Workshops
African - Rebecca Jeffery
Learn the fun, energetic rice harvest dance from Senegal, West Africa, a dance simulating rice harvest movements to uplifting music by Mori Kante. ANDIGWA, learned to dance in Malawi where she was born, and Zambia where she grew up, lived and worked. In London she trains intensively with top class tutors from Africa.
African Drumming - Marion Wood
Learn the basic strokes of African drumming, a mixture of simple and more complex rhythms that fit together whatever your level of expertise!
American - Rhodri Davies and Fiddlegang
Find out a bit more about contra dancing from New England, a social dance form with infinite variations around a simple format. We'll have a go at the moves, style and improvisations. Maybe a square as well for variety. A warm up and preparation for the dance to follow which in true IVFDF fashion should be a highlight of any high energy contra aficionado's year.
Appalachian - Richard Mason
Its fun, its rhythmic, its loud! Appalachian Clogging is a fusion of the dance styles of the American settlers. It has its roots in, amongst others, Irish Step, English Clog, Scottish Hard Shoe, Native American Indian and African Boot dance. This workshop will be aimed at beginners, so come and have a try. The dancing will be easier if you can wear some hard-soled shoes.
Bellydance - Jacqui Spiers
American Tribal Style Bellydance was created in the late 1980's by Carolena Nericcio of FatChanceBellyDance, based in San Francisco. It draws inspiration from different styles of belly dance as well as the dances from India, Spain, and North Africa, to name but a few. In this introductory ats bellydance workshop, Jacqui will breakdown and drill some basic slow movements and fast movements from the ats vocabulary.
Bollywood - Madhuri
Get a taste of Bollywood movies through Bollywood dance, where its all about fantasy and glamour and there really are no limits to the creativity. Bollywood dance is a fusion of all dance forms. It could be Indian classical, Indian folk dance, jazz, hip hop, Jive and everything else you can imagine. The songs are from the Bollywood movies. At the beginner level, it is a very simple dance style to learn. It is definitely the most fun way to get fit and have a laugh in the process. Madhuri moved to Exeter from India 6 years ago, and since then has been adding a touch of Indian glamour to the South West dance scene.
Border Morris - Great Western
A smattering of fast-moving dances will be taught, to give a feel for the winter tradition of rough and ready Morris from the English western counties bordering onto Wales. Please bring short sticks, 12-18 inches long, if you can. Everybody welcome
Brawling Mark & Ruth Goodman
A common view of the "branle" is that it is a gentle dance; we have a different opinion - those of you who have been to our workshop before know this is no warm up exercise! If you want to take part in some 16th century step aerobics to wake you up on Sunday morning then we are the place. Expect to learn how you stand; bow & dance with grace and to be knackered by the end - if you have any energy at the finish then you are better person than I (but also probably younger).
Breakdancing - Olivia Daniell
This session will introduce you to the foundations of this unique and exciting dance. Breakdancing developed in the late 1970s in New York and is influenced by many forms of dancing including salsa, charleston, copoeira and many African/Latin-American styles. Many people associate breakdancing with big acrobatic moves, forgetting that there is actually a lot of depth to this dance which will aim to be demonstrated throughout this workshop.
Breton - Carrie Atkinson
Breton dance is as varied as the land of its origins. It can be as rugged as the high moors, as smooth as the southern sands, as dynamic as the windswept cliffs of the north, as mysterious as the inland forests... Today's workshop concentrates on the gavottes of the central high lands. Led by seasoned teacher of Breton dance, Carrie Atkinson who is as passionate about the traditions of the dance as she is about the dancing, expect to be informed, energised, and energetic.
Cajun - Jeremy Child
Showy and Spectacular, or Slow and Sensual - it's up to you. Come and learn more about this dance style from Southern Louisiana. Suitable for all levels of experience, the class will start off at beginner level, but will quickly split into sections. Either continue practising some of the basics, learn additional moves, or for the more experienced / brave / foolhardy, there are advanced moves like extended and reversed tunnel, the lattice and some neat tricks with windows. Partners will be provided and swapped regularly. Come prepared to dance your socks off!
Cotswold Morris - Demon Barbers
If you thought that Morris dancing was all about middle aged men with beer bellies waddling about a village fete, then think again! Demon Barbers will be taking you through some of our traditional dances, but in their own highly energetic style!
Dances with a Difference - Richard Mason
Richard is an experienced dancer, who is currently celebrating his 25th IVFDF! Back for 2009 in its regular graveyard slot of early Sunday morning(!), this workshop is for those who enjoy ceilidh dancing and want to try something a little different…
Dartmoor Step - Jenny Read
All you need to learn some Dartmoor stepping is: a field; a farm wagon; a musician; some cider and a 15” square board! Alternatively, just bring yourself and some hard-soled shoes and let Jenny show you the way to competition standard in no time.
East Meets West Martin Hodge
Martin will lead you in a fun session of traditional dances from different parts of Eastern and Western Europe, mostly in circles, aimed at new and experienced dancers alike. You don’t need to arrive with a partner – in fact, many of the dances are partnerless. Live music provided by the excellent Lawrence Morgan-Anstee (Eel Grinders, Zephyrus, Goliards) on border pipes and Tracey Baker (Goliards) on harmonium, with percussion.
Flamenco - Elena Brandwood
The great thing about flamenco is that anyone can do it, whatever age, sex or shape you happen to be. Flamenco has evolved a great deal over the centuries and nobody seems to agree on when it first appeared, but the influence of Indian, Moorish and Jewish music are all keenly within. So come along and find out more about this passionate dance.
Irish Music - Marion Wood
An introduction to Irish Music and some examples of how Irish musicians decorate a simple melody. All instruments as well as singers welcome!
Gaelic Psalm Singing - Marion Wood
Gaelic Psalm singing has recently enjoyed a surge of interest as an American Jazz professor claims to have found the roots of Black Gospel in the congregational styles of the Scottish Hebrides. Come and see for yourself in a practical singing workshop starting in Scotland and leading to the slave plantations of the American South.
Irish Set Dancing - Maggie Daniel
Irish set dancing is a form of social dancing which has been popular in Ireland for over 150 years. It is not like Riverdance, or other step dancing, but is danced mostly for fun, rather than competition or display. Sets are danced by four couples in a square, and usually consist of three to six figures with a short pause between each. They are descended from the French quadrilles, which were brought to Ireland by the British army in the nineteenth century. Irish dancers adapted the figures to their own reels, jigs, polkas and hornpipes to form dances with great energy and fun.
The Meaning of Lift - Brian Stone
One of the top folk fiddlers in the country, Brian has wide experience playing a variety of styles from classical, jazz and folk. He has performed at most of the UK folk festivals and appeared on Television, Radio and Theatre including, playing for Contemporary dance and the Royal Ballet Company. This workshop will be a session on rhythm and the fiddle concentrating on how to add rhythm and lift to the music that you play. A must for musicians of all kinds, and absolutely unmissable for all fiddle players.
Modern Jive - Nelson Rose
Modern Jive is based on Rock n Roll Jive but draws inspiration from many other types of dance. You’ve seen the experts do all those flashy moves, but how do they do them, and how do you get started? In the expert hands of Nelson Rose, who runs Exeter’s most popular Jive classes, some of these questions might just be answered…. Give it a go, its great fun too!
Molly - Gog Magog
Ok, we admit it, you don’t HAVE to be mad to do Molly Dancing, but it does help! Danced to a step hop throughout, its like Morris dancing but sillier and more fun – and there’s not a hanky in sight. Gog Magog have made this dance form their own over recent years – so learn from the experts. Learn how to shout, stomp and dance like a ploughboy. Gog Magog Molly will teach your their own take on the Fenland tradition. No partner or previous molly experience is necessary. Trainers or similar footwear advisable.
North West Morris Wheal Sophia
Born in 1989 out of casual meeting at the Sidmouth Folk Festival, Wheal Sophia came into being with the clear ethos of performing North West Morris to a high standard. We perform these traditional dances in a vigorous style both for our own enjoyment and, we hope, yours.
Orange Jousting - Jeremy Child
My Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen - good people of IVFDF 2009 - I welcome you to join the lists for this year's Orange Jousting Tournament. See and take part in mediaeval tournaments as they truly used to be. Neither strength nor size are a factor in this test of skill and character. Men - win the hand of a fair maiden. Women - stand up for the gentler sex. This sport was the original basis for the popular film "A Knight's Tale", until Hollywood decide to use horses instead!
Rapper - Demon Barbers
The rapper sword dance is traditional to Northumberland and County Durham in England. The dance was originally performed by miners in the pit villages of Tyneside and has gradually spread with revival groups worldwide. It is performed at speed by a team of five people continuously linked by flexible swords called rappers, which are weaved in and out of figures for display. Demon Barbers will be the ones tying you in knots so count your fingers before you start!
Rhythm & Bass - Stömp
Top ceilidh band Stömp explore some of the ways that the 'back line' of a band can help the English Ceilidh tunes and make the whole experience more satisfying for dancers and musicians alike.
Salsa For All - Joe Kelly
Salsa is a fun partner dance driven by the fusion of vibrant Afro-Latino rhythms and melodies. Join in this session and get a feel of the basics and experience joy of partner dance. Absolute beginners very welcome, experienced dancers also, no partner or special clothing/footwear necessary. Joe has been teaching and promoting salsa dance and music in the Southwest for 10 years. He offers his sessions from a starting point of "fun and feel".
Scoots and Troyls: Cornish Dance Taster - Merv & Alison Davey
There is a strong dancing tradition in Cornwall which mirrors the Duchy’s distinctive identity. Scoot is a Cornish dialect word for step dance and derives from the metal plates used to protect the soles and heels of working shoes. A Troyl is the equivalent of a barn dance which brings together both step and country dances. Try out some of the dances and learn some of the history at this taster session.
Scottish - Seonaid Anderson
Scottish dancing comes in far more varieties than the Heinz 57! Come along and learn some useful bits for the dance in the evening, and we'll also have a look at some types of dancing which require more intricate footwork. No experience necessary, but an ability to count to 8 is useful! Seonaid had been dancing for rather more years than some people think she has been alive for, and is a qualified Scottish Country and Highland teacher. She has danced her way around Europe and has been part of IVFDF organising committees on three occasions in the last 10 years.
Scratch Band Practice Pigasus
All welcome for the Survivors Ceilidh preparation. We’ll be playing through a traditional round of tunes with written music available for most. The ceilidh itself will be off-the-cuff as dictated by the callers themselves.
Step Clog - Demon Barbers
So you saw how good they were at the Roadshow yesterday! So now have a go at a few English Clog steps yourself, all under the guiding feet of those who wowed you yesterday!
Storytelling - Tom Goodale
Would you like to learn how to tell stories? Have you ever wondered how storytellers remember it all? Come to this workshop and walk away with a story or two to tell. Tom is a storyteller with an interest in traditional tales, myths and legends. He has travelled widely and collects stories wherever he goes and is currently working on stories of Fionn MacCumhail and the Fianna.
Tango Tara & Fernando Guidi
Tara and Fernando are young dynamic teachers and performers of Tango based in Devon and are passionate about teaching. Taking Tango as an improvisational dance, in this workshop they use exercise to encourage improvisation from an early stage as well showing short sequences of steps to grasp a concept. They provide the tools to understand the principles that govern each movement. They create exercises that enable to them to experience something first, and then reflect on it. All this surrounded by a young, friendly and fun learning environment! Both have taught and perform widely all over UK, Europe, North America and Argentina.
Voice Technique - Jackie Oates
Multi-BBC Folk Award winner Jackie Oates will gently cast away those Saturday morning blues with this informative and practical workshop looking at techniques to improve vocal range and output.
Wheelchair Dancing - Joanna Birch & Katherine Last
This workshop is open to all and provides an opportunity to learn how to ceilidh-dance with wheelchair users whilst also experiencing what it is like to dance in a wheelchair yourself. This workshop is run by two dancers experienced in wheelchair ceilidh-dance. A number of wheelchairs will be provided.
World Music Choir - Alise Ojay
The World Music choir sings songs from around the world. This workshop gives you a chance to sing some of those songs, with special emphasis on some of the African songs and traditions. Alise Ojay has ten years of experience running world music choirs. She is a hugely fun, inspirational and motivating director with an extensive and varied repertoire of songs.
Additional Wren Music Trust Workshops:
Taking It Home
A chance for anyone of any standard to join in making music together. The workshop will include tunes from Devon, England and beyond, from the recently published Wren resource of dance tunes The Rough Music Tunebook. A wide range of instruments will be provided, or bring your own.
Sing Out
Find your voice and an introduction to singing folk music. We will be covering basic warming up ideas, discussing WHERE you can find repertoire and singing through a couple of Devon songs.
Hobby Horses and Heartbeats
An exciting introduction to some of the percussion possibilities built around English ceremonial drum rhythms. Some drums provided, or bring your own.
Round Robin – A Song and Music Session
We may revisit songs and tunes just learned during the day, but chiefly a chance for skills acquired prior to the day to shine a bit! Bring your ballads and bodhrans!