Soka Festival a Traditional Celebration of Summer

George Hlavka took a seat to rest after dancing contra--in which couples form long lines and change partners after each dance--under a tent at Soka University.

“It’s very fast and you have to remember what comes next and you keep forgetting,” said Hlavka, 78, of Santa Monica. “But you get back into it in a minute.”

Contra dancing was just one of the activities at the Summer Solstice Folk Music, Dance and Storytelling Festival on Saturday. Other activities at the 18th annual event, sponsored by the California Traditional Music Society, included Irish step-dancing and workshops on singing and playing instruments.

The three-day festival, which ends today, is expected to draw 6,000 people.

Susan Michaels, a caller during the contra dancing, said the New England-style of dancing is easy to learn, especially for guys.

“Men don’t lead. There’s no pressure to be the one who knows what he’s doing,” the Shadow Hills woman said. She added that contra should be danced only to live music. “I’d rather hum than play a record. It’s in the tradition of homemade fun.”

Around the campus, small groups of musicians jammed under the trees, with banjos, violins and guitars. Signs next to performing groups encouraged outside musicians to join the playing.

“How many places can you go to, where you get instrumental, voice, dance and theater?” Elizabeth Ballard, 42, of Panorama City said. “There’s no other festival like it. I’ve never seen one where there were classes.”

During one class, people struggled with the didjeridu, an Australian wind instrument shaped like a long wooden pipe. It’s played rhythmically and makes a droning sound.

Instructor Grahm Doe, wearing a leather hat, told the students it takes practice to learn to play the instrument, thought to be 30,000 years old.

“It’s an instrument that takes a lifetime to master,” said Doe, 27, of Anaheim. “You got to keep those lips buzzing. Never let the lips stop.”

Jessica Schlenz of Brea in Orange County, said she decided to try to play the didjeridu after being enticed by its sound on CD recordings. But it wasn’t easy for Schlenz, who is a musician.

“I can’t get the basic drone,” Schlenz, 18, said. “I’m about to pass out here.”

People also were drawn to the traditional Bolivian dances of Cueca and Huayno. A line of men and women holding hands moved quickly in a circle on a wooden floor on the grass under a tent. The dance is done at parties, weddings and baptisms, instructor Luis Torres said.

“It’s happy and romantic,” said Torres, 34, of Panorama City. “You just follow the leader.”

When the dancing stopped, Patt McDaniel of Ojai said she enjoyed the workout. “I don’t even notice I’m getting exercise,” she said, “and people are always nice and happy.”