In this section, we try to offer local resources for learning or participating in a variety of art forms. This list is far from complete.

If you’d like to send a listing, please contact us here.

Performances & Workshops Available:

Turkish Folk Music by Feridun Gündeş and/or Haluk Ay. Contact Feridun or Haluk here.

Iranian Folk Dance by Saba Sohail. Contact Saba here.

Sevillanas (Spanish Folk Dance) by Saba Sohail and/or Marcia Farr. Contact Saba or Marcia here.

Armenian Classical Dance by Natalya Nazaryan. Contact Natalie here.

Flamenco by El Ritmo of Columbus, Ohio. Contact Maria Pontones here.

Flamenco by Flamenco del Corazón of Columbus, Ohio. Contact Cindy Stamps here.

Classes and Groups:

Sacred Shimmy Bellydance
Contact: Angie Never
Offering weekly multi-level classes in American Tribal Style bellydance, and
Available for hire for performance
614-223-1383
anever@hotmail.com

Founded in 2002, Sacred Shimmy is a collective of Columbus dancers seeking to inspire dancing, adventure, and creativity in others. We present American Tribal Style Bellydance, a West Coast improvisational dance that draws heavily from the dance cultures of North Africa, India, and the Middle East. Our additional movement interests include Poi (fire-dancing), Bollywood, African dance, and hula hooping. We can often be seen at Comfest, Hot Times, and the International Festival.

 

Majestic Belly Dancing by Fariba
Different styles of belly Dancing & Persian dance
Group or private lessons, discount for students, close to OSU
Tel: (614)459-2990
fariba_e@sbcglobal.net
 

Folclor Hispano
Contact: Arleen Pineda
Pineda.2@osu.edu

http://folclor.org.ohio-state.edu/

Folclor Hispano, a dance group at Ohio State University, strives to learn and present traditional dances of Spanish-speaking countries. Through dance and music members have an opportunity to experience and share with the community the vibrant folkloric expressions of these countries.

 

Spanda - Universal Vibration with Rick Borgia and Reahi Masubuchi
Email: spandamusic@mindspring.com

Web: http://www.freewebs.com/spandamusic/index.htm

SPANDA, a new concept music collective, was established in April of 2006 by Rieah Masubuchi and Rick Borgia. Inspired by the form of Kirtan music – featuring call and response, SPANDA combines contemporary music with ancient mantras to create a new collection of songs, adopting various styles of chant in different languages and from different spiritual traditions.

“I believe that music existed before the first words were spoken and I think music is the language which allows us to communicate with God, or the greatest mind, or the Absolute, whatever one may call it”, says Rieah. In all religions, music is used to praise God. Composed in traditional forms, the words are different from the language we use in our daily lives. “When we sing ancient syllables, there is no attachment that comes with our experience associated with modern language. For example, how about the word God? Or sins? Or prayer, punishment, discipline...? Each one of us has had certain experiences with those words and those experiences can often inhibit us from being free and pure. It’s just a natural reaction we feel about certain words. When we sing the name of the Creator, we simply want to express our gratitude, not to be reminded of past experiences. Singing in different languages opens up a direct path to our hearts.”

SPANDA is more than a concept music band, it is a collective. It consists of singers and musicians, of course, then graphic designers, writers, choreographers, marketing, public relations, accountants, as well as stage managers, crew; lighting, sound engineers, and so on. Each members' unique talents and participation allows SPANDA to perform in the best possible circumstances. SPANDA is a new and unique concept connecting people through spiritual musical discovery. If you would like to be a part of Spanda, contact us to let us know what your talent is!
 

Kirtan with Mike Cohen and Friends
Email: mike@mikecohenkirtan.com

Phone: 614-486-2561
Web: www.mikecohenkirtan.com

Kirtan is a participatory experience of sacred call and response chanting in a group setting that builds deep connection and grounded openness. The roots of Kirtan go back over 500 years to Renaissance India. Chanting is usually done in the ancient language of Sanskrit and is designed to open one's heart and voice. Kirtan creates a joyful mood and is considered, in India, to be one of the surest paths to enlightenment. It's certainly the most fun! No experience is necessary. It's easy to do... anyone can quickly learn to chant.

First Friday Kirtan with Mike Cohen and Friends is an opportunity to be guided into the joy, bliss and fun of Kirtan in a safe and supportive environment. Participants experience an energizing blend of sweet devotional songs and fierce fiery chanting that invoke both masculine and feminine archetypes. As Kirtan recording artist Dave Stringer says, "In Kirtan you don't listen to the music, you are the music." Through drumming, singing and beautiful music, participants will experience increased Shakti (energy) and Bhakti (a heart-opening mood of devotion).
 

First Friday Kirtan with Mike Cohen and Friends take place (no surpise) on the first Friday of each month in 2007 (i.e., February 2, March 2, April 6, May 4, June 1, July 6, August 3, September 7, October 5, November 2 and December 7). There is a $10 suggested donation.

The Kirtan takes place at Broad Street Christian Church, located at #1049 East Broad Street (at 21st Street) in Columbus, just east of I-71 and downtown, a few doors east of the Red Cross. The phone for Broad Street Christian is 614.258.9567. A map can be found at bscc@broadstreetcc.org at the bottom of the webpage.

There is chair seating, floor seating and room for dancing. If you'd like to sit on the floor bring you own gear (i.e, cushions, backjacks, blankets. etc.). Bring percussion instruments as several songs will be open to community drumming.

ABOUT MIKE COHEN
Mike Cohen sings, plays harmonium and drums to lead Kirtan in the style of Krishna Das, Dave Stringer and Jai Uttal. In 2000 he discovered and fell in love with Kirtan while taking his first yoga class. Since then he has taken up singing, playing the harmonium and drumming to lead Kirtan. In 2006 he engaged in study with Grammy Award nominated Kirtan recording artist Jai Uttal. He launched his first Kirtan group in 2004 and hasn’t looked back! In 2006 he launched First Fridays Kirtan with Mike Cohen and Friends where his four piece high-powered Kirtan group leads chants with classic and original music. Mike is passionate about participating, and guiding others, in the heart-opening practice of Kirtan. Learn more at www.mikecohenkirtan.com.

 

Local and Regional Drum Circles and Drumming Events
Send email to Gwen Uetrecht gwenu@copper.net

 

Contra Dancing
What is it? http://www.sbcds.org/contradance/whatis/

Local: Big Scioty Barn Dance & others –
http://www.bigscioty.com/

 

Folk Dancing Resources in Columbus

http://www.folkdancing.org/ohio.html#Columbus

Columbus Folk Dancers
International folk dancing for recreation
Leslie Scott (scott.754@osu.edu) or (614) 262-7248 (H) (614) 267-6305 (W)
http://www.geocities.com/cfd4folkdancing/

 

Flamenco Resources:

 

Dance and Guitar classes and Information:

Maria Pontones, Artistic Director ~ El Ritmo Flamenco Group
Columbus, Ohio
Tel: 614-875-0693

Maria Pontones
While starting to take flamenco lessons with Zurita here in Columbus, Ohio in 1978, I was very lucky to find a flamenco community that was busy developing the art of the juerga (flamenco party – a place for improvisation and learning). The combination of learning about flamenco and how to play with it at the same time was a great introduction to the world of flamenco. Twenty-five years later, the initial group is still having regular juergas. Marija Temo, Joan and Larry Temo, Kristen Temo, Marta Sid Ahmed, Bob Clark, Bruce Catalano, Tom Shepard, Faith Buckle, and I were all blessed to have our own "flamenco godfather," Joe Bubas, who fed us each with bundles of hard-to-find flamenco information (and in the days before the Internet). In Spain, I studied with Téresa Martinez de la Pena, Maria Magdalena Ciro, Merche Esmerelda, Immaculada Águilar, and in America, with Teo Morca, Isábel Morca, María Alba, Victorio, Libby Kimiko Fleming, La Concha, Carlota Santana, Cristina Scott, and Marriano Parra. The flamenco group El Ritmo, of which I am Artistic Director, has been performing throughout Ohio for the past 20 years and continues to do so (when the arthritis isn't flaring up).

Cynthia La Araña Stamps ~ Artistic Director and Pete El Pimentón Cary ~ Musical Director ~ Flamenco del Corazón

We are a group of dancers and musicians dedicated to sharing our love of Flamenco. After witnessing a brilliant live performance in San Francisco’s Sol y Luna Café, we were inspired to form the Flamenco Troupe Quema Fuego. Quema Fuego began with educational presentations through the Artists- in-Schools program which led to appearances at festivals, corporate events and private parties. A common factor in all these events was the question, “Where can I learn Flamenco?” Flamenco del Corazón was created to answer this question. Our group is called Flamenco del Corazón because the first requirement that we expect of ourselves and our students is the giving of one’s heart.

La Araña
“Many dance styles have touched my heart, but Flamenco was the first and only to reach my soul.” La Araña brings her Spanish hertiage to life through the fiery rhythms of Flamenco. Her early training in ballet, jazz and musical theater ultimately led her to study Flamenco with Maria Pontones, La Conja, Mariano Parra, Chiqui Linares, Cihtli Ocampo and Vida Peral.

She sees dance as an expression of the heart and affirmation of the human spirit. La Araña’s love of Flamenco is contagious and brings an irrestible joy to her performing as well as her teaching.

El Pimentón
“Music is a central joy in my life. Flamenco combines raw passion with a demanding technique that will thrill and challenge me for the rest of my days.”

The guitar playing and singing of El Pimentón reflect a lifetime of involvement and dedication to music and the arts. A professional musician for 32 years, El Pimentón is a “guitarist’s guitarist” who has done it all. He comes from a musical family and was formally
trained in theory and composition at OSU School of Music.

Garrett Curtis ~ Classical and Flamenco Guitar Lessons.
1/2 hour or hour lessons; experienced teacher.
In Columbus weeknights. Cincinnati on weekends.
513-310-3535

 

Flamenco near Columbus, Ohio

Ethan Margolis ~ Arte y Pureza (various locations)
Ethan comes from an entire family of musicians. It is this source that has provided him with a profound love and dedication for the creation and performance of musical art Margolis was attracted to flamenco due to its pure essence and its ability to transmit raw, human emotion. Ethan and his group live in Spain, but travel to the United States regularly and give workshops in flamenco music, and dance. Learn about their workshops at http://arteypureza.com/classes/class_descriptions.html or contact Ethan at ethanmargolis@hotmail.com

Maya Tatiana and Mehran Jalili ~ Lucero Flamenco (Chicago, Illinois)
Internationally renowned Flamenco artist, Maya Tatiana has danced with major dance companies in Spain and across the United States. Maya is on staff at several studios and is featured through the Guest Teaching Series at ARCC Ballet. Maya performs regularly at Mason Sabica and is featured in the newly released film, "America Burqa". Contact her at dancemaya@aol.com.
As both a soloist and accompanist, Mehran has performed with Northeastern University’s “Ensemble Espanol,” Azucena Vega Company, “Soul Y Duende,” and “Los Preferidos.” His performance venues have included the Old Town School of Folk Music, Chicago Cultural Center, The Goodman Theatre, The Athenaeum theatre, The Vittum Theatre, Grant and Millenium park, and many colleges and universities.
Currently Mehran is a flamenco guitar instructor, on staff at the Old Town School of Folk Music. Contact him at mehran10@msn.com
 

Weblinks

Here, we’ve tried to offer some links to webpages from the around the world that might pique your interest. This list is by no means complete. We welcome new categories for links as well as links you think would be useful and relevant to this site and the mission of our organization.

If you’d like to submit a new link and/or catgeory, please contact us here.
 

Flamenco:

Flamenco World http://www.flamenco-world.com/

Flamenco.Org http://www.flamenco.org/

Es Flamenco http://www.esflamenco.com/

Don Quijote: Music and Dance http://www.donquijote.org/culture/spain/flamenco/

DC Flamenco http://www.dcflamenco.com/

Flamenco from Andalucía http://www.andalucia.com/flamenco/home.htm

Flamenco Resources for Guitarists http://www.ctv.es/USERS/norman/

Flamenco Connection http://www.flamencoconnection.com/

Flamenco Glossary http://www.flamenco.org/glossary.html

Flamenco Information from Bulería Chuck http://users.aol.com/BuleriaChk/private/flamenco.html

Looking for a local Columbus, Ohio Flamenco resource? Click here

Argentine Tango:

To Tango, a history http://www.totango.net/sergio.html

Columbus Argentine Tango Society http://www.tangocats.com/

Tango OSU http://tango.osu.edu/

Iranian Performing Arts:

Dance in Iran by Robyn Friend http://home.earthlink.net/~rcfriend/danciran.htm

Persian Dance History by Nima Kiann http://artira.com/nimakiann/history/history.htm

Shayda Institute – Iranian Classical Music http://www.shayda.net/

Mahoor Institute of Culture and Art http://www.mahoor.ir/

Tar-Setar Blogspot, compilation of information on music http://www.tar-setar.blogspot.com/

Sima Bina, Iranian folk musician http://www.sima-bina.com/

Kereshmeh Records, your link to the world of Persian music http://www.kereshmeh.com/index.html

Mohammad Reza Shajarian, Iranian classical musician http://www.opus125.org/shajarian/

Kamkars, Kurdish musicians of Iran http://www.kamkars.net/

Azerbaijan International’s Interview with Hossein Alizadeh http://www.azer.com/aiweb/categories/magazine/54_folder/54_articles/54_alizadeh.html

Atlas of Music; Azerbaijani Ethnic Music http://atlas.musigi-dunya.az/atlas/

Turkish Music:

A fairly long article about music in Turkey http://www.byegm.gov.tr/REFERENCES/turkishmusic2001.htm 

Classical Turkish music in the Ottoman period   http://www.turkmusikisi.com/osmanli_musikisi/the_ottoman_music.htm

Articles on Turkish music http://www.lesartsturcs.org/music/index.html

Brief overview of classical Turkish music
http://www.turkishculture.org/pages.php?ChildID=474&ParentID=7&ID=31&ChildID1=474

Classical and folk music of Turkey with samples
http://www.ottomansouvenir.com/Music/Ottoman_and_Anatolian_Folk_Songs.htm

Biographies of those who have Rendered Services to the Classical Turkish Music
http://www.library.cornell.edu/colldev/mideast/turkmus.htm

Description of the instruments used in Turkish folk music  http://www.discoverturkey.com/english/kultursanat/b-h-calgi.html

Personal webpage of Tahir Aydoğdu, a famous kanun player http://www.tahiraydogdu.com

The most comprehensive website on the ney, including a sizable collection of sheet music http://www.neyzen.com/ 

Webpage of Turkish folk music group: http://www.kardesturkuler.com

A website devoted to the baglama http://www.sazmania.co.uk/

Muammer KETENCOĞLU’s site; information on Greek, Balkan, Central Asian, and much more music http://www.muammerketencoglu.com/index02.html

Online streaming Turkish music http://emuzik.kultur.gov.tr/
An old, and somewhat disorganized website, but there are a lot of samples of almost every genre of Turkish music http://www.turkishmusic.org/

One of the best record companies in Turkey, which specializes in various, often neglected, genres of Turkish music. http://kalan.com/