We want to practice traditional dances of different cultures keeping in mind that these practices are intrinsically COMMON and have a very important (especially for our times) power to bring us TOGETHER. Traditional dances unite us regardless of beliefs, nationality or skills! We would also like to celebrate the JOY present in all traditional dances (regardless of the latitude) by recalling the ecstatic and transformational dimension of dance, inherent in this art from its very roots. We believe that, although from different cultural areas, when practiced side by side, the traditional dances will reveal intriguing similarities and allow for a deeper reflection on the sources and narratives present in traditional dances and their significance for the broader (including contemporary) culture.
We invite everyone to join us for fun-filled dance workshops for everyone – FAJFY at Yanka’s!
Mazurkas are dances indigenous to Mazovia. It is a fast dance (3/8 measure), but slightly slower than the oberek, that developed later, and danced more “smoothly”. Mazurka is danced by twirling in pairs around the circle, on the whole feet, sometimes accenting the change of direction and rotation with a beat. A characteristic feature of the mazurka is a clear accent “on two”, also in the music accompanying the dance. It is one of the symbols of Polish folk music: “no other dance induced such euphoria in the dancers!” (see more on www.tance.edu.pl)
The aim of the workshop is to learn and master the basic level of the most swirling Polish dance – the mazurka. We will learn to dance in a couple, dancing in a circle, spinning quickly in a couple in an open and closed arrangement (at least in two directions), improvising and using various ornaments.
Zakręcone mazurki
Mazurki są rdzennymi tańcami na Mazowszu. To taniec szybki (metrum 3/8), ale nieco wolniejszym od młodszego odeń oberka i tańczonym bardziej „gładko”. Mazurka tańczy się wirując w parach po obrębie koła, na całych stopach, czasem akcentując zmiany kierunku ruchu i obrotów przytupem. Cechą charakterystyczna mazurka jest wyraźny akcent „na dwa”, także w muzyce towarzszącej tańcowi. To jeden z symboli polskiej muzyki ludowej: „żaden inny taniec nie wzbudzał takiej euforii u tancerzy!” (za www.tance.edu.pl)
Celem warsztatu będzie nauka i opanowanie w stopniu podstawowym najbardziej zakręconego polskiego tańca jakim jest mazurek. Nauczymy się tańczenia w parze, tańczenia po kole, szybkiego wirowania w parze w układzie otwartym i zamkniętym (przynajmniej w dwóch kierunkach), improwizowania oraz używania różnego rodzaju ozdobników.
Samba
Samba de roda (samba in a circle) is a traditional Afro-Brazilian dance; it was originally practiced after the Candomblé ceremony as a symbolic return to everyday life. Samba emerged in the 17th century in the state of Bahia, more specifically in the Recôncavo area, where most plantations of ensalved were located. The dance was a way for the enslaved brought from Africa to demonstrate their identity and to relieve the hardships and sorrows of slavery. Today, samba is mainly associated with carnival, which in Bahia region is exceptionally crazy. Samba de roda is the most widespread social ritual here, a dance danced by everyone on every occasion, in town squares, weddings, during social gatherings. The choreography of samba de roda is spontaneous and based on basic leg and hip movements. Thanks to this it unites people in a common dance regardless of age or ability!
As part of FAJFY, we will also share with the audience the samba of the Afro-Brazilian deities of Candomblé – the Orishas. Within this religion, each deity has a distinctive samba step and gesture, as well as color, dress, and attributes.
Izraelskie tańce ludowe unplugged
We will come together to dance and study early Israeli folk dances. We will examine their historical and political context, the relationship of the choreographers to the Diaspora and European folklore, and the role of gestures borrowed from Yemenite and Palestinian dances. Everyone is invited to the workshop, regardless of their dance experience. A week later (18.06) Hadar will also present a performance in which Israeli dances are the main protagonist.