Greetings Villagers! We will be dancing on Sunday, June 8 at the Plaza Arts Center in Carrollton from 2:00 – 4:30 PM. The address is 1115 4th Avenue, Carrollton.  Admission is $5.00 per person, cash only. The Murray’s will be providing the program and music. Bring your requests, and write them on the board earlier, rather than later, to facilitate the program. We begin with some “warm-up” dances, so come on out at 2:00 to join in the fun.

Our website is difd.org. It is updated every week by Alan, so that our weekly news is current!

Clarence Teng will be teaching Pantomina (Philippines).

Pantomina, believed to be evolved from the Spanish Fandango, is a traditional Filipino dance originated in the Bicol region, specifically in the towns of Estandarte and Sorsogon. It is a wedding dance, typically performed by newlyweds and their relatives during wedding celebrations. Pantomina was among the first folk dances to have its dance steps notated. It was featured in Francisca Reyes Aquino's first-ever folk dance book, Philippine Folk Dances and Games, published in February 1926.  The version to be taught in this class came from the book Dance in the Philippines which was published in 1972.

I will be reviewing a French-Canadian set dance for 4 couples at the 3:00 PM time slot, called La Noce Des Oiseaux.  It has the usual patterns, such as do-si-do, right elbow turns, and grand right and left. It is set to a children’s song called The Wedding of the Birds. See the link below for the description of the dance and the words to the song. If we have a number of dancers not divisible by 8, we will repeat it, so that all who would like, will get a chance to dance it.

Here are some suggestions when learning La Noce Des Oiseaux :

• Even if you are not the “active” couple, stay engaged with what is going on in the dance. If you are immediately across from the active couple, you will need to split from your partner and join the lines at the sides to go in and out. Split from your partner when you see the active couple advancing towards you and your partner.

• Before the dance starts, make a mental note of who your “corner” is. After you turn your partner by the right elbow, you need to look for your corner and turn that person by the left elbow.

• Stay aware of the formation of your set. Know where your “home base” is. (That is where you started in the set.)

Noce_des_Oiseaux.pdf

Texas Folk Dance Camp, held at Bruceville, TX has been moved from Thanksgiving weekend to Sept 25 – 28 this year. Michael Ginsburg will be teaching Balkan dances.
Michael has been teaching since 1962. He is an expert in the complicated rhythms of Balkan music. His energetic and accessible teaching style make him a popular instructor at dance venues all over the world. Visit tifd.org (Texas International Folk Dancers)

Go dancing this weekend. Dancing makes you smarter.

I heard great reports from the dancers who went to Ennis for the polka festival! Great music, dancing and food. Long live the polka!

Susie