Susquehanna Int'l Folk Dancers

Cherven Traktor at Bloomsburg University with a potluck and dance party afterwards at the Milk Palrour Ballroom, Saturday September 10th, 6pm on

2011-09-03T18:37:00.002-04:00

The Susquehanna International Folk Dancers and Bloomsburg University's International Student Association are super excited to invite to an evening filled with South Slavic music and dance lead by
Cherven Tractor (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cherven-Traktor/103259283107958), a New York based ensemble specializing in music from Bulgaria, Macedonia, and southern Serbia. The event will kick start an international folk dance prog...ram taking place every Sunday from 4-6 pm at the Centennial Hall dance studio beginning September 18th. All our welcome!

We will start the evening off with an outdoor concert and dancing at Bloomsburg University's Scranton Commons (cafeteria) amphitheater from 6 till 7 pm. Come by, stay for a bit or for the whole show, listen to some excellent tunes you might have never heard before and join the dance line if you wish!

We will follow the festivities with an evening dance party beginning at 8 pm at the Milk Parlour Ballroom located on rt 42, 6 miles outside of Bloom. See the side panel for directions to the Ballroom. Bring a dish/drink, come to dance and/or socialize. Donations at the door. Contact me if you would like to carpool.

Cherven Tractor ("red tractor") was formed in 2009 by two preeminent Balkan families in New York: Nikolai Kolev & Donka Koleva, masters of village music of Bulgaria, and Michael Ginsburg & Belle Birchfield, noted musicians from the Serbian brass band Zlatne Uste. The four are also highly regarded teachers at and strong supporters of the Eastern European Folklife Center (EEFC). In forming the band, they wished to both preserve the authentic traditional music of the South Slavic region and also to create a new, pan-Slavic music appropriate for listening and dancing.

Michael Ginsburg, the ensemble member and a renowned dance master will also lead a beginning Balkan dance workshop the following day, Sunday, Sept. 11th from 10:00 to 12:00 at the Centennial Hall dance studio at Bloomsburg University.

It is such a treat for Bloomsburg to have this talented group of musicians and dancers stop by on their tour! With three events to choose from you have no excuse not to attend:) Come to one or (better) all of them! You will not regret!

Saturday:

6-7pm Concert and dancing at Bloomsburg University's Scranton Commons (cafeteria) amphitheater

8pm - ? Dance party at the Milk Palrour Ballroom on rt. 42

Sunday:

10am-12 noon Basic Balkan dance workshop with dance master Michael Ginsburg at the Centennial Hall dance studio at Bloomsburg University.

Looking forward to dancing with you!!!

Kabile Traditional Wedding Band in Bloomsburg,PA Sunday, August 15th, 2010 4:00 pm - ?

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Sunday, August 15th, 2010

4:00 pm

Followed by a potluck dinner around 6:30pm

(bring a dish to share) and after dinner dancing.

1996 Millville Rd. (Rt. 42)

Bloomsburg, Pa. 17815

(see directions on the side panel)

Donations: $10

Students and seniors $5
children –FREE

“Kabile Traditional Wedding Band” was formed in 1978 and became one of the most popular bands in Thrace. Based in the city of Yambol, the group took its name from the village of Kabile, where they performed one of their earliest gigs. The group specialized in performing native music on traditional village instruments, resulting in an acoustic experience quite different from that played on Western instruments influenced by American jazz. This form of Bulgarian wedding music has attracted worldwide attention and scholarship for its incredible virtuosity and musicianship. During its heyday, the band played almost every weekend at weddings, baptisms and cultural festivals in

Thrace

The band plays all the instruments of a traditional Bulgarian village band. The gaida is a bagpipe made of goat skin and pipes. The tapan is a large wooden drum covered with sheep or goat skin and played with two specially designed drumming sticks: the kukuda is a pipe-shaped stick of walnut and the pračka is a thin switch, usually made of dogwood or willow. The kaval is a flute-like instrument open at both ends, played by blowing on the smaller, sharpened end. The gadulka is a pear-shaped string instrument, played vertically in front of the musician. These four instruments have a centuries-old history in Bulgarian folk music; as a “modern” addition, the band also includes the accordion (ca. 1832).

The band’s six members each serve as an outstanding representative of his or her musical specialty.Individually, each member of the band has an exceptional history of scholarship and performance.Collectively they form one of the most respected ensembles in Bulgarian Thrace.

For more info on the band go to http://www.balkandance.net/kabile/

Ahmet Luleci's Collage Dance Ensemble at Bucknell University, February 12, 2010.

2009-12-13T12:07:00.004-05:00

Ahmet Luleci's Collage Dance Ensemble, based in Boston and San Francisco, will be making its first appearance in Pennsylvania at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA about 60 miles north of Harrisburg, 50 miles east of State College, and 3 hours from Philly. Great live music TBA. Please join us if you can!!

You can also see Paula's costume design work for the company!

For more information on the performance go to:
http://www.bucknell.edu/x53614.xml

For more information on the Ensemble go to:
http://www.collageusa.org/

Hope to see you there!!!

Party with Vlado a blast!!

2009-03-31T12:19:00.004-04:00

Lots of folks came out for Bulgarian dancing to the wonderful music played by Vlado Mollov.

Check out the video courtesy of Mel!!

DANCE PARTY WITH LIVE MUSIC!

2009-03-11T10:30:00.005-04:00

Greetings!!

Susquehanna International Folk Dancers invite you to a dance party with extraordinary young talent, accordionist Vlado Mollov.

Day: March 15

Time: 3:00-6:00

Location: Milk Parlor Ballroom, 1996 Millville Rd. Bloomsburg, PA

Contact: Paula Davis @ 570-713-5832 or Oliver Larmi @ 570-784-9339

About Vlado Mollov

Born in 1983 to a family of wedding musicians, Vladimir was inspired by the sounds of the accordion from early childhood. Even at age 18 months he "played" his little accordion alongside his father at a wedding.
At age seven he began accordion lessons with the nationally recognized pedagogue Nadejda Nicheva in Kazanluk, Bulgaria. Later he studied with other nationally- and internationally-acclaimed accordion artists. As a young teen he was taking home top prizes from world-class accordion competitions, and earning praise for his virtuosic performances.
At 13 he participated in an accordion competition in Vladivostok, Russia, and placed fourth. At 15 he placed first in the International Competition for Accordion and Guitar in Asenovgrad, Bulgaria; received fourth place in the World Accordion Competition in Castelfidardo, Italy; and placed second in the national accordion competition in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, where he received a special award for virtuosic performance of folk music. During his senior year in high school he received a first award in the national competition for variety music and jazz on accordion in Novi Pazar, Bulgaria.
From 2002 to 2004 he was a member of the Duquesne University Tamburitzans and he performed over 350 shows with the ensemble. He also arranged music for several of the dances and as instrumental numbers on the shows, fulfilled the position of a combo leader and performed a solo piece in every show.
Vladimir is currently working on composing, arranging and recording a solo accordion album featuring folklore, jazz and some new experimental fusion styles. Visit Vlado's MySpace page to learn more and hear music samples.

http://www.myspace.com/vladimirmollov

TreeFest Performance and Practice Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008

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Performance
Sat. Nov 29,2008 at 1:30 pm. at the Caldwell Consistory opposite the fountain on Market Street, Bloomsburg.

Rehearsal and costumes
Saturday at 11 am and the Milk Parlour Ballroom. Bring a snack to share. Rosemarie & Oli will make a pot of soup for lunch.

Kabile Bitov Wedding Band U.S. tour stops for night at Bloomsburg's Milk Parlour Ballroom Wed. Sept 3rd, 2008

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The Kabile musicians lounged on Rosemarie's hammock strung between the pear tree and flowering crab apple, while Gary, Jackie, and I set up our big sound system, the tables, and the chairs for our pot luck. They said they enjoyed very much many of the tracks played at random on our C.D. jukebox, while we finished preparations. Yet, after a couple dozen guests had arrived and the Kabile musicians began to play, I felt like throwing all my C.D.s away, they sounded so good.

My ears were drawn, in particular, to the tapan player named Angel Krastev, who added wondrous ornaments on both sides of his drum to the rhythms of each piece.

Soon half the crowd began dancing a long pravo and then a lesnoto, at the end of which, Nikolay, the kaval player, called out for requests. Knowing he was from Thrace, I shouted, "Trakijska Rachenitsa." When the music began, filling the valley, Gary and Jackie joined me in dancing this rachenitsa to a great, but unfamiliar tune.

Paula's Bulgarian student, Mariya, arrived with two friends. She led a number of dances and added improvisations, especially from at the end of the line. Not to be outdone Rumen and Anna, our older Bulgarian friends, also stepped out to lead. At one point the whole crowd danced around Kabile, accompanying Donka Koleva's fine vocals.

As the evening sunlight faded into darkness, the stars came out. I lit candles under globes, one of which I set in front of the band, which continued to play well into the night while we danced around them. It reminded me about dancing around many campfires in Koprivshchitza. Jeremy, ever the sound technician, safely tucked away the speaker cables so no one tripped.

During the after party that continued in the house, I asked, "Why do Bulgarian musicians play so well in the dark?" " Because they play with their hearts, not their eyes," I answered.

15th Sedeljka Report

2008-08-13T09:57:00.002-04:00

Our 15th Sedeljka began as a garden party under the willow by the pond as the children happily tumbled in and out of Rosemarie's hammock strung between the flowering pear trees. Bonnie in Bulgarian dress greeted the many guests with bread and chubritsa spiced salt while Zima played Balkan and Russian numbers. Jeannie Masich and Bodo Band II also later played and Greenwood Friends School students danced on the grass. Matt Smith played MAKDONSKO DEVOJCHE on his tuba accompanied by John Matulis on his accordion while Melinda Hunt and Dottie Yacek sang. Balkan delicacies and good drink were consumed late into the night in the Milk Parlour to music for listening and dancing. Many new friends were made and $2300 were raised to benefit victims of war and ethnic cleansing on 4 continents.

Yuri Yunakov and his Romani Wedding Band in Bloomsburg, Oct.23

2007-10-05T12:19:00.000-04:00

Once again, Sani Rafiti and the Voice of Roma, will return to Bloomsburg with a first rate musical and dance performance. This time from a world renowned saxophone player - Yuri Yunakow and his Romani Wedding Band! As with the past musical treats from the Voice of Roma, you should not miss that one!!! Mark your calendars now!

Tuesday, October 23rd at the Milk Parlour Ballroom, Bloomsburg, Pa.

(for directions see the right menu panel)

Rom Dance Workshop - 7 pm

Dance Party - 7:30pm

$5 students and their families, $10 donation, $15 per couple.
Kids free.

For more info on the band and their 2007 North American tour go to: http://www.voiceofroma.com/kal/yuri.htm

Black Run Bohemians performing at Mifflinburg Oktoberfest , Oct 6th, 2007

2007-09-12T15:33:00.000-04:00

Enjoy the photos from another successful Oktoberfest!

Oli and Iida getting ready for a long day of dancing and... other activities (keep reading)

Dancing...

Beer...

and

Keg Tossing

Iida won the keg tossing competition!!! To read the whole story, click here.

Sedeljka '07 --- $2100 raised

2007-05-06T13:29:00.000-04:00

Jeannie, Jeremy and Patrick

Oli leading a line of dancers

Paintings by JOANNE LANDIS

More pictures and a full story comming up soon!

Renaissance Jamboree '07

2007-05-06T13:17:00.000-04:00

Ren. Jam. '07 was another success with a performance of Bodo Band II playing for dancing (Jeannie on violin, Patrick on accordion, and Oli on tupan). We did all 3 of Jeannie's Hungarian-Transylvanian numbers, while Tonya led the dancing.

Then Oli and Iida, in Iida's parents Finnish costumes, did a Kerelian (Eastern Finnish) and a western Finnish dance. This was followed by others joining in old favorites like the Austrian Wedding Dance, Pata Pata, Zemir Atik, and Bus Stop.

’06 Sedeljka sets record

2007-04-23T10:00:00.000-04:00

A hundred people filled what one dubbed “a rustic barn cathedral” for the April 29 Sedeljka and helped raise close to $3500. Contributions are flowing in and will be gratefully received. After party donations payable to Susq. Int'l Dancers may be mailed to Anne Wilson 1996 Millville Rd. Bloomsburg, Pa. 17815.

“We hope to top $3500 by the end of the week,” said Oli Larmi. All funds will aid women victims of war and ethnic cleansing in the middle east, Africa, and the Balkans through Women for Women Int’l.

“We have enjoyed music, dance, and cuisine borrowed from many of these peoples,” said Anne Wilson, another Susquehanna Int’l Dancers’ organizer. “Now our contributions will aid them in their time of need.”

See www.womenforwomen.org for details about how their dignity is being restored, vocational training, and microlending programs.

Over a glass of wine and ethnic hors d’ourves, many enjoyed a set of folk dances performed by Renee’s Greenwood Friend’s School students to violin and tupan played by Jeanie Masich and Oli Larmi, who were all illuminated by the golden light of the late afternoon sun beaming through the western side of the barn, opened up by sliding six barn doors off to the side.

Next came a special world class quality performance of Belo Platno (White Linen) by the Bucknell University Folk Dancers, choreographed by Paula Davis-Larson. In the Balkans, as in many parts of the world, marriage was a bittersweet event; young women were often married through arrangement and would have to leave their villages, friends and family. Music for the performance included: Zar and Belo Platno (Serbia), Rományi Rotá (Hungary), and Lado (Croatia.)

After breathlessly changing out of her colorfully embroidered costume, Kristen Schibener then played a number of Scottish highland tunes on her bagpipes.

Through all of this, Anne Wilson, while reclining on a sofa in the salon created off on one side of the dance floor, received a steady stream of well wishers.

As early evening arrived John Matulis began to play for dancing. Dottie Yaceck joined in from time to time with her tambura as did Oli on the tupan and Jeanie on her violin.

BIG TURN OUT FOR COOKING PARTY

Over twenty guest-workers partied, did prep work, baked, and cooked for the busy groaning board for the Sedeljka the Thursday before. They made kebobcheta (Bulgarian meatballs), tyropita (Greek feta cheese philo dough pastries), and stuffed grape leaves. Meanwhile baklava and other delicacies were being prepared in different kitchens around the county. Many enjoyed toasted Balkan “tacos” made from excess tyropita filling and salsa near the end.

Getting caught up in the work party, 9 year old Josh Masich asked, “ Can I chop up something too?” “Of course,” Oli replied, as he handed over the food chopper. “But we don’t want your finger tips in the food.” So he showed him how to curl his fingers while holding down the produce as he diced it to pieces.

Slavic Soul Party! Photo Report

2007-01-23T16:16:00.000-05:00

Unveiling of the Milk Parlour Ballroom Sign

2006-10-13T12:18:00.000-04:00

KAL returned to Bloomsburg! Saturday, Sept. 30

2006-09-25T10:59:00.000-04:00

Their show on the 23rd had been incredible so Kal returned for an encore performance at the Milk Parlour Ballroom in Bloomsburg, PA a week later! It was their their last show on the East Coast as they headed back to Chicago afterwards.

Read the post below for more details on the band. Check the side panel for directions to the Milk Parlour Ballroom.

Photos from our Mexican performance on Sat. Aug. 26, Hidden Valley Camping Resort, Mifflinburg

2006-08-29T14:31:00.000-04:00

A poem for Anne by Maria Hokkanen from Finland

2006-08-01T15:41:00.000-04:00

BESIDE HER

So many dances, we have danced,
Right beside her, hand in hand.
So many laughs, cries, and smiles
we have shared, by her side.

Today we dance for someone,
a loved one, a friend.
Today we dance for a fighter,
whose steps have come to an end.

We'll join hands and dnace again
That's what she would like to see
We won't leave an emmpty place for her,
'Cause in our hearts,
That's wyhere she'll be.

I would give everything
to get rid this longing,
For one more dance, or a walk beside her,
to hear her voice again.

As strong as she was, I wish I could be
As filled with the spirit of life.
And now to comfort me
I wish she were here
Beside me, by my side.

I know we lost,
but maybe she won.
Maybe she got peace
here by the pond.
The woman who danced with me.

Anna Rauha, give me peace
Annen Rauha, Anne's peace
Show me the means to cope with sorrow.
Lead me the way, I miss her so.

Anne's Memorial & Dance Celebration 7/16

2006-07-15T03:05:00.000-04:00

Flying in from New Orleans, the Panorama Jazz Band, played for dancing on the lawn Sunday, 7/16 from 6-8pm. They played jazz, klezmer, and balkan dance melodies. The dance, free to the public, was in honor of Anne K. Wilson, who died on July 6.

Wilson and her husband, Oliver Larmi, danced Bavno Oro to Panorama on Burbon St. several years ago while on tour with the Hungarian Bodo Band during spring break in New Orleans. The Bodo Band was literally their house band for 6 months. A member of Panorama played with them for some time.

The memorial ceremony started at 4pm on Sunday. The band played slow, sad, numbers on the lawn as guests arrived. Oli, Julie, family, and friends received guests, who were then asked to continue the reception line. At 4 the band led the line on a march off through the garden, on to the weeping willow, where chairs were set up.

After the ceremony around the weeping willow, the band played lively tunes for drinks and refreshments until after 5. At 6pm the band played for dancing until late evening. http://www.panoramajazzband.com/pjcontact.html

Dr. Anne Knecht Wilson: 19 December 1943 - 06 July 2006

2006-07-07T12:08:00.000-04:00

Dr. Anne Knecht Wilson

July 6th, 2006

Surrounded by loving family and friends, Dr. Anne Knecht Wilson, aged 62, died peacefully today after a long illness. A Professor of Sociology at Bloomsburg University, she retired recently after over 20 years of teaching Statistics and Family Studies. Her favorite course, though, was Folk Dancing. Since her retirement, she has funded a Chair in international folk dance at the University. In addition to her significant financial contributions for the University’s new Andruss Library, Dr. Wilson—as Advisor to the Bloomsburg University Democrats—organized a campaign that sent more than one thousand letters to the Governor in support of the new library, which he later approved.

Professor Wilson earned a Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins in Sociology, a Masters from the University of Maryland , and a bachelor’s degree from Carleton College . As a teacher, it was important to her that her students not only do statistical analysis, but that they write the results in plain English.

Dr. Wilson was a member of the Susquehanna International Folk Dancers, which every year performs at Bloomsburg’s TreeFest and Renaissance Jamboree, the Mifflinburg Oktoberfest, and other community events. Through this group, Anne helped raise thousands of aid dollars for victims of war and ethnic cleansing, including more than $3,600 at this past spring’s 14th Annual Sedeljka, or “family party.” In addition to her role as dancer and dance instructor, Wilson was the group’s artistic director. One friend—in describing her approach to life—said, “Anne dances every dance.”

Anne Wilson is survived by her husband, Oliver Larmi, Ph.D., of Bloomsburg; their daughter, Julie Larmi, of Los Angeles; father, William Knecht, of Connecticut; brothers Paul Knecht and Bill Knecht and their families; along with a legion of devoted students, colleagues, friends and fellow dancers… many of whom traveled across the country and from overseas to spend time with her during her final weeks.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that donations be made to the Susquehanna International Folk Dancers to support its fund-raising efforts.

A memorial gathering and dance to celebrate her life will be held at 4 pm on Sunday, July 16 th, 2006, at her Bloomsburg home and garden, 1996 Millville Road. Her ashes will be spread in her favorite garden bed under a giant weeping willow.

Renaissance in the rain

2006-05-30T07:36:00.000-04:00

Renaissance Jamboree '06 was wet, not wild. Our youngest dancer, Maggie, age 7 starred. After performing 7 dances in the rain, she disappointedly asked, "Do you mean that that was our last one?"

Sedeljka 2005 - Report

2006-04-09T08:27:00.000-04:00

Nearly $1600 is in already from our 12th "Sedeljka" or family house party and dance.More is sure to follow from our fun loving and loyal supporters. This is especially important this year since a portion of these funds went for tsunami relief through Bloomsburg Cares. Our contribution raised their total to the $6,000 mark! We've sent over $1300 to Women for Women Int'l so far to help restore dignity and self sufficiency to women victims of war and ethnic cleansing in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kosovo, Rwanda, and Nigeria. We hope to get closer to the $2300 we provided last year.

Costumed students from Greenwood Friends School made a colorful parade to kick off the party. They marched from their rehearsal in the Milk Parlour Ballroom across Rt. 42 bravely guarded by Renee Tucker and Bruce Rockwood and through the party goers in Anne & Oli's house and then gave a rousing performance of a Transylvanian draculae dance to a devilish tune played by Jeannie Masich on her violin accompanied by Oli on drum.

Dressed in Bulgarian folk costume, Jeannie led the Greenwood School dancers through two encores in other reaches of the house to great applause. When they finished, over sixty guests plunged back into an array of delicacies. Matt brought some exotic ones from a New York Philippine deli. Others were made by the patrons of the pre benefit cooking party. They complimented hors d'ourves contributed by many others.

Memorable items included "kabobcheta" (spicy Bulgarian meatballs), spanikopita and tyropita (spinach and feta cheese filo dough pastries) and Cindy's baklava. There were vegan delights like Tonya's bean dip, Cindy's vegetable chowder, and a delicious portabella & olive spread. Despite the quantity, virtually everything was devoured save for a half jar of purple yam jam from the Philippine deli and a 3rd of a tray of peanut butter & jelly sandwich wedges Renee made for the children. When Anne saw this she had a suggestion for next year: peanut butter and purple yam sandwiches. The Greenwood Friends students made a big donation from their class fund raiser. Another was received in memory of Kristin Gale. Others came from a variety of individuals who could not attend.

As night fell, the focus of the party shifted to the Milk Parlour Ballroom where party goers dying to dance punched up numbers on the CD juke box. Before long though, John Matulis began playing requests on his accordion. Brash, Jack, and Ula alternated in leading the line of dancers. When Oli took the lead for a pravo, he eventually gave it up to Nadia at the point the tune turned into a rechenitsa. Then it became a question to whether John could play faster then Nadia could dance. Who did is in question. What was clear was that, unlike Nadia, John was not lifting his knees waist high while twirling around. John tried to out last her, but she stayed with him until he played out.

After several cool down dances that got everyone back out on to the floor Oli got the other IIT people in the crowd to join Nadia for a special dance: Matt, Brash, & Ula. The only ones in our circle not present were Agapi and Boncho. He hopes to add them in on another occasion. It took 15 min. for them to agree on a dance. Interactivity was high among them as usual, but they whipped out of it together with a fast, snappy version of Itele. This amazed the audience as much as the rachenitsa.

The party extended well into the night and then the early morning back at the house...

Esma Redzepova - "Queen of Romani Song" - and her band visit Bloomsburg

2004-10-21T14:13:00.000-04:00

Esma Redzepova and her band stopped in Bloomsburg's Milk Parlour Ballroom, on their way to Pittsburgh, where they will continue their "Voice of Hope" tour organized by the Voice of Roma - a non-profit organization created "to organize, promote, and provide educational and charitable projects for and about Roma."