The Texas International Folk Dancers announce their 57th annual
TEXAS CAMP
Thanksgiving Weekend:
November 25-28, 2004
Greene Family Camp, Bruceville, Texas
This year marks the 57th 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!
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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. |
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STEVE
KOTANSKY |
Widely known as a versatile dancer and a fantastic teacher, Steve is admired as much for his infectious energy and enthusiasm as for his knowledge. Steve has studied in Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Greece and the former Yugoslavia. He spent over seven years working with ethnic communities in Munich, traveling to the Balkans and other eastern European countries to teach, perform and research, and living in Bucovina to study local folklore. He also has performed and choreographed for dance ensembles as well as taught at major camps throughout North America and Europe. Steve also serves as a consultant to several Hungarian folk ensembles. Steve has traveled extensively in Romania, especially in Transylvania, and learned a wide variety of original folk material there. |
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BOB LEIBMAN |
Bob spent a considerable amount of time in villages in Macedonia and East Serbia, studying wedding customs and dance. Most of his folk dance teaching is of the dances he learned from villagers. Although he teaches dances that range in levels of difficulty, most are easy enough for the majority of folk dancers to learn and enjoy. The Macedonian "wedding" ceremonies Bob put on at early West Coast Balkan camps (and that he will stage at this year's Texas Camp!) are the stuff of legend and their spirit is echoed in the parade processions still done each year at EEFC Balkan Camps. This will be a rare (for many of us) and fun opportunity to get a feel for the village wedding customs of which some folk dances are an integral part. |
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Newcomers are enthusiastically welcomed! If you plan to play and sing in the Camp Band, please mark your registration form accordingly, and we will send you further information on tunes and possible rehearsal times as soon as it's available. If you have questions in the meantime, please contact Don Weeda. |
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Mark Levy,
Carol Silverman
and Kalin
Kirilov |
Mark Levy, Carol Silverman and Kalin Kirilov--known as Trio Slavej ("nightingale")-- will add their professional musical skills to this year's Texas Camp. The trio will accompany Bob Leibman's Macedonian dance classes, teach, and perform at evening parties. Trio Slavej, based at the University of Oregon, plays Balkan village styles on traditional instruments such as gajda, tambura, and various village flutes, as well as contemporary styles such as "wedding music," featuring clarinet, accordion and keyboard. The ensemble's range encompasses village/urban, banquet/dance, and traditional/contemporary music from Bulgaria, Macedonia, Serbia, and Romania, and from the Roma (Gypsies) of that region. The members of Trio Slavej each have successful solo musical careers, and a distinguished record of teaching Balkan culture and music both to novices and advanced performers. |
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Jerry
Kisslinger |
Jerry Kisslinger has played tapan/dauli and other drums for folk dance and ethnic communities throughout the United States since the early 1970s. A specialist in Macedonian dance rhythms, Jerry is a founding member of Zlatne Uste Balkan Brass Band, and currently performs with Zlatne Uste, the Macedonian band Turli Tava, Beth Cohen and Demetri Tashie, and with other Macedonian, Klezmer and Greek ensembles. He has also performed with the Yuri Yunakov Orchestra, Akshambelah, and the Balkanizers, and has been honored to learn from master musicians in the United States and Europe. |
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Contra band (TBA) |
Texas Camp always features rockin' live music at the contra session and this year will be no different--we're expecting a high-powered band to be joining us. Check back to find out who will be here this year! |
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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. |
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The perennial favorite: |
ENCORE!
Balkan Blowout – Never enough Balkan? A festival
of all-Balkan, all-the-time
favorites, presented by skilled local programmers.
Not for the faint of feet!
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Balkan Bazaar |
Suze and
Richie have spent the last year shopping for
new treasures to add to
their incredible supply of ethnic
costumes, music, clothing,
instruments and more. If you
can't travel to Europe, the
Balkan Bazaar's the next best
thing to being there! |
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Theme Parties |
Each night, a different theme! Theme parties are a staple of Texas Camp, and include a great chance to show off your favorite costumes and dance to your favorite live and recorded music. Stay tuned for further information on this year's party themes, which include "Macedonian Wedding," "Gypsy Caravan," and a surprise... |
you never know who (or what) is going to show up at a Texas Camp party... |
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Silent Auction |
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Family Support Program
Kids trying out |
Here’s The Goal: Happy, dancing parents and
happy, busy kids. * 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! 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. |
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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. |
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REGISTRATION & Other Information... These will be posted in PDF format soon. (You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view them.) |
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Texas Camp brochure with detailed information on housing, registration, what to bring, Thursday's schedule, and more. Texas Camp registration form. Bobbi Gillotti Scholarship application. |
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Camp Rates: |
Full-time |
Part-time* |
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non-TIFD member TIFD member Child (age 4-16) |
TBA TBA TBA |
TBA TBA TBA |
*Part time = after lunch Friday |
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Publicity/General Camp 2004 Information: To
Volunteer to Help with Floors: Registrar: Camp Band:
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