Camellia International Folk Dance Festival is this Sunday, March 10, 2013 at CSUS. See, Camellia International Folk Dance Festival | Sacramento State University. The 57the Camellia International Folk Dance Festival is an annual dance performance program, featuring area traditional cultural dance groups representing cultures from throughout the world, University Union Ballroom, 1:00 p.m. To see what the dances were like at last year's show, see last year's slideshow: Camellia International Folk Dance Festival March 2012 - CSUS.
Easy dance lessons to follow at 3:30 pm. All ages permitted. No alcohol sold or permitted at venue. Free to Sac State students (with valid One Card) and youth under 18 years old. General admission $10. Check out the website to see all the places to buy tickets.
Folk dance for health?
Try folkdances of the world for your health. Take your choice: Watching, listening, or dancing. As some folkdancers say, "tash, tash" (dance, dance). There's something for almost anyone with this healthy trend. And last year's 56th annual Camellia International Folk Dance Concert at California State University Sacramento (CSUS), open to the public is a smash hit each year when it comes to presenting a variety of dances of the world. This year, 2013, is the 57th annual dance performance open to all ages.
This year, the performance falls on Sunday March 10, 2013. But last year in March the performance featured the China Moon Dance Troupe under the direction of Jina Wang who presented the dance, "Love in Tibet." Next was the Tezaur Romanian Dancers under the direction of Liana and Adrian Ciontos.
Last year, the third dance troupe was the Aska Kolo Ansambl with a presentation of Serbian dances from director, Marija Krapcevich followed by the Italian dance group, Balliamo, under the direction of Doris Beckert. Dances included the Sicilian Tarantella and the Dance of Friendship (Bal dell' Amicizia).
Half way through the folkdance concert the Bedouin Dancers presented Egyptian dances under director Yasmin Woods. The Egyptian Village Dance was preceded by the Egyptian Basket Dance.
After the Egyptian dance accompanied by recorded Arabic music, the Bhaskar Arts Academy specializing in East Indian dance presented the Indian (Asian) dance group in "Todaya Mangalam" under the direction of Meenkshy Bhaskar. The spirited Asian Indian dancing used the eye, head, hand, finger, and foot movements of India in a captivating rhythm that set the viewer free as the undulating rhythm of drums and cymbals, Indian music, elegant metallic gold emblazoned costumes and stamping foot movements brought the sights and sounds of India closer.
The Indian dancers were followed by the Zado Singers under the direction of Barbara Bevan. This capella group presented Georgian songs of the Caucasus. The Georgian medley of a chorus of voices was followed by a Bulgarian tune, Hubava Milka, a haunting melody of Bulgarian lyrics. Both songs were performed without music instruments in the background, solely with those exquisite voices.
Then the Vienna Rhythm dancers presented the waltz sounds of Austria's 19th century with "On the Beautiful Blue Danube." Directors are Popi Rizzi and Stan Dunn. Check out the Viennese Rhythm (waltzes) website.
The Viennese waltzes preceded the energetic, high-spirited Ukrainian dance groups as the groups kazatchked on the dance floor with their energetic jumps, twists, and turns. These were the Veselka/Sonechko/Kalyna Ukrainian dance groups under the direction of Irina and George Arabagi. These dancers presented the Ukrainian Polka - Veselka, and the energetic Sonechko and Kalyna dances of the Ukraine.
The final group of dancers were the Dunsmuir Scottish Dancers under the direction of Ron Wallace. The Scottish dancers presented the Waltz Country Dance, Seann Triubhas Willichan, Corn Rigs, Orkney Mischief, and the Dunsmuir Eightsome.
After the ten dance presentations, the audience was invited to join everyone for easy folk dancing until 5.00 p.m. Dances were taught by local folk dance teachers. You, too can join the folkdancers of Sacramento. Check out the Folkdancesac.org website.
The Sacramento International Folk Dance & Arts Council is a non profit 501(c)3 organization dedicating to preserving and teaching the traditional dances of the world. The council consists of 11 dance clubs with classes in Sacramento, Carmichael, Davis, Cameron Park, Placerville, Shingle Springs, Garden Valley, Galt, and Reno.
So come out and join the fun by learning some folkdancing steps. No partner is needed. It's a healthy, educational, inexpensive, and fun activity. You're encouraged to try it.
Folkdance videos online
Check out the calendar of events, class information, dance videos, and photos on the Video Dance List website and also see Roy's video dance site. The big picture of the annual folk dance concert is to present dances of the world.
If you want folkdancing lessons, don't forget to check out the beginner's class Thursdays from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. at YLI Hall, 1400-27th St. at N St., Sacramento. Wear comfortable shoes. Adults and kids age 10 and up. Children must be accompanied by an adult. It's only $5 per evening and is sponsored by the Sacramento International Folk Dance & Arts Council.
With Sacramento's diversity, what some Sacramentans would like to see in the way of folk dance presentations in the afternoon are more Greek, Armenian, Georgian, N. Caucasus, Chaldean, Flamenco (Zamba Mora), Japanese, Balinese, Lebanese, Turkish, Tibetan, (Cherkess) and Mizrahi or Klezmer type dances presented to represent these various peoples and their communities in Sacramento.
And seniors who attend noon meetings at local senior centers or various social halls of numerous houses of worship in the Arden-Arcade area would love to see these noon presentations in their neck of the woods. That would be a welcome concert when it comes to variety of world music and dance.
Not all folks who love to watch folk dances of the world have transportation to come out in the evening. That's why the Camellia International Folk Dance Festival is ideal because it is presented each year on a Sunday afternoon in March starting at 1 p.m. That means folks can catch the bus and/or light rail home before sunset.
Want More Afternoon Concert Information?
Don't forget every Wednesday from 12 noon to 1:00 p.m. at the Westminster Presbyterian Church offers a free concert of usually classical or world music, usually attended by seniors because it's close to public transportation (as well as state workers on their lunch break). If you enjoy folk dances of the world or world music, look into these concerts. Folk dancing or listening to soothing music can be a very healthy trend.
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