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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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Fred Bear

Fred Bear Invites You to View & Download Info About these Virtual Dance Room Events!

Upcoming VDR Events

  • VDR Monthly After-Party (3rd Saturdays)
    • Sat/Sun Jan 18/19, 2025 - 8:15pm - 3:00am- ish Central
    • Virtual Only for the Immediate Future
    • After-Party Playlist updated
    • Join the After-Party
    • Theme - Celebrating Music/A Capella groups with origins in the IFD Community, including:
      • A Different Village – Aman Ensemble
      • Baksheesh Boys – Blato Zlato
      • Balkan Cabaret – Brass Menazherie
      • Balkan Rhythm Band – Black Bear Combo
      • Do Zore – Dromeno – Eclectricity – Edessa
      • Ethnic Connection – NAMA Orchestra
      • Novo Selo – Maritza
      • Koleda Ensemble – Lyuti Chushki
      • Orkestar Bez Ime – Paidaši Tamburica Band
      • PISS Band – The Rosen Sisters – Pečurka
      • Reptile Palace Orchestra – Spatter Dash
      • Westwind International Folk Ensemble – Ziyia
      • Pennywhistlers – Brenda MacCrimmon – Svitania
      • Plus Many More

 

Coming in January

  • VDR Joins up with the Madison Folk Ball Dance Parties
    • Jan 24-26 (Weekend)
    • Madison Folk Ball Festival (Madison, WI)
    • Please help the FOLK BALL by registering in advance - Registration is FREE - See Registration link below
    • Memorial Union, 800 Langdon St, Madison, WI 53715
    • Saturday guest teaching by Michael Ginsburg and others
    • Sunday dance reviews
    • Friday Live Music Party:
      • DB Polka Express, Orkestar Sloboda, Yid Vicious Klezmer Ensemble
    • Saturday Live Music Party:
      • Orkestar Bez Ime, Black Bear Combo, Izvor Orchestra and Special Guest Band Cherven Traktor
    • Saturday Folk Ball Buffet Dinner (6pm)
    • Full Schedue and Free Registration At: http://madfolkball.org/
    • VDR joins and Zooms the 2025 Madison Folk Ball
    • No separate VDR Dance on Friday, Jan 24th

 

  • VDR Special Dance Party with Da Igramo (Rochester, NY Group)
    • Jan 31 (Friday) 7:30pm - 10:00pm Central
    • Special VDR Party with Da Igramo (Rochester IFD Group, Alene & Charles Boyar) & Victor Robin (Live Music)
    • Friday, Jan 31, VDR will meet from 7:30pm until 10:00pm Central, and adjourn early to join the the 2025 Stockton Winter Weekend for Friday, Saturday & Sunday

 

  • VDR Joins the Stockton Winter Weekend

Links to Other Information



Links to MANY Other Virtual Sessions and Major Events

 

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 the GREEN button below

VDR Donation

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VDR General Information

  • VDR sessions are free, however we do have expenses...
  • 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.
  • Click any of the GREEN BUTTONS on this page to review donation options
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Fred Bear

May We Have This Dance Please?

Fred Bear Invites you to Post Your Requests for Dancing/Teaching

  • 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 part of Set 500 open for your requests.
    • Please send your in-session requests via Zoom Chat to the "Music Hall"


View All About "Stuff"

 

 

 

 
 
 

Click the GREEN button below for the usual multiple ways to donate to the Virtual 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 the GREEN
button below

 

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

Advanced Notice - Upcoming Events Summary - Save These Dates

  • Jan 18 (Sat) - Global Dance Party - Theme TBA
  • Jan 18/19 (Sat/Sun) - Dance More at VDR's After-Party
    • REPEAT THEME - After-Party Theme: Honoring Music/A Capella groups originating out of the IFD movement
  • Jan 18/19 (Fri-Sat) - Goldenfest (Zlatne Uste) in NYC
  • Jan 24-26 (Weekend) - Madison Folk Ball Festival (Madison, WI) - (VDR will broadcast Folk Ball Parties)
  • Jan 31 & Feb 1-2 (Weekend) Stockton Winter Weekend
  • Friday Jan 31, Special VDR Party with Da Igramo (Rochester IFD Group, Alene & Charles Boyar) & Victor Robin (Live Music) before adjoinging early to join the the 2025 Stockton Winter Weekend
  • Jan 31 & Feb 1-2 (Weekend) Stockton Winter Weekend
  • Feb 1 (Sat) - MIT Tuesday Night Revival (TNR) Dance in Boston Area
  • Feb 15 (Sat) - Global Dance Party - Theme TBA
  • Feb 15/16 (Sat/Sun) - Dance More at VDR's After-Party
    • REPEAT THEME - After-Party Theme: Honoring Music/A Capella groups originating out of the IFD movement
  • Mar 1 (Sat) - MIT Tuesday Night Revival (TNR) Dance in Boston Area
  • Mar 15 (Sat) - Global Dance Party - Theme TBA
  • Mar 15/16 (Sat/Sun) - Dance More at VDR's After-Party
    • REPEAT THEME - After-Party Theme: Honoring Music/A Capella groups originating out of the IFD movement
  • Mar 28-30 (Weekend) - San Antonio Folklife & Dance Festival

 

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

  • Jan 10 (Fri) - 7:30pm - to 11:30pm-ish - Central
    • Weekly VDR Dance Party + Post-Dance Discussion
    • Virtual Dance - Online Only
    • Guest Hosts: Catherine Rudin, John Parrish (Live Music), Michael Chyet
    • Join the VDR Friday Dance Party
  • Jan 17 (Fri) - 7:30pm - to 11:30pm-ish - Central
    • Weekly VDR Dance Party + Post-Dance Discussion
    • Virtual Dance - Online Only
    • Guest Hosts: Leslie Scott/Chris Gecik, Mitch Miller, Clara Byom (Live Music)
    • Join the VDR Friday Dance Party
  • Jan 17/18 (Fri/Sat)
    • Zlatne Uste's Golden Fest in New York City
    • Friday: 7:00 pm – 12:30 am
    • Saturday: 5:30 pm – 2:00 am
    • Astoria World Manor, 25-22 Astoria Blvd, Astoria, NY
    • Celebrate Community through Vibrant Music, Dancing, & Art
    • Enjoy four stages of live music for dancing and listening, savor complimentary Balkan appetizers, enjoy a drink from the cash bar, and browse the crafts and meet artisans in the Charshiya marketplace.
    • https://goldenfest.org/
  • Jan 18/19 (Sat/Sun) - 8:15pm-3:00am Central
    • Dance More at VDR's Monthly After-Party + Post Dance Discussion
    • Virtual Dance - Online Only
    • REPEAT THEME - After-Party Theme: Honoring Music/A Capella groups originating out of the IFD movement
      • A Different Village – Aman Ensemble
      • Baksheesh Boys – Blato Zlato
      • Balkan Cabaret – Brass Menazherie
      • Balkan Rhythm Band – Black Bear Combo
      • Do Zore – Dromeno – Eclectricity – Edessa
      • Ethnic Connection – NAMA Orchestra
      • Novo Selo – Maritza
      • Koleda Ensemble – Lyuti Chushki
      • Orkestar Bez Ime – Paidaši Tamburica Band
      • PISS Band – The Rosen Sisters – Pečurka
      • Reptile Palace Orchestra – Spatter Dash
      • Westwind International Folk Ensemble – Ziyia
      • Pennywhistlers – Brenda MacCrimmon – Svitania
      • Plus Many More
    • VDR 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
  • Jan 24 (Fri)
    • VDR joins the Annual Madison Folk Ball Festival
    • VDR Zooms the 2025 Madison Folk Ball Parties
    • No separate VDR Dance on Friday
    • See Folk Ball Details Below
  • Jan 24-26 (Weekend) - Madison Folk Ball Festival (Madison, WI)
    • Memorial Union, 800 Langdon St, Madison, WI 53715
    • Please help the FOLK BALL by registering in advance - Registration is FREE - See Registration link below
    • Memorial Union, 800 Langdon St, Madison, WI 53715
    • Saturday guest teaching by Michael Ginsburg and others
    • Sunday dance reviews
    • Friday Live Music Party:
      • DB Polka Express, Orkestar Sloboda, Yid Vicious Klezmer Ensemble
    • Saturday Live Music Party:
      • Orkestar Bez Ime, Black Bear Combo, Izvor Orchestra and Special Guest Band Cherven Traktor
    • Saturday Folk Ball Buffet Dinner (6pm)
    • Full Schedue and Free Registration At: http://madfolkball.org/
    • VDR joins and Zooms the 2025 Madison Folk Ball
    • No separate VDR Dance on Friday, Jan 24th
  • Jan 31 (Fri)
    • Special VDR Party with Da Igramo (Rochester IFD Group, Alene & Charles Boyar) & Victor Robin (Live Music)
    • 7:30pm - Repertoire Workshop with Paul Collins
    • 8:00pm - VDR Dance Party (Set 100)
    • Approx 8:45pm - Da Igramo - Rochester IFD Group leads Set 200 Approx 9:15pm
    • Victor Robin Plays Live Music for Set 300
    • Approx 10:00pm VDR adjourns early to join up with the Stockton Winter Weekend Friday Evening Party, then Saturday and Sunday
    • Join the VDR Friday Dance Party
  • Feb 1 (Sat) - 8:00-11:00pm EDT - Hybrid Event
    • MIT Tuesday Night Revival (TNR) Dance
    • $10,
    • Attendees must be vaccinated - masks suggested
    • Location - First Parish, 50 Church St, in Waltham, MA 02452
    • Saturday Dance Zoom Link: https://tinyurl.com/tnrzoom
      • Meeting ID: 99176986857 (no passcode)
    • TNR Website/Schedule: https://tuesdaynightrevival.com/
  • Feb 7 (Fri) - 7:30pm - to 11:30pm-ish - Central
  • Feb 14 (Fri) - 7:30pm - to 11:30pm-ish - Central
  • Feb 16/17 (Sat/Sun) - 8:15pm-3:00am Central
    • Dance More at VDR's Monthly After-Party + Post Dance Discussion
    • Virtual Dance - Online Only
    • REPEAT THEME - After-Party Theme: Honoring Music/A Capella groups originating out of the IFD movement
      • A Different Village – Aman Ensemble
      • Baksheesh Boys – Blato Zlato
      • Balkan Cabaret – Brass Menazherie
      • Balkan Rhythm Band – Black Bear Combo
      • Do Zore – Dromeno – Eclectricity – Edessa
      • Ethnic Connection – NAMA Orchestra
      • Novo Selo – Maritza
      • Koleda Ensemble – Lyuti Chushki
      • Orkestar Bez Ime – Paidaši Tamburica Band
      • PISS Band – The Rosen Sisters – Pečurka
      • Reptile Palace Orchestra – Spatter Dash
      • Westwind International Folk Ensemble – Ziyia
      • Pennywhistlers – Brenda MacCrimmon – Svitania
      • Plus Many More
    • VDR 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
  • Feb 21 (Fri) - 7:30pm - to 11:30pm-ish - Central
  • Feb 28 (Fri) - 7:30pm - to 11:30pm-ish - Central
  • Mar 1 (Sat) - 8:00-11:00pm EDT - Hybrid Event
    • MIT Tuesday Night Revival (TNR) Dance
    • $10,
    • Attendees must be vaccinated - masks suggested
    • Location - First Parish, 50 Church St, in Waltham, MA 02452
    • Saturday Dance Zoom Link: https://tinyurl.com/tnrzoom
      • Meeting ID: 99176986857 (no passcode)
    • TNR Website/Schedule: https://tuesdaynightrevival.com/
  • Mar 7 (Fri) - 7:30pm - to 11:30pm-ish - Central
  • Mar 14 (Fri) - 7:30pm - to 11:30pm-ish - Central
  • Mar 15/16 (Sat/Sun) - 8:15pm-3:00am Central
    • Dance More at VDR's Monthly After-Party + Post Dance Discussion
    • Virtual Dance - Online Only
    • REPEAT THEME - After-Party Theme: Honoring Music/A Capella groups originating out of the IFD movement
      • A Different Village – Aman Ensemble
      • Baksheesh Boys – Blato Zlato
      • Balkan Cabaret – Brass Menazherie
      • Balkan Rhythm Band – Black Bear Combo
      • Do Zore – Dromeno – Eclectricity – Edessa
      • Ethnic Connection – NAMA Orchestra
      • Novo Selo – Maritza
      • Koleda Ensemble – Lyuti Chushki
      • Orkestar Bez Ime – Paidaši Tamburica Band
      • PISS Band – The Rosen Sisters – Pečurka
      • Reptile Palace Orchestra – Spatter Dash
      • Westwind International Folk Ensemble – Ziyia
      • Pennywhistlers – Brenda MacCrimmon – Svitania
      • Plus Many More
    • VDR 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 21 (Fri) - 7:30pm - to 11:30pm-ish - Central
  • Mar 28 (Fri) - 7:30pm - to 11:30pm-ish - Central
  • Mar 28-30 (Weekend) - Central
    • Early Notice: San Antonio Folklife & Dance Festival
    • Instructors:
      • Andy Taylor-Blenis, Franklin Houston, John Rodim
    • More Information:

     

 

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 the GREEN button below

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 the GREEN button below

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

44th Annual Door County Folk Festival in Egg Harbor, WI and Online

  • Dance Workshops with the "Best of" Regional Dance Leaders
  • Great Dance Parties with live & recorded music
  • Informative Group Discussions and Presentations
  • Fish Boil Dinners
  • Return of the "DCFF Olympics"

Announcement:

DCFF Workshop Materials:

  • You may still request DCFF Media (Dance Music, Dance Descriptions, Dance Videos)
  • Participants who've requested downloadable media have been e-mailed the links
  • To request these materials: https://dcff.net/register/

Donations

Health Safety/Code of Conduct Policies:

Website:

 

 

Miscellaneous Stuff

Miscellaneous Stuff

 

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

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