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"Where the World Comes to Dance"
Friday Dance Party 7:30pm-11:00pm-ish Central + Post Dance Discussion
(Sound Checks/Music: 7:00pm – Repertoire Workshop: 7:30pm – Dance Party: 8:00pm – Discussion: 11:00pm-ish until …)
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Virtual Dance Room General Information

VDR General Information

  • Donate to Support the Virtual Dance Room - Online & Offline Donation Options
    • VDR sessions are free, however we greatly need & appreciate your donations that offset operating costs, including Zoom & internet fees, increased facility rent, equipment replacement/repair costs and funding for musicians and dance workshop instructors.
    • We suggest a donation of $10 per person per session (or best effort) or between $20 and $25 per month when you attend.
    • Check out the two GREEN BUTTONS on the right to review donation options.

 

Upcoming VDR / EDC / DCFF Special Events

  • May 12-14 (Sun-Tue) Chicago Area Greek-Macedonian Workshop(s)
    • Led by Yannis & Polyxeni Konstantinou
    • Current Plan
      • Sunday May 12 (Mothers' Day), 7:00pm-10:00pm
      • Workshop at Little Bulgaria School
      • 832 Lee Street, Des Plaines, IL 60016
      • Please Bring Refreshments & Drinks to Share
    • Other Events In Planning Stages - Events & Schedules Subject to Change
    • Watch for further developments/events
  • https://virtualdanceroom.net/greek-macedonian-events-schedule/

 

VDR Policy with respect to Requests

  • We'd love to see more interaction between hosts and participants - such as requests
    • So what can we do to entice participants to submit requests?
  • To that end, we invite participants to play a more active role by:
    • Requesting dances to be led, played or taught by our talented hosts
  • How can you do this?
    • Login to the updated and easier to use VDR Online Request List
    • https://virtualdanceroom.net/requests/
      • Move to the next available open request row (automated soon)
      • Enter your request and comments (request to teach, play, etc.)
      • Enter your name & email (optional)
    • We'll monitor this Online Request List and schedule dances accordingly
  • We'll continue the practice of leaving most of Set 500 open for your requests.
    • Please send your in-session requests via Zoom Chat to the "Music Hall"


View All About "Stuff"

 

View/Download Virtual Dance Room "Stuff"



Links to MANY Other virtual and in-person Folk Dance Sessions

 

 

The GREEN button (below) is for the VDR / DCFF GoFundMe Fundraiser

The BLUE button (below, scroll down) is for regular VDR regular VDR Donations

We've initiated a GoFundMe Fundraising Drive to support VDR and DCFF activities that runs from 1 March through 30 April 2024.

Click this GREEN button below to participate in the VDR / DCFF GoFundMe Fundraising Drive

VDR Donation
 
 
 

Click this GREEN button below for the usual multiple ways to donate to the VIdrual Dance Room

If the VDR provides you with any amount of enjoyment and entertainment, please take a minute to click this link to review our request for your financial support.

To view various online and offline donation options for the VIRTUAL DANCE ROOM, click this Green Button

 

VDR Donation
 
Upcoming VDR & Other Dance Events - Save These Dates

Advanced Notice - Some Upcoming Events - Save These Dates

  • Mar 16 (Sat) - Peninsula Dance Council's Monthly Global Folk Dance Party
  • Mar 16/17 (Sat/Sun) - Dance More at VDR's Late Night Global Dance After-Party
  • Mar 22-24 (Weekend) - San Antonio Folklife & Dance Festival
  • Mar 29-Apr 20 - Jaap Leegwater Bulgarian Dance Teaching Tour with Filip Filipov (Accord)
  • Apr 4-9 (Weekend) - Annual NFO Conference in Bruceville, TX
  • Apr 6 (Sat) - MIT Tuesday Night Revival (TNR) Dance
  • Apr 19 (Sat) - Peninsula Dance Council's Monthly Global Folk Dance Party
  • Apr 19/20 (Sat/Sun) - Dance More at VDR's Late Night Global Dance After-Party
  • Apr 19-21 (Weekend) - Annual Lyrids Folk Dance Festival near Vancouver, BC Canada
  • Apr 27 (Sat) - Annual Dancers of the Fox Valley Workshop - Catherine Rudin - Appleton, WI
  • Apr 26-28 (Weekend) - Roberto Bagnoli Workshop, Boulder, CO
  • May 10-11 (Weekend) - Zlatne Uste Golden Festival 2024 in Astoria, NYC
  • May 12-14 (Sun-Tue) Chicago Area Workshop(s) w/Yannis & Polyxeni Konstantinou (Greek-Macedonian) - watch for developments
  • May 18 (Sat) - Peninsula Dance Council's Monthly Global Folk Dance Party
  • May 18/19 (Sat/Sun) - Dance More at VDR's Late Night Global Dance After-Party
  • May 30-Jun 2 - IFDA 60th Anniv Celebration & Folk Dance Oldies Weekend - St Louis, MO
  • Jun 13-16 (Weekend) - June Camp with Roberto Bagnoli in Lake Forest, IL
  • Jul 12-14 (Weekend) - 45th Annual Door County Folk Festival (Tentative)
  • Jul 25-8 (Weekend) - New Mexico Folk Dance Camp with Shmulik Gov-Ari

 

Fred Bear invites you to Czech out these links to many International Folk Dance Events! - (Save these dates!)

  • Mar 15 (Fri) - 7:30pm - to 11:30pm-ish CDT - Hybrid Event
    • Weekly VDR Dance Party + Post-Dance Discussion
    • Hybrid Dance - Online and In Person
    • Guest Hosts: Theresa Utschig, Barbara Bleisch, John Parrish (Live Music)
    • Join the VDR Friday Dance Party
  • Mar 16/17 (Sat/Sun) - 8:15pm-3:00am CDT
    • Dance More at VDR's Late Night Global Dance After-Party + Post Dance Discussion
    • Hybrid Dance - Online and In Person
    • March Themes
      • Ides of March –– National Women’s Month
      • St Patrick’s Day – Baba Marta (Bulgarian)
      • National Back Yard Day – French Language Day
    • Late Night Global Dance After-Party Announcement
    • Click for After-Party Playlist
    • NOTE: THE AFTER-PARTY IS A 1-DAY EVENT THAT STARTS SATURDAY EVENING AND ENDS EARLY SUNDAY MORNING
    • WE SHOW SAT/SUN DAYS FOR OUR OVERSEAS PARTICIPANTS BECAUSE FOR THEM, THE EVENT STARTS ON SUNDAY
  • Mar 22 (Fri) - 7:30pm - to 11:30pm-ish CDT - Hybrid Event
    • Weekly VDR Dance Party + Post-Dance Discussion
  • Mar 22-24 (Weekend) - San Antonio Folklife & Dance Festival
    • Instructors: Bata Marcetic (Serbian), Zeljko Jergan (Croatian), Andy Taylor (International)
    • Music: Slavadillo, Shirley Johnson
    • Details: https://safdf.org
  • Mar 29 (Fri) - 7:30pm - to 11:30pm-ish CDT - Hybrid Event
  • Mar 29-Apr 20 (Tour) Jaap Leegwater Teaching Tour with Filip Filipov (Accordion)
  • Apr 5 (Fri) - 7:30pm - to 11:30pm-ish CDT - Hybrid Event
  • Apr 6 (Sat) - 8:00-11:00pm EDT - Hybrid Event
  • Apr 12 (Fri) - 7:30pm - to 11:30pm-ish CDT - Hybrid Event
  • Apr 19 (Fri) - 7:30pm - to 11:30pm-ish CDT - Hybrid Event
  • Apr 19-21 (Weekend)
    • Annual Lyrids Folk Dance Festival near Vancouver, BC Canada
    • Romanian Dance - Cristian Florescu & Sonia Dion
    • Armenian Dance - Tom Bozigian & Sheree King
    • Dance parties with live music by Zakuska
    • https://lyridsfolkdancefestival.org
  • Apr 20/21 (Sat/Sun) - 8:15pm-3:00am CDT
    • Dance More at VDR's Late Night Global Dance After-Party + Post Dance Discussion
    • Virtual Only This Friday/Saturday
    • April Themes
      • April Fool's Day - Hıdırellez Day / Djurdjevdan (Roma)
      • Shakespeare's Birthday
      • More Options Coming
    • Late Night Global Dance After-Party Announcement
    • Click for After-Party Playlist
    • NOTE: THE AFTER-PARTY IS A 1-DAY EVENT THAT STARTS SATURDAY EVENING AND ENDS EARLY SUNDAY MORNING
    • WE SHOW SAT/SUN DAYS FOR OUR OVERSEAS PARTICIPANTS BECAUSE FOR THEM, THE EVENT STARTS ON SUNDAY
  • Apr 26 (Fri) - 7:30pm - to 11:30pm-ish CDT - Hybrid Event
  • Apr 27 (Saturday) Annual Dancers of the Fox Valley Workshop - Appleton, WI
    • 10:30am - 10:00pm
    • South Greenville Grange - W6920 County Road BB - Appleton, WI 54914
    • Catherine Rudin, assisted by Michael Kuharski
    • Info: Call Linda Blohowiak (920)-680-4662 - lindabl@netnet.net
  • May 3 (Fri) - 7:30pm - to 11:30pm-ish CDT - Hybrid Event
  • May 10 (Fri) - 7:30pm - to 11:30pm-ish CDT - Hybrid Event
  • May 10-11 (Weekend)
    • Zlatne Uste Golden Festival 2024 in Astoria, NYC
    • Two nights of Balkan music, dance & border-crossing celebration sponsored by Zlatne Uste Balkan Brass Band
    • https://goldenfest.org/
  • May 12-14 (Sun-Tue) Chicago Area Greek-Macedonian Workshop(s)
    • Led by Yannis & Polyxeni Konstantinou
    • Current Plan
      • Sunday May 12 (Mothers' Day), 7:00pm-10:00pm
        • Workshop at Little Bulgaria School
        • 832 Lee Street, Des Plaines, IL 60016
        • Please Bring Refreshments & Drinks to Share
      • Other Events In Planning Stages - Events & Schedules Subject to Change
      • Watch for further developments/events
    • https://virtualdanceroom.net/greek-macedonian-events-schedule/
  • May 17 (Fri) - 7:30pm - to 11:30pm-ish CDT - Hybrid Event
  • May 18/19 (Sat/Sun) - 8:15pm-3:00am CDT
    • Dance More at VDR's Late Night Global Dance After-Party + Post Dance Discussion
  • May 24 (Fri) - 7:30pm - to 11:30pm-ish CDT - Hybrid Event
  • May 31 (Fri) - 7:30pm - to 11:30pm-ish CDT - Hybrid Event
  • Jul 12-14 (Weekend)
    • 45th Annual Door County Folk Festival (Tentative)
    • Exceptional Fun - Memorable Experiences - Charming Location
    • Dance Parties w/Live Music - Dance Workshops
    • Fish Boil Dinners - Other activities TBA
    • Info - info@dcff.net
    • Website - https://dcff.net
    • Registration - TBA

 

 

If the VDR provides you with any amount of enjoyment and entertainment, please take a minute to click this link to review our request for your financial support.

To view various online and offline donation options for the VIRTUAL DANCE ROOM, click this BLUE button

VDR Donation

 

Virtual Dance Room (VDR) Followups

The Mystery Dance Theme Challenge of Friday, October 29, 2023

    • We planned a "Mystery Dance Theme" for all music used in sets 50 and 100.
      • Accidentally, all music for sets 200 and 400 followed this theme.
      • All dances except 1 in set 300 followed this theme.
      • Unfortunately, no one guessed the theme this time.
      • Instead of usinga lot of alternate music for doing dances on Halloween (other groups did that) we put the Halloween mood into the program by using only music in a minor scale or modal scale (Mixolydian, Lydian, Phrygian, Dorian, etc.)
      • I think we did this theme a couple of years ago and will try it again sometime.

The Mystery Dance Theme Challenge of Fridays, July 21 and August 4, 2023

    • The Mystery Dance Theme was continued on August 4th from the Friday July 21st dance
      • Barbara Bleisch (St Louis) guessed correctly (on the 21st) that all the dances had movements into the center and out / or forward to the center and back
        • We wanted 1 or 2 or more prize-winners, so the theme continued on August 4 and all hosts (Melissa, Theresa, Barbara-B) included theme dances in their sets
      • Erika Nadas (Chicago, IL), a fellow dancer and college mate of mine, got a 95% noting that all dances had movement into and out of the center - Erika also suggested that the dances seemed to then progress around the circle, but several did not.
      • Don Weeda (Austin, TX) took a look at the list and sent an email guessing that all dances had backing up, but not all went forward - which was only half correct. Besides, Besides, Don did not actually login, so he gets a 50% (and an honorable mention) but no fabulous prizes.

Special VDR Life Celebration Dance Party of July 28, 2023

    • This event was a great success
    • Thanks to all of the 40+ International Folk Dancers and Bulgarian Folk Dancers and Musicians who attended in person and to the 75+ participants who attended virtually

    • We used this occasion to celebrate the lives of several dancers who've had an impact on Chicago International Folk Dancing and who've recently passed away

      • Jeri Lynn Banina Sherby (regular dancer at EDC & the VDR for many years)
      • John Kuo (leader of Balkanske Igre and organizer of the Spring Festival)
      • Mary Garvin (Twin Cities dance leader who taught regularly at DCFF)

 

If the VDR provides you with any amount of enjoyment and entertainment, please take a minute to click this link to review our request for your financial support.

To view various online and offline donation options for the VIRTUAL DANCE ROOM, click this BLUE button

VDR Donation
Door County Folk Festival (DCFF) Information
Door County Folk Festival (DCFF) Followups

Aug 20, 2023 (Sun) - Richard "Dick" Miller Celebration of Life in Middleton, WI

  • Aug 20 (Sun) - 1:30pm-5:00pm CDT
    • Celebrate the Life of Richard (Dick) Miller
    • We invite you to celebrate the life of Richard "Dick" Miller (Middleton, Wisconsin) who passed away on January 7, 2023 while on vacation visiting relatives and friends in Nevada.
    • Dick and Miriam Miller played VERY IMPORTANT ROLES by leading extremely fun and creative Youth/Children's Activities for the Festival.
    • Please visit the "Celebrating the Life of Dick Miller" Page on the DCFF website, where you'll find
    • Click to View Dick Miller Page: https://www.dcff.net/dickmiller/
  • Celebration Day Details
    • Lakeview Park Shelter in Middleton, WI - https://visitmiddleton.com/location/lakeview-park/
    • We have the shelter reserved (indoor/outdoor space)
    • We'll begin gathering at 1:30 pm. with a program starting around 2 pm.
    • The afternoon will include time for tributes, music, games, and a late lunch/early dinner concluding around 5 pm
    • We'd love for you to think of a story or memory to share - Click Link Below!

Jul 7-9, 2023 (Fri-Sun) - In-Person and Online Event - afternoon & evening proceedings were Zoomed

 

We've initiated a GoFundMe Fundraising Drive to support VDR and DCFF activities that runs from 1 March through 30 April 2024.

Click this GREEN button below to participate in the VDR / DCFF GoFundMe Fundraising Drive

VDR Donation
Miscellaneous Stuff

Miscellaneous Stuff

 

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Additional Information - Tel: (847)-846-8139, (773)-634-9381 - -

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