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Camp News

Oktoberfest 2024 News!

We have been busy finalizing the program for this year’s Oktoberfest camp recently, and I am excited to share some of the details that I hope you will find quite …. enticing!

• A new camp venue to explore!  FAC’s Oktoberfest begins its new tenure at Potash Hill, the former site of Marlboro College.  Nestled in rural southern Vermont just a stone’s throw away from Brattleboro, Potash Hill provides a beautiful rolling hillside setting that leads to a feeling that one has really “gotten away from it all”.

• A shorter schedule.  This year’s Oktoberfest weekend will begin a day later than usual, due to the overlap with Yom Kippur.  We will open in the late afternoon for registration and settling in, dinner will be served for those who can make it, then a dance party in the evening with live music will really start the ball rolling! 

The hope is that, for those observing Yom Kippur, you can have it all!  Depart after sunset (at 6:06pm) and arrive in time to change into your dancing shoes to join – and undoubtedly enhance - the fun!

• The camp staff! 

Konstantin “Kotse” Marinov, originally from Stara Zagora, Bulgaria, now living in the Chicago area, was a hit at the East Coast Balkan Camp in 2023, and comes enthusiastically recommended by several Boston-area folk dancers who met and danced with him there.  He will be teaching dances from his native Bulgaria.

Laurel Swift, who is active in the region’s ritual dance community and lives in Brattleboro, will round out the teaching staff.  She will lead music-making (both instrumental and singing), plus some dancing – perhaps ceilidh, maybe morris, and possibly clogging! Some of you may even have enjoyed Laurel’s music-making and calling at the first Greenway dance of the summer two weeks ago.

The Spice Squirrels will supply the musical motivation to boogie the night away at the Saturday and Sunday evening dance parties.

Registration will be opening soon!  In the meanwhile, please keep the dates Saturday, October 12 – Monday, October 14 tagged in your calendar for a Vermont Vacay!

-- Marcie

MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK

So much effort goes into every single task,

Myriad details to attend to before one can bask

In the knowledge that we've done the best that we can

Often in a breathtakingly short timespan!

Whether it's running a camp session, or making lemonade,

Every volunteer effort deserves accolade.

We all benefit from offers of help uttered with sincerity,

And find the efforts often accompanied by spirited jocularity.

If you want to assist, don't wait for a request!

Go ahead and offer - your actions will be blessed.

Big or little makes no difference - it all has to be done,

We're here for each other, so let's all have some fun!

Dance & Music Series

Tuesday, July 23: Dancing on the Greenway: International with Taylor Yeracaris and Janet Yeracaris (Boston, MA)

Thursday, July 25: Thursday Night Folk Dancing (Arlington, MA)

Tuesday, July 30: Dancing on the Greenway: Cajun/Zydeco with Mark Scherfling (Boston, MA)

Thursday, August 1: Thursday Night Folk Dancing (Arlington, MA)

Tuesday, August 6: Dancing on the Greenway: Scottish Ceilidh with Kat Dutton, Susie Petrov & Friends (Boston, MA)

Special Events

Saturday, September 14: My Borrowed Heritage documentary (online) including post-film Q&A with Efie Derksen and others

Camps

August 30 - September 3: Labor Day Weekend at Pinewoods (Plymouth, MA)

Camp is full and a waiting list is being maintained. Contact the office to add your name to the list.

October 12 - 14: Oktoberfest Weekend at Potash Hill (Marlboro, VT)

This week's contributors:

Nick Bishop: Tech troubleshooter, Updates proofreader

Sue Rose: Thursday night coordinator

Marcie Van Cleave: FAC Executive Director

Janet Yeracaris: Dancing on the Greenway caller, Monthly Party coordinator

The Folk Arts Center of New England is a nonprofit organization promoting participation in the traditional dance and music of many cultures. FAC sponsors community dances, annual camps, workshops, and other programs in the greater Boston area, elsewhere in New England, and online.