SAFDF celebrates its 68th year as a festival, with special guests, Tineke and Maurits van Geel and Andy Taylor. Enjoy a weekend of workshops. We invite you to OLLU -Our Lady of the Lake University March 22-24, 2026 for a fun, international folk dance weekend filled with fabulous workshops and parties. It all happens at the top floor of the MARC building, and is held in cooperation with the IFCC – International Folk Culture Center.

SAFDF offers more than  great workshops. It’s all about the community gathering to dance, share great meals, and enjoy the late night dance parties. It’s the opportunity to dance to the live music of Slavadillo, incredible performances, and dance on a huge, sprung wooden dance floor. Enjoy old dance friends, and make new friends while we dine together at some of San Antonio’s best restaurants. At our 68th annual festival, we continue these long-held traditions.

We are hosting Tineke (Armenia and beyond) and Maurits (Roma, Dutch and beyond) and Andy Taylor (Carpathian and International).   We will start off the weekend on Friday night dancing alongside all three teachers. It’s a great introduction to what we will learn throughout the weekend. This is Tineke and Maurits’ last visit to Texas, so this SAFDF is truly an opportunity for all of us to enjoy them. Andy Taylor will be teaching Carpathian dances she taught at Stockton, along with other international dances. This weekend at SAFDF is your opportunity to be exposed to a variety of international dance styles.

When: March 22-24, 2026

Doors open Friday night at 7pm with a dance party that lasts until midnight!

The Dance Venues

Friday Night:

St. Sophia’s Greek Orthodox Church – this year, we start the weekend with our Friday night kicking off party that includes dinner at Demo’s Greek Restaurant at 5:30pm and dancing in the main Hall of St. Sophia’s Greek Orthodox Church right across the street starting at 7pm. St. Sophia’s Greek Orthodox Church has a thriving Greek dancing community of its own. They have opened up their church to welcome SAFDF for our Friday Night festivities!

Those who reserve a dorm room will stay Friday night at OLLU campus in close proximity to the restaurant and the church. Dorm rooms are within walking distance of the workshops. So reserve your dorm room today!

Saturday 

Saturday workshops and evening party – Doors open at 9:00am with breakfast and the dance party lasts until 11pm. A live band and performances are planned for the party.

Sunday workshops and Afterparty:

Sunday dancing – Doors open at 9:00 am with breakfast and workshops, followed by dance workshops until Sunday afternoon.  The party continues with eating, dancing and a tribute to Tineke and Maurits.  We will plan a special Sunday evening at a local restaurant for another 3 hours of eating. dancing and laughter!

We are planning a special party after the workshops end Sunday afternoon. Stay tuned for more information about how we want to honor our special visitors, Tineke and Maurits! There may even be a surprise guest or two that we know from way back. It will be a magnificent dinner with lots of dancing and memories!

San Antonio City – experience the culture

OLLU is located just 4 miles west of downtown San Antonio. Take time to visit the Riverwalk during one of our breaks or stay an extra day to take in the beauty of San Antonio’s famous sites like the Alamo. Many of our dancers go to the El Mercado (just 2 miles from OLLU) to shop for clothes, decorations and other specialties from south of the border.

March is the ideal time to experience San Antonio. The weather is typically between 60 and  85 degrees, and many of our out of state friends want to escape from the cold weather to enjoy some warm days of fun in the sun!

Registration  – Is now open! Register today to secure your dorm room! safdf.org/workshops

Information –  about the teachers and to register go to: safdf.org/workshops

Questions or to sign up for our email blasts –  email: gro.fdfas@ofni