International Folk Dance Association   of University City presents . . .
	Past Event Page  •  IFDA Home Page

Roo Lester  and  Larry Harding
in a workshop on 
Swedish Folk Dances
featuring 
Slängpolska från Småland,
Orsa Polska,  and other dances
with live music by 
Bruce Sagan

November 17 - 19, 2000
University City (St. Louis), Missouri

Schedule and Prices

A workshop package, covering all workshop sessions and Saturday night dancing (but not meals), is available for $32, a $6 saving over paying for sessions individually.  Individual sessions may be paid for at the door.  The deadline for Saturday dinner reservations is November 11.  Total for workshop package plus Saturday meals is $47.

It is most strongly recommended that you do not skip any workshops.  Except for Saturday evening, the learning sequence is progressive, and you will have great difficulty if you miss too much material.  The review session is for workshop attendees only, but other interested persons are invited to come and observe.

Hard-soled shoes (leather or synthetic) are recommended, since rubber soles tend to stick to the floor.

About the Teachers, Musician, and Dances

Roo Lester is one of the most popular teachers of Scandinavian dancing in this country.  Her clarity of presentation and emphasis on styling and technique have helped to make Scandinavian dances accessible and fun for many American folk dancers.  She has taught at Mendocino, Buffalo Gap, and Folklore Village, and she has given numerous workshops around the country.  She has also danced and choreographed professionally for the Aman Folk Ensemble.  She has helped organize study tours in Telemark with Karin Brennesvik, and has played a major role in popularizing the Norwegian dance Valdres Springar in the United States.  She has spent several summers in Norway and Sweden attending dance courses and festivals, and has a masters degree in ethnic dance from UCLA.  She has won several first prizes in kappleiks, and has been the partner of choice for Swedish and Norwegian teachers who have come without their own partners.  Her previous workshops in St. Louis have been very popular.

Bruce Sagan is a well-known and respected American fiddler of Scandinavian music, who has lived in Sweden and has performed widely in Sweden and the United States, in numerous workshops and festivals, including the Smithsonian Folklife Festival.  He has taught extensively in the United States, and is the music director of the annual Scandinavian Week (formerly at Buffalo Gap).  His music is extremely popular because of his meticulous grasp of traditional style and technique.  His performances and his recently recorded CD (with Andrea Hoag) have received special praise in Sweden -- a high compliment for non-Swedish musicians.

Slängpolska från Småland is one the easiest of all Swedish polskas.  This couple dance consists of figures improvised in a walking pattern, and can be enjoyed by both new and experienced dancers.  The music is well liked, and the dance has recently become quite popular in the United States.  Orsa Polska is a beautiful, traditional dance that is characterized by very smooth, floating couple turns.  The music is beautiful and rather exotic.  Roo Lester is renowned for her enthusiasm and ability to teach turning dances in a relaxed way.

To hear examples of the type of dance music that will be featured at this workshop, tune in to the program Music from the Hills on Saturdays from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. on radio station KDHX, 88.1 FM in St. Louis.

Locations

Church of the Holy Communion (Friday and Saturday): 7401 Delmar Blvd., University City, Missouri.  The church is on the northwest corner of Delmar and Jackson (see Map and Guide to IFDA Events).  Park on either street and enter through the red double door in the middle of the L-shaped building.

Focal Point Traditional Arts Center (Sunday): 2720 Sutton Blvd., Maplewood, Missouri.  Directions will be available at the Saturday sessions.

Meals and Other Information

Made possible by grants from

Saturday dinner will be a traditional Scandinavian meal.  Cost of the dinner is $10.00 per person.  Please make dinner reservations by November 11 by sending in your check with the registration form.  For questions about the food call Nancy Couture at 314-275-8228.

Saturday lunch will feature Scandinavian soup and sandwiches.  Cost of the lunch is $5.00 per person.  Sunday lunch is to be arranged.  Contributions of fruits and sweets for snacks will be appreciated.

Joan Amsterdam of International Folk Rhythms, Ltd. will be having a variety of ethnic recordings, books, clothing and accessories, and crafts for sale on Friday and Saturday.

Crash Space is available.  Please indicate your needs on the registration form or call Diana Blanchard at 314-726-5737.

For Other Information: Contact Nancy or Rex Couture (home 314-275-8228, work 314-935-4194, E-mail couture@ninenet.com), or Diana or Bill Blanchard (home 314-726-5737, E-mail diana_and_bill@juno.com).

Views and opinions expressed on this page are strictly those of the International Folk Dance Association of University City, which is not sponsored by or otherwise connected with Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville.