64th Texas Camp: November 25-28, 2010
This year’s Texas Thanksgiving Camp featured the well-known Bulgarian-dance teacher Jaap Leegwater and the American-Italian dance teachers Celest DiPietropaolo and Marie DiCocco. In addition to teaching an array of delightful Balkan dances, Jaap taught a children’s dance (normally done at weddings) which a group of Texas Camp youngsters performed to much acclaim on Friday night. Celest and Marie provided a selection of lively Italian dances, plenty of historical background, and even played music for some of the dances themselves. Saturday’s Italian parade past the cabins was something to see!
62nd Texas Camp: November 26-29, 2009
Ercument Kilic presented Turkish and Azarbaijani dances. Monique Legaré taught Polish and Hungarian dances. Anne-Louise Schaffer introduced Turkish and Azeri songs, Done Weeda directed the Camp Band in lots of lively tunes for 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… The Homegrown Contra band returned for a sixth year of rockin’ contras… Thursday’s party featured a samba-cum-whatever-else processional led by the Houston Mardi Gras crowd, complete with bright umbrellas! 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! All this, and the weather was awesome!
61st Texas Camp: November 27-30, 2008
Yves Moreau and France Bourque-Moreau presented Bulgarian / French Canadian and Children’s dances. George Fogg taught English country dances.
Anne-Louise Schaffer again taught singing classes, the Camp Band and Homegrown contra band provided live music for parties, and an English country-dance band made up of Austin musicians, provided both music for classes and for parties. Chef Laura LaGue provided a third year of tasty and healthy cuisine, well-received by Texas Campers. A special children’s class, taught by France Moreau, was a big hit with campers young and old!
60th Texas Camp: November 22 – 25, 2007
The 60th annual Texas International Folk Dance Camp took place over Thanksgiving weekend 2007. It featured Romanian taught by Cristian Florescu and Sonia Dion and Salsa taught by Houston Salsa’s Oscar, K & Nettie.
Texas Camp’s camp band, under the direction of Don Weeda, performed several sets at the parties to much acclaim, as did the versatile Slavadillo quartet and the Homegrown contra band (returning for the fourth year). Anne-Louise Schaffer taught Croatian songs and worked on Balkan technique in singing classes. Chef Laura LaGue, returning for a second year, again provided a wealth of tasty cuisine, well-received by Texas Campers.
See photos on Flickr! (opens new window)
59th Texas Camp: November 23-26, 2006
The 59th annual Texas International Folk Dance Camp took place over Thanksgiving weekend 2006. It featured Richard Powers teaching Vintage dances and Lee Otterholt teaching Balkan dances. Chef Laura LaGue debuted in the Texas Camp kitchen (remember those fabulous Greek cookies?) and was immediately invited back for the next year. The Camp Band, Slavadillo quartet, and Homegrown contra bands all provided lots of great dancing music, and Joane Rylander taught some fabulous songs in singing class.
