Folk Dancing the Night Away

Wondering how to work up a big Thanksgiving dinner appetite--or work off some calories before that festive holiday meal? You might try the Valley Cities Jewish Community Center’s second Israeli Dance Marathon on Wednesday.

Led by folk-dance instructor David Dassa, the event starts at 8 p.m. and continues until dawn. The entertainment starts with basic folk-dance instruction followed by lessons for intermediate and advanced groups. Helping Dassa teach will be his father, Dani Dassa, a famous Israeli choreographer who has created more than 50 popular Israeli folk dances.

Founder of Cafe Danssa in West Los Angeles, Dani Dassa, 63, worked with Martha Graham’s dance company in the 1950s before dedicating his career to folk dance. Since retiring seven years ago, the elder Dassa has limited his public appearances, so the marathon will be a rare opportunity to learn from this folk-dance master.

After the lessons, there will be open dancing. Among the more than 100 dances to be presented are some of the newest and hottest ones imported directly from Israel. David Dassa, 31, who made a trip to that country last month, says he has added about 20 of the latest dances to his repertoire.

In addition to a variety of Israeli dances, there also will be other folk dances offered throughout the evening, including American folk dancing, the limbo and stick dances from the Philippines.

During breaks in the marathon dancing, there will be folk-dance performances by a youth group from Brandeis-Bardin Institute, a sing-along and a bagel buffet.

“Folk dancing is a very social thing,” Dassa said. “You get to interact with people in a very warm, friendly environment.” Last year, 400 dancers attended.

For the past 14 years, Dassa has taught folk dance at temples, colleges and community centers. Because Israeli folk dance is constantly changing--with new music and dances introduced every month--interest is continually sparked. “Whatever is hot internationally influences Israeli dance,” he explained. So some Israeli music sounds quite similar to songs from our own pop charts, while other dances have strong Latin rhythms.

In Israel, as well as in Southern California, the popularity of Israeli folk dance is on the increase, Dassa said. The majority of participants range in age from 20 to 40; Dassa’s marathons attract families with young children as well. “Folk dance is a form of dance that all the people can do,” he says. “I tell people, if you can walk, you can dance.”

Israeli Dance Marathon begins at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Valley Cities Jewish Community Center, 13164 Burbank Blvd., Van Nuys. Admission: $10. Call: (818) 786-6310.