Simple fun dances primarily from Bulgaria and Serbia will be taught by experienced dancers. These energetic and joyful dances are done in a line, suitable for the young and old alike, no experience or partner is needed. Two left feet will work well enough to have the village experience. All music will be provided by a live band, Da! Mozhem, which features a small women’s choir (the Nema Problema Chorale). The band plays on both traditional instruments from Bulgaria such as the gudulka (Bulgarian fiddle), kaval (Bulgarian flute), and gaida (Bulgarian bagpipes) as well as the traditional tamburitza band (a family of plucked string instruments) from what was Yugoslavia. Modern instruments are also used.
Age Suitability: Adults and children. This is a beginner-friendly workshop.
Ginny Snyder performs with a Bulgarian dance ensemble and will lead and coordinate a team of teachers, including Joyce Clyde who has taught dance workshops throughout California, Radmila Zaric a native of Serbia and Barbara Saxton, another experienced dancer and teacher.
Da! Mozhem and the Nema Problema Chorale is a group of friends who have been playing together for well over a decade. The chorale consists of up to eight women, joined occasionally by male voices. The group has veterans from many excellent folklore bands such as the People’s International Sliver String Macedonian Band, Born to Drone, Westwind and the Slavonian Traveling Band. The band plays pan-Balkan music with an emphasis on Bulgarian, Macedonian and Ex-Yugoslav traditions. Several members frequently travel to the Balkans to learn more about the folkloric music of the region. The group has several native language singers and plays on traditional instruments unique to the region as well as modern instruments.