Marina Bear; The heart, soul, and creative engine of Bay Area Circle Dance has flown. Her dance choreography is enjoyed throughout our international community. She had a special gift for memorable and meaningful dances. And a talent for weaving community together. Her personal anthem and dance during her scoliosis surgery years : Be like a bird. Just this last year she discovered a new set of wings and created an amazing collection of seated dances. For step sheets and more info click here
be like a bird
who halting in her flight
on a limb too slight
feels it give way beneath her
yet sings, sings
knowing she has wings
yet sings, sings
knowing she has wings
be like a bird
who halting in her flight
on a limb too slight
feels it give way beneath her
yet sings, sings
knowing she has wings
yet sings, sings
knowing she has wings
John Bear (1938-2026) first circle danced in Glastonbury, England in 1984. and established the first circle dance group in California with Marina in 1985. the poem below is by Devora
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Sally Sommer
March 26, 1934 - December 26, 2024 
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We have lost a bright heart and pillar of Hillside Sacred Circle Dance Sally Sommer died suddenly of a heart attach on the 26th of December, dancing and active into her 91st year. Cocek lover, always good for a cozy conversation, sender of El Cerrito 2nd Sunday email notices, BACD meeting facilitator and copy editor extraordinaire. She shared her experience and expertise generously with the BACD board, she chaired our meetings with grace and skill and danced enthusiastically with us for more than 30 years We will miss her terribly - Every Cocek will carry her spirit |
Howard Siegel
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Dorothy Ann Duff Brown
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In the Spring of 1985, the first circle dance weekend ever in North America was advertised in Berkeley, California. Among the attendees were Laura and Howard Siegel: she looking enthusiastic and he looking as if his arm had been vigorously twisted. But by the end of the first day, in the terminology of that time, Howard had blissed out. The chemical engineer that he was was already fading away and the circle dancer was emerging. We started dancing every Friday, and Howard hardly missed a session for twenty years. He became an excellent teacher, an efficient organizer, and a splendid evangelist. He was instrumental in finding the current East Bay dance venue at Hillside Church, and in starting the tradition of summer dance camps at Far Horizons in the Sierras. When the long drive from Pacifica to Berkeley became too much, he started his own group in Pacifica, which thrives today. His farewell evening in Berkeley attracted one of the largest crowds we've ever had. He is sorely missed.
--John Bear, a friend for more than thirty years |
Dorothy was a strong supporter of the Bay Area Circle Dancers. She attended dance gatherings regularly as well as weekend workshops, dance camps and New Year's Eve celebrations, sometimes bringing friends along. She will be missed by many in our community. Here is an excerpt from her bio, written by her partner, Alvin of 49 years: "In her later decades she also discovered enormous emotional and aesthetic fulfillment in Sacred Circle Dance as a devoted member of the Bay Area organization under the guidance of John and Marina Bear that gathered every two weeks. Occasionally she provided instruction and faithfully attended the annual group retreat in the wooded hills near Aptos, CA. Judie David
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