This website design was made possible, in part, by the generous award from the Multicultural Arts Program of the California Arts Council.  This agency is dedicated to fostering the diversity of artistic participation, expression, and presentation for culturally specific arts groups. 

The California Arts Council funding provided support to the Modesto Greek Folk Dancers  for 3 major events:  

Greek Dance Symposium conducted October 26-28, 2001.

Because of CAC, the Modesto Greek Folk Dancers employed  superlative musicians, dancers, and costume experts to help the dance group learn new dances and music for a region of Greece not previously studied or danced.  The dance group enhanced its knowledge of dance, music, and costume by learning from a master artist from Chios Island, Greece.  This is a region in Greece that the group has added to its repertoire of dance. The symposium was attended by 127 dancers and teachers from 4 states (California, Massachusetts, Texas, Washington) and 3 countries (USA, Greece, Canada.

Greek Experience Exhibition at the McHenry Museum held October 14 through November 17, 2001.

The Modesto Greek Folk Dancers performed at the artistic, cultural, and historical exhibit at the McHenry Museum, paying tribute to the Greek immigrants and Greek Americans who contribute to the rich diversity of the Central Valley of California.  The exhibition gave prominence to traditional dance and the handiwork of authentic regional dress to adults and children, including dance performances and lessons in Greek folk dance for children and young groups.  This exhibition was attended by 2100 people, including elementary and secondary school classes organized by teachers, Boy Scouts and Girl Scout groups, and other community groups and individuals.

Greek Folk Dance performance at the Hildegard Festival of Women in the Arts held at California State University, Stanislaus March 22, 2003.

The Hildegard von Bingen Festival of Women in the Arts, March 20-22, 2003, California State University, Stanislaus provides a forum for celebrating the work on women in the arts.  Musicians, arts, and poets perform original works, provide historical information and current trends, and present research and creative works to other scholars, artists, and the general public.  As part of this festival, the Modesto Greek Folk Dancers presented a workshop and performance of original creations of dance from various regions of Greece.  Historically accurate regional variations as reflected in Greek costume and the role of women in traditional Greek costume design and creation were highlighted.

For more information on the California Arts Council (CAC), please visit:
http://www.cac.ca.gov/