May - June Once again, our members have proved that folk dancing is alive and well in Florida. Time is going by so fast! Lots of people are getting ready for great travels, some are going to their northern homes, some groups are taking a break, some should be taking a break. Read my poem! Have a great summer! Pat is the current secretary of NFO and Jan is a new member. Jan learned that NFO is a networking tool for recreational and international dancers, festivals, teachers, performing groups, and ethnic groups.
Part of the Mission Statement includes preserving folk arts, and encouraging the exchange of dance-related folklore in the U. The organization keeps a calendar listing major national folkloric events. After the reception, most attendees enjoyed a dinner and entertainment in Rockville. Friday was spent in morning meetings and then a tour of the Library of Congress and the American Folklife Center.
In a conference room of the American Folklife Center, we saw a presentation of the history and purpose of the center. Friday night, most of us attended the Greenbelt International dance group led by Michael Gelman. It was a very energetic and advanced group and we enjoyed many dance classics. Saturday, there were more business meetings and a lunch. Loui Tucker, Katherine St. John and Sanna Longden, among others, demonstrated some dances and techniques for working with beginners.
Saturday night was the banquet and dance party. The Heritage Award was given to Sanna Longden and Larry Weiner for their outstanding contributions to the folk dance world.
His son and daughter-in-law were part of the group and she was the vocalist. During breaks of the band, we danced to recorded music and were entertained by four different performing groups: Hungarian, Bulgarian, and Polish dancers and Balkan singers. Raluca Rosca, who used to dance in Gainesville, is a member of the Polish group.
