Roberta Kulik will teach a holiday line and round dance workshop at 11 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 12, at the Oak Park Arms, 408 S. Oak Park Ave. She will teach user friendly steps and choreography.
Knowledge of traditional folk dancing is limited and fragmented with the first depictions dating back to 1450, in Italy. The “carol” is the most documented form of dance during the Middle Ages which consisted of a group of dancers holding hands. This was usually done in a circle with the participants dancing while singing in a leader and refrain style. As the dancers in the circle held hands, the general progression was to the left with simple steps.
A dance in Germany called “Reigen” is thought to have originated from early Christian festivals. This dance was performed around the church or a fire, and the leader provided the verse while other dancers supplied the chorus.
Circle dances around trees in the village were also popular in the area that today is the Czech Republic. In Poland the earliest village dances were in circles or lines accompanied by the clapping and singing of participants.
Oak Park Arms Senior Living is a rental retirement community which provides senior housing in the form of independent living. Furnished apartments are also available for a short-term stay – a weekend, a week, a month or longer.
The workshop is free and open to the public. For more information call 708-386-4040.
