Month: October 2025

Although the clocks have turned back and darkness gathers, the stars have aligned again, and it is time for the Branle D’Orsau to grace Shakey’s upstairs room again. We offer a workshop on this rather magical dance from a high, remote valley in Pyrenees. See more about the workshop below, and join us to create an illusion of defying gravity.

From 9 pm we move into an eclectic Eurosession. As usual, you can contribute dance tunes, request your favourite dance, or relax, get a drink, and chat.  Newcomers welcome. Bring an instrument if you’d like to play in the session. For dancing, we recommend wearing comfy flat-soled shoes that turn easily. 

Dance workshop: 8 – 9pm          
Eurosession: 9 – 11pm
Venue: Shakespeare’s Pub ~ S3 8UB

About the workshop

Following on from our foray into Gasconny last month, we are heading a little further south in November, to the formerly Occitan valley of Ossau, close to the border with Spain.

The Branle de la vallée d’Ossau (also known as Branle Béarnais) can be danced by all ages together “en chaine” (in chain) or “en couple”. This simple but mysterious dance has a subtle but elastic spring, giving a captivating impression of lightness and suspension . The dance includes intriguing puzzles of orientation, pauses, and impulse that are satisfying to unlock. Come and understand its secrets.

This workshop is brought to you by Susannah Diamond (dance facilitator), and Anna Pack and Jo Veal (musicians). Susannah has been teaching at Eurosession for many years. Anna and Jo have played together as a duo. Anna has tutored at Halsway Manor and contributed to performances with The Chase and Oscina. Jo contributes to a variety of dance bands and improvisational ensembles, such as Hekety, Outre-Manche, and the Emergence Collective.

Donations
We suggest £5 for the workshop and/or the session (if you aren’t contributing by teaching or playing music). Any extra helps us to offer affordable entry to our sessions and bals, and fair fees to teachers and musicians. We accept cash or PayPal transfers (see our donations page).

Caring for others
We welcome diversity in our community, and encourage you to look out for everyone’s well-being.

Eurosesh
If you like organising gigs, getting publicity out, playing for or teaching a workshop, or can offer any photographs we could use in publicity, then we’d love to hear from you.

See you soon,
xx Eurosesh

Hi folks, as Autumn comes upon us, we have a dance workshop with a couple of dances from Gascony to keep you warm, with music from Jo Veal. We’ll be focusing on Rondeau en Chaîne, and other dances that may be considered similar or perhaps false friends! See more about the workshop below.

From 9 pm we move into an eclectic Eurosession. As usual, you can contribute dance tunes, request your favourite dance, or relax, get a drink, and chat.  Newcomers welcome. Bring an instrument if you’d like to play in the session. For dancing, we recommend wearing comfy flat-soled shoes that turn easily. 

Dance workshop: 8 – 9pm          
Eurosession: 9 – 11pm
Venue: Shakespeare’s Pub ~ S3 8UB

About the workshop

Our October workshop will circle around the Rondeau en Chaîne, from Gascony. It is danced with a subtle but elastic spring, in short chains that can travel swiftly around the room. Along the way, we’ll take in a couple of other alternative dances: The popular Rondeau en Couple is historically and geographically related, and offers more options for variations. The ‘Italian’ polka is an imposter, but is a fun option for other bouncy tunes. So, you can expect a gentle workout for both brain and body, with some good interpersonal connections along the way. All welcome.

This workshop is brought to you by Jo Veal (musician), and Susannah Diamond and David Beasley (dance facilitators). Jo plays clarinet in several bands and ensembles and plays expressively for a range of different dance styles. David has taught workshops in swing dance and forró at events organised by Skint and Made. Susannah has been sharing her love of dancing with Eurosession for many years.

Donations
We suggest £5 for the workshop and/or the session (if you aren’t contributing by teaching or playing music). Any extra helps us to offer affordable entry to our sessions and bals, and fair fees to teachers and musicians. We accept cash or PayPal transfers (see our donations page).

Caring for others
We welcome diversity in our community, and encourage you to look out for everyone’s well-being.

Get more involved
If you like organising gigs, getting publicity out, playing for or teaching a workshop, or can offer up any photographs we could use in publicity, then we’d love to hear from you.

See you soon,
xx Eurosesh