The Greek Orthodox Ministry of Folk Dances and Choral Festivals of Metropolitan San Francisco is dedicated, through the Orthodox Christian community and committed leadership, to promoting, encouraging and perpetuating the Orthodox faith, Greek heritage and culture among the individuals, families and communities express it through folk dance, folk art, music and language.
Following the success of the first two folk dance festivals in 1976 and 1978, on February 10, 1979, a small group of dedicated Greek Orthodox Christians became the first signatories to the original Constitution and Bylaws of the Greek Orthodox Folk Dance and Choir Festival. (DFF) and its governing body. Under the leadership of His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony of blessed memory and Peter Preovolos and his family, FDF has become the largest youth ministry in metropolitan San Francisco.
Over the years, the ministry has expanded with participants from across the United States. This year, the 47th edition of the FDF took place from February 15 to 18. The Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church contingent from Port Washington was the only New York community to make the cross-country trip to participate and had an excellent performance in the competition.
Archangelos Neolea won first place in Division 1, Advanced Intermediate Category, while the community’s youngest winners, Archangelos Eftihia, placed fourth in Division II, Advanced Primary Category.
The community said in a statement to the National Herald that the Archangelos Dance Program at the Greek Orthodox Church in Port Washington, New York, was excited to participate in the FDF in Anaheim, California, on February 16. Program director Zaharoula Zogopoulos led three groups, aged 9 to 18, winning medals for their outstanding performances of traditional dances from Kastoria, Drama, Thasos and Samos. The dancers were accompanied by their talented live musicians Endasi (USA) and The Dimitris Paraschos Brass Band (Greece). Eleni Bapis, P. John Lardas, teachers and parents unequivocally supported their dancers throughout their dance journey.
The Archangel Michael Church Greek Dance Troupe was established in 1999 under the direction of Roula Zogopoulos. From community performances to local and travel competitions, the dance troupe offers children the opportunity to explore their heritage with their peers and meet other Greeks from across the state and country. The Dance Troupe intends to provide students with the opportunity to come together and continue our Hellenic traditions. Zogopoulos creates a safe atmosphere in which the youth of the community are inspired, explore and discover their Hellenic heritage through our rich traditions of dance and music. Students who join the Dance Troupe possess a high level of commitment and dynamism.
The dance troupe generally meets every Saturday throughout the school year and welcomes students ages 5 and up. Children are welcomed and encouraged to participate in competition level groups that perform in various Greek dance competitions held locally and across the country. Please note that competitive groups require additional training per week and additional fees also apply.
For more information, send an email: greekdance@archangelmichaelchurch.org.
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Photo source: Wikimedia Commons License: CC-BY-SA Copyright: Noah Friedlander
