BULGARIAN DANCE IN SEATTLE: FIELD STUDIES AMONG THE INTERNATIONAL FOLK DANCE COMMUNITY IN GREATER SEATTLE

This paper investigates the origin and the nature of the Bulgarian dance repertoire in Seattle as introduced to the International folk dance community in the 1960-70s. The popularity of Bulgarian dance in Seattle is viewed in its relationship to the Balkan fascination in the States during these years. In addition to the examination of the recreational Balkan repertoire of music and dance the paper traces the impact of Koleda (1966-1974) and Radost (1976-) folk ensembles in disseminating Bulgarian repertoire. Historical -anthropological and ethnochoreological perspectives are applied in this field study, part of a larger, ongoing research on Bulgarian dance in the United States.