Dear Friends ~
You are invited to enjoy a weekend of folk fun & frolic at Madison's 18th annual

FOLK  BALL  FESTIVAL
March 3-5, 2006
UW Memorial Union
800 Langdon Street, Madison WI

So rustle up the dancing shoes, mark the calendar, and alert kith and kin!
We're on the late side this year, so your help in spreading the word would be especially appreciated this time around.  Schedule details are in development, but to get us all started here are some highlights of what promises to be a great weekend:

(1)  Featured Teacher Creatures:  CRISTIAN FLORESCU and SONIA DION (Romanian folkdance).

(2)  FOLK BALL CONTRA at Tripp Commons 7:30 Friday night, music by nationally-acclaimed LAST GASPE, calling by Steve Pike.

(3)  FRIDAY DANCE PARTY  in the Great Hall  7:30-midnight offers music by:
      Yid Vicious  (Madison's hot klezmer outfit)
      Spatter Dash  (int'l folk dance band from Indiana)
      Izvor Orchestra  (Milwaukee's veteran multi-ethnic dance band)
      Dave Kantor & Yuli Yordanov  (traditional Balkan bagpipe and drum)
      Tri Bratovchedki singers (cameo appearance)

(4)  The legendary FOLK BALL DANCE PARTY in Great Hall  7:00pm-1:00am
Saturday in Great Hall showcases music by outstanding Midwestern bands:
       Finn Hall Band  (Twin Cities / Finnish polka, waltz, schottisch, tango)
       Orkestar Bez Ime  (Mnpls / IFD band with vocalist Natalie Nowytski)
       Reptile Palace Orchestra  (high-octane eclectic ethnic mostly from Earth)
       Orkestar Sloboda  (authentic ethnic sound of Milwaukee) and early evening dance performances by:
       Zaibas Lithuanian Dancers  (Madison)
       Sumadija Serbian Folk Dance Ensemble  (Milwaukee)
       Ensemble Narodno!  (Madison)

(5)  Daytime Saturday Workshops include:
        ROMANIAN DANCE -- Cristian Florescu & Sonia Dion  (2 sessions)
        LITHUANIAN DANCE -- Nijole Gaucys & Zaibas Lithuanian Dancers
        SERBIAN DANCE -- Michael Malich
        BALKAN SINGING -- Tri Bratovchedki singers
        ARGENTINE TANGO -- Marek Marcus
        FOLK CULTURE of LITHUANIA -- brown bag lunch session by Nijole Gaucys of Zaibas
      ( OTHER WORKSHOPS are expected -- TBA when confirmed. )

(6)  Buffet Dinner at the Union (5:00-6:30).  This was an excellent experience last year -- fine food, good service, reasonably priced, a pleasant social occasion, and a convenient way to be well fed in the midst of a busy festival day.  We expect to offer the dinner again this year: menu, cost, and reservation procedure TBA.

(7)  Sunday P.M. Workshop & Review sessions in Great Hall -- details to follow.
      [note that Sunday location is a change from past years!]

(8)  Survivors Dance Party -- Sunday 7:30-11:00 at The Crossing,
         1127 University Avenue -- request dancing and general mellowness.

Special Thanks to CREECA (Center for Russia, East Europe, and Central Asia) for financial support.

And Thanks to YOU for your participation in and support of the folk arts -- remember that Folk Ball is 90% supported by your outrageously generous donations at festival events you attend!

To offer or request crash space:  Susan  608-577-5658 /  shockraquest@yahoo.com
FFI:  Michael  608-241-3655 / mk@mailbag.com