GRAPEVINE
Find out what’s been happening in the folk dance community in Ontario. Send us news that you would like to share with others. News items can be sent to: TheOfdaTimes@gmail.com As of August 2025 Helen Winkler writes:The DANI program which Rita has attended for many years, and loves, is opening a gift shop on […]
Albania 2025
ALBANIA 2025: Land of the Two-headed Eagle by Mirdza Jaunzemis
EEFC Music & Dance Camp 2025
EEFC Balkan Music & Dance Camp 2025 – An Unexpected Adventure By Patricia Stenton Late this spring a very unexpected gift arrived for me in the form of an email, entitled “Re: Scholarship”. Last fall my doumbek teacher Polly Tapia Ferber had encouraged me to apply for a scholarship for EEFC East Coast Balkan Music […]
Maxine & Gary’s Trip to China, 2025
In February, March and April of this year (2025) dancers Maxine Louie and Gary MacIntosh went on a unique tour, planned and organized by Maxine, with Gary’s enthusiastic support. Some comments from Gary: “Maxine has put together two albums of our trip to China …one on the places that we visited and another one on […]
DANI at Rikudiyah 2025
Rita’s painted portrayal of herself and her dance partner performing. Helen Winkler reports: For the second year, OFDA member Rita Winkler, along with her fellow dancers from DANI Toronto, participated in the Rikudiyah festival of Israeli dance held at the Schwartz Reizman JCC on Sunday, March 31. Rikudiyah was established by Teme Kernerman 52 years […]
Scarpaccia Recipe
Many people enjoyed the Potluck snack that Helen Winkler brought to the Armenian Dance Cafe on March 22/25, so she’s sharing it here. https://www.instagram.com/dr.vegan/reel/CgUj-x6qJxq/ Scarpaccia RECIPE INGREDIENTSBatter:1 cup all purpose flour1/3 cup corn meal (not corn flour like in the video!)2 tbsp olive oil1 cup water1/2 tsp salt1/2 tsp black pepper 2-3 zucchinis1-2 onionExtra virgin […]
Jim Gold’s YouTube Videos of his Early Tours
Jim Gold Adding early Folk Tour dance videos (1987-2004) to YouTube…and it’s all free! Hello folk dancers and travelers, Here’s a special treat to begin the folkdance season. Now you can now watch international folkdance performances, visit exotic countries, and see ancient sites, all without leaving your chair or even your home! And it’s all […]
Tour of Mexico – February 2024
Article by Kalina Serlin. (Photos by Kalina Serlin except where otherwise noted.) My recent tour of Mexico came about rather unexpectedly and on fairly short notice. The idea originated with a fellow OFDA member and folk-dancer from Hamilton, Mirdza Jaunzemis, who had spotted it on the website of a tour company she had travelled with […]
Folk Dance Teachers Course
Folk Dance Teachers Coursebeing offered by Riki Adivi Next month, on May 5th I’m going to start my first Folk Dance Teachers Course. In the course I would like us all to have an open discussion about everything that matters and is part of the dance class/session. For that purpose I have been gathering for […]
DANI at Rikudiyah 2024
DANI at Rikudiyah 2024 by Helen Winkler This past Sunday I had the pleasure of watching history being made on the dance floor. I watched my daughter Rita, along with fellow participants and staff of her day program DANI Toronto, perform a dance as part of the Rikudiyah festival of children’s dance. OFDA members will […]