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Regular Dance Schedules Special Events
What is International Folk Dancing? Folk dancing is what everyday people of a community might dance at gatherings such as weddings, parties, celebrations. Most ethnic groups have their own dances that are common in their countries or villages. The International Folk Dance groups are people who get together to learn and dance folk dances from around the world. Most IFD’s specialize in certain types and styles of dances, such as couple dances of Western Europe, square and contra dances of the US, circle and line dances of the Balkan regions, etc. Some groups specialize in dances from specific regions or countries, such as German dances or Scandinavian dances. Others do a little of everything! Folk dances are community dances that can be enjoyed and participated in by everyone. Where to Learn -- Where to Dance The best way to learn is in person. There is a great wealth of generous dancers in the U.P., and opportunities to dance (though you may have to drive a bit). A special thanks to all the folk dance group organizers and dancers who put so much into keeping these dances alive and strong, sharing generously of their time and talent, encouraging dancers and would-be dancers of all ages and abilities. Following is a list of dancing groups and opportunities in the U.P. If you know of others, please let me know. If there are no dances or teachers in your area, learn some dances and start a group! This is how community folk dancing begins and continues. Most importantly, get out and dance whenever you can, and bring your friends with you.  *
Special
Events
Sunday, May 4: "Spring Dance", with music by Ron Jarvinen and the Backwoods Boys. A great afternoon of Scandinanvian waltzes, schottisches, polkas, polskas and more. Proceeds to benefit the Marquette Scandinavian Midsummer Festival. $5, 1:00 - 5:00 at the Masonic Center. More info call 226-6834. Saturday, May 10: "Fortune Lake Music Festival", a fun family event hosted by White Water and friends at the Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp facilities near Crystal Falls, with a full day of great workshops (real hands-on workshops) and an evening of wonderful music. This year's afternoon dance workshop will be taught by long time dance caller Gene Morningstar who will be teaching "Contra Dance". Judy Morningstar, well known hammered dulcimer player, will also be performing and giving a workshop. In addition, there is blue grass band "Detour" (also giving various workshops), Kay Seppila with the Finnish Kantela, and "Duo Borealis" (Evan Premo and Mary Bonhag). Food is available during the weekend as well as some housing at the camp. More info at www.white-water-associates.com/music.htm, email registrar@fortunelake.org, call 906-875-3697. May 30 - June 1: "June Camp" folk dance workshops and ethnic dance in Beloit, WI. Info at http://home.fnal.gov/~djensen/jc.htm, or call Mady Newfield, 630-584-0825. June 8: "Heritage Dance" with Bette Premo and The Front Parlor Dance Band, at the Iron County Museum in Caspian, 2:00 - 5:00 pm CT. More info call 906-265-2617. June 21: "Scandinavian Midsummer Festival", Marquette Presque Isle Park, 10:00 am - 10:00 pm. Dancing (public and performance), music, entertainment, market, food and more. More info call 906-226-6834. June 28 - 29: "Covington Finnish Music Festival" -- 10th Annual, at Covington Township Park on M28, by the U.P. Ethnic Music Alliance. A popular fun-filled weekend of Finnish music, dancing, and food. Saturday includes a Finnish Ballroom Dancing workshop, and a number of music workshops, with open dancing afternoon and evening until 11:00 pm CT. Sunday dancing from 1:00 - 6:00 pm CT. $10.00 adults, $5.00 youth. More Info call Randy Seppala at 906-355-2459 or Jim Lohmann at 906-355-2382. July 3 - 6: "Door County Folk Festival" folk dance workshops and ethnic dances in Sister Bay, WI. See website at www.dcff.net July 18 - 20: "Hiawatha Traditional Music Festival" -- 30th Annual, at Tourist Park in Marquette, by the Hiawatha Music Co-op. A great line-up of musicians for a full week-end of music and dancing starting with the always fun Friday night dance. This year the performers include the "ReShuffled Creek Dancers" on main stage, plus various dance workshops at 2nd Stage. Always a fun and popular event. Info online at www.hiawathamusic.org, phone 906-226-8575, or stop by the Hiawatha office at 129 W. Baraga Ste C in Marquette. July 19-20: "Aura Jamboree", at the Aura Community Hall in Aura, Michigan. Another popular U.P. traditional music event with a great line-up of musicians, both on and off stage, with evening dancing. Info call 906-524-7842. 2nd Sundays, October-April:
"Second Sunday Folk Dance with White Water", at Fortune Lake
Lutheran Camp, located between Iron River and Crystal Falls. Activities begin at
4:00 pm Central Time (5:00 Eastern) with concerts by White Water (Dean and Bette
Premo) and their guest musician(s). Regular Dance Schedules * 
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Crystal Falls Iron County Folk Dancers -- Wednesdays – Folk Dancing at Crystal Falls Town Hall, corner of US 141 and US 2, 6:30 pm CT. All are welcome, no experience or partner needed. 2nd Sunday Folk Dances with White Water – Every second Sunday from October through April. Begins at 4:00 pm CT with a concert by White Water, followed by a concert by a special guest musician(s). Then a meal is served and dancing begins. No experience necessary, Bette and White Water leads participants through a variety of dances. A family event for all ages. Admission is $7, plus a welcome donation for the dinner. The event ends at 7:00 pm CT. Check their website for schedule and more information: www.white-water-associates.com/second.htm Escanaba Bay de Noc Int'l Folk Dancers -- Open to anyone who is interested in dancing a variety of folk dances from around the world**. New dances with instruction are added periodically. We dance a variety of mostly non-partner International dances, some contras and set dances, and other odds and ends. Great fun and good exercise! There is no formal membership -- just show up to dance and you become part of the group. New dancers are welcome. You don't need a partner and no experience is necessary. Main dance teacher/leader is Sue Robishaw (also the author of this page). A small nightly donation is requested to cover expenses. Location: Bonifas Arts Center, 700 First Ave So, Escanaba (Studio entrance, in the back). Dates: Monday evenings (with occasional exceptions) from mid-September through mid-June. Our last dance night before summer break will be June 9. We will start up again September 15. Time: 7:00 - 9:00 pm For more information contact: Carol Irving, 786-0331; or me (Sue Robishaw), 644-2598, sue@manytracks.com. ** Dances (in order
introduced): KorTanc, Ersko Kolo, Alunelul, Miserlou, Setnja, Biserka,
Trgnala Rumjana, Ali Pasa, Nevesto Acano Mlada, Schottische, Zemer Atik, Pata
Pata, Bannielou Lambaol, Hora lautareasca din Dolj, Opsa, Cacak, Makedonsko
Devojce, Savila se Bela Losa, Makedonijo, Erev Ba, Mori Shej, 12th Street Rag,
French Canadian step dancing. Plus various reels and contras. Hancock Copper Country Ethnic Dancers -- Fridays – Int’l Folk Dancing. 8:00 pm at the Community Arts Center, 126 Quincy St, Second floor ballroom, use side entrance. $3. Learn and perform dances from around the world. Beginners are welcome, and no partner is necessary. Contact: Mark Jindrich, 906-337-5650. newhouse@pasty.com. Iron Mountain "Dances of Universal Peace", First Presbytarian Church, Iron Mountain. 7:00 - 9:00 pm. Plan is to start a dance circle in Iron Mountain every first Friday of the month. For more information contact Barb Schieffer 715-696-6630. Marquette Fridays – Marquette Int’l Folk Dancers. 7:00-9:** pm, at Northern Light's Martial Arts' new location between Office Max & Jilbert's, 1500 W. Washington. Contact Bob Railey, 226-9617 or rmrailey@excite.com. No partner or experience needed. Mixture of line, circle, and partner dances from all over, specializing in partner dances. Repertoire is primarily from Europe. $3/person/night.Tuesdays – NMU International Dancers. 7:00 pm at the NMU University Center Sept-May when school is in session. June-July-August at Presque Isle Park. Contact Marge – msklar@nmu.edu, or 225-5702. During NMU breaks, dancing is in their home, so check ahead. No partner or experience needed. A wide variety of dancing, mainly line and circle, from a range of countries and regions of the world.one Thursday a Month – Scottish Country Dancing. 7:00 pm at St.Paul’s Episcopal Church on High Street between Ridge and Arch. Led by Dorothy Kahler, 249-5659. No partners or dance experience necessary. Dress comfortably, wear soft-soled shoes. Next session January 10, 2008.For other dance and live music happenings in the Marquette area, check listings in the "Marquette Monthly", free at many locations or online at www.mmnow.com. * Andew Carnie -- http://dingo.sbs.arizona.edu/~carnie/
(old list) Dancilla -- www.dancilla.com/ Dick Oates -- www.phantomranch.net/folkdanc/ Dunav-Balkan -- www.dunav.org.il/index.html Evansville IFD -- www.evansvillefolkdancers.com/id103.html FD Fed of Calif -- www.folkdance.com/ Tom Deering -- www.seanet.com/~deerings/dnotes.htm Hugo’s -- www.mts.net/~jinks/fd/menu.htm Lloyd Shaw -- www.lloydshaw.org/ Miami Valley FD -- www.daytonfolkdance.com/mvfd/ Robert Shapiro -- www.recfd.com/ Sacred Dance Library -- www.sacredcircles.com/ Skandia FD -- www.folkdancing.com/ The Round -- English Country Dance site maintained by Hugh Stewart -- a large and informative site of Playford and Cecil Sharp dance info and descriptions. Also one of the best descriptions of dance figures I've seen in an article by Hugh Stewart. Not just for English Country dancers. -- www.srcf.ucam.org/round/
Animated Folk Dance GIF's by Marucho (used with
permission) * * Upper Peninsula of Michigan Copyright © 2007 by Sue Robishaw
~~~ ManyTracks
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* International Folk Dancing
in the U.P.* *
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* There is a lot of information on
the internet. Many of the larger IFD groups and a number of individuals
have generous listings of dances, dance steps, video clips, and information on their sites.
Some of the sites I’ve found helpful are:
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