IU folk dancing fosters togetherness, tells stories

Checking out the Frangipani Room in the Indiana Memorial Union at 7 p.m. Fridays, a passer-by would witness people dancing joyously in a circle to European music.\nAnd it wouldn't be out of the ordinary --just another weekly meeting of the IU International Folkdancers.\nSusan Sutton, an anthropology professor at IU-Purdue University Indianapolis and an expert on modern Greek studies, said folk dances tell stories, often imitate life and capture scenes from various European cultures.\n"(Folk) dancing plays different roles in different settings, and it is always filled with cultural meanings," she said. "... When young people on Paros get together to do the dances, they affirm a sense of community, togetherness and belonging."\nStudents who attend the club meetings said they get a real feel for the companionship the club offers.\n"I enjoy the sense of community," said Emily McFarlin, a graduate student in music and fifth-year IU folk dancer. "Besides sharing in wonderful music and dance together, I value my friendships with the people who are part of the group, including students, professors and community members."\nThe group has been around for 30 years and is made up of faculty, students and Bloomington residents.\n"The group size varies dramatically, but we have a core of about 12 stable dancers," said IU philosophy professor Leah Savion, who has danced with the group for 24 years. "Any Friday can have from 10 to 30 students who show up," Savion said, "and we meet every Friday, rain or shine, all year long."\nFor the first hour the club members do easier dances and leaders teach, then they take requests for the last half of the practice, McFarlin said.\nThe club meets every Friday but has extra rehearsals to prepare for the different performances they put on. Their most recent performances include the Indiana State Fair in Indianapolis and the multicultural festival held here at IU.\n"(A folk) dance is a type of dance you can practice rigorously and still be a novice," Savion said, "because every dance is different."\nBefore a performance, the group practices about 10 dances and selects its best dancers to perform. Usually their dances consist of six to 14 dancers, but Savion said the hardest dances usually only have two dancers. \n"I have been folk dancing since I was a little girl, so I checked that IU had a folk-dance club before I applied to the school," McFarlin said. "This club is a great way to have fun, get some exercise, challenge your feet and meet all sorts of friendly people"