Skandia Folkdance Society offers different levels of folkdance classes plus special dances and workshops.
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Notice: There will be no dance classes conducted during the summer. The next series will start in September. Be sure to take advantage of other local opportunities for Scandinavian dance during the summer -- 1st and 3rd Friday dances at the Grange, Midsommarfest in June, and the Spelmans Stämma in August. Check your newsletter and this website for details. Skandia Dance Committee |
September 15 - October 13
October 20 - November 17
7:30 pm to 9 pm
Five-week sessions speed the learning of Scandinavian basics. Skandia has traditionally offered ten- to twelve-week class sessions for its Scandinavian Basics course. While that is of great value because of the strong foundation that is built, we realize many people are very busy and find it difficult to commit to that long a session.
Our new structure will offer five-week courses that will focus on just a few important basic dances so that by the end of that session, you should be comfortable with those dances. The next five-week session will focus on a few more dances, as will the one following that. Material from previous sessions will be reviewed quickly, but the focus will always be on the new dances for the session. Dances to be taught during the three five-week sessions may include snoa, schottis, polka, waltz, and polska (such as hambo).
Between each five-week session will be a dance evening as a break from class. These evening dances will feature live music and a program that will let everyone use what they've learned, as well as take part in some of the mixers and set dances that are a significant part of Skandia's history.
So, whether you always wanted to learn Hambo, or Bingsjö, or Boda, or Malung, come to Basics and start with a basic polska. We will also work on Schottis, providing the opportunity to become comfortable with that important and fun dance and some of its myriad variations.
If you have questions about the class, you can contact Don Meyers at the following email address donm@skandia-folkdance.org.
Come join us at Phinney Neighborhood Center 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., Room 2, upper building, Phinney Neighborhood Center, for five weeks of great instruction, great music, and lots of fun.
Cost:
Skandia members - $25 for the series.
Non-members - $35 for the series.
Know someone who has been yearning to learn or just practice the hambo? Here is the big chance. No partner required.
Bring a friend and show them how much fun Scandinavian dancing can be. Smooth-soled shoes are recommended. Minimum of eight participants.
Skandia members who have attended a year of Basics classes, or have obtained instructor¹s permission, may attend Basics class on a single session fee basis. Members should contact teachers beforehand, so that teachers can
plan accordingly.
The following exceptions may be made:
1. A new dancer may attend the first session of a five-week series on a trial basis, paying the appropriate fee. This person will not be included in the minimum class count of 8 unless converted to a series participant.
2. Experienced dancers from out of the area may attend a Basics class on a per-session basis, paying the appropriate fee, with instructor's approval.
Location:
Phinney Neighborhood Center
Room 2, upper building
7:30 pm to 9 pm
(See driving directions below)
BEST RESULTS ARE OBTAINED WHEN THE STUDENT ATTENDS EVERY LESSON OF THE SERIES
Skandia membership is no longer required, but there is a lower price for Skandia members.
Skandia membership also brings with it reduced admission fees to all Skandia regular events and a monthly newsletter to keep you informed of both regular and special events.
Come with or without a partner.
For additional information, please call the Skandia Folkdance Society hotline, (206) 784-7470.
Glossary of Terms for traditional Nordic dances.
The Scandi Sessions (Music)
The Scandi Sessions are beginning! Musicians from all styles are welcome to participate in these Scandinavian music events. Featuring both structured teaching and a jam session, the Sessions are held at the Luther Memorial
Lutheran Church in Greenwood. A $5 donation is asked for non-Skandia members; both Skandia and Luther Memorial members get in free. Participants may bring a recording device, and a limited number of copies of the notation of tunes may be available at the event. Transcriptions will be sent electronically to all participants who would like a copy. All instruments are welcome to join in the fun!
And don’t forget that It wouldn’t be Nordic if there wasn’t a coffee break, so bring a treat to share!
The first Session, to be held Saturday, 25 September, from 3–5 p.m., features the hambo. This dance is found all over Sweden, and is often danced locally in Seattle at contra dances. Vicki Watt Warshaw will teach a couple of great hambo tunes, emphasizing rhythm and styling for playing for dancing. The jam portion of the event will use tunes from the Skandia Allspel CD #1 as a jumping-off point.
The second Session, Saturday, 23 October, from 3–5 p.m., features schottis and reinlender, taught by Martha Levenson. These catchy tunes, which may come from various Nordic countries, are easy to learn and fun to play. This Session’s jam begins with tunes from Skandia Allspel CD#2.
Directions to the Luther Memorial Lutheran Church follow. For more information, contact Martha Levenson at
scanfiddles@gmail.com.
Luther Memorial Lutheran Church is located at 13047 Greenwood Avenue North, Seattle. From Aurora Ave., go west on 130th St to Greenwood Ave. N. Turn left (North) on Greenwood, and the church is one block up on the left. There is plenty of free parking behind the church, where you will also find the entrance to the building.
—Martha Levenson
The schedule follows.
Date |
Category |
Allspel CD focus |
September 25 |
Hambo/Vicki Watt Warshaw |
I |
October 23 |
Schottis/Martha Levenson |
II |
November 27 |
Waltz |
III |
January 22 |
Gånglåt/Polka |
I |
February 26 |
Pols |
II |
March 26 |
Mixers |
III |
April 16 |
Sixteenth-note Polska |
I |
May 21 |
Eighth-note Polska |
II |
June 18 |
Midsommar Allspel |
III |
Driving Directions for dance classes:
Phinney Neighborhood Center, 6532 Phinney Ave. N, Seattle: from 1-5 northbound or southbound, take exit 172 (N. 85th St./Aurora Ave.); drive west on N. 85th about a mile; turn south onto Greenwood and go south 1 mile; turn left at 67th (where Greenwood doglegs east and becomes Phinney).