Texas International Folk Dancers announce their 55th annual

TEXAS CAMP

Thanksgiving Weekend: November 28 - December 1, 2002
Greene Family Camp, Bruceville, Texas

This year marks the 55th annual Texas International Folk Dance camp! Texas Camp is one of the longest-running and best-loved international folk dance camps in the U.S. The setting is Greene Family Camp, a modern facility in the wooded hills of central Texas. Please join us for a wonderful holiday experience full of dancing, feasting, fellowship, music and fun.

InstructorsMusicAdded AttractionsWhat to BringRegistrationContact Information

INSTRUCTORS

All of our instructors are noted for top-notch material and a friendly approach that is remarkably accessible and effective for dancers and singers at all levels. With these respected experts on board, we can look forward to hours of solid learning and sparkling fun.

Yves Moreau
Bulgarian and French-Canadian Dances

Yves is recognized as one of North America's foremost exponents of Bulgarian dance and folklore. He teaches mostly non-choreographed village material collected during many field trips to Bulgaria. His teaching method is clear and thorough, yet relaxed, with special emphasis on regional styles and background information. Yves also teaches folk dances of other Balkan countries, Brittany (France), and his native Quebec.

Matt Jones & Laura Malloy
Six-count Swing, Jitterbug, and More!

Matt and Laura met in 1996 and formed “Four on the Floor” one year later. Through their company, they have taught East Coast swing dancing and Lindy Hop in the Austin and San Antonio areas since 1997. They also regularly teach other Jazz Era dances, including the Shim-Sham, the Balboa, Collegiate Shag and ‘20s Charleston (a specialty of Laura’s).

France Moreau
Folk Dances for Kids

France has 25 years' experience in teaching folk dances for children and conducting special seminars to train school teachers. Her current repertoire includes hundreds of dances and singing games from all parts of the world, especially designed and adapted to various age and experience levels.

Joane Rylander
International Singing Classes

Drawing on a lifetime of singing and teaching experience, Joane puts newcomers at ease and also offers a challenge to veteran singers. Joane’s popular international singing classes focus on tunes from the standard folkdance repertoire, and her Texas Camp Songbook is a gem.

MUSIC

2001 Texas Camp band

The Texas Camp Band (some of whom are pictured at left) gets hotter every year, and newcomers and all kinds of instruments are enthusiastically welcomed. Rehearsals focus on polishing short sets of party music.

In addition to sets by the Camp Band, Texas Camp also regularly features well-known folk musicians who provide music for special dance sessions and evening parties.

Don Weeda
(International)

Don Weeda leads an international folk dance band called Slavadillo and also is a member of the Austin-based Middle Eastern musical ensemble 1001 Nights Orchestra as well as several other local musical configurations. He frequently plays his accordion for international folk dance groups in Texas, Oklahoma, and points beyond and has resolved never to let his “real life” interfere with his quest to learn every folk dance tune in creation.

Pols Machine
(Scandinavian)

Pols Machine is a local Austin traditional Scandinavian folk music group featuring Lisa Schneider (fiddle), Anne Alexander (fiddle), and Eric Vormelker (bass/percussion). Pols Machine predominantly plays Scandinavian folk dance music from many regions of Norway and Sweden, yet all the members have vast experience both playing and dancing to a wide variety of folk dance music from around the world. They often provide music for the Austin International Folk Dancers and for wedding ceremonies in the Austin area.

The Disccordions
(International)

The Disccordions, an international folk dance band formed in early 2002, consists of well-known Austin and Texas Camp musicians Anne Alexander (percussion, saz, fiddle, vocals), Dena Houston (percussion, guitar, vocals), Franklin Houston (trumpet, accordion, brac, vocals), Shirley Johnson (accordion, prim, gadulka, vocals), Kathleen McDonagh (flute, vocals), Mike Revesz (percussion, vocals) and Don Weeda (accordion). Their eclectic sound is a treat for dancers' ears as well as their feet.

Armadillo on the HalfShell
(Contras)

Armadillo on the HalfShell has been rocking the Austin, TX, contra dance scene for the past four years, as well as playing for a number of dances and dance workshops around the southern USA. Sylvi Salinas (a registered masseuse and hypnotherapist as well as dance instructor) masterfully strokes the ivories; Roy Wilhite (a seasoned music instructor) grooves the funkiest bass lines this side of the Atlantic; and Chris Peterson (an acoustical engineer) blazes on the fiddle.  They'll join us for a high-octane Saturday contra session.

ADDED ATTRACTIONS

From specialty dance hours to an extensive bazaar featuring music, costumes, jewelry and folkcrafts, Texas Camp provides a host of extras catering to a range of tastes and interests.

Image of couple dancing Mezosegi

The perennial favorite:
Mezöségi

ENCORE! Balkan Blowout
Never enough Balkan? Don't miss this focused festival of All-Balkan, All The Time favorites, presented by our skilled local programmers. Not for the faint of feet!

ENCORE! The Bruceville Roadhouse
A spicy stew of couple-dance classics from every conceivable place and time: Zydeco, Waltz, Swing, Texas Two-Step, Tango, Mezöségi, One-Step, Samba, Cajun, Hambo, Cha-Cha and more.

ENCORE! Hungarian Táncház
It's a Texas Camp tradition. Join our friendly local enthusiasts for a lively Hungarian dance party, Texas-style.

International
Cuisine

In 30 years as a chef, Raul has learned a thousand ways to do what he likes best, “making sure people really enjoy their meals.” This veteran of our kitchen (and dance floor) returns to camp as our chef in 2002. Welcome back, Raul!

Theme Parties

Thursday - Oh,Wow, a Luau! Grab your ukelele, hitch up your grass skirt and pop a paper parasol in your Pepsi. Get your lei while the palm trees sway. Will the trade winds blow a little limbo our way? We’re gonna party the Hawaiian way. Don Ho, ho!

Friday - Balkan Revels. Get a belt-hold on your neighbor, it’s party time in the Balkans. Dowry coins, well-worn moccasins, haunting harmonies, wailing gajdas, throbbing tupans. Ajde, y’all! Bruceville will never be the same.

Texas Camp partiers in costume

you never know who (or what) is going to show up at a Texas Camp party...

Saturday - Flowers, Formals, and Flashbulbs. Leave the poodle skirts at home, girls. Fellas, break out those white sport coats and pink carnations. Let’s get all dressed up for romance as we revisit the happiness and horror of prom night. Tiaras optional.

Family Support Program

Kids trying out the 
obstacle course

Kids trying out
the obstacle course

Here’s The Goal: Happy, dancing parents and happy, busy kids.

Here’s The Plan:

* Infants & Toddlers 0-3—Parents, we will help you form a co-op to share child-care duties in Munchkin Land, a cozy spot just for tots.

* Kids 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12—On Friday and Saturday, experienced camp counselors will supervise safe, fun activities during most adult dance sessions and part of each evening party.

* Teenagers 13-16—You are welcome to join in all adult sessions and evening parties. Try it, you’ll like it! EXTRA: Not Your Parents’ Dance Party, programmed by (and for) young people 13 and up.

Important Note to Parents: Your children’s participation in Family Support Program activities is voluntary. However, please comply with Greene Family Camp’s wishes and make sure your children are under adult supervision at all times.

T'ai Chi Warmups

Mike Hefner will again lead the great T’ai Chi warm-up sessions he introduced at camp six years ago. Stretch, relax and help prevent injuries with these gentle and beautiful movements.

WHAT TO BRING

Sheets, pillows, blankets, towels, etc. Extra sheets to hang as privacy curtains on bunk beds. Ear plugs. Flashlight. Umbrella. Paper fan. Clothing for any conceivable weather (25-85°F, sun/rain/ice). Clothes hangers. Several pairs of comfortable dance shoes. Costumes. Extra snacks.

REGISTRATION

Camp Rates:

Full-time

Part-time*

non-TIFD member

TIFD member

Child (age 4-16)
children under 4 are free

$235

$215

$100

$215

$185

$ 85

*Part time = after lunch Friday
through close of camp

CONTACT INFORMATION

To Volunteer to Help with Floors:
John Alexander or Robert Sampson

Registrar:
Lonie McMichael

Housing:
Dena Houston

Camp Band:
Franklin Houston

Family Support Program:
JoLynn Tolson

Camp Co-chairs:
Madeline Brock and Kathleen Yoder


Texas International Folk Dancers, Inc. is a non-profit, educational organization serving Texas and surrounding states. Please visit our website at www.tifd.org.