This week’s newsletter: newsletter.aifd.cc/September_22_2023_flex.html.
 This Friday!!! Enjoy a fun evening of folk dancing DJ’d by Dee McCandless. Dee will be assisted by Misi Tsurikov. |
Teaching: Rebecca Hample will lead this week’s session of New, Do and Review.
This week’s newsletter: newsletter.aifd.cc/September_15_2023_flex.html.
 This Friday!!! Enjoy a fun evening of folk dancing DJ’d by Holly Plotner. Holly will be assisted by Kathleen McDonagh. This week’s program will be devoted to a tribute to Yves Moreau. |
Teaching: In this week’s session of New, Do and Review, Kathleen will teach dances that Yves Moreau introduced.
This week’s newsletter: newsletter.aifd.cc/September_8_2023_flex.html.
 This Friday!!! Enjoy a fun evening of folk dancing DJ’d by Lisa Horn Dielman. Lisa will be assisted by Donna Baker. |
Teaching: Join Madeline Brock this week for New, Do and Review to learn some fun dances as we move into Fall.
This week’s newsletter: newsletter.aifd.cc/September_1_2023_flex.html.
 
This Friday!!! Enjoy a fun evening of folk dancing DJ’d by Robert Sampson. Robert will be assisted by Anthony Toprac. |
Teaching: Join us this week for New, Do and Review as we recap the summer fun and learn something new!
This week’s newsletter: newsletter.aifd.cc/August_25_2023_flex.html.
 
This Friday!!! Enjoy a fun evening of folk dancing DJ’d by Madeline Brock. Madeline will be assisted by John (Janos) Scales. |
We’ll be treated to the Live Music of GypsyCaravan!!! GypsyCaravan plays authentic Greek, Turkish, Armenian, Jewish, Jazz, Latin, Arabic, Gypsy, Slavic and World fav. You can find them on Facebook at facebook.com/gypsycaravansa
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Teaching: Come to New, Do and Review to review some of the dances that will be done by GypsyCaravan. All are welcome!
This week’s newsletter: newsletter.aifd.cc/August_11_2023_flex.html.
 This Friday!!! Enjoy a fun evening of folk dancing DJ’d by Franklin Houston. Franklin will be assisted by Lisa Horn Dielman. |
Teaching: Come to New, Do and Review for a review of Jaimale by Kathleen McDonagh. We will also learn some of the dances that will be done by GypsyCaravan on August 25. All are welcome!
This week’s newsletter: newsletter.aifd.cc/August_11_2023_flex.html.
 This Friday!!! Enjoy a fun evening of folk dancing DJ’d by Anthony Toprac. Anthony will be assisted by Pearl Ohlsson. |
Teaching: This week join Robert Sampson as he brings two requested dances to New, Do and Review – Western Trio Mixer and Never on Sunday. Look forward to more dances to keep up the skills we have already learned and to prepare for fun events to come!
This week’s newsletter: newsletter.aifd.cc/August_4_2023_flex.html.
 This Friday!!! Enjoy a fun evening of folk dancing DJ’d by Lisa Horn Dielman. Lisa will be assisted by Franklin Houston. |
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Teaching: This week in New, Do and Review Rebecca Hample and Misi Tsurikov will teach something that has been requested – partnering! Come to learn, practice and have fun dancing together.
This week’s newsletter: newsletter.aifd.cc/July_28_2023_flex.html.
 
Enjoy a fun evening of folk dancing DJ’d by Madeline Brock. Madeline will be assisted by Kathleen McDonagh. |
Teaching: To get the most out of 1001 Nights Orchestra, the evening will kick off with a review of the dances the band will play. Everyone is encouraged to arrive in time for the first hour.
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This week’s newsletter: newsletter.aifd.cc/July_14_2023_flex.html.
 Enjoy a fun evening of folk dancing DJ’d by John (Janos) Scales. Janos will be assisted by Pearl Olhsson.
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Teaching: Preview of the First Hour: Ever wondered what all the talk is about condiments and insect sounds in folk dancing? Come this Friday to learn Mixed Pickles and the Buzz Step Turn with Madeline Brock! Then you will learn some dances with those steps. These two steps happen so often in folk dancing, they will be a great ones for everyone to New, Do and Review! |
This week’s newsletter: newsletter.aifd.cc/July_7_2023_flex.html.
 Enjoy a fun evening of folk dancing DJ’d by Misi Tsurikov. Misi will be assisted by Donna Baker.
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Teaching: This week we will continue the New, Do and Review. We encourage dancers of all experience levels to join in the fun. You might learn something new, it’s always good to review the basics, and we will enjoy doing the dances together. |
This week’s newsletter: newsletter.aifd.cc/June_30_2023_flex.html.

Enjoy a fun evening of folk dancing. Our DJ this week will be Franklin Houston. Franklin will be assisted by Misi Tsurikov.
Teaching: This week Rebecca Hample and Misi Tsurikov will conduct the New, Do and Review. We encourage dancers of all experience levels to join in the fun. You might learn something new, it’s always good to review the basics, and we will enjoy doing the dances together.
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This week’s newsletter: newsletter.aifd.cc/June_23_2023_flex.html.
 
Enjoy a fun evening of folk dancing. Our DJ this week will be Holly Plotner. Holly will be assisted by Donna Baker. |
Teaching: This week we will continue our New, Do and Review session with more dancing fundamentals. We encourage dancers of all experience levels to join in the fun. You might learn something new, it’s always good to review the basics, and we will enjoy doing the dances together.
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This week’s newsletter: newsletter.aifd.cc/June_9_2023_flex.html.
 Lisa Dielman will be our DJ this week. She will be assisted by Pearl Olhsson.
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Teaching: This week we will continue our New, Do and Review session with more dancing fundamentals. We encourage dancers of all experience levels to join in the fun. You might learn something new, it’s always good to review the basics, and we will enjoy doing the dances together.
June 9 and 16 we will also be reviewing some of the dances that Homegrown International will be playing live on June 16.
– Rebecca Hample (our new Teaching Director). |
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This week’s newsletter: newsletter.aifd.cc/June_2_2023_flex.html.
Franklin Houston will be our DJ this week. He will be assisted by Anne Alexander. Come join them for some of your old favorites as well as some surprises! |
Upcoming Live Music: On June 16, Homegrown will be providing live music for the evening.
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This week’s newsletter: newsletter.aifd.cc/May_26_2023_flex.html.
This week, May 22-26, HRC is closed for maintenance. So on Friday, May 26, we will meet at the Go Dance studio, 2525 W Anderson Ln #530, Gallery room, in Northcross Mall. The entrance is on the west side, next to Guitar Center. Please read the “Studio Use Policy” below. |
 Our DJ this Friday, May 26, will be Madeline Brock. Madeline will be assisted by Donna Baker. |
 Teaching: Just like last week, Misi and Rebecca will tag-team to bring you informal walkthroughs of our favorite dances — likely focusing heavily on Greek, so you can be ready for Austin Greek Festival (see right)! |
Studio Use Policy:
● Any furniture that is moved must be returned to the original location at the end of the
rental time. Client is responsible for the cost of replacing any equipment damaged at their
event.
● Food and drinks are not allowed on the wood dance floors.
● Tap shoes (or anything else that could damage the wood floors) are not allowed.
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This week’s newsletter: newsletter.aifd.cc/May_19_2023_flex.html.

This week, May 19, join AIFD for a fun evening of folk dancing. This week’s DJ will be Misi Tsurikov. Misi will be assisted by Anne Alexander. |
Teaching: Look for more tag-team teaching of our favorite dances from Rebecca, Madeline, and Misi! |
Our Teacher Appreciation Night was a blast! Each teacher was given an orchid and led their favorite dance. Pictured are Emily, Rebecca, Lisa, Kathleen, Madeline and Misi. Missing are Holly and Franklin who are represented by an orchid with a mask, and a pair of tennis shoes in front of an orchid for our picture. Hooray, these teachers are fabulous! – Peggy Wingate. |
Congratulations to AIFD’s new Board of Directors for 2023-4!!!
- President: Madeline Brock
- Vice president: Jeff Kessel
- Secretary: Peggy Wingate
- Treasurer: Marcia Toprac
- Teaching director: Rebecca Hample
- Program director: Misi Tsurikov
Thanks to the outgoing board:
- President: Bill Brock
- Vice president: Madeline Brock
- Secretary: Peggy Wingate
- Treasurer: Marcia Toprac
- Teaching director: Misi Tsurikov
- Program director: John Scales
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This week’s newsletter: newsletter.aifd.cc/May_12_2023_flex.html.
 This week, May 12, join AIFD for a fun evening of folk dancing. Our DJ is still TBD. Pearl Olhsson will assist. |
Teaching: This is not only election night … it’s also teacher appreciation night! We’ve had a fantastic corps of teachers in the last 12 months, and we will honor them throughout the night for their teaching talents. |
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This week’s newsletter: newsletter.aifd.cc/May_5_2023_flex.html.
 
This week, May 5, join AIFD for a fun evening of folk dancing with DJ Franklin Houston. Franklin will be assisted by Donna Baker.
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Live Music!!! This week we will also be treated to the lively and danceable music of Slavadillo!!! |
Teaching: Come early for some dances that will warm you up and get your feet jumping! Franklin will begin the evening by leading a number of recently-taught dances and some personal favorites (that range from easy to “not-so-easy.”) 😉 Then get ready for some familiar favorites performed by Slavadillo! |
This week’s newsletter: newsletter.aifd.cc/April_28_2023_flex.html.
 
This week, April 28, join AIFD for a fun evening of folk dancing with DJ Lisa Horn Dielman. Lisa will be assisted by Jeff Kessel. |
Our next Live Music event is on May 5, 2023–Slavadillo! |
AIFD Board Elections 2023-24:
- Elections will be held at our membership meeting at dancing on May 12, 2023.
- We have a list of nominations – see below!
- Other nominations can also be made until election night. We will announce these in the newsletter, on election night, or both.
Current nominations:
- President: Madeline Brock
- Vice president: Jeff Kessel
- Secretary: Peggy Wingate
- Treasurer: Marcia Toprac
- Teaching director: Rebecca Hample
- Program director: Misi Tsurikov
If you would like to run for the board, please contact Bill Brock at president@aifd.cc.
Current board. Board positions and responsibilities.
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This week’s newsletter: newsletter.aifd.cc/April_21_2023_flex.html.
 
This week, April 21, we are back at Hancock Recreation Center (HRC). Our DJ will be Dee McCandless. Dee will be assisted by Mark Edwards. |
Teaching: This week, don’t miss Rebecca Hample reviewing some of the SAFDF 2023 dances that she brought to you in past weeks — and, possibly, a touch-up review of Zigeunerpolka! |
Go Dance was a success!!! we had a great evening of dancing last week at Go Dance, with more than 30 dancers in attendance.
Our next live music event is on May 5, 2023–Slavadillo! |
AIFD Board Elections 2023-24:
- Elections will be held at our membership meeting at dancing on May 12, 2023.
- We have a list of nominations – see below!
- Other nominations can also be made until election night. We will announce these in the newsletter, on election night, or both.
Current nominations:
- President: Madeline Brock
- Vice president: Jeff Kessel
- Secretary: Peggy Wingate
- Treasurer: Marcia Toprac
- Teaching director: Rebecca Hample
- Program director: Misi Tsurikov
If you would like to run for the board, please contact Bill Brock at president@aifd.cc.
Current board. Board positions and responsibilities.
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This week’s newsletter: newsletter.aifd.cc/December_30_2022_flex.html.
 Celebrate New Years a day early!!!Madeline Brock will DJ this fun evening of dancing. Live music will be provided by La Strada!!! |
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This week’s newsletter: newsletter.aifd.cc/December_23_2022_flex.html.
Happy Holidays from AIFD.
No dancing at HRC this week. We’ll be back next week, December 30th!!!
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This week’s newsletter: newsletter.aifd.cc/December_9_2022_flex.html.
This Friday, December 9, 7:00-9:45, join AIFD for a fun evening of international folk dancing at HRC. $5 at the door (18 and up).
 Holly Plotner DJs, Lila Luce assists. From Holly: “Tx Camp Highlights! We’ll dance through many of the new introductions from Camp.” |
Teaching: Last week we began teaching dances from Texas Camp 2022… this week we continue! Come and enjoy learning from the thrilling teaching trio of Rebecca Hample, Emily Doubt, and Kathleen McDonagh!
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Please sign inHRC needs an accurate account of attendance. Please sign in yourself and those accompanying you. |
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This week’s newsletter: newsletter.aifd.cc/November_25_2022_flex.html.
This Friday, November 25: No dancing – Hope to see you at Texas Camp, either in person or online.
Did you miss your chance to register for the in person Texas Camp[?
Consider ZOOMING IN!!! Full details at tifd.org |
This week’s newsletter: newsletter.aifd.cc/November_11_2022_flex.html.
This Friday, November 11: No dancing – Hancock Rec Center closed in honor of Veterans Day.
This week’s newsletter: newsletter.aifd.cc/November_4_2022_flex.html.
This Friday, November 4, 7:00-9:45, join AIFD for a fun evening of international folk dancing at HRC. $5 at the door (18 and up).
 Dee McCandless DJs. Franklin Houston assists.
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Teaching: Come at 7 pm sharp so you don’t miss any of Lisa Dielman’s fun and friendly newcomer sessions! We may see an influx of new folks who found out about AIFD at Polkapocalypse 2022, and there’s no better way to welcome them than with Lisa’s great teaching. |
No Dancing at HRC next week, November 11. Hancock Rec Center will be closed. |
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This week’s newsletter: newsletter.aifd.cc/October_28_2022_flex.html.
This Friday, October 28, 7:00-9:45, join AIFD for a fun evening of international folk dancing at HRC. $5 at the door (18 and up).
 Get ready for our Halloween Party, DJ’d by AIFD’s high priestes of fun, Madeline Brock. Madeline will be assisted by Pearl Olhsson. Costumes encouraged! AIFD will provide cookies and drinks. |
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This week’s newsletter: newsletter.aifd.cc/October_14_2022_flex.html.
This Friday, October 14, 7:00-9:45, join AIFD for a fun evening of international folk dancing at HRC. $5 at the door (18 and up).
 We don’t have a DJ yet, but absolutely will by Friday. (S)He will be assisted by Dee McCandless. |
 
Teaching: Come at 7 pm for Madeline Brock’s wonderful teaching! You will see many of our favorites, such as Arap, Orijent, Tino Mori, Bal De Jugon, and Mindrele. Then, later in the evening, don’t miss Emily Doubt reviewing the dances she recently taught — Valle Jarnana and Batjovata Baldazka!
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This week’s newsletter: newsletter.aifd.cc/October_7_2022_flex.html.
This Friday, October 7, 7:00-9:45, join AIFD for a fun evening of international folk dancing at HRC. $5 at the door (18 and up).
 Our DJ this week will be Madeline Brock. Madeline will be assisted by Jeff Kessel. |
This week we will be treated to the lively tunes of Slavadillo!! |
Teaching: Come at 7 pm to enjoy more exciting and excellent teaching from Lisa Dielman. Lisa will teach Jianul de la Slanic and review Salty Dog Rag. |
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This week’s newsletter: newsletter.aifd.cc/September_30_2022_flex.html.
This Friday, September 30, 7:00-9:45, join AIFD for a fun evening of international folk dancing at HRC. $5 at the door (18 and up).
 Our DJ this week will be Mike Revesz. Mike will be assisted by Kathleen McDonagh. |

Teaching: Come at 7 pm for Kathleen’s review of the dances she taught us last week — Jaimale (French Israeli), Kleftes (Greek), and Kotlensko Oro (Macedonian). Then, we are delighted to welcome Emily Doubt in her teaching debut at AIFD! Beginning at 8:30 pm, she will teach us Valle Jarnana (Albanian) and Batjovata Baldazka (Bulgarian). |
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This week’s newsletter: newsletter.aifd.cc/September_16_2022_flex.html.
 Our DJ this week will be Franklin Houston. Franklin will feature “core” dances that everyone can do, as well as some of his more challenging favorites. He’ll be assisted by Dee McCandless. |
Teaching: Franklin will also be doing the teaching program. Come at 7 pm for a review of Zdrobuleánka (Moldvai csango), Strumička Petorka (Macedonia), Pop Marinko (Serbia), and Tropnalo Oro (Macedonia). |