Tapestry Folkdance Center and City of St. Paul Parks & Recreation present
Dancing in the Park
Tuesdays | June 3-July 8 | 6-8pm
Harriet Island - Wigington Pavilon Patio, St. Paul
Event will happen rain or shine! If there is rain the event will be moved into the Harriet Island Pavilion.
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
June 3: Cumbia with Jimi Parker & live music from the Chico Chavez Orchestra
June 10: Nordic Dances with Jaana Tuttila & live music from Lauluaika
June 17: International Folk Dances with Gina Bonsignore & live music from Orkestar Bez Ime
June 24: English Country Dance with Midge Olsen & live music from Curtsy Chord
July 1: Contra Dance with David Kirchner & live music from Northern Aire
July 8: Family Dance with Robin Nelson & Musicians
Participating Instructors, Callers and Musicians
Jimi Parker
CHICO CHAVEZ ORCHESTRA
Jaana Tuttila
Lauluaika
Orkestar Bez Ime
Midge Olsen
Northern Aire
Robin McGalliard Nelson
Robin Nelson
June 3: Cumbia
Jimi Parker (Jimi Jimi) is a dancer and instructor who has traveled extensively throughout Mexico studying Spanish and Dance. He has taught for Social Dance Studio, Tapestry Folkdance Center, and others.
CHICO CHAVEZ ORCHESTRA – The Kings of Cumbia - is a fine Twin Cities orchestra created and directed by World Master percussionist and drummer Chico Chavez.
His creative and innovative techniques are the result of many years of music experiences and performances. Mr. Chavez dedication in learning and exploring music roots and world rhythms are reflected in his unique sound. Mr. Chico Chavez music director, is backed by top-tier professional musicians from Minnesota. The orchestra plays top-notch tropical grooves from all over Latin America featuring the eclectic, alternative and versatile CUMBIA.
Follow Chico Chavez Orchestra on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.
June 10: Nordic Dances
Jaana Tuttila comes to Minnesota from the Pacific Northwest. She was first introduced to Scandinavian music through Swedish and Norwegian community bands and events in Poulsbo, Washington, and then was later introduced to Finnish music at a Finn Hall concert in her home town. She was taken by the old Finn Hall style of music and dance, and began learning traditional nordic dances with the local Scandinavian dance group. Jaana eventually moved to Minnesota and now plays bass and nyckelharpa with Lauluaika, Finn Hall, and the Twin Cities Nyckelharpalag. She dances with the Kisarit Finnish American Folk Dancers and teaches Finnish folk dances and mixers at Lauluaika events.
Lauluaika, Finnish for "Song Time," is a group of musicians who share a passion for singing and playing Finnish folk tunes for audiences who enjoy dancing or listening. Their repertoire includes Finnish couples dances such as waltzes, polkas, humppa, jenkka (schottische), masurkka, and hambo, as well as lively group dances for all ages to enjoy.
Visit thier website at: www.lauluaika.com or check them out on Facebook.
June 17: International Folk Dances
Gina Bonsignore & live music from Orkestar Bez Ime
Orkestar Bez Ime, meaning “orchestra without a name” in Bulgarian, was formed in 2002 to recreate the sounds of the village with a presentation as festive as the music itself. Focusing on Eastern Europe and music of the Rom (“Gypsy”) people, OBI’s repertoire reaches from Albania to Ukraine, with plenty of stops in between. Orkestar Bez Ime is a winner of the 2011-2012 McKnight Artist Fellowships for Performing Musicians administered by MacPhail Center for Music and a recipient of a 2012 Minnesota Emerging Composers Award from the American Composers Forum.
OBI is: Colleen Bertsch, Scott Keever, Matt Miller, Katrina Mundinger, Natalie Nowytski, and Eric Ray.
June 24: English Country Dance
Caller Midge Olsen & live music from Curtsy Chord
Curtsy Chord is comprised of members Hollie Benton on piano, Suki Sun on fiddle, Amber Bathke on flute, Tim Parke-Reimer on guitar, and Sara Ong on the other fiddle. Based in and around the Twin Cities, they run amok in various folk circles as dancers and musicians who came together to share their love of playing music for English country dancing.
July 1: Contra Dance
David Kirchner & live music from Northern Aire
Northern Aire: There’s a fresh breeze blowing out on the prairie: Northern Aire combines the driving fiddle of Tim Reese (Pigs Eye Landing) with Pat O’Loughlin's banjo and concertina (Contratopia) plus guitar/piano/squeezebox from Bob Walser. Together they stretch the boundaries of Northern (Scots, Irish, Quebecois and Old Time) dance music with improvisation and creativity. For Northern Aire the fun is all about connecting with the dancers: their music is the invisible link that can unite a room into an explosion of joy. Find them on Facebook here.
July 8: Family Dance
Robin Nelson with musicians
Robin McGalliard Nelson delights in leading people of all abilities in traditional folk dance and song! She has over 25 years of experience calling dances and song leading for all kinds of gatherings, including regularly teaching at Tapestry Folkdance Center and experience as artist in residence in the public schools. With her relaxed and easy-to-follow teaching, Robin strives to help build connections and create a joyful community wherever people gather – either on the dance floor or to raise voices in song.