'Nou Pois Äläud' celebrates FIVE years!
Update #261
From Montreal and Ottawa, from Pennsylvania and Kentucky, dancers of all experience levels, ranging in age from 6 to 80 gathered yet again at Jõekääru Estonian Children's Camp in Udora, Ontario to dance in Estonian Arts Centre's 5th annual "Nou Pois Äläud" weekend Estonian folk dance retreat.
Inspired by the KESKfEST Valguspidu "Läbi päeva ja öö" (read more here), a number of new faces joined in to dance at NPÄ-5. Twelve new participants across 3 generations joined NPÄ for the first time!
In total, over 45 registrants brought an electric buzz that only a multi-generation-spanning crew can muster. Welcoming kids aged 6 to 12 and teens aged 13 to 17 changed the entire game—injecting the weekend with high-voltage energy, plenty of laughs, and just the right touch of signature teen sass alongside the fresh air, great food, and easy camaraderie.
Back for her fifth year from Ottawa, dancer Julia Vedom says: "It's as though I don’t have a choice in the matter— I'm addicted to NPÄ! The women's energy and vibe is magic. NPÄ has become my annual charging station. I know that if I don't come, my batteries will drain immediately. So yes, I'm one of those who has attended all five (plus Tantsutalgud earlier this year in preparation for Valguspidu) and it's a matter of survival, I can't miss it!”
Twelve dancers have made it all five years, and celebrated its first "kandiline juubel" (anniversary ending with a '5') with a birthday cake:
Celebrating five years, with NPÄ founder Ellen Valter presenting the no-nutrition indulgence, left, and right, attendees of all five NPÄs: Julia Vedom, Viktoria Hallikäär, Maarika Merirand, Raja Raudsepp, Emily Burgis, Ellen Valter, Elin Marley, Johanna Helin, Aime Olup & Marika Järvet. Missing are Mai Rebane & Viive Tork-Hiis. Photos: Mari Vihuri
To keep the momentum rolling (ha! see rolling pins further below), NPÄ's guest instructors flew in straight from Estonia to lead the charge. Veteran coach Marika Järvet again teamed up with Ave Anslan (her 4th NPÄ) and Agne Kurrikoff-Herman (her 3rd) to split the 40-plus dancers into three focused, dynamic crews: one tailored for the energetic youth and two dedicated women’s groups, each taking on distinct choreography. All joined together to perform several pieces together.
Evenings meant sauna and camaraderie and this year's special activities included belly dance instruction (Maarika Merirand) and a yoga session (Claudia Hamilton, Country Charm Yoga Studio).
Photos: Emily Burgis and Ellen Valter
Rehearsals culminating in local performance
All generations perform together for many of the dances and each group has their own chance to shine!
Ideal weather, for a fifth year running for NPÄ, meant that dancers savoured the road to performance. The instructors' choreography allowed each group to shine with their own dances. Friends, families and Jõekääru locals gladly came out to watch the performance on Sunday, and stayed for lunch al fresco.
New this year: rolling pins!
And some more photos from an exceptional performance:
Dancers nourished and supported
Dancers were well cared for on the nourishment side - after four years, Katrin Kütti-Otsa retired and passed the Chief Gourmet Officer baton to Angie Crossman who was supported by cheerful duo of Anneli Segura and Laine Nõmmik.
Thanking kitchen volunteers Angie Crossman, Laine Nõmmik & Anneli Segura Photos: E, Valter, P, Põldre
And, has become tradition, a poem of here-and-now gratitude is penned by a table of dancers and recited by all after each meal, to thank the kitchen team:
Photos: Ellen Valter
Mothers/aunts-daughters/nieces are becoming a common theme at NPÄ, and this year was no different:
NPÄ brings dancers from near and far, here are the attendees from the USA:
Every year, rookies receive a 'frequent flyer' punch card, such that on completion of the third year, the dancer receives a pin and the 10th NPÄ will be free!
A heartfelt thanks goes to Ellen who founded NPÄ and volunteers to organize the event on behalf of Estonian Arts Centre, to Elin, Maarika & Emily for stepping up to help, all of the volunteer helpers on site, to Estonian Arts Centre who presents this annual retreat, and to sponsors Estonian Students Fund in USA, Estonian Foundation of Canada, And without the dedicated instructors, there would be no NPÄ - aitäh!
Dancers are preparing for the next dance extravaganzas: keep abreast of plans by signing up for the KESKUS newsletter here so that you'll be sure to be the first to know of the next dance steps!
All photos by Peeter Põldre unless otherwise indicated.
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