We are Northwest Folk Dancers Incorporated (NFDI), the "Where to Folk Dance" organization for the Pacific Northwest.
Special Events
Free Scandinavian Dance Workshop
Saturday, February 2, from 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., unleash your “inner Viking” at Lynnwood’s Cedar Valley Grange, 20526 – 52nd Ave. W. Join Skandia Folkdance Society instructors, Elaine Mathies and Larry Reinert, for a free beginner’s class and a rollicking good time.
You don’t need a partner for this class, or a dance background (just good humor, and the desire to relax and have fun). Low-heeled shoes that turn easily will be helpful, but they’re not required. The class is geared to participants from the age of 12 to adults of all ages.
Skandia is a well-respected organization dedicated to preserving the folk and music traditions of Scandinavia. Since 1949, Skandia teachers have studied folk dance in Scandinavia and taught thousands of people in the U.S. and Canada to dance. Best of all, Skandia holds live music dances twice monthly at the Cedar Valley Grange! To learn more about Skandia, visit www.skandia-folkdance.org
While there is no charge for the class, we’d appreciate a courtesy call to help us in planning. Contact Judy Patterson, 206-784-8959, to say “count me in!” (or, if you won’t know until the last minute, just come to the workshop).
Celebration of Life for Dub Fortenberry
The "celebration" will be in the Maltby Elementary school gym on Sunday Feb 24th, from 2:15–3:45 p.m. This location makes it more local, low-key, and cheaper (Dub would approve!) than anything else thought of. The school staff and parents appreciated him; his coffee and donut shop folks and neighbors are more likely to come if it is local. People should bring "finger food" to share. There will be coffee, tea, and punch.
We'll share Dub stories and some of the things he enjoyed. We'll enjoy some social time getting to know the locals at the school, in the neighborhood and his donut shop—folks who appreciated Dub, and his humor and kindness.
I hope we can have enough experienced dancers to do a couple of Dub's favorite Scottish Country Dances (e.g., The Montgomeries' Rant; General Stuart's Reel; Miss Milligan's Strathspey), and there might be enough others interested in doing an easy dance or two. Maybe any Scandinavians who come along can do likewise—dance for us and/or teach us. Musicians should be encouraged to bring instruments to share their talents.
Maltby Elementary School address: 9700 212th St SE, Snohomish, WA 98296. Phone:(360) 804-3500. There are directions to the school on its Web site.
Info: Elinor Vandegrift, (425) 488-7643.
Kyklos Festival
The Kyklos International Folk Dancers Spring Festival will take place in Portland, Oregon, April 12-14, 2013, with Billy Burke teaching classic Balkan line and partner dances. Friday night party, Saturday workshops, Saturday night party with live music by Kef, Sunday review. NFDI members receive a $5 discount. Information and registration form at http://kyklosfolkdancers.org/festival2013/. Contact Rosalind Bell via email or telephone: (503) 730-5135.
Our Newsletter
The February issue includes the following articles: "Review of Sally Jacky’s 2012 Party," "Norsk Folkedans Stemne," "Salt Spring Island Folk Dance Festival," "Lee Otterholt at Sno-King," "Ti Ti Tábor Hungarian Folk Camp," "In Memoriam: Dub Fortenberry; Mary Viken; Don Johnson," "Thoughts on Folk Dancing," and "Free Scandinavian Dance Workshop." Don't miss out; join today!
Articles in the January issue include "Vinterdansen," "NFDI Election Results," "Folk Dancing Stamps," "Seattle Lilla Spelmanslag’s Benefit Concert," and much more. Join today to get connected to the folk dance community in the Pacific Northwest.
About us
Northwest Folk Dancers Incorporated (NFDI) is a non-profit "umbrella" organization that promotes folk dancing and ethnic events. NFDI sponsors folk dance festivals and other folk events, provides dance descriptions and practice tapes at a nominal charge for NFDI members, and seeks new ways to promote all forms of ethnic dance.
NFDI publishes a monthly magazine, THE NORTHWEST FOLKDANCER, containing articles and advertisements of interest to the folk dance community. One of the most popular features of THE NORTHWEST FOLKDANCER magazine is the listings of regular dances and classes and a separate comprehensive calendar of special events. The magazine also contains club news, ethnic recipes, dance descriptions, CD reviews, and other information helpful for dancers, teachers of folk dance, and anyone interested in the food, dances, costumes, and history of other cultures.
NFDI also provides scholarships for adults who want to attend folk dance camps and who agree to teach the dances to other NFDI clubs, and youth scholarships for students (high school and college age) who want to participate in a dance camp but need assistance to do so.
NFDI was incorporated in January of 1956.
NFDI celebrated its 50th anniversary on April 1 and 2, 2006, with a folk dance festival in Seattle! The festival featured Cristian Florescu and Sonia Dion from Montreal teaching Romanian dances, Thea Huijgen teaching international folk dances, and the internationally acclaimed Mary Sherhart teaching Balkan singing. Check out our Photos page to get glimpses of the event.
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Site last revised: 01/29/13
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