Happy Saturday, everyone!
After a really fun “West Coast” weekend, we’ve decided to do it again–with an East Coast twist. Join us for our second Virtual Camp on August 14-16, 2020. Our website will update with faculty and performers as they’re added, and you can register here. Read on for additional details!
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In 1977, the EEFC offered the first of many wonderful getaway Balkan Music & Dance Workshops. In 2020, we’re excited to roll with the punches and debut our online edition, which you can enjoy from the comfort of home.
Thanks to high-speed internet, we continue to welcome new friends and old to our community of musicians, singers, dancers, and those who love them. Beginners and advanced practitioners will continue to “rub shoulders” while benefiting from the expertise of our extraordinary teaching staff and enjoying bliss-inducing live-music performances. We can’t provide the traditional rustic redwoods setting nor a superb glamping experience in the Catskills, but this Virtual Camp weekend retains our signature style—an immersive learning experience that opens hearts and minds to the beauty of Balkan music, dance, and culture.
The Platform
We’re using Sococo to centralize our gathering for the weekend. In other words, this event is more than just a series of Zoom meetings—we’re creating a digital village. On Wednesday, August 12th, you’ll receive an invitation to join our online space, which, while initially designed to recreate the functionality of community office spaces, is about to receive a Balkan twist. On the surface, it’ll look like a regular office building, but you’ll see rooms named for familiar places like the Registration Table, which will have volunteers ready to take your questions, and the Dance Hall and Kafana, where we’ll gather for live music and dancing. You’ll even be able to locate where your friends are within the map and casually hang out (i.e. video chat) around the cabin porches and other organic gathering places.
We’re using Sococo to centralize our gathering for the weekend. In other words, this event is more than just a series of Zoom meetings—we’re creating a digital village. On Wednesday, August 12th, you’ll receive an invitation to join our online space, which, while initially designed to recreate the functionality of community office spaces, is about to receive a Balkan twist. On the surface, it’ll look like a regular office building, but you’ll see rooms named for familiar places like the Registration Table, which will have volunteers ready to take your questions, and the Dance Hall and Kafana, where we’ll gather for live music and dancing. You’ll even be able to locate where your friends are within the map and casually hang out (i.e. video chat) around the cabin porches and other organic gathering places.
For official programming, each “room” of our office space contains a direct link to a Zoom meeting where the real magic is taking place. We strongly recommend that you download the latest version of Zoom for the optimal experience. But if you want to take a break from class, there are plenty of areas to relax with friends and catch up contained within our online village.
The Workshop & Program
Virtual Camp runs on EASTERN Time from Friday evening, August 14, to late Sunday afternoon, August 16. Classes begin Saturday morning and continue on Sunday. A selection of instrumental, vocal, and dance classes at all levels are offered across six 90-minute class slots.
Virtual Camp runs on EASTERN Time from Friday evening, August 14, to late Sunday afternoon, August 16. Classes begin Saturday morning and continue on Sunday. A selection of instrumental, vocal, and dance classes at all levels are offered across six 90-minute class slots.
The early-evening programs include folklore presentations and group sings with musical accompaniment. Live-music dance parties featuring our world-class staff musicians will delight your feet; and the party continues in the Kafana, with a variety of musical sets by you and your fellow campers. Sign up to perform in the Kafana here.
Families
We welcome families! Children are welcome to participate alongside their parents and guardians in any adult class, and we are developing special classes just for them.
We welcome families! Children are welcome to participate alongside their parents and guardians in any adult class, and we are developing special classes just for them.
Volunteer Opportunities
There are many opportunities to help us out behind the scenes! Please email moc.liamg@61reraehs.j to learn more.
There are many opportunities to help us out behind the scenes! Please email moc.liamg@61reraehs.j to learn more.
Registration
Registration and additional details here: https://eefc.org/balkan-camp/
Registration and additional details here: https://eefc.org/balkan-camp/
On Wednesday, August 12th, campers will receive an orientation video and be invited to join the Sococo platform and begin exploring. Registration will close Wednesday, August 12th at 12 noon Eastern. Workshop updates are announced on the EEFC listserv discussion group, and on our Facebook page.
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