Stacy Rose, Dance Instructor
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We were just working on our mazurka...

1/17/2015

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One of my favorite dances from last year's Stockton Dance Camp was Pletený a circle dance from the Czech Republic, as presented by Jitka Bonušová. This dance symbolizes the traditional girls’ pastime of weaving wreaths of flowers picked in the meadows in spring. It can be danced by girls or women only or by couples in a big circle. I'm teaching it in my class this session as couples in a big circle. The first part of the dance has a grand right and left done in a moderate tempo waltz step. In the second part of the dance, the music changes and the steps are performed to a mazurka. Like the waltz, a mazurka is done in a triple meter, but it is has a lively tempo. 
I have a new dancer in my class this session. It's her first time folk dancing, and I'm so very excited to have her in class! I called her earlier this week to talk about something totally not related to dance - coincidentally, I called her about flowers. She said, "we were just working on our mazurka. I can do it to the right, but then when we turn around and do it to the left..." Well, that presented a difficulty. So she and her partner were working on it. At home. In the middle of any ordinary day. 
Admittedly, I put together a CD of all the music we do in class and make copies for everyone who signs up for the session. But imagine my delight to call a dancer at home, and hear that she had just been working on a dance. A highlight of my week.  

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A regional party

1/4/2015

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Ringing in the new year with dance - fun. Traveling to dance - also fun! 
Last weekend, the Oregon Coast International Dancers hosted a regional get together. We had a handful of Coos Bay dancers, a handful of Eugene dancers and a few others converging on the group in Florence. Ellen put together a wonderful program. We took turns teaching new dances and enjoying familiar standards.
We enjoyed dancing to a combination of recording and live music. Sharon brought her accordion; she and Eva sang. (And next time I'll remember to put the flute IN the case before schlepping it to a dance.)

I hope this will be the first of many more dance parties in Florence!    
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