Twenty years ago, a University of Wisconsin ethnic dance
group had a Christmas party in January. The event evolved into Madison?s Folk
Ball festival, an exchange of tradition through singing classes, dance
workshops and all night live-music parties.

The festival, sponsored by the Madison Folk Dance Club,
lasts Friday through Sunday in the Memorial Union, as hundreds of folk
enthusiasts and UW students participate in cultural events from Balkan singing
to Argentine Tango.

Daytime events include instruction in traditional forms of
dance and a singing workshop.At
night, festival-goers will congregate in the Great Hall for international music
and dance.

?Sometimes Americans tend to think of dancing as something
you do by yourself in your own little spot,? said Michael Kuharski, who calls
himself the event?s architect. ?That is one way to respond to music, but
traditional village dances often emphasize dancing the same way as your
neighbors and say the same thing at the same time.?

According to Kuharski, Folk Ball?s main crowd has background
in traditional dance, but he assures newbies will leave grinning. After
first-timers warm up to the styles and different approaches to music, it
becomes a harmonious environment for all, he said.

The event begins Friday with Contra Dance lessons and a
musicians? jam, in which anyone can join in on the music before a handful of
featured artists take the stage. The weekend lineup includes 13 local, national
and international acts.

Some groups play traditional music while others, like local
favorites Reptile Palace Orchestra, add a modern twist, according to Chris
Alfeld, former president of the Madison Folk Dance Club.

The dancing is also a mix of old and new, as Folk Ball aims
to merge modern styles with traditional dancing, Alfeld said. ?There?s a
balance between the dancing in a broad cross-cultural dance form and the goal
of being authentic,? he added.

When Alfeld first attended Folk Ball five years ago, he
joined in on a Saturday night dance line despite some hesitance as a newcomer.
The majority of attendees show up for the parties, but workshops throughout the
day are beginner-friendly ways to learn the dances, he said.

?I wandered in and stayed a half-hour, and the next thing I
knew I?m cleaning up at 2 a.m.,? Alfeld said. ?I stumbled through the night
with little idea of what was going on, but I had a lot of fun. Try to keep up
and do your best, and people will be very welcoming.?

A typical dance workshop involves around 150 people in a
large circle around an instructor, according to Nancy Yugo, who has helped
coordinate the event for years. Many traditional styles emphasize group dancing
like line dances, where participants are connected holding hands or belts.

Kuharski admitted harmonies and dissonance can arise when
combining various traditions, but said more often the mix results in a unique
combination of cultures. This is where world music?a growing part of Folk
Ball?originates, he said.

?Dynamics are
at work here,? Kuharski said. ?If a Cajun band is playing, the natural thing to
do is Cajun dances. ? If you?re used to doing the waltz, sometimes you can
match your music to the dance and make it work.?

The event is free, although donations are suggested at the
door and after workshops.

?Just come give it a try and see what you like,? Kuharski
said. ?A lot of people come in curious and see what the event really is, and
you see them start smiling and jumping in some lines. They realize the dances
are actually pretty exciting.?