How to join in bal folk dances you don’t know!
Eurosession is delayed a week in May but we’ll return to Shakespeare’s on the 16th May, and our pre-session dance workshop is on ‘Dancing by Eye’ – all about how to recognise common bal folk dances, and how to successfully join in a new dance even if you’ve never done it before.
After the workshop we’ll continue with our usual Eurosession, and you are free to play, sing, request dance tunes, chat, drink, and put the world to rights. Bring comfy shoes that turn easily, and/or instruments if you want to play later on in the session.
Dance workshop: 8pm – 9pm
Eurosession: 9pm – 11pm
Venue: Shakespeare’s Pub ~ S3 8UB
About the workshop
Bal folk is a collection of regional dances from across Europe and it’s impossible to know them all. Folk musicians often learn tunes “by ear”. In this workshop, we’ll be talking about the dancing equivalent – let’s call it dancing “by eye”. We’ll be sharing tips on how to recognise common bal folk dances, and how to successfully join in a new dance even if you’ve never done it before. This workshop is perfect for anyone new to bal folk. If you’re not-quite-a-beginner, there will be opportunities to try out taking a lead in group dances in a small, friendly environment.
Jenny Norris will be teaching, with music from Jo Veal.
Jenny only discovered bal folk seven years ago but has experience in salsa and blues dancing as well as English dance traditions. Jenny has taught at festivals such as Skint, IVFDF and Cenizas, and at bal folk events in Bristol. She enjoys finding the common threads between dance traditions, as well as digging into what makes each style unique. Her teaching focuses on improvisation and connection in lead/follow dancing.
Jo has played French traditional dance music on clarinet since the early 90s, ranging from high-energy, driving bourrées, through to subtle, slinky mazurkas. Her experience as a skillful musician includes playing with top ceilidh band Hekety, klezmer band Minnie Moosika, and the Bell Hagg Orkestar, duos with Andrew Swaine and Anna Pack, and the enthralling improvisations of the Emergence Collective.
Donations
We suggest a £5 donation for the workshop, although any extra helps us to keep Eurosession inclusive and offer fair rates to teachers and musicians. We accept cash or transfers via PayPal (see our donations page).
Keep on caring!
Eurosession is a welcoming community and we want everyone to feel safe. Please stay home if you feel unwell.
PS. Mark your diary: Sunday 16 June
Another fab gig – this time with French duo: Turbobal.
– Listen at: https://lucasthebaut.jimdofree.com/accueil/turbobal/
– See more at: https://www.facebook.com/Turbobal/
See you soon,
xx Eurosesh