Ball State University - Orient Yearbook (Muncie, IN)

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— | THE FESTIVAL wasn't always on stage for the Banevolks. The Ball State Folk Dancing Troupe and members of other international dance groups form a cir- cle dance in their time off. The Banevolks spent six weeks touring European folk dancing festivals. Photo by Mike Yoder TIME TO REST was often hard to find, yet Jennifer and Tyson Whitcomb, Muncie seniors, were able to relax on the bus. The couple and the Banevolks troupe spent most of their time performing, traveling and sightseeing on buses and trains. Photo by Mike Yoder TOURS were a major part of the Banevolks six-week stay in Europe in addition to performing sometimes twice a day. While in Brigge, Belgium, the troupe stops in the town square as a guide explains the city’s history. Photo by Mike Yoder Banevolks 935 rea :“e A meV

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©)... more HING ollege life might have included tension- filled days of homework and hassles, but the first thing it brought to mind was the good times, the times when doing crazy stunts (like dressing up as a Crayola for Watermelon Bust) was nothing more than a little style blended with a lot of college craziness. And no matter how much homework had to be done, there were always a few extra minutes to be found. Homecoming only asked for a week out of students’ time. And the barnyard full of ac- tivities had students pickin’ and grinnin’ in bed races and bull rides throughout the Homecom- ing Hoedown. And if there was time for Homecoming there was time to get disgustingly dirty at Tug-O- War, drop a dozen or so eggs at Derby Days and see the latest play at the Studio Theatre. Who could even stop to think about all the homework when Bike-A-Thon was coming up? Most students jumped into college life to keep from being bored, or at the very least, to take a study break. No matter where students turned or how hard they tried, there was always something to draw their attention or entice their interests away from the almighty GPA. Even ‘‘Middletown’’ -- Muncie -- offered her share of good times and past times. Christopher’s was the place to be for drinking and dancing while the Flying Tomato was the r¢ r¢ newest place to dine on the ultimate college Y rt cuisine: pizza. OSES Of course, there might have. been other Just do one thing ee things that needed to be done. There could like study. have been a chapter to read for English You need variety literature or a test in criminal justice, but ; TIES Une in your life. J BIKE-A-THON had a fourth time CHUCK MANGIONE belts out “70 y winner in the Destiny bike team. Miles Young” and closes up the first Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity riders half of a more than three-hour-long congratulate Destiny rider Dave Emens Auditorium performance. Angie Geiser Lewis, Wheaton, Ill., senior, after Mangione played for a packed Evansville sophomore the race. Photo by Brad Sauter house. Photo by Tom Amiot Lifestyles Division 9

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ff pT she tanewolks — Six weeks in Europe gave the Banevolks the Chance to dance NE by one they pulled on their clogs. They slipped into pink gingham dresses and burnt- orange western shirts. They rosined- up their bows and plucked their fid- dles. In Luxembourg the Banevolks pounded the stage of the Interna- tional Folk Dancing Festival as they sallied their way into the first of six European folk dancing festivals. Banevolks, the Ball State Folk Dancing Troupe, began a six-week, whirlwind vacation on July 14. The 25 dancers and musicians toured the European continent and were the featured dancers at many of the festivals. ‘“‘It was a great feeling when the audiences wanted more and more, and eventually we had to get off the stage to let other groups perform,” said physical education instructor Gregory Lund, director of Banevolks. But before the Banevolks could perform, there had been a problem to solve. ‘‘The sound system in Lux embourg wasn’t very good and the dancers couldn’t hear the beat. Somehow we ended up at the same time, though,’’ said Lund. The beat the dancers couldn’t hear came from the four-member Hoosier String Band, which formed more than six months before the trip began. Since many of the European festivals required live music, the band was a necessity. ‘‘It didn’t mat- ter that we were put togethe: for six festivals, the experience of perform- ing for 13,000 people was worth it,” said Beth Yoder, Hoosier String Band violinist. There were other problems con- nected with the performances -- in- cluding one perhaps best labeled as overexposure. ‘Most of the groups had about two costume changes; we had about ten,’’ said John Sakel, Newburgh senior. ‘‘They let us change in these booths right behind the stage, and even though we had tasteful undergarments on, these people would stand around and stare. It was embarrassing.” The Banevolks spent their 41-day excursion getting lost in the Lourve and touring the towers of Notre Dame. They lived in schools and slept on thin, stiff dormatory beds with purple comforters. Every festival was different; but the festival in Sidmoth, England didn’t start until the Banevolks met ‘‘the Gaffer.”’ Dressed in a brown, sloppy hat, red shirt, and a huge, velvet bow-tie, the Gaffer greeted the group with jokes and a friendly caution. “This festival doesn’t start until you’ve met the Gaffer,”’ he said. ‘And it doesn’t end until you give me a hug good-bye. I know a lady named ‘Viv,’ ’’ he added. ‘‘She’s the only person I know that spells her name backwards.”’ “The Gaffer brought a light- heartedness to the festival,’’ said Sonya Oberleas, Bremen senior. ‘‘He was a doctor in the town and on the CONTINUED PARADES through the streets of Sidmouth, England are a daily sight during folk dancing festivals. Troupes who participated in the festivals marched along the beach and into the village of Sidmouth. While the Banevolks marched to the amphitheatre they gave out pens and flags to parade-watchers. Photo by Mike Yoder Banevolks 11