Thursday 10 February: Eurosession with an ‘Energising Polskas’ music workshop

Workshop in Scandinavian style music, with music and dancing to follow 

Music workshop: 8:00 pm to 9pm (UTC / GMT):
Eurosession: 9: 00 pm to 11 pm (UTC / GMT):
Venue: Shakespeare’s PubS3 8UB
Zoom: We plan to connect from Shakespeare’s to Zoom.

About the evening:
We’re returning to Shakespeare’s with a Scandinavian music workshop in February. This workshop will be the first in-person Eurosession music workshop for a long time – come and learn some exciting Nordic dance tunes and harmonies which we can play together!

After the workshop we’ll continue the evening with our usual session of European traditionally inspired dances. Please only join us if you have tested negative on a lateral flow test and are feeling healthy. Continue reading to find out more about participating in the evening.

Playing fiddle in a neutrino detector
Here is Nicky McConkey playing fiddle inside the ProtoDUNE neutrino detector! 

About the workshop

Nicky McConkey has an infectious love of Scandinavian tunes. She has gravitated towards the marvellous smorgasbord of tunes from Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland, participated in many workshops and sessions, and played for dancing wherever possible.  Nicky takes her music with her everywhere she travels and works and has therefore played violin inside a neutrino particle detector!  We look forwards to making the most of her expertise whilst she is still in the country.

In the workshop you’ll have the opportunity to learn some of Nicky’s favourite Nordic repertoire and harmonies, and to understand how to use emphasis to lift dancers in synchronised energy on the dance floor. You’ll practice learning by ear and be able to recognise key features of Scandinavian rhythm and decoration.  Nicky plays fiddle, but all instruments are welcome. 

Precautions for the pub
Please ensure you have a negative lateral flow test result within 24 hours of the session (or are testing regularly), We open windows and the fire-escape for ventilation and encourage socialising in the courtyard if at capacity. Note that although we offer hand sanitizer and facemasks, not many participants wear masks.

Inclusivity and wellbeing
Eurosession is a welcoming community and friends and teddy-bears are welcome.  However please stay home if you feel unwell or have been in recent contact others who were ill.

Donations:
We suggest a £5 cash donation for the workshop, although if you give more then we can better support our teachers and musicians with fair payment.

About the Zoom option
We plan to stream again from Shakespeare’s into our usual Zoom room and provide a breakout room for chats or virtual tune swaps. You can obtain the Zoom details in return for a small donation – see our Donations page. For help see Zoom’s guides about original sound, video-layout and breakout rooms.

See you soon,
xx Eurosesh