Winnipeg Klez Dance Workshop Nov 23-25

[Helen Winkler <winklerh...>]

Here is the updated information on the Winnipeg Klez dance workshop:

A Klezmer Dance Weekend Featuring Steve Weintraub.
Winnipeg, Manitoba
November 23-25, 2001

Why a Klezmer Dance Workshop?

So you want to know, What is Klezmer dance?  That's the question we
at MIFDA asked ourselves.  Many of us have enjoyed listening to Klezmer
music over the years and it is obviously meant to be danced to, but we
didn't know the dances.  So we decided to have a workshop where we could be
learn this music and at the same time take advantage of some of our
wonderful local musicians to provide the spirit and excitement of live music
to dance to.  And in the future, whether at a Bar Mitzvah, a wedding or a
klezmer concert, we will know what to do when the musicians begin to play!

A Workshop for All Levels

The workshop is designed to introduce people to klezmer dance and to be
accessible for people at all levels.  Steve Weintraub will teach us dances
from a variety of time periods and from Eastern European countries.  The
dances include circles and set formations. The emphasis is on being
spontaneous and celebrating the spirit of dance.  The program will include
such dances as the Freylach (the basic Jewish circle dance), the Broiges
tanz (the argument dance), the Flash tans (the
bottle dance) and the Sher (a Russian square dance).  The theme of our
Saturday night dance party will be "the Jewish  wedding" as Steve helps us
understand how these traditional dances were done in their original
contexts.

Steve Weintraub.

Steve Weintraub is enthusiastically recommended by folks who have attended
the annual KlezKamp and other events at which he has taught.  He has
personally researched the dance material and has an upbeat & humorous
teaching style as well as a commitment to presenting authentic dances.  In
the Midwest people may know him from the highly successful Klezmer Affair
weekend which took place in Madison last year and other events.

Saturday Night Dance Party with Shayla, Kinzey and Friends

Shayla Fink (accordion and vocals) and Kinzey Posen (bass) are much
sought-after entertainers who have been performing at concerts, weddings and
bar mitzvahs 20 years.  As members of the klezmer band Finjan they have
performed across Canada and the United States.  They will form the core of
the Saturday night dance band, playing Jewish wedding music for the dances
that will be presented by Steve Weintraub.

The Program

Our weekend will begin with a Friday night teaching session followed by a
dance party.  There will be morning and afternoon
workshops on Saturday with an optional pot-luck lunch.  Saturday evening
will begin with a teaching session designed for those who have been unable
to attend the previous sessions, and this will lead into the dance party
featuring the band of Shayla Fink and Kinzey Posen.  Live music will be
followed by more request dancing for as long as our energy holds out.  On
Sunday morning there will be a brunch and "culture corner" with Steve
Weintraub talking about the historic and cultural background to the dances.
This will be followed by a review session.

Location

Robert Steen Community Club is located at 980 Palmerston in Wolseley, a
residential neighbourhood not far from downtown Winnipeg.  Parking is
available.

Food and Accommodations

Participants are generally on their own for meals but snacks and
refreshments will be provided during the teaching sessions and evening
parties.  A light brunch will be served on Sunday morning and a pot luck
lunch is planned for Saturday.  There is limited billeting available for
out-of-town visitors.

Schedule

Friday evening, Nov 23

8:00  Easier dances taught by Steve Weintraub
9:30 - 12:00  Dance party (with refreshment breaks)

Saturday, Nov 24

10:00  Workshop session with Steve
12:00  Pot luck lunch
1:30  Workshop session with Steve
4:30  Supper break
7:00  Teaching session for evening dance
8:00   Dancing to live music (with refreshment breaks)
11:00  Request dancing to recorded music

Sunday, Nov 25

9:30  Brunch and culture corner with Steve Weintraub
10:30  Workshop review session

Registration

To pre-register, to receive brochures or for more information contact Jeremy
(jhull (at) mts(dot)net) or Patti (ablank16 (at) home(dot)net) or phone Jeremy 
at
204-477-5981.

Cost

You can pay for the whole workshop or by the session.  Prices depend on
whether you are a MIFDA member, a non-member, or a student.  Prices are
shown below.  [Canadian dollars except where noted.]

NON-MEMBERS- Weekend price = $55 [or $40 US]

Or pay by the session:
Friday eve     $15  [$10 US]
Sat day    $15  [$10 US]
Sat night    $20  [$14 US]
Sun     $12 [$8 US]

MIFDA MEMBERS - Weekend price = $45

Or pay by the session:
Friday eve     $13
Sat day    $13
Sat night    $17.50
Sun     $10

STUDENTS- Weekend price = $35

Or pay by the session:
Friday eve     $10
Sat day    $10
Sat night    $15
Sun     $8

Jeremy Hull
Manitoba International Folk Dance Association
Winnipeg, Manitoba
204-477-5981