Hambo and Schottish Dance Workshop

Name: Hambo and Schottish Dance Workshop
Start: 2025-03-22T12:30:00-04:00
End: 2025-03-22T22:00:00-04:00
Location: Saima Park

Schedule

Sat Mar 22 2025 at 12:30 pm to 10:00 pm

UTC-04:00

Location

Saima Park | Fitchburg, MA

Nordic Folk Dance Workshop
The Revontulet Folk Dancers are excited to present a Nordic folk dance workshop and an evening dance to be held at the Finnish Center at Saima Park on Saturday, March 22, 2025. The Center is located at 67 Scott Rd in Fitchburg, MA. In the afternoon, guest instructors Tom Roby and Laura Stern will teach two popular dances, the hambo and the schottische. The hambo originated in Sweden and is described as a combination of polka and mazurka, with lively steps and graceful movements. The schottisch is a favorite dance in Finland and Finnish-America, with a basic step (1-2-3 hops and step-hops) and countless variations. Tom and Laura have each been involved in Scandinavian dancing for close to 35 years and taught regularly for the pre-pandemic Scandia Boston monthly dance series. Dancing together they earned Bronze and Silver medals in traditional Swedish polska dancing and are continuing their training annually at camps in Sweden and the US. Nothing beats live music, and we are fortunate to have award-winning fiddler lydia ievins (all lower case) to accompany and motivate our dancing in the afternoon. lydia plays nyckelharpa and five-string fiddle for Scandinavian and English Country dancing. An avid dancer herself, she infuses her playing with rhythmic clarity and sensitive phrasing to make it irresistibly danceable. A highly respected performer and teacher, lydia has appeared at the Newport Folk Festival and Kaustinen (Finland) Folk Music Festival, as well as in Sweden and at Scandinavian museums and cultural centers across the US. Visit lydiamusic.org for more information.
The doors will open at 12:30pm for check-in, with the fun to begin at 1:00. The schottish will be taught from 1:00-2:30, followed by a break with light refreshments from 2:30-3:00. Next, from 2:00-5:00, participants will learn the hambo. Anyone age 14 years or older is welcome to attend the instructional workshop. Children of all ages are invited to come with their families to the evening dance.

A potluck dinner will be available from 6:00-7:00 for those who bring a dish to share and also attend either the afternoon workshop or the evening dance.

In the evening, from 8:00-10:00, everyone will have a chance to practice their new dances as well as to enjoy doing others such as waltzes and polkas. In addition, Revontulet director Leila Luopa will lead some dances. Led by fiddler Christine Anderson, folk group Oivan ILo will play for the evening. The group includes Christine on fiddle, John Chambers on accordion, John Rosenfelder on bass, Cedwyn Morgan on mandolin, and Gloria Foster on guitar.

Preregistration is strongly suggested to aid in planning. Participation fee for either the afternoon workshop or the evening dance is $15 per individual, $20 per couple, or $25 for a family. For those attending both events, the price is $25 per individual, $35 per couple, or $45 for a family. A registration form can be downloaded from Revontulet Dancers on Facebook and mailed with a check to Priscilla Borden, 199 Fullam Rd, Fitzwilliam, NH 03447; or email Priscilla at [email protected]. Cash and checks will also be accepted at the door.

Everyone is welcome, and no experience is necessary. Bring a pair of low heel, leather soled shoes, and come ready to dance and have fun!

Revontulet Folk Dancers is a nonprofit organization that dances at the Finnish Center at Saima Park from 6:30-8:00pm on most first and third Fridays of the month. All are welcome. For more information, contact Leila at 603-831-0836.