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Oleksandra Pryveda, Ukrainian Craft Traditions |
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Psyanky is an ancient tradition that dates back to the 3rd century B.C. In the Ukraine, eggs are a powerful symbol for fertility, the rebirth of the earth and the coming of spring. The tradition of decorating eggs is often associated with spring religious celebrations such as Easter. Oleksandra's ancestors believed in the divine powers of straw and grain. The last sheaf of grain harvested from the field each year would be revered and kept in the house until the next harvest. There are many Ukrainian rituals and traditions associated with straw, including the belief that it could predict the future. Straw weavings were made for many of these rituals. Workshops Available:
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Mary Sherhart is a pioneer in presenting the music of Bulgaria, Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Macedonia to the Northwest. Her teaching ranges from old village songs to modern choral arrangements of folk songs. In her workshops, students learn vocal techniques, language and pronunciation, ornamentation and timbre. In addition, she shares stories of everyday life in the Balkans, providing cultural and historical information that gives life and feeling to the experience. Extended programs can also include units on costumes, folkways and foodways (the cultural meaning of food). Mary brings items from her collection of costumes, musical instruments, LPs, maps and more to create a rich hands-on experience that provides a cultural context. Her programs emphasize the joy of finding and pursuing one's passion.
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PETIT ROUGE La Joie de France (The Joy of France) |
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Petit Rouge's elementary program "Mais, Oui!" teaches French culture and language naturally through music, movement and storytelling. A program geared to high schoolers is also available including French story-songs along with dance and interactive folksongs.
SPECIAL WORKSHOPS AVAILABLE with Janet Rayor:
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"Thank you for the great performance. The kids
were just sorry that you had to leave!"
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The Mame Loshn Project The Vitality of Jewish Culture in America |
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"Joan wove together a collection of wonderful stories, incorporating
a balance of humor and wisdom that both entertained and taught
our kindergarten-aged children. She also was highly capable of
answering comments and questions made by the children. . . Her
songs and stories would be a strong and interesting addition to
any program."
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| For more information, email amy (at) nwfolklife.org. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Oleksandra Pryveda is a contemporary
visual and textile artist, who is also highly skilled in several
important Ukrainian folk art forms - the egg decorating tradition
of pysanky, straw weaving and decorations, paper cutting,
and hand woven traditional clothing. 
The Balkan countries of Romania, Bulgaria
and the former Yugoslavia (now the republics of Croatia, Serbia,
Slovenia, Macedonia, Bosnia and Kosovo) have been a cultural crossroads
for centuries. In recent years the world has seen tours by some
of their large choirs and folk ensembles, sharing their rich choral
singing traditions. Many of these groups have performed around
the world to much acclaim. 
Petit
Rouge leads an interactive, fun program of French folksongs and
dance with dynamic vocalist Janet Rayor and accordionist Steve
Rice. An influential cultural center for hundreds of years, France
has affected art, literature, dance, and thought around the world.
The Petit Rouge program introduces students to the poetry, music,
art and dance of the French and their Canadian cousins.
For
centuries, Jewish culture of Eastern Europe was sustained by songs,
stories, folklore and literature in the Yiddish language. So strong
were the cultural ties to the language that it was called Mame
Loshn, or the "mother language." The Jewish-American
cultural revival of the last 20 years has seen a rebirth in Mame
Loshn, klezmer music and other forms of Eastern European
Jewish culture.