Lyrids/Kyklos Online Festival 2021 – submitted by Sonia Connolly and Lori Larsen

The Lyrids Folk Dance Festival has joined forces with Kyklos International Folk Dancers for a joint online festival on April 23-25, 2021. It has been a delightful side benefit of the pandemic to work together across national borders. The two committees have gotten to know each other and some have even started dancing together online. We can’t wait to have you all join us at the festival!

While we will miss seeing you in person, we are excited to be able to include well-known teachers from all over the world who will be sharing their expertise from their homes. Our featured instructors Tineke and Maurits van Geel will teach Armenian and Roma dances mixed with some international top hits during morning workshops. They will also offer noon culture talks.

Tineke, who specializes in Armenian dance and costumes, has studied extensively at the Pedagogic Institute and Choreographic School in Yerevan, Armenia. Maurits received an education as an international folk dance instructor in 1977 and was artistic director for professional performance group Hupsakee for 20 years. Tineke and Maurits have been featured at the Stockton Folk Dance Camp as well as camps and festivals throughout the world.

The afternoon workshops will teach a colorful bouquet of dance and music. The dance teachers are Gergana Panova, Ahmet Lüleci, Naomi Taussig, and Steve Weintraub. Polly Tapia Ferber will teach drumming. Band members Dina, Tedy, and Miamon will lead singing and instrumental workshops.

Our band will be the fabulous Osem i Devet and friends, with Michael Lawson, David Bilides, Miamon Miller, Jamie Cowan, Dina Tregaser, Tedy Dimitrova, and Dragi Spasovski. For the Friday evening party, the band will contribute pre-recorded songs. For the Saturday evening party, they will play live for us from the Seattle area!

Their Balkan-focused repertoire also includes some international dance tunes. Together this versatile group of accomplished musicians can play hot ‘n fast, sweet ‘n slow, and everything in between.

We’re excited about the festival and seeing you all there! Friendly tech support will be available during the festival to help you have a smooth experience.

Festival is free, donations encouraged. Please register on lyridsfolkdancefestival.org for updates and to vote on recorded party dances. For more information, contact us at lyridsfolkdancefestival@gmail.com or info@kyklosfolkdancers.org.