Taree's Lazarka Folk Dancing opens eyes to new cultures

More so, she loves sharing her ability and knowledge with others. 

Founder of the Manning Valley’s Lazarka Folk Dancing group, Sandra leads the group for performances at nursing homes and events like the Taree World Food Fair.

“Folk dancing is different to other types of dance,” Sandra said. 

“It’s a lot of interplay between rhythm and footwork.” 

The Lazarka Folk Dancing repertoire is international with an emphasis on the Balkans and beyond. 

This includes dances from Greece, Serbia, Croatia, Romania, Hungary, Turkey, Armenia, Bulgaria and Russia.

“Dancing introduces people to other cultures and opens them up to learning more about a country’s history, customs, food and way of life,” Sandra said. 

Sandra is a Folk Dance Australia accredited teacher and also has a background in classical ballet.  

She regularly teaches workshops in Sydney as part of Folk Dance Australia – an organisation she has been involved since its early beginnings in 1989. 

Sandra said folk dancing is a community activity and traditionally dances were performed in villages as a way of marking different aspects of life like the joy of harvesting and the sadness of grief. 

At 2BOB’s Taree World Food Fair Lazarka Folk Dancing performed Russian folk dances in to the music of the Raduga Trio led by Nina Kharkoz.

“People like being involved with the group for the sheer enjoyment of dancing,” Sandra said.

“It’s not confronting – it’s participatory first and performative second.”

Folk dances are performed in a circle, with no partner needed.

Sandra welcomes all ages to her classes. 

Classes take place on Monday at 5pm and Thursday at 9am at Community of Christ Hall, High Street, Taree. 

For more information contact Sandra on 6552 5142.