Autumn Leaves XXVi_Michael Ginsburg details text

Sani Rifati

Sani Rifati is a Rom from Kosovo in the former Yugoslavia. He began dancing at a young age in his neighborhood (mahala) in Pristina, learning from uncles, neighbors, and especially his mother, Djevria. He learned many of the dances in various neighborhoods throughout the former Yugoslavia. In his late teens, Sani performed with Kheljen Roma, a traveling folkloric dance troupe. He spent summers with his cousin, Esma Redzhepova (the Queen of Romani Music), in Sutka, Macedonia, where he learned traditional Balkan Romani dances. In Florence, Italy, where he lived for four years, he choreographed and performed for a Romani group. Since coming to the US, Sani has been a colorful member of the Balkan music and dance world, as well as founder and president of the prominent cultural and human rights group "Voice of Roma". Besides organizing festivals of Romani culture and tours of Romani performers, he has taught numerous dance workshops throughout the United States, integrating information about his cultural traditions and the current plight of his people from the former Yugoslavia. Sani's Dance workshops and performances have been offered in the, New York, Portland (Maine), Boston, Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison, San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Thousand Oaks, Portland (Oregon), Seattle, and in Canada. Many of these performances and workshops were part of the Romani Routes Concert Tours involving high caliber Romani artists from Balkan countries, such as Esma Redzepova (known as the "Queen of Romani Music") and her ensemble (2004); Ivo Papasov (2005); Kal, the young energetic Romani band from Serbia (2006 and planned for fall 2008); and Yuri Yunakov and his Romani Wedding Band, including Rumen Sali Shopov (2007).

NIFD is delighted to host Sani for his first Nashville Dance Workshop. Sani will be teaching Roma/Gypsy dances at Autumn Leaves. Please note that he believes in transmitting the dances without the aid of dance notes, so for this year's workshop, we will not furnish printed notes but we will make videos available for review (for an extra fee), and will get them out promptly.


		Autumn Leaves XXVII November 12-14, 2010
			Sani Rifati Sani Rifati is a Rom from Kosovo in the former Yugoslavia. He began dancing at a young age in his neighborhood (mahala) in Pristina, learning from uncles, neighbors, and especially his mother, Djevria. He learned many of the dances in various neighborhoods throughout the former Yugoslavia. In his late teens, Sani performed with Kheljen Roma, a traveling folkloric dance troupe. He spent summers with his cousin, Esma Redzhepova (the Queen of Romani Music), in Sutka, Macedonia, where he learned traditional Balkan Romani dances. In Florence, Italy, where he lived for four years, he choreographed and performed for a Romani group. Since coming to the US, Sani has been a colorful member of the Balkan music and dance world, as well as founder and president of the prominent cultural and human rights group "Voice of Roma". Besides organizing festivals of Romani culture and tours of Romani performers, he has taught numerous dance workshops throughout the United States, integrating information about his cultural traditions and the current plight of his people from the former Yugoslavia. Sani's Dance workshops and performances have been offered in the, New York, Portland (Maine), Boston, Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison, San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Thousand Oaks, Portland (Oregon), Seattle, and in Canada. Many of these performances and workshops were part of the Romani Routes Concert Tours involving high caliber Romani artists from Balkan countries, such as Esma Redzepova (known as the "Queen of Romani Music") and her ensemble (2004); Ivo Papasov (2005); Kal, the young energetic Romani band from Serbia (2006 and planned for fall 2008); and Yuri Yunakov and his Romani Wedding Band, including Rumen Sali Shopov (2007). NIFD is delighted to host Sani for his first Nashville Dance Workshop. Sani will be teaching Roma/Gypsy dances at Autumn Leaves. Please note that he believes in transmitting the dances without the aid of dance notes, so for this year's workshop, we will not furnish printed notes but we will make videos available for review (for an extra fee), and will get them out promptly.
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			Balkan Bazaar (Suze Stentz, proprietor) Suze Stentz and her husband, Richie Leonard, bring Balkan Bazaar (OPET), our favorite boutique, with its wonderful selection of authentic music, traditional dress and costume, books, accessories, house dressing, jewelry, gifts, and gently pre-owned clothing. This North Carolina based traveling bazaar has something for everyone--especially for Folk Dance enthusiasts. Stop and chat with Suze and Richie to fill your shopping bag and imagination with all things Balkan. Camp Widjiwagan Autumn Leaves will once again retum to Camp Widjiwagan: comfortable, genteelly rustic, and situated on the shore of scenic Percy Priest Lake. The hall has a view of the lake from its wall of windows and is itself a beautiful wooden structure within the wooded camp. So please join us at Autumn Leaves XXV for a fabulous weekend of dance, music, fellowship, and FUN! Below is the address and map to the dance site: Joe C Davis YMCA Outdoor Center, Camp Widjwagan 3088 Smith Springs Road, Antioch, Tennessee Schedule and Fees: Cost: Registration for all sessions and dance party: $100 ($90 if paid before Oct.22) Pre-registration (includes 2 breakkfasts & 1 lunch) Individual Sessions are prorated as follows: Session I, $15; Session II, lIl, and IV, $28; Dance Party, $10 To keep prices low, we will ask each participant to sign a release to avoid purchasing insurance. (A video DVD will be made of the review for purchase) Note: This year to keep prices reasonable and to offer 3 meals with the basic cost, all participants must sign a release of Informed Consent when they arrive. This avoids the cost of insurance for NIFD and the YMCA. Autumn Leaves XXVII Schedule (Times below are Central Standard Time) Friday, November 12th 7:00pm - 8:30pm Registration & Request Dancing 8:30pm - 10:00 Session 1: Teaching ($18 if you are a walk-in) Saturday, November 13st 8:30am - 9:45am Continental Breakfast ($5 if you are a walk-in) 9:45am - 12:30am Session II: Teaching ($28 if you are a walk-in) 12:30am - 2:00pm Lunch & Relaxation (Sandwiches and soft drinks with vegetarian options, $7.00 if you are a walk-in) 2:00pm - 4:00pm Session III: Teaching ($28 if you are a walk-in) 4:00pm - 7:30pm Dinner Break (On your own) 7:30pm - 10:30pm Dance Party ($10 if you are a walk-in) Sunday, November 14th 9:00am - 10:00am Continental Breakfast ($5 if you are a walk-in) 10:00am - 12:00pm Session IV: Review ($28 if you are a walk-in) Contact information: If you have not yet registered and would like to pay in advance (recommended), send your check payable to "Nashville Intemational Folk Dancers," along with your name and contact information (snail-mail, phone and/or e-mail) to: Kate Croy PO Box 148784 Nashville TN 37214 (615 889-2010) For further information, please contact Butch Durst at butchd60@hotmail.com or call 615-298-2483 ( to activate voice mail, let ring 10 times.) If you pre-register and are interested in renting a room with accomodations at the Conference Lodge next door to the workshop (limited), indicate how many and we will reserve your sleeping space. Alternatively, if you would like motel suggestions e-mailed to you, let us know. Camping at the YMCA site is also permitted.