CLASSES
Youth Dancing
Taneční Mládež and Taneční Teens (Dancing Youth and Teens)
Taneční Mládež is Czech and Slovak Sokol Minnesota’s children’s folk dance group. Dancers may begin to participate from 4 years old through 5th grade. In 6th grade they may choose to remain in the TM group for one more year or move up to the Teen group.
We perform for community events during the year, including Sokol Czech and Slovak Day in the fall, our Children’s Holiday Party in December, and the Sokol Sibrinky dance in the spring. We have also been asked to dance at other special events including the visit of the Czech Prime Minister in April of 2016, and President Vaclav Havel during his visit to Minnesota in 1999!
Taneční Teens
Our teen dancers move on to many more difficult dances from the Czech and Slovak Republics. Most of the teenagers stay in the teen group from 6th grade until they graduate high school. In doing so they fill the gap between the children’s group and the adult dance group, the St. Paul Czech and Slovak Folk dancers!
Kroj (Folkdress)
Children and teens wear authentic costumes that represent many areas of the Czech or Slovak Republics. Kroje are provided for our dancers by Czech and Slovak Sokol Minnesota. There is a $10 per year rental fee per kroj so that they may be cleaned and cared for and remain available for the children as they grow.
Instruction
Dance is taught by Louise Wessinger. Louise, formerly an elementary school teacher, who taught aerobics for 28 years, is a long-time Sokol member, and also directs and performs with the adult St. Paul Czech and Slovak Folk Dancers. Louise began this group in 1990, starting with 12 dancers and a few authentic kroje. During the last 26 years over 200 plus children have been part of this group. Louise has several assistants now who help her with group activities.
Practice
Practice is usually held on Saturday mornings from September to May at the historic C.S.P.S. Hall in St. Paul’s West End. To be ready for performances, practice times and dates may vary. Our practices are one hour in length and are offered at times that accommodate the Ceska a Slovenska Skola (The Czech and Slovak School of the Twin Cities) which also meets on Saturday mornings.
Membership Information
Annual activity fee per child is $35.00 per year. There is a maximum of $75.00 per family. Children and teens whose parents or grandparents are Sokol members are free. Kroje rental must be paid by all dancers who borrow costumes.