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edited by R. Vaitkus on 7/24/2011
Lithuanians In Arizona:
Dance Group "Saulė"

In 1999, through the efforts of Dalia Motiejunas and Aldona Vaitkus, a Lithuanian folk dance group called "Saulė" (or Sun in Lithuanian) was organized in Arizona. It began with veteran dancers living in the metropolitan areas of Phoenix, Tucson, and Casa Grande, but in time expanded to include a number of younger dancers. The original goal for the group's formation was to perform at the upcoming 11th Lithuanian Folk Dance Festival in Toronto on July 2, 2000. Dalia Motiejunas agreed to become the dancing instructor for the group and attended a week of intensive training at Dainava in Michigan in the summer of 1999. To practice dancing a location was found equidistant from Phoenix and Tucson - the American Legion hall in Florence, Arizona, and practice began in the fall of 1999.

During a period of nine years (2000-2008) "Saulė" performed at a number of cultural events (see the partial list below).

Now under the direction of Aldona Vaitkus, the group is currently preparing to participate at the 2012 Lithuanian Folk Dance Festival in Boston. Practice for this festival is being held at the Casa Grande home of Carol and Don Adamavich.

in Florence 2

"Saulė" dancers in Florence, Arizona, in the spring of 2000: in the front row from the left are Siga Eidukonis, Aldona Vaitkus,Violeta Juodakis, Maryte Tallat-Kelpsa; Ruta Motiejunas, Antonija Petrulis, and Rima Reklaitis; in the back are Kestutis Eidukonis, Rimas Vaitkus, Rimtis Tallat-Kelpsa, director/instructor Dalia Motiejunas, Don Adamavich, Algis Motiejunas, and Vytas Reklaitis.

Saule Arizona's "Saulė" in 2001.
(photo by Audrone Bartys)
Saule 2012

"Saulė" dancers in Casa Grande, Arizona, in the spring of 2012: in the front row from the left are Dr. Violeta Juodakis, director Aldona Vaitkus, Gražina Karsas, Marie Shoban, and Irena Janulis; in the back are Don Adamavich, Rimas Vaitkus, Algis Karsas, Mark Shoban, and Vytas Stagniunas.

Some events at which "Saule" performed