Jautrais pāris

The ensemble was founded May 13, 1950 in Indianapolis. Ten Latvian youths – in their teens and 20’s – decided to form a Latvian folk dance group not long after coming to the USA from displaced persons’ camps in Germany. When they came together for the first rehearsal, the first folk dance they learned was “Jautrais pāris” – “The Merry Couple.” The first dance instructor for the group was Olga Ieviņa, a teacher by profession.

The ensemble has participated in the following Latvian song and dance festivals in the USA and Canada:

1961 – Toronto; 1963 – Cleveland; 1965 – Toronto; 1968 – Cleveland; 1970 – Toronto; 1973 – Cleveland; 1976 – Toronto; 1978 – Boston; 1981 – Toronto; 1983 – Milwaukee;1986 – Toronto; 1988 – Indianapolis; 1989 – Los Angeles; 1991 – Toronto; 1997 – Cleveland; 2000 – Toronto; 2002 – Chicago; 2004 – Toronto; 2007 – Indianapolis; 2012 – Milwaukee

Latvian song celebration days in the USA and Germany:

1984 – Münster, Germany;1987 – Kursa (West Coast Latvian Center in Shelton, WA); 1995 – Latvian Center Garezers – Three Rivers, MI; 1999 – Latvian Center Garezers; 2005 – Latvian Center Garezers

In Latvia:

1990 – Song and Dance Festival in Rīga; 1993 – Song and Dance Festival in Rīga; 1998 – Song and Dance Festival in Rīga; 2001 – Global Meeting of DV organization in Valmiera; 2013 – Song and Dance Festival in Rīga

Photo of current dancers in the Ensemble taken in February 2012 for the Song Festival in Milwakee

Since its founding in 1950, approximately 400 dancers have participated in the folk dance ensemble.

For the past 25 years the ensemble has performed at the annual International Festival of Indianapolis. Over the past 10 years the ensemble has performed at various events or festivals, such as the Latvian Independence Day celebration in Indianapolis; Annual Spring Dance at the Latvian Community Center of Indianapolis; Indianapolis Welfare Association’s Lāčplēšu Remembrance; Estonian Independence Day celebration in Indianapolis; Nationalities Council of Indianapolis banquet; Indianapolis Artsgarden; Conner Prairie Indiana Festival; Latvian Center Garezers (MI) Summer Solstice Celebration and Song Celebration Days.

If you are interested in obtaining more information about the Ensemble, Please contact its Instructor, Iveta Asons at iasons@sbcglobal.net. Thank you.