Karikázó, 1981. július - 1982. április (7. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)

1981-07-01 / 1. szám

c o n t' d. f r om p • 3 Fekete Fold Ensemble has been experiencing problems with membership. It is difficult to attract dedicated members with a true interest in folk dancing. About half our members are non-Hungarian, yet they have acquired a love of Hungarian folk dancing. Our plans at present are uncertain. Despite the fact that Diana knows a great many dances and despite the advantage of live music and dedicated members, the small size of the dance group is a drawback that limits what we can do. (The group at the last concert consisted of seven dancers and three musicians.) We remain optimistic, however, and will continue our work.# Géza Waller Csángó Héjsza (Photo by Conrad Stenton) ^ KA'LMÄN MAGYAR, DIR. OF "HUNGÁRIA" ENSEMBLE RECEIVES CHOREOGRAPHIC GRANT Kalman Magyar has been awarded a $ 3.000 grant by the National Endowment for the Arts / Dance Program, Washington D.C. This Choreographic Fellowship is not only a recognition to Kalman who is the dance director of the Hungária Folk Dance Ensemble for almost 20 years, but it is also an important step in the life of the ensemble. The fellowship is very competitive and it is only awarded to individuals who can demonstrate that their planned choreography will be an important contribution to the dance life of the United States. Therefore, the award demonstrates that NEA recognizes folk dances as an important part of the total United States dance culture. This is significant to the hundreds of practicing international and ethnic folk dance ensembles all over *he United Stat_" * ’ *■ are only in contact with folk dance groups who perform Hungarian dances, we estimate that they are close to 100 in number. If we consider all other ethnic groups we could easily estimate over a thousand. Yet in most cases ensembles are not seen by the general public and mostly perform within their own community. Some of these groups are on an almost professional level and certainly they should deserve more recognition. In Europe, especially in Hungary, folk dancing is considered equal to ballet or modern dance. In the United States ballet has really become popular in the last few years. Modern dance is widely recognized as an important American art form. Folk dancing on the other hand is not thought of as a serious professional, but rather as an amateur activity. Some ensembles (i.e. Aman, Tammies, "Bringham Young" University, etc.) were successful at building a favorable reputation, however they are not equal to professional modern dance or ballet companies. This may be highlighted by opening up any U.S. dance publication. There is hardly mention about ethnic or folk dance. On the other hand, the Hungarian dance publication "Táncművészet" allocates space 50/50 to ballet, modern dance and folk dance. Therefore, folk dance ensembles should take their mission more seriously and folk dance choreographers must work diligently to elevate performing folk dance to a respected professional status in the United States. The Choreographic Fellowship received by Kalman Magyar should be an assisting tool in popularizing ethnic folk dance in America and permit a better understanding of this art form by the general public. Many ensembles which perform Hungarian folk dances are asked to present one representative Hungarian dance during a festival or performance. This may be due to the lack of time or due the requirements of the show. However, this "one" dance is usually a rep r es.pn t a t i ve of a specific regional dance cycle.* Hence, it is somewhat of a one-sided presentation of Hungarian folk dancelore. For example, a "Széki Cycle", although very exciting and enjoyable to the performers or the viewers, really represents only one specific narrow example of Hungarian folk dance. Kálmán Magyar's grant - supported choreographic work will try to fulfill the need for a choreography which will attempt to exhibit dances .from several regions of Hungary and it is hoped that a well rounded representation of Hungarian folk dancelore will resu it. Essentially, the plan calls for three separate choreographic works from the three major dialects of Hungarian dance as it can be classified by Dr.György Martin. These dances will be of three different levels in difficulty as we 11,and are planned to follow the authentic dance cycle pattern. The plan calls for the work to be performed by the Hungária Folk Dance Ensemble and video taped. Musical recording and the video tape will be made available to folk dance ensembles throughout the U.S. The total project is targeted to be completed in several years. Once the plan is implemented, it will make it easy for ensembles to learn the choreography because it will be supported by video tape, a publication and a complete recording. We hope that this grant award will encourage other individuals, who are choreographers of Hungarian and other ethnic dances to apply for grant support either to their local agency or to the National Endowment for the Arts. Federal or state financial support is essential to the success of any important art project since this brings recognition and allows for "seed" money which will help to successfully undertake the project. Those who intend to learn about assistance to dance ensembles, choreographers, etc., should write and ask for guidelines to the National Endowment for the Arts/ Dance Program, 2401 E Street, 1WV, Washington, DC 20506.# J.Magyar

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