Re: Zev Feldman's Yiddish dance weekend

[pinnolis <pinnolis...>]

Ditto to everything Dena said, except I didn't see a bear...and I'm not such 
a 'makher'.... but I did learn a LOT of Yiddish dancing.

We also took a long hike in the mountains with the most gorgeous Fall 
foliage -- another gift from Mother Nature--  but no bear and no moose. 

Dena did not mention, although most people probably guessed, that it was she 
who was the wonderful clarinet player who so ably played. Having a live band 
who could slow down or speed up as the group learned the music (or tired), or 
needed more instruction on a particular step, was an incredible luxury. Many 
of the people who were there were veteran folk dancers, but others, such as 
myself, were not.

Zev, in addition to being a scholar and marvelous performer, is indeed a 
wonderful, remarkable instructor. He soon sized up the group, and was able to 
miraculously adapt his teaching-- allowing the slower learners to get the 
dance, and the quick learners to avoid being bored. No small feat. 

The weekend really constituted a crash course, probably the equivalent of 
about 6-8 weeks of dance instruction, I estimate, if you were attending 
learning sessions of about an hour and half (or so) each, a week. There were 
generally two morning sessions, each followed by a break, a longer afternoon 
session and an evening session. And of course, the late night music jam and 
dancing! 

At a few points, Zev demonstrated entire dances, which provided some of the 
highlights of the program.

In addition to Zev's instruction and background explanations, there was 
general chatter with some interesting people, wonderful long discussions 
about  various instruments, about the modes and music arranging, about 
dancing and books and Jewish music. 

The live music from Seth, Beverly, Jim and Dena was delightful, and is still 
running through my head.  An incredibly fun and relaxing way to spend 
Columbus Day weekend (or Canadian Thanksgiving).


Judy


Quoting klezmer (at) yiddishmusic(dot)com:

> Have already heard that Ari posted something to the list re. the above
> but
> am writing before I've read it (can't read it anyway since it didn't
> arrive
> yet!).
> 
> In a comfortable, pretty, and soothing roundish room with a custom built
> dance floor, transpired 2+ days of about 20 people learning and/or
> improving their Yiddish dance skills.  Zev Feldman was unanimously deemed
> a
> fantastic teacher.  We learned the various zhok (Romanian hora), honga,
> and
> bulgar steps and variations - and the historical context (and
> definition!)
> of each dance.  Zev, in addition to his talents in the dancing and
> teaching
> departments shared his ethnomusicological expertise as it related to the
> dance of the region he was teaching us - Southern Bessarabia.  His father
> grew up there and Zev, in the 1960s saw the Yiddish dance at events
> sponsored by landsmenshaftn in New York City and at simkhes.)
> 
> The instruction was accompanied by live music from a kapelye ably led by
> list member Seth Austen comprised of tsimbl (Beverly Woods),
> mandolin/mandocello (Jim Dalton) mandolin/mandola/guitar/fidl (Austen)
> and
> clarinet.  The band also was provided pointers by Zev, and if you stayed
> late enough, you heard Zev playing Beverly's 2 tsimblim and a santori -
> an
> added bonus!
> 
> Dancers included makhers the Yiddish dance and Jewish music worlds (list
> members  Helen Winkler (all the way from Calgary!) Jacob Bloom - both of
> whom teach Yiddish dance in their neck of the woods, as well as recently
> married Ari Davidow and Judy Pinnolis.  It was a treat to be with so many
> lovers of the music and dance in such an intimate setting.
> 
> The hostess of the event, Jenny Deupree, was most generous, gracious, and
> receptive.  Neskaya, the dance center which Jenny runs and at whose
> building the event was held, is nestled in the White Mountains and, this
> being the peak of the leaf-peeking season, we were treated to a
> breathtaking view of mountains aflame in fall colors as we circled around
> the room.  I even got my first ever view of a black bear (a yearling)
> scampering across a nearby road during a morning walk.
> 
> After the event was over, Beverly (who invited Zev in the first place!),
> Jenny, and Zev talked about the possibility of another weekend at
> Neskaya,
> perhaps in September - so keep your eyes on this list for details and
> another extraordinary opportunity to learn more about Yiddish culture.
> 
> Dena Ressler




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