Mauno Kork and Deborah Klepp

Pillerkaar performed 15 Estonian Folk Dances at Baltimore's Christmas Village at the Inner Harbor on Sunday, December 6, 2015.

The robust dancers were Age Landra-Robinson, Andrus Kiik, Arnie Smits, Deborah Klepp, Eve Tisler, Jeff Zelek, Jyri Erik Kork, Kadri Kallas-Zelek, Laila Oinas, Lauri Tankler, and Mauno Kork. The riveting program consisted of many dances spread over a one hour period with Eve Tisler and Lauri Tankler reciting the introductions and Jeff Zelek programming and leading the program.

The dances consisted of traditional Estonian folk dances, dances from Finland and Austria, and choreographed modern Estonian dances.  They were:  Reinlender, Jõgeveste Polka, Külavalss, Jämptpolska, Oige ja Vasemba, Kosjalugu, Laendler, Usalda, Meremeeste Valss, Piibumeistritants, Härjatants, Kosjatants, and the traditional wedding dance, Tuljak.

Pillerkaar was warmly welcomed by a tent full of spectators who danced along with Pillerkaar dancers to 1-2-3-4-5-6-7 and Perekonna valss at the end of the performance to get a taste of Estonian folk dance!

Christmas Village in Baltimore is a combination of an outdoor and indoor Holiday Market at West Shore Park in the Inner Harbor. The event is modeled after the traditional Christmas Markets in Germany like the famous Christkindl Market in Nuremberg (http://www.baltimore-christmas.com) with authentic German Bratwurst, Schnitzel, Leberkase, and warm pretzels!

Text and photo by

Anu Oinas