  Enjoy a great evening of folk dancing DJ’d by Holly Plotner. Holly will be assisted by Dee McCandless. |
Teaching: Ease into another great dance evening by coming right at 7:30 p.m. for a newcomers’  session led by Misi Tsurikov. Then, look for one last teaching from SAFDF 2014 — Rozelaar, a lovely waltz-time mixer introduced by Sanna Longden and taught at AIFD by Misi. It will be our only dance from the Netherlands (so far)! |
For more information and other neat stuff, check out this week’s newsletter.
Saturday, July 12th
7:30-10:45 pm
$5 at the door 17 & older. 16 & under free.
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Hancock Recreation Center (HRC)
Old World Winter Wonderland Ball… what a beautiful, fun, happy, magical night! Congratulations to all of us for yet another AIFD event “for the ages”. It looks like all the planning and preparation paid off! If I believe my eyes and the sign-in book, we had a perfect turnout — enough people for high energy and good dancing, but not so much that we crowded the band or stumbled over each other. And oh, the magic of dancing to great live music, with lights reflecting in the floor as if it were an ice rink. I was impressed by the entire evening, but a few moments stand out especially… the magnificent music by Homegrown Contra Band, Iola’s jaw-dropping selection of winter-wonderland photos (which kept distracting me — “ooh, which one will come next?”) and bell videos, and the costumes on so many of our friends (including us).
And then there was the afterparty! We haven’t had one in years, and this one resumed the tradition in a grand way. The entrance through that lighted arch that evoked J.R.R. Tolkien in my mind somehow… a gorgeous wintry backyard with lots of lights, a fireplace, the fabulous dance deck… ribs and mulled wine… more dancing and socializing until 1 a.m… and perfect weather! Thrilling all around. I am deeply grateful to Carol, Genevieve, Jay, and all their family for welcoming us.
What a great way to close out 2013 and usher in 2014. I’m very proud of all of us. Well done, dear friends.
Now, I find myself feeling like the abbreviation of our event — OWWW :) I am “Texas Camp Day 3″ tired, and looking forward to resting and recovering from our wild ride. Thanks again to you… and, as they’d say in Germany, a good slide into the New Year for you (”Guten Rutsch”)
- Misi Tsurikov
More pictures here (Thanks Michel and Misi).
Congratulations to Texas Camp Co-chairs Genevieve Kent, Jay Elbaor, and the entire Texas Camp staff and volunteers for the extremely successful 66th Annual Texas Camp… and …
Misi Tsurikov and Anne Alexander for receiving Texas Hall of Fame awards… and … |
to the folk dancers recognized as part of TIFD’s 2013 “All Star Team”:
Madeline Brock, Austin
Franklin Houston, Austin
Dena Houston, Austin
Chuck Roth, Austin
Misi Tsurikov, Austin
Jack Alley. OKC
Lissa Bengtson, San Antonio
Chris Broad, Houston
Alice Byrd, OKC
John Clement, Houston
Emily Clement, Houston
Gary Diggs, Albuquerque
Jane Diggs, Albuquerque
Nelda Drury, San Antonio
Scott Gordon, Santa Fe
David Kauer, OKC
Jo Loyd, Tulsa
Carolyn Mills, Los Alamos
Elaine Moczygemba, San Antonio
Rene’e Park, San Antonio
Beverley Rapp, OKC
Jackie Rickel, Tulsa
George Rollow, San Antonio
Julie Schmitt, El Paso & Las Cruces
Susie Thennes, Dallas
Ada Young, Houston
The Austin International Folk Dancers meet almost every Saturday Night (7-11PM) at the Hancock Recreation Center, 811 E 41st St, in Austin Texas.
Everyone is welcome at AIFD, we are kid-friendly and our dancers come from all walks of life. We ask for a $5 donation to cover room rental from those 17 and up (where else can you have three hours of fun for that low a price these days?).
No partner is needed, and dancers of every skill level are welcome.
Our repertoire includes line dances, couples dances, and mixers. Folk dancing is a great social event and wonderful exercise.
We are often having intermediate teaching sessions and other special events! Please check our Teaching/Programming page or the Calendar for more information on upcoming events. Or feel free to Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for up to date information on what is happening at AIFD as well as information on fun dance events all over Austin and beyond!
Typical Saturday night schedule:
| 7:00-7:30 pm |
Equipment Setup – please come help out. |
| 7:30-8:00 pm |
Teaching and walk throughs. |
| 8:00-9:30 pm |
Request dancing. |
| 9:30-9:45 pm |
Contra / announcements. |
| 9:45-10:30 pm |
Request dancing. |
| 10:30-10:45 pm |
Clean up. |
Texas School for the Deaf: In response to a request to AIFD from the Texas School for the Deaf, on Friday, May 23rd, Bill Ogilvie taught Turkish dances to several K-5th graders as part of their International Day.
With the music turned up high and several teachers joining in, the students really engaged in the lively and simple dancing.
Two 30 minute dance sessions were taught: first one to 3rd – 5th graders, second to K-2nd. 
Most of the kids and several teachers jumped in and moved with the music, if not with the dance. To help get the feel of the beat, some kids would put a hand on the chest of another child or jumped on stage and put a hand on the speaker.
The event coordinator said that this was a new and fun experience for many of the children, and even some of the staff.
Enjoy a great evening of folk dancing DJ’d by Madeline Brock. Madeline will be assisted by Brenda Benton. 
on his trip to Slavonia, home of bečari (humorous folk singing) and the “mixed pickles” step. We’ll learn several (maybe all) of the following dances: Slavjanka, Slavonsko Kolo, Drhtavac and Pagaruša. Then, don’t miss the dramatic conclusion to Rikki Nicolae’s teaching of Chef!
Deborah Robertson is leaving us for the mountains of North Carolina. We will be dancing the AIFD traditional farewell pillow dance in her honor. Come wish her well on her journey!! 
are encouraged to become familiar with its location next to the attendants desk. In the event of an emergency you could save a life simply by retrieving it for the emergency responder. If you are certified to operate the AED please