Workshops given are for information purposes only. Workshops and times are liable to change without notice.
Workshops
Appalachian Flatfooting - Alice Jones
This workshop will focus mainly on building up a repetoire of basic steps for
beginners and will be a helpful resource for those more advanced dancers that
wish to re-visit the fundamental elements of the style.
Flat, smooth-soled shoes are ideal footwear, please do not wear taps
(however if it is unavoidable they can be taped up).
Suitable for all ages and abilities. Demonstration and full warm-up/down included in workshop.
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Balboa - Jamie Davies and Katie Brooks
Balboa is a fast, close-hold jazz dance that evolved
in the crowded holiday dance floors of the Balboa Peninsula, California,
in the early 1930s. The new generation of swing dancers has recently
spread Balboa from its Californian roots across the USA and Europe.
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Border Morris - Elmo Eldridge
Calling - Gordon Potts
Ceroc - Frank Pauly
Charleston - Jamie Davies and Katie Brooks
The Charleston was the first great folk dance of the jazz age;
its rhythms, and the 'flappers' who danced them,
have come to epitomize the 'roaring 20s'. The Charleston can be danced
with or without a partner: in this workshop, you will learn both forms.
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Collegiate Shag - Jamie Davies and Katie Brooks
Shags were a large and varied group of partner dances that evolved all over America
in the ages of ragtime and jazz. The loose and goofy Collegiate Shag was danced
especially by students, and can also be seen in many Disney and Warner cartoons of the period.
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Contra - Rhodri Davies
Contra dance is a form rooted in New England.
It is the nearest thing the Americans have to ceilidh dancing in
terms of energy and enthusiasm. However, unlike Tigger, Americans don't bounce.
That means that they have to get rid of the spare energy somehow.
Come along and find out how to dance with style and energy then put
it into practice at the evening contra dance.
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Copyright and recordings - Gordon Potts
Cotswold Morris - Pete Grassby
An introduction to the Ascott-under-Wychwood tradition. Will suit
beginners or experienced dancers. Bring (1) sticks (about 1m/40"
length) and (2) handkerchiefs. Wear kit if you wish. Some sticks
provided. Musicians welcome.
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Cotswold Morris Jigs - James Tween
A chance to learn and develop solo Morris dances,
focusing on dances from various traditions within the Cotswold style.
All ability levels welcome, whether you're a total newcomer or want to
hone the skills you already have.
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Early Dance - Cait Webb
This workshop will focus on dances from the 15th century,
from English and Italian sources, ranging from stylish bassadanza to lively piva.
Soft shoes with low heels recommended.
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European - Davide Panzeri
Come and explore Europe thorugh its most fun dances!
Our teacher from an International Dance Society in Milan
will show you dances from Italy, Portugal, Eastern Europe and Israel.
Sbrando and Courento, Setnia and Damul. Are you ready to show your pals
in the village just how energetic a dancer you are? And ladies, be sure
to be ready to dance when the boys show their best, at this European
Fiesta! No partner or experience required.
French - Davide Panzeri
Ever fancied learning how to move to the tune of a sweet Mazurka?
Want to have fun with joyful Scottishes, Maraichines and Chappelloises?
Come and dip into the world of the couple and group dances from France.
This is your chance to find out what they have been up to on the other
side of the Channel! No partner, experience, baguette or stripy shirt
are required.
Greek - Vicky Karkou
Greek dances vary from those coming from the mountains to those danced
on the islands. All of them however are participatory dances, often
danced in an open circle that aims to strengthen the unity of the
community. This workshop will offer experiences of different Greek
dances, one from the mountains and one from the islands.
Hebridean Claire McMenemy
Highland - Marina Sharp
Hip Hop - Abby McFaul
Hornpipe - Marina Sharp
Irish Set - David Ford
Riverdance this ain't! Irish set dancing evolved from French court
dancing, adding verve and brio. Danced in square sets, many figures
are similar to English and Scottish dance. Banned in the thirties for
being "licentious and immoral", it was revived 30 years ago. This
beginners' workshop concentrates on geography, not footwork, so grab
someone you fancy and come along.
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Irish Step - Margaret Carson
This workshop will teach the basics of soft shoe Irish step
as seen in popular Irish dance shows like 'Riverdance'.
Irish dancing is very energetic and bouncy, and the workshop
will include a full warmup and cool down. Steps will be taught
at a slow beginners' pace. Partner not required. Please bring yourself and soft-soled shoes.
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Lindy Hop 1 - Jamie Davies and Katie Brooks
The Lindy Hop developed in the late 1920s as a fusion of African-American
and European-American roots. It became the swing dance of the 1930s,
and gave rise to the jive and jitterbug of the 40s and even the break-dancing of the 80s.
In the 1990s, Lindy Hop underwent a massive revival and now has a world-wide enthusiastic following.
This class concentrates on the swing-style Charleston, which is the
foundation of Lindy Hop ('jitterbug'). You do not have to have done
the Charleston class (20s Charleston and swing-style Charleston are
different). Lindy Hop 1 is a stand-alone class; if you like the dance,
stay for Lindy Hop 2, where you will learn a different set of moves.
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Lindy Hop 2 - Jamie Davies and Katie Brooks
This class concentrates on a set of smooth, rotating moves that are
central to Lindy Hop ('jitterbug'), such as the swingout, the circle
and the Lindy Turn. You do not have to have done Lindy 1 to do this
class, but if you have, then the moves of the two classes will join
seamlessly together.
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Martyn Harvey - Martyn Harvey
Martyn Harvey - Martyn Harvey
Martyn Harvey - Martyn Harvey
Molly - Gog Magog Molly
Gog Magog Molly will bring their instanly recognisable brand of
multicoloured mayhem up from the Fens and give you the opportunity
to dance like a ploughboy. No experience of Molly is necessary.
Shoes should be suitable for stomping about in.
North West Clog - Lesley Spencely
This workshop will teach a polka step dance called 'Portland Hill'
which has some very challenging and unusual figures. It's a relatively modern dance c.
1970 and was created by the 'Portland Polkas' - a Nottingham University based team.
It's a real dancers dance but looks stunning when performed in public.
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Old time - Jessie Stuart
Papa Stour - Cathy Elliot Walker
Playford - Nicholas and Aidan Broadridge
Polish - Christine Aerts
Port a beul - Gillin Anderson
Quadrilles - Jimmie Hill
It's 1816 and quadrilles arrive from Paris! Quadrille-mania hits Edinburgh.
Come and learn the steps and some of the dances in this introductory workshop.
This tradition had a profound effect on Scottish country dancing.
Fun if you can do it and more fun if you can't!
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Rapper - Gaorsach/Kingsmen
Salsa - Tony Mee
Scottish Country Beginners - Neil Wignall
Basic Grounding in Scottish country dancing formations & figures.
A good starting point if you want to go to the evening dance but have not done
Scottish Country before. Soft shoes recommended.
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Scottish Country Intermediate - Deb Lees
Know your allemande from your pousette? Your skip-change from your
pas-de-basque? This class will cover some less common formations, so
you need to know the basics to begin with. And be prepared to think
about hands and eyes as well as feet. Soft shoes recommended.
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Scottish song - Gillin Anderson
Scottish Step - Fiona Campbell
One for those who like the hard stuff - hard shoe stepping that is!
Come and try the Scottish tradition of doing percussion with your feet.
Also known as Cape Breton step dancing, this form is making a comeback
in its home country. No experience required - though wearing hard soled
shoes will help.
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Scottish-English conversion - Adam Hughes
Scottish Country Dancer? Liked dancing to John Dipper? Want a chance
to practice your step-hop and rant before taking on Peeping Tom?
Learn the beauty and elegance of the English Ceilidh. Trainers
prefered, beer not included [- But the teacher drinks ale and it's your round (ed.)]
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Scratch Band - John Dipper Band
All are welcome as we prepare for the Survivors' Ceilidh. We'll be playing through traditional
and contemporary tunes, both familiar and unfamiliar, as well as teaching a few of our own.
Written music will be available for at least some of the tunes.
The ceilidh will be off-the-cuff as dictated by the callers.
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Storytelling - Robert Howat
Sword Play - Gary Taylor
An introduction into the art of cinematic swordplay,
explaining how today's swordmasters bring to the screen the thrilling spectacle of hand to hand combat.
If you've always wondered how Aragorn, Robin or Boadicca did it, now's your chance!
Loose, comfortable clothing is recommended.
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Weaving Lilt - Fiona Campbell
Come and learn the patterns of one of the older Scottish set dances
based on the actions of the loom and weaver - hence The Weaving Lilt
name! No experience or knowledge of particular steps required. Wearing
hard soled shoes will make a nice clatter but is not essential. Tartan
is also optional!
Yorkshire Longsword - Alice
Focusing on combining traditional figures with newly evolved and modern
figures to create a completely new dance. No dance partner necessary,
please come equipped with appropriate footwear and loads of fresh ideas.
All ages, abilities welcome. A full warm-up will be included in the workshop.
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Main Events
Scottish Ceilidh
Andy Kain & Scottish Dance Band - Callers Neil Wignall & Garry Moyes
Scottish Ceilidh is a mix of couple and set dances. Andy Kain adds a lively music which is hard to
avoid being swept up into the swing of things. Suitable for all, all dances will be called so no matter
whether complete beginner or experienced dancer, come and join the fun.
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English Ceilidh
John Dipper Band - Caller Gordon Potts
English Ceilidh dancing is made up of set dances. The Music is much less 'military' or regimented than Scottish
Ceilidh music with a wider range of instruments. Again all dances will be called and will be suitable for beginners
and experienced dancers alike.
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Late Night Dancing
After the last events, musicians & dancers congregate in the Mezzanine to enjoy improvised music & dancing.
Anyone can join in, anyone can lead a tune or a dance. Everyone else just try and keep up.
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Display Ceilidh
An afternoon of fun easy dances for all to enjoy. These will be interspersed with demonstrations
from various groups attending the festival.
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Morris Tour
A chance for the Morris teams to demonstrate their dancing in their natural habitat - Pubs.
The Morris tour will involved touring round a number of the traditional pubs in the heart of Edinburgh
Sampling the local ales and showing the locals how Morris can take a place in traditional drinking.
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Contra Dance
With Vertical Expression and called by Rhodri Davies
Contra dance is a form rooted in New England.
It is the nearest thing the Americans have to ceilidh dancing in
terms of energy and enthusiasm. However, unlike Tigger, Americans don't bounce.
That means that they have to get rid of the spare energy somehow.
Come along and find out how to dance with style and energy.
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Scottish Country Dance
Located: McEwan Hall
Music by Sandy Legget's Scottish Country Dance Band
The Scottish Country Dance will be made up of a mix of easy & popular dances
with a few extra more challenging dances thrown in for good measure.
Although all dances will be called, this is not as easy for complete beginners as the other dances.
Not done Scottish Country before, but want to give it a try? Go to the beginners workshop in the morning
to bring you up to speed for this dance. Click to download Program and cribs.
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Saturday Ceilidh
With Peeping Tom and caller Hugh Rippon
This looks like being a storming evening. With a mix of English & Scottish Ceilidh dances,
Hugh will take participants for an energy packed evening for any level of ceilidhing experience.
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Swing Dance
Building on the 5 workshops earlier in the day, the Swing Dance give you a chance to put all those styles &
moves into practice. The Swing Dance will not be called and will be suitable for those with experience of Swing
dancing (or associated styles) - this includes participation at one or more of the earlier workshops.
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Survivors Ceilidh
With music from the Scratch Band and calling from any volunteers
The Survivors ceilidh is the finally of the weekend. A last chance to dance with all your friends
and to say good-bye to all those from further afield who have to head off before the 5pm finish.
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