HUNGARIAN  HARVEST  DANCE

    in Hungarian Settlement, Louisiana

Hungarian Harvest Dance, 2009

The Árpádhon Hungarian Settlement Cultural Association once again sponsored the annual Hungarian Harvest Dance that took place on Sat., Oct. 3, 2009 at the American Legion Hall on Hwy. 43 in Hungarian Settlement, Louisiana. Doors opened at 5:00 p.m. and guests were greeted with Hungarian folk music playing over the loudspeakers. A food booth provided an array of
Hungarian-style cuisine that included Töltött káposzta  (cabbage rolls), kolbász (Hungarian
sausage), uborka saláta (cucumber salad), and káposztás tészta (cabbage noodles). Helen Kropog,
Rose Szizak, and Liz Bordok could be seen a nearby table preparing and serving freshly made jelly or turos (cottage cheese) palacsinta (crepes). Kathleen Mocsary Green of the Olde World Bakery provided other Hungarian pastries such as kiflik and dios kalacs (sweet nut bread). At a table near the entrance, Irene Good Demars made available some of her beautiful artwork in the form of Hungarian Settlement posters and dolls dressed in intricately made Hungarian Harvest Dance costumes. At another table near the bandstand, Royanne Kropog sold and signed copies of her book, entitled The Story of Arpadhon. Proud parents took photos of young people dressed in
traditional Hungarian Harvest Dance attire that could be seen mingling throughout the hall. The program began about 6:30 p.m when  Jim King, president of the AHSCA welcomed the crowd then led the Pledge of Allegiance. This was followed a magnificent performance of the Star-Spangled Banner by Suzanna Green. Reverend Ernest Breaux led the invocation, which was followed by a special guest invocation in Hungarian by Rev. Gyula Juhasz of Debrecen,Hungary, who was visiting the U.S. The guest speaker for the event was Dr. Steven Gergatz,
honorary Hungarian consul of Louisiana. He encouraged community members to support their heritage by joining the AHSCA or the HSHS (Hungarian Settlement Historical Society). He also said that his wife, Julia Bika, had written an article about Hungarian Settlement that was published in an Hungarian Encyclopedia. (Dr. Gergatz brought a copy of the book with him to show the guests at the Harvest Celebration.) Davy Brooks, a very talented local musician, started the entertainment portion of the program by performing on guitar an original song that he had written called Árpádhon Nights. He then followed it up with an astounding guitar version of Stars and Stripes Forever. Next, Victoria Mocsary played guitar and performed several Hungarian folk songs with Suzanna, Samantha and Megan Green, along with Christina Mocsary. All these singers are descendants of Adam Mocsary, one of the original founders of the community. The songs included: Piros Piros Piros, Kis Kutya Nagy Kutya, Az a Szép, Debrecen, Ég a Város,, and Megismerni a Kanászt. Then came the  highlight of the evening-- the traditional Hungarian Harvest Dance. President Jim King introduced the dancers by name as they walked across the dance floor, each accompanied by their partner, to line up for the dancing. The dancers included Nichole King McMorris (dance group leader and teacher) with Thomas Mocsary & Tonya King Kirkland; Adam Green & Emily Anthony; Raymond Murray & Amanda Arceneaux; Steven Good & Meagan Riggs; Trey Latino & Christina Mocsary; Jake Green & Megan Green; Barbara Robinson & Kaylee Demars; Brian Graef & Rebekah Graef; Samantha Green & Heather Degenhardt. With the completion of the last dance called the Szureti Tanc, came the traditional “stealing” the fruit that was hanging above the dance floor. Many who jumped for the fruit came away with arm-loads of apples, oranges and grapes. Following the conclusion of the Harvest Dance, strawberry wine, donated by Pete Pffifner, was auctioned off to the highest bidder. Also auctioned off was a beautiful doll, dressed in Hungarian Harvest Dance attire made by Irene Good DeMars. Afterwards, the Poo-Yai Band, led by Ernest Breax, performed variety music for public dancing.

Click here for flyer for the 2009 Harvest Dance

Hungarian Harvest Dance, 2008

(Left: In the foreground Trey Latino and Christina Mocsary perform the Az a Szép, one of the dances in the series that makes up the traditional Hungarian Harvest Dance of Hungarian Settlemen, Louisiana.)

The Harvest was held on Sat., Oct. 3, 2008 and had a very large turnout. AHSCA president Jim King opened the program at 6:00 p.m. by welcoming the crowd. He then led the Pledge of Allegiance, which was followed by the Star Spangled Banner performed by Megan and Suzanna Green. Dr. Steven Gergatz, Honorary Hungarian Consul for Louisiana, addressed the audience with words of support and encouragement for the community preserving some of the culture of their ancestors. Hungarian folk songs were performed by Christina Mocsary, Megan, Samantha, and Suzanna Green, and led by Victoria Mocsary, who accompanied on guitar. Local musician, Davy Brooks performed captivating guitar music. The traditional Hungarian Harvest Dance was the highlight of the evening. Nichole King Smith did a wonderful job teaching the young dancers! Jim King auctioned off wine that was donated by Pete Pffifner. <>Traditional and non-traditional food could be purchased in the food booth. Freshly made palacsinta was also sold. <>The Olde World Bakery provided Hungarian pastries and other treats. Everyone enjoyed dancing to the music of Ernie Breax and his Poo-Yai Band, that included Victoria Mocsary, singer; and Al Dranguet on the saxophone.

<>The 2008 Harvest Dancers included: Amanda Arceneaux and Heather Degenhardt; Brian Graef and Kaylee Demars; Jake and Samantha Green; Adam and Megan Green; Barbara Robinson, and Rebekah Graef; Nichole King Smith, Thomas Mocsary and Emily Anthony; Trey Latino and Christina Mocsary; Steven Good and Meagan Riggs, Raymond Murray and Laura Brooks; Michael Erdey and Tonya King Kirkland.

Click on the following link for information on the history of the Hungarian Harvest Dance in Hungarian Settlement.

Hungarian Harvest Dance, 2007

    The Annual Hungarian Harvest Dance took place on Saturday, October 6, 2007 at the American Legion Hall on Hwy. 43 near Springfield. The activities began at  6:00 p.m. with an introduction by the AHSCA president, Jim King. Suzie Green sang the National Anthem, which was then followed by an invocation given by Rev. Ernest Breaux. Next on the program was Hungarian singing performed by Jake Green, Christina Mocsary, and Megan Green. (See photo to the left.) Accompanied on the guitar by their aunt, Vicky Mocsary, these children sang three popular Hungarian songs: Kis Kutya Nagy Kutya, Piros Piros Piros, and Az a Szep, which is a community favorite and one of the songs of the Harvest Dance itself. This was followed by Hungarian singing performed by Vicky Mocsary and her niece, Suzie Green. They sang Megismerni a Kanászt,  Ég a Város, Debrecen, and Kék Nefelejcs. The crowd was then entertained by guitarist, Davy Brooks, who performed the following songs: Hungarian Dance No. 5, Sunrise Sunset and Stranger on the Shore. After the fantastic performance of Mr. Brooks, Jim King introduced the Harvest Dancers for this year: Amanda Arceneaux,  Jake, Megan, and Samantha Green (all three siblings), Molly Anthony, Emily Anthony, Adam Green, Michaela Balfantz, Barbara Yuhasz Robinson, Christina Mocsary, Steven Good, Meagan Riggs, Raymond Murray, Laura Brooks, Tom Mocsary, Tonya King and dance group leader, Nichole King Smith. These dancers performed the traditional Harvest Dance beneath a canopy of fruit that consisted of apples, oranges and grapes. After their dancing was complete, the audience began jumping for the hanging fruit.                                                                                                                                            (Above photo: Tom Mocsary and Nichole King Smith, Meagan  Riggs, Steven Good,
                                                                               Michaela Balfantz and Adam Green  performing the Harvest Dance beneath a canopy of fruit.)

After the Harvest Dance Performance, Jim King conducted a wine auction with wine donated by Pete Pffifner. Following the auction, Ernest Breaux’s Poo-Yai Band played a variety of music for public dancing. The food booth served some authentic Hungarian-style food such as cucumber salad, cabbage noodles and kolbasz sandwiches throughout the evening. Helen Kropog, Margaret Resetar, and Elizabeth Bordok cooked freshly-made palacsintas, filled with jelly or a cottage cheese filling. Kathleen Mocsary Green served a variety of Hungarian pastries, such as kifli, kalacs, huszar kisses and túrós tészta, from the Olde World Bakery.

(Photo Above: Harvest Dancers perform the Szureti Tanc, the final dance of the Harvest Dance series.)
 

Hungarian Harvest Dance, 2006

        The Hungarian Harvest Dance took place on Saturday, October 7, 2006 and was a big success. The festivities began at 6:00 P.M. when Suzie Green performed the Star-Spangled Banner. Vicky Mocsary then presented a brief historical sketch of the community and noted that 2006 marks the 110th anniversary of Hungarian Settlement. She also noted that it was the 50th anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution of 1956 and read a list of names of some of the Hungarian refugees that came to settle in the New Orleans-Baton Rouge area. Dr. Stephen Gergatz, Honorary Hungarian Consul of Louisiana, reflected further on the Hungarian Revolution and also discussed the difficulties faced with Hurricane Katrina last year.


                 Vonnie Brown and the Baton Rouge International Folk Dancers entertained the crowd with authentic Hungarian dances from different regions of Hungary. Some of our community members performed dances with the Baton Rouge dancers. When their dancing was complete, the Hungarian Harvest Dance was performed by local dancers of varying ages.
   
    After the traditional Harvest Dance, there was a wine auction conducted by Jim King with wine donated by Pete Pffifner. Following the auction, the Boudin Band played a variety of music for public dancing. Food and pastry booths served authentic Hungarian-style food, such as cabbage rolls, cucumber salad, kolbasz sandwiches, kiflis and kalacs.

    This year’s Harvest Dance was dedicated to the memory of three of our dedicated members who passed on this year: George Bodi, Mickey Duczer, and Anna Friedman.  

No Hungarian Harvest Dance in 2005
As most of you know, due to the effects of Hurricane Katrina, the Hungarian Harvest Dance Celebration for this year was canceled. However, we are already looking forward to next year. The tentative date for the Harvest Dance Celebration for next year is Saturday, October 7, 2006. We have already reserved the American Legion Hall near Springfield for that date.
 

Hungarian Harvest Dance, 2004

The Árpádhon Hungarian Settlement Cultural Association (AHSCA) sponsored its annual Hungarian Harvest Dance Celebration on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2004 at The American Legion Hall on Hwy. 43 near Springfield. The Festivities began at 3:00 P.M. when Életfa played a concert of Hungarian Folk Music. The evening celebration was kicked off at 5:30 P.M. when AHSCA President Jim King welcomed the crowd and Suzanna Green, daughter of Kathleen Mocsary Green, sang the Star-Spangled Banner. The Baton Rouge International Folk Dancers, led by Vonnie Brown, performed a series of Hungarian folk dances. Many of these dances, such as the kevi, olahos, and the gáncsi, included local community members as well as the Baton Rouge dancers. Around 6:30 P.M., the Hungarian Harvest Dance was underway. This performance included traditional dances that have been passed down in our community since its founding years. After the completion of the Harvest Dance, many in the crowd eagerly participated in the traditional “stealing of the fruit.” A gallon of strawberry wine, donated by Pete Pffifner, was auctioned off to the highest bidder. The Harvest Dance music was provided by Életfa. A food booth was opened at 3:00 P.M. and served a variety of foods throughout the rest of the afternoon and into the evening. Some Hungarian delicacies, such as stuffed cabbage, kolbász, cucumber salad and cabbage noodles were available in the food booth. Hungarian pastries, such as kiflik and kalacs were sold at a booth run by Kathleen Green of the Olde World Bakery. The post Harvest Dance entertainment was provided by Louis Monic and his  Boudin Band, which featured his grandson, Dane Monic, a thirteen year old accordion player.
Thanks goes out to everyone who worked hard to make this annual tradition a success. A special thanks goes to our dance instructor, Sue Martin and her assistant, Chris Thornhill.

Click here to view a sample flyer from the 2004 celebration.
 

Hungarian Harvest Dance, 2003:

    Our annual Harvest Dance celebration took place on October 4, 2003 at the American Legion Hall on Hwy. 43, near Springfield. A dinner, consisting of stuffed cabbage, kolbasz, cucumber salad, homemade bread and Hungarian pastries, was served from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  Various events took place throughout the early afternoon. Margaret Resetar and Helen Kropog demonstrated how to make palacsinta. They sold their finished products to the onlookers for a mere 25 cents each and had all the business that they could handle! Many watched in amazement as Helen Nyeki showed the crowd how to make homemade egg noodles.             
    Vicky Mocsary and Suzie Green performed several Hungarian songs, such as Jo Napot Kivanok, Piros Piros Piros, and Az a Szep, a long-time community

 favorite. Mary Ivanyisky demonstrated her fabulous crocheting techniques through part of the morning and afternoon. George Lezu told amazing, and sometimes amusing stories of his youth (the good old days) to the interested onlookers. Irene Good, with the aide of Helen, her daughter-in-law, and grand-daughters, Megan and Christen, showed onlookers how to make csorege, one of the favorite pastries of Hungarian Settlement.         The food booth provided various items, such as cabbage noodles, kolbasz and stuffed cabbage, throughout the rest of the day and well into the evening.
    The Hungarian Band, Eletfa, was on hand to visit, sing, dance and play wonderful Hungarian folk music at various intervals throughout the late morning and early afternoon.

  
     At 3:00 p.m.,  Eletfa once again entertained the crowd with an outstanding concert of  Hungarian folk songs. At five o’clock, when the concert ended, Jim King, president of the AHSCA, make announcements and introduced Suzie Green, who sang the Star Spangled Banner.

    The Baton Rouge International Folk Dancers, led by Vonnie Brown, entertained the crowd for nearly an hour with all kings of authentic folk dances from Hungary. AHSCA dancers performed some of the dances, such as the Gancsi, Kevi, and Olahos, with the Baton Rouge dancers.

   



Several young children, dressed in miniature dance costumes could be seen all over the Legion Hall. Just before 7:00 P.M., the AHSCA dancers performed the Hungarian Harvest Dance beneath a canopy of fruit, which has been a tradition in the community for many years. Proud parents, friends, relatives and other guests watched intently as the dancers, dressed in white costumes, trimmed in red, white, and green, moved around the dance floor.  Eletfa once again provided the music the Harvest Dance. Some guests even joined in singing when the last dance was performed. When the Harvest Dance was over, many joined in for the “grabbing of the fruit.”
    Pete Pfiffner donated the wine that was auctioned off during the festivities of the evening. Louis Monic and his Boudin Band provided the music for the dancing and entertainment for the rest of the evening.

A special thanks goes out to the Harvest Dance Committee and anyone else who helped to make this event possible!

HUNGARIAN HARVEST DANCE AND DINNER ON OCTOBER 5TH, 2002

(Left: Harvest Dancers, 2002)
Our annual Hungarian Harvest Dance and Dinner on Saturday, October 5th was a huge success! The activities, which took place at the American Legion Hall on Hwy. 43 near Springfield, started at noon when a Hungarian-style dinner, consisting of cabbage rolls (töltött káposzta), cucumber salad, kolbász, bread and pastries (kiflik and kalács) was served.  Életfa, a Hungarian folk music group from New York provided the musical entertainment throughout the afternoon and early evening. Several activities and folk demonstrations took place during the course of the afternoon. Margaret Resetar demonstrated to onlookers the proper way to make cabbage rolls, while Paul Bates showed the crowd how to make butter. Irene and Helen Good demonstrated how to make csöröge, while Helen Nyeki showed onlookers how to make Hungarian-style homemade noodles. Pauline Frisbee showed how palacsinta is  made and George Lezu provided entertainment by telling stories of the “life in the old days” of Hungarian Settlement. Irene Demars did face painting for the children, while members of the Életfa group provided lessons for those interested in learning some Hungarian dances. Throughout the afternoon and evening, a food booth provided plenty of cabbage rolls, kolbász (a type of Hungarian sausage), and cabbage noodles for those interested in having a taste of Hungarian-style foods.  Olde World Bakery offered a booth with Hungarian pastries and other items. At 7:00 P.M., Karpathy, the Baton Rouge international folk dancers, led by Vonnie Brown, performed a series of Hungarian folk dances. At 8:00 P.M., the traditional Hungarian Harvest Dance, led by Sue Nyeki Martin began. Beneath a canopy of fruit and vines and dressed in white costumes decorated in red, white and green, the Harvest Dancers performed traditional dances that have been passed down through four generations in the community. Musical entertainment after the Harvest Dancers’ performance was provided by the Boudin Band, which specializes in Cajun music.

A SPECIAL THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED MAKE THIS YEARS’ CELEBRATION A SUCCESS!! EXTRA SPECIAL THANKS GOES TO THE HARVEST DANCE COMMITTEE WHO WORKED SO HARD TO PREPARE FOR IT!!

Every October all the folks in the Hungarian Settlement look forward to our Harvest Dance Celebration. This tradition passed down to us by our ancestors is something really special. It is such a pleasure to meet friends and family at this time of year to continue the tradition.This year, however, we come together with heavy hearts. Recently, we lost two beloved friends who went home to be with the Lord. Betsy King and David Arceneaux lost their battle with illness but won the right to sit at the feet of Jesus Christ throughout eternity. Not only did we lose two dear friends, we also lost two dedicated workers. We shall carry on our Harvest Dance Activities because we know David and Betsy would have it no other way. So as we celebrate this special time of year for our heritage, let us keep these two valued friends in our hearts. Let us give thanks to God that we knew these two people and let us dedicate this day to their memory.

Scenes from the Hungarian Harvest Dance Celebration, 2002:

Left : Nicole King Smith assists with a children’s  broom dance.

Right: Mother and Daughter, Helen and Megan Good dance the Hungarian Harvest Dance.

Below: HUNGARIAN HARVEST DANCERS WITH BATON ROUGE INTERNATIONALO FOLK DANCERS AND ÉLETFA FOLK MUSIC ENSEMBLE, 2002

PERFORMING WITH BATON ROUGE INTERNATIONAL FOLK DANCERS, 2002

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Hungarian Harvest Dance and dinner, 2001

The Arpadhon Hungarian Settlement Cultural Association celebrated its 25th anniversary and presented the annual Hungarian Harvest Dance on Saturday, October 6, 2001 at the American Legion Hall on Highway 43 near Springfield. The festivities began at 12:00 noon with a Hungarian Dinner, consisting of cabbage rolls, cucumber salad, Hungarian Kolbasz, and pastries. The Harvest Dance Committee did a wonderful job preparing the menu. Other Hungarian foods, including goulash, cabbage noodles and kolbasz sandwiches, were served throughout the afternoon and into the evening. The Old World Bakery provided Hungarian bread, Hungarian pastries, such as kiflik and kalacs, and other traditional favorites. Everyone enjoyed great Hungarian music that was performed by the group, "Életfa," from New York. Even though conditions were very sad and disturbing in New York, the group still came and had a great time playing beautiful Hungarian songs.

Some people danced to the music, while others sat and listened, while visiting with old friends. Historical slides, provided by Alex Kropog, were shown during the afternoon. Many familiar scenes and faces were included in this slide presentation.  At 7:30 in the evening, the Baton Rouge International Folk Dancers (Karpathy) thrilled the crowd with their stunning performance. The activities of the celebration were topped off with the traditional Hungarian Harvest Dance performed by the AHSCA dancers. After the dance came the traditional "Jump for the fruit." There was also a wine auction and drawing for the Basket filled with Hungarian items.

SCENES FROM HUNGARIAN HARVEST DANCE, OCT. 6, 2001.

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The tradition of the Hungarian Harvest Dance began in the very early years of Hungarian Settlement and became an annual event by 1921. Community member theorize that the early settlers either brought the dances from Hungary when they came to America, or reconstructed them from what they remember taking place in their native villages.

The Harvest Dance usually took place in the fall of the year in October or November. By the 1930s, two harvest dances took place in the community, one sponsored by the Catholic church and the other sponsored by the Presbyterian church. Often, the same dancers and band performed at both places. Many non-Magyars came to the festivities to watch the dancing and partake of the Hungarian bread, pastries and other food offered for sale at the dances. The Hungarian Harvest Dance drew large crowds of people who were eager to watch the Harvest Dancers perform, partake of the Hungarian delicacies, and dance into the night. Streamers of red, white, and green, the national colors of Hungary, adorned the dance halls. As part of the decor, the Magyars proudly displayed the American and Hungarian flags. A canopy of fruit, consisting of apples, oranges, and grapes, hung from the rafters by strings to complete the festive atmosphere. Occasionally, sweet potato vines or other types of vines were used as part of the decoration with the fruit.

Community effort makes possible the continuation of the Hungarian Harvest Dance each year.   On the first Saturday of every October, the AHSCA sponsors the annual Hungarian Harvest Dance, which is currently held at the American Legion Hall on La. Hwy. 43, near Springfield. In traditional-style costumes and accompanied by authentic Hungarian folk music, their dance group performs a series of dances that date back to the early years of Hungarian Settlement. The dancers, dressed in white costumes, decorated in red, white, and green (the colors of the Hungarian flag), still perform beneath a canopy of fruit, hanging from the rafters to commemorate the harvest season. At the completion of the dance routine, the audience is invited  to "steal" the fruit. In conjunction with the annual Harvest Dance, the AHSCA offers Hungarian Dinners that usually consist of cabbage rolls (toltott kaposzta), cucumber salad (uborka salata), Hungarian sausage (kolbasz) and homemade Hungarian bread and pastries.

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