You are all invited to kick up your heels at Madison's legendary Folk Ball, the Midwest's largest and liveliest participatory folkdance festival -- three days of dance parties, workshops, performances, and other hijinks offered February 28 to March 2 at the UW Memorial Union and downtown venues.  Supported almost entirely by your individual donations at its various events, this is a unique example of cooperative-style community celebration, a Madison classic which attracts hundreds of dancers from across the region.

   The weekend kicks off Friday night with two dance parties.
The bodacious Folk Ball Contra is at gracious Grace Guildhall (W. Washington at the Square) with caller Steve Pike and music by RHYS'S PIECES, featuring outstanding Chicago fiddler Rhys Jones.  Teaching 7:30-8:00, dancing 8:00-11:00, suggested donation $6.  FFI: Roger 242-0373.
   Also Friday night is an international dance at Great Hall (7:30-midnight) with music by the Cajun Strangers (Cajun - Madison),
Yid Vicious (Klezmer - Madison), Malo Selo (trad. Balkan - Madison), and Spatter Dash (int'l folk - South Bend).

   Daytime dance workshops Saturday feature the celebrated Yves Moreau (Balkan and Breton), Lisa O'Connor (West African), Shawn Donaldson (Armenian & Balkan), Jeanette Watts (basic & vintage waltz), and possibly an Irish set dance session.  Tri Bratovchedki and friends will offer a midday performance followed by singing workshops.
All workshops are in the Union and nearby Pres House.

   Musical groups slated to power the amazing Folk Ball Dance Party (Saturday 7:00pm-12:30am in Great Hall) are Keltori (Celtic - Madison), Reptile Palace Orchestra (21st Century Folk - Madison), Izvor Orchestra (multi-ethnic veterans - Milwaukee), Balkanci (trad. Bulgarian - Chicago), and David Kantor (trad. Balkan).  Expect brief dance performances by West African troupe Dadawah Drum & Dance (Mali & Guinea), host group Narodno, and Madame Gigi's Outrageous French Cancan Dancers.  The spirit and excitement of this great gathering of dance lovers is an experience not to be missed!
 
 Sunday dance workshops and review sessions with Yves Moreau and Shawn Donaldson are at Grace Guildhall 1:00-5:00pm.

   An attended Information Table will be set up in Great Hall Friday and Saturday for folk arts notices of all kinds -- bring news of your events and activities!

   Joan Amsterdam's folkstuff shop will be open Saturday with folk music recordings from around the world.
   As schedule details are finalized they will be posted.

   Thanks for academic sponsorship to the UW Dept. of Slavic Languages & Literature and to the Center for Russia, East Europe and Central Asia for its support.
   For further information, or to get on the Folk Ball email/smail list, contact Michael at 608-241-3655 / mk@mailbag.com.