XIII Lithuanian Folk Dance Festival - July 6, 2008, Los Angeles

The JOURNEY of Los Angeles LB SPINDULYS to the 2008 FOLK DANCE FESTIVAL

"Los Angeles Lithuanian-American youth ensemble LB Spindulys took on the challenge to host the XIII Lithuanian Folk Dance Festival. Spindulys, registering as the largest of the 40 participating groups from the North American continent, welcomed the task of planning and presenting the upcoming festival. Preparations for this huge event, which would feature over 1000 dancers in a large amphitheater performing to an audience of three thousand, took over a year of planning. This was to be the 13th such festival, occurring only every four years in North America, and now it was to be held for the first time in Los Angeles. What a challenge! "

Read the full illustrated and detailed story by Danguole R. Varniene here.

Visit the Lithuanian Folk Dance Institute site www.lttsi.org for news stories about the festival; also visit festival photo page for photo views of the dance festival as provided by a number of photographers..

Jonas Buzenas, one of the key members of LB Spindulys for over 40 years, died on July 30, 2008 at his home in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was a foremost folk dancer, teacher, participant of Folk Dance Festivals since childhood. Most of all, Jonas was a true friend of Spindulys and a sincere contributor to all Lithuanian activities in the Los Angeles Community.

The hearts of Spindulys break for the second time this year, as we lost our dear Independent Producer, Paulius Jasiukonis in March, 2008, and now we have lost our dear friend Jonas Buzenas. May Jonas rest in peace.

Memorial Services will be held August 9, 2008 2 p.m. Palm Mortuary, 7600 S. Eastern Ave. Las Vegas. Danguole Varnas, Director of Spindulys will attend the services and speak on behalf of all his friends of LB Spindulys.

Spindulys would like to establish a Jonas Buzenas Fund in his Memory. Details will be forthcoming.

Spindulys.com webmaster passes the torch to Vilija Joyce

Al Razutis, the Spindulys.com webmaster since its inception in 1996, is resigning and 'passing the torch' (still shining brightly) to Vilija Joyce, who will assume the webmaster role as of August 6th, 2008. Vilija is a Spindulys alumnus and is also responsible for the XIII Lithuanian Folk Dance Festival websites www.sokiusvente.com and www.lithuaniandance.com.

Best wishes to Vilija: "May the web shine with your creativity and dedication!"