Texas Camp this year was a ton of fun!
The TIFD Board would like to once again thank the teachers, Ercüment Kılıç and Monique Legaré for giving us some wonderful new additions to our repertoire, and for presenting fascinating and informative culture sessions on Turkey and Poland. Anne-Louise Schaffer and Don Weeda ensured that the singing and music were up to the usual fabulous standards, and chef Laura Eliel provided some memorable meals.
The Board would also like once again to thank Lisa Horn and Garry Karner, the 2009 co-chairs, for putting on a fabulous Camp. And of course: our grateful thanks go out to all of the volunteers who pitched in and helped out with all the myriad tasks that go into running a camp.
Camp 2009 highlights:
- Anne-Louise Schaffer introduced us to the basics of Turkish and Azeri songs…
- Don Weeda directed the Camp Band in lots of lively tunes for the parties. Some brave souls also tried their hands at a traditional Halay set and accompanied the singing class. Ercüment sat in for part of that and provided some intricate drum accompaniment…
- In her culture session, Monique Legaré taught us about the 5 national dances of Poland –Polonez, Kujawiak, Mazur, Krakowiak and Oberek…
- Ercüment fascinated us with Turkish history, current politics, and some of his own life story…
- The Homegrown Contra band returned for a sixth year of rockin’ contras…
- Marie Clement’s “Bhangra Bhang” session introduced campers to bhangra, a dance form from North India that turns out to be one terrific workout. The music was infectiously fun to dance to!
- Thursday’s party featured a samba-cum-whatever-else processional led by the Houston Mardi Gras crowd, complete with bright umbrellas! Other feathery costume ideas included a contingent of Tahitians, and there were more feather-boas than I’ve ever seen in one room in my life.
- Don Weeda, Slavadillo, and guests provided several energetic live sets, culminating in a great performance on Saturday evening, featuring an unplugged pravo out in the middle of the floor.
- Who will ever forget the many improvisations during An Dro Retournee?
- Franklin Houston led the usual group of manly men who once again showed their mettle during the traditional performance of Arkan. Raz, dva, tri, pishov!
- The weather was awesome!
I’m sure I’m forgetting some, so if you have a favorite Texas Camp ‘09 memory, write in and share it.
Also? If you have pictures, feel free to send them via email (limit 10 per email; if you have more, send a link to where they can be downloaded).
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