Brendon Taaffe
Community singing workshops

Tani is a musical force who has inspired an entire community of artists. With his Kamale n’goni, a West African ancestor to the banjo, and his plaintive singing, he never fails to drop the deepest blues around. Tani will join us on Wednesday evening for a performance and discussion about his art form. Be ready to dance along to Tani’s lively rhythms!

Steve Weintraub
Yiddish Dance

J. Miller of RedBarn Catering is our consummate chef for all Folklore Village festivals. Since we won’t be able to put J.’s awesome food on your plate in-person this year, we are instead offering an opportunity for festival participants to learn directly from J. how to make some of his favorite Midwinter recipes in your own kitchen. Join in the fun to make a delicious New Year’s Eve feast with J.!

Johanna Gorman-Baer
Theater games & “brain breaks”

Johanna Gorman-Baer has been teaching theater in many forms for the last ten years. She is constantly inspired by how collaborative play can challenge the imagination to grow beyond the individual to create artistic community. Folklore Village remains her second home, where for over a decade she’s led workshops for all ages in theater, storytelling, and movement.

Tova Gorman-Baer
Arts & crafts

Schedule

Tuesday, December 29
10:00-11:15 am    Singing Workshop with Brendan Taaffe

1:00-2:30 pm        Romanian Dance Workshop with Sonia Dion & Cristian Florescu

3:30-5:00 pm        Ostfriesen Tea with Dan Lippitt & Glenn Mitroff
A tea presentation by Dan and Glenn of the Ostfriesen Tea Shop! Prepare your own tea and snacks at home and enjoy time with old and new friends, and watch the access page for ideas and recipes that will help you recreate the Ostfriesen Tea Ceremony in your home. This will also be a time for memory sharing about Midwinter Festivals gone-by, so feel free to bring photos, ephemera, and stories to show and tell.

6:00 pm-7:00 pm  Theater Games with Johanna Gorman-Baer

8:00-10:00 pm      Virtual Country Dancing feat. Rare Privilege (Amy McFarland & Maria Terres) and the Walser-Young Family
An evening of English country dance and contra music by Rare Privilege, and a few square dances called by Julie Young, accompanied by Bob, Lolo, and Smack!

This evening gathering will also feature “Brain Breaks” with Johanna Gorman-Baer designed to give your brain a rest from the computer screen. To fully participate in the brain breaks, please have these items available:
– Something stick-like (a ruler or wooden kitchen spoon work best)
– Something ball-like and soft (bean bag, balled up socks, etc)
– Something ball-like and bouncy (tennis ball is ideal)
– Something to cover one eye (blindfold, bandanna, eye patch)
– Space to move around
– Water to drink

Wednesday, December 30
10:00-11:30 am    Romanian Dance Workshop with Sonia Dion & Cristian Florescu

1:00-3:00 pm        Cooking Class with J. Miller
From our 2017 Japanese Ryukyu Islands Supper, we’re bringing back the Soki Soba Bowl! Featuring Braised Pork Ribs, Fried Tofu, Pork or Kombu (kelp) Dashi, Soft Boiled Eggs, Soba Noodles, and Sesame Broccoli & Mushrooms. Accompanied by Mini Matcha Trifles with Matcha Custard, Cream, & Syrup. We’ll need two days to put this feast together, so I hope you can attend both classes! Stay tuned for an ingredients list.

4:00-5:15 pm        Singing Workshop with Brendan Taaffe

5:45-7:45 pm        pARTy with Tova Gorman-Baer
Join lifelong Folklore Villager Tova Gorman-Baer for a pArty! What’s a pArty, you ask? Equal parts scavenger hunt and collaborative art project, a pArty will let you see household objects in a whole new way. Together, we will decide on a folk art-related theme, gather materials from our own homes, and create spontaneous works of art together. At the end of the workshop, we will share our creations in a live-action art show! Come join Tova in creative fun for all ages.

8:30-10:30 pm     Afro-Funk Fête with Tani Diakite
An interactive performance with Tani where you’ll be able to dance and drum along!

Thursday, December 31
10:00-11:30 am    Yiddish/Klezmer Dance Workshop with Steve Weintraub

1:00-3:00 pm        Cooking Class with J. Miller
From our 2017 Japanese Ryukyu Islands Supper, we’re bringing back the Soki Soba Bowl! Featuring Braised Pork Ribs, Fried Tofu, Pork or Kombu (kelp) Dashi, Soft Boiled Eggs, Soba Noodles, and Sesame Broccoli & Mushrooms. Accompanied by Mini Matcha Trifles with Matcha Custard, Cream, & Syrup. We’ll need two days to put this feast together, so I hope you can attend both classes! Stay tuned for an ingredients list.

4:00-5:00 pm        Tea and social–theme TBA

6:00-7:30 pm        Theater Games with Johanna Gorman-Baer

8:30 pm~              New Year’s Eve Gathering
An evening of singing, dancing, music, and theater in the style of our traditional New Year’s Eve party. You’ll even get to watch the bonfire burn at Folklore Village! Bring a candle to light at midnight and welcome 2021 with a virtual sing.

This evening gathering will also feature “Brain Breaks” with Johanna Gorman-Baer, designed to give your brain a rest from the computer screen. To fully participate in the brain breaks, please have these items available:
– Something stick-like (a ruler or wooden kitchen spoon work best)
– Something ball-like and soft (bean bag, balled up socks, etc)
– Something ball-like and bouncy (tennis ball is ideal)
– Something to cover one eye (blindfold, bandanna, eye patch)
– Space to move around
– Water to drink

Friday, January 1
12:00-2:00 pm      Jammin’ in Your Jammies: A New Year’s Day Open Mic
Sing a song, read a poem, do a dance… All performances welcome! Enjoy our talented community as we bring this year’s festival to a close.