federation logo

North American Federation of German Folk Dance Groups

workshop 2001 logo

2002 Seminar: Techniques for Folkdancers and Danube-Swabian culture and folklore

Nora Jarchow-Dürrenfeld

Germany

28-30 June 2002

The 8th Annual Folkdance weekend of the North American Federation of German Folkdance Groups featured heritage and culture of the Donauschwaben (Danube-Schwaben). The dance aspect focused this year on techniques for folkdancers, such as better dancing skills and more effective group presentation, rather than focusing on dances from a particular region. It took place the weekend of June 28-30. It was hosted by the Carpathia Club of Sterling Heights, MI.

Program:
The program began on Friday afternoon, with several crafts. Crafts included
decorated Thread Easter Eggs from Transylvania presented by Ron Gehauf, Beginning Bobbin Lace with Doris Blouin and Bauernmalerei with Pete Bullard.

The folks at the Carpathia club prepared an excellant fish fry supper which is a regular feature of their club and we thank them for including us. Friday evening there were two hours of "get acquainted" dancing with light instruction.

Saturday had dance workshops during the day.The workshop started with introducing various styles of Waltz and Polka. The annual membership meeting of the NAFGFDG took place just before lunck on Saturday. Saturday evening was the the dance party and banquet. Most attendees wore their folk costume or other festive folk dance clothes for the Saturday banquet and dance party. The party began with a torch lit Auftanz and the presentation of the two national flags followed by a dance party amd Ehrentänze.

Sunday morning the weekend closed with final workshops. Adam Mendel and his sataff at the Carpathia club deserve a special thanks for all the work they did so the weekend went so well.

Partial list of dances taught:

Hahn im Korbe
Hüpfer
Maike

Back to North American Federation of German Folkdance Groups
Back to German Folkdancing