Some people wear costume or smart dress for the Balls, but that's not obligatory!Andrew Swaine
Saturday 19.30-22.30:
John Playford BallA selection of dances published by John Playford between 1651 and 1681, some benefitting from Andrew's interpretations.
Brian Stanton
Saturday 14.00-15.15:
Miscellaneous MayhemAn interesting English assortment.
Colin Hume
Saturday 9.45-11.00:
Calling American Squares PositionallyPositional calling is a very different mind-set from just replacing “Men” and “Women” by “Larks” and “Robins”. It makes you think hard about how you describe moves and people. Come along to learn in a supportive environment — we could do with some dancers too!
Saturday 11.30-12.45: Thomas Bray's Country Dances
Bray was a man of the theatre, and the 20 country dances in his book were designed to be performed during or after plays. The abrupt changes of formation will make you think.
Saturday 15.45-17.00: The Hey
This figure occurs in many forms in English dances, and is more controversial than you may have realised!
Sunday 19.30-22.30: Playford-plus Ball
Dances from The Dancing Master (1651-1728), plus others which Colin considers to be in the “Playford” style — whatever that is!
Monday 11.30-12.45: Playford, known and unknown
Genuine Playford: some well-known, some you've never heard of. Don't be put off by the “Positional” tag — you'll hardly notice Colin's not saying “men” and “women”.
Daisy Black
Sunday 15.45-17.00:
Yde and OliveStoryteller and academic Daisy Black presents the remarkable thirteenth-century tale of Yde, who dresses herself as a knight and cuts her own paths to freedom. A tale of disguise adventure, gender fluidity, straight-talking angels, and the power of queer love.
Weaving medieval narrative with modern folk song, this performance will take you from birthing chambers to military barracks, through moonlit country lanes and woods stained with slaughter, and from quiet chapels to court chambers crackling with gossip.
Monday 11.30-12.45: How to tell stories
Dampier's Round
Saturday 11.30-12.45:
Playing for DancesSaturday 15.45-17.00:
Playing for DancesWe will aim the workshops at less experienced musicians, so the choice of music will be accessible, but you need to be able to read music and play your instrument at a basic / intermediate level.
Many people find playing music for dancing difficult because of the need to play at the required speed for the dance, but we will give you a few suggestions to help you to play along at dance speed, focusing on rhythm, style and accompaniments, to help bring depth and texture to the music.
Helena and Jan
Monday 9.45-11.00:
Česká besedaThis Quadrille was published in 1863 and quickly became the dance of the Czech National Revival movement, remaining widely popular until the second World War. Composed of a dozen folk dances of the era, it may seem daunting because of its unique array of steps, however it is very satisfying to dance once learnt. In this taster we will attempt to cover one or two of the four parts of Beseda. Learn a Czech dance from Czech dancers!
Ivan Aitken
Saturday 11.30-12.45:
Under the Influence“Under the Influence” and other dances by Jenna Simpson
Sunday 15.45-17.00:
Different shapes and sizesDances in a different shape or number of couples or people
Monday 11.30-12.45:
Multiples of Three3, 6, 9, 12 dances in various styles and formations
Kathryn & David Wright
Sunday 14.00-15.15:
Sum DancesDances from Gary Roodman's Calculated Figures collections
Sunday 15.45-17.00: A Cook's Tour
Dances composed or interpreted by Tom Cook
Nicky McConkey
Sunday 14.00-15.15: Playing Scandi for Dancing
Scandinavian music and dance are so intertwined that they're best experienced together! Come to this music workshop to learn how to play for Scandinavian dancing, and hone a few tunes that we'll play together for dancing as part of the evening dance. Intermediate level, tunes taught by ear.
Nigel Close
Sunday 11.30-12.45:
More or LessWe are all accustomed to dancing 32 or 24 bars made up of 8 bar phrases, but there are some interesting dances with very different lengths. Nigel has a selection spanning 5 to 40 bars for this workshop, and when they are played by Julia, Shane and Tina, a good Thyme is more or less certain.
Peter Clifton
Sunday 9.45-11.00:
French WorkshopA selection of dances from the West of France. From the Poitou region (Avant Deux/Quatre) a Ronde from the Vendée, and Kas a Barh from Bas-Bretagne.
Sunday 14.00-15.15: French Workshop
Exploring the Mazurka with a focus on 'leading' and 'following' and building understanding of sequence development with variations. The five-time waltz.
Peter Winn
Sunday 14.00-15.15:
Argentino TangoSunday 15.45-17.00:
Argentino TangoTango is a dance where the steps and the timing of the steps are improvised. The fundament of tango is communication between the couple who are dancing. The dance is a conversation between the couple about the music that they hear and how they feel about dancing with each other. This conversation does not emerge from the mouths of the dancers, but from the interaction of their body movements. Both classes will focus on communication and movement in the Tango Argentino, with the goal of dancing a few simple steps with confidence and freedom. Although the tango is a close dance there will be no expectation for you to dance with body contact with your partner — indeed the class will assume that you will not, although you may if you wish. The classes can be taken in isolation or as a pair, and will complement each other.
Renée Camus
Saturday 9.45-11.00:
Renée's dancesRenée is thrilled to be invited to give a workshop of her own English country dance choreographies. From duple minor longways dances in a modern, flowy style to Playford-style set dances with a fresh twist, all carefully choreographed to their accompanying tunes, Renée's dances are inventive and unique, and becoming popular across America. Some draw images or tell stories, some were written in dedication to people, events and cats, while some simply celebrate dancing for dance's sake. Join us and learn some new dances.
Rhodri Davies
Saturday 9.45-11.00:
More O'RoryRory O'More is a classic contra with a characteristic move that has been adopted by many other dances. Try the original and some of the variations.
Ted Morse
Saturday 9:45-11.00:
Mixed WorkshopA mix of dances to start the day in a light-hearted vein.
Monday 11.30-12.45: Longsword or Rapper
Longsword is a dance for six people linked with rigid wooden swords. The workshop will be aimed at beginners. The step is a steady walk and upper body mobility will be required. It will be based loosely on the North Skelton tradition. Audience and substitutes welcome.
Rapper sword is a dance for five people linked with springy steel swords. The workshop will be aimed at beginners. Although stepping is a vital part of the dance and will be touched on, the main emphasis will be on the figures which are danced to a brisk walking step. It will be based on the High Spen tradition. Upper body mobility will be required. Hard shoes make more noise. Audience and substitutes welcome.
If you're interested in one or the other please email Mecki or use the sign-up sheets available at the weekend.
