‘til she finds her dream. This production and role were an incredible and growthful experience for me. Thank you so much to all my folk dancing friends who were able to come and share in my alternate universe. I feel the love.”

Jan Lathi and I traveled to Washington, DC for the NFO Conference and some additional sightseeing. See 2012 NFO Conference. Phyllis Dammer and her husband, Ed, traveled to Kansas City, MO for a small family reunion.

Our group will dance every Wednesday through June and then we’ll have our annual hiatus in July and August. Many of us will be at the Flagler Fling on June 30-July 1. Happy summer everyone and happy dancing and traveling!

Photos courtesy of Weber PhotoGraphics

FLORIDA FOLK DANCER

Florida Folk Dancer is published six to eight times a year by the Florida Folk Dance Council, Inc., a non-profit corporation whose purpose is to further knowledge, performance, and recreational enjoyment of International Folk Dance.

2012 FFDC OFFICERS:

President: Terry Abrahams

813-234-1231,

president@folkdance.org

VP: Judy Merkt

 941-379-6302 
jamerkt@comcast.net

Secretary/Treasurer: John Daly

P.O. Box 500856, Malabar, FL 32950

321-482-6818

treasurer@folkdance.org

Corresponding Secretary: Pat Henderson

407-275-6247, henderp@bellsouth.net

Historian: Dan Lampert

dan300@dlc2.com

Newsletter Editor: Caroline Lanker

1963 S. Lake Reedy Blvd.

Frostproof, FL 33843

863-635-9366

editor@folkdance.org

Submissions: Send event notices for the calendar or the newsletter to Pat Henderson. Send all other newsletter submissions to the Editor.

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

Subscriptions for printed and mailed copies are $15 per year per person ($20 per family) and include membership in the Florida Folk Dance Council. Membership without printed newsletters is $10 per person or $15 per family. The membership year runs from one annual Florida Folk Dance Camp (usually February) to the next. The newsletter is posted on the FFDC website and members with e-mail addresses are notified of its availability.

FFDC Website: www.folkdance.org

June 22 – 24 Greek Landing Day Celebration

Glendi (music, dance, and food) Friday & Saturday Place: St. Photios Greek Shrine, Constantine Sisters Courtyard, 41 St. George Street, St. Augustine, FL

Contact: 904-829-8205, info@stphotios.com

Information: www.floridashistoriccoast.com/listings/view/21549;

www.stphotios.com

Events

June 27 Sarasota Summer Stomp

Pre-programmed dancing - requests solicited in advance; refreshments

Place: Bayfront Community Center, 801 N. Tamiami Trail., Sarasota, FL.

Time: 7 - 9:30 PM

Contact 941-379-6302

June 30 – July 1 Flagler Fling

Place: Ocean Marina clubhouse on Ocean Marina Drive (border of Flagler and Beverly Beaches)

Time: dancing 11 am - 8 pm Saturday; plus beach walking, swimming, lunch on Sunday

Contact: Jan Lathi 386-447-8396, amarjan1@bellsouth.net

July 18 – 29 Folkmoot USA

Place: several towns, western North Carolina

Information: www.folkmootusa.org

Look for more event notices on the calendar of the FFDC website.

Please note: The Florida FolkDancer prints information on folk dance tours, camps and other events that may be of interest to our readers. This does not imply an endorsement or recommendation of any tour or camp (except our own FFDC events!)

International Folk Dance Cruises

Cruises with Yves and France Moreau

March 4 – 15 Caribbean Folk Dance Cruise

Teachers: Sonia Dion and Cristian Florescu

Cruise port: Ft. Lauderdale

June 15 – 26 Croatia and Italy Cruise

Teacher: Zeljko Jergan

Contact for both cruises: Yves Moreau,

450-659-9271, info@bourque-moreau.com

Information: www.folkdancecruise.com

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