Learn English social folk dancing (country, ceilidh, and barn dancing) and related styles from further afield
This was my first time and I just wanted to comment how much I enjoyed this class - informal and lots of fun. A good mix of quite simple and quite complicated dances.
Learn English country, ceilidh and barn dancing, and related social folk dance styles from further afield, this term led by tutor/callers Mike Ruff and Mary Panton.
We dance to live music from musicians Ian Cutts, Ruth Rose and others.
Explore England's social folk dance heritage, from the past and present, in this friendly and inclusive class.
Develop dance skills, increase your fitness and gain the confidence to attend the dance or social occasion of your choice, whilst having fun!
If you can’t make the whole term no need to worry – just come along when you can. Each week’s programme of dances is adjusted to suit the numbers and experience of those who are there. We also have a number of free, downloadable resources you may find of interest on our Resource Bank.
Who is it for?
These sociable classes are open to everyone over the age of 16 years. Young people aged 12 to 15 are welcome when accompanied by a responsible fee-paying adult.
There's no need to bring a partner.
The classes are suitable for dancers of all levels of experience, including absolute beginners.
When is it?
Thursdays, 7.30-9.30pm
Autumn Term 2023: 14 September – 7 December 2023 (no session 26 October) 10 sessions
Spring Term 2024: 11 January – 21 March (no session 15 February)
Summer Term 2024: 18 April – 27 June (no session 30 May) 10 sessions
Fee
Term fee: £84 | £68 concessions (advance booking required)
Single session: £12 | £9.60 concessions (advance booking recommended)
What can I learn?
Participants learn a diverse repertoire of dances and develop skills in English country and ceilidh dancing, and learn occasional dances from related traditions from further afield.
A key feature of English Country Dance is an emphasis on the various figures and patterns made by the dancers. This not only helps with spatial awareness but encourages social interaction, as referenced in the literature of Hogarth, Jane Austen and many others. All sorts of interesting historical nuggets are brought to light during the class to help put the dances into their social context.
Who leads the class?
The dances will be led by tutor and callers Mike Ruff (pictured giving a class below) and Mary Panton.
Mike Ruff is an experienced folk dance educator and caller and has worked for over 40 years with people of all ages in many settings including schools, festivals and folk dance clubs. He is known for his enthusiastic and inclusive teaching, his wide and deep knowledge of English country dancing, and his ongoing research into the history and background of traditional dance. Mike is the author of several popular folk dance teaching manuals and director of educational organisation Tradamis. He is also a musician playing the accordion with ceilidh band Quicksilver and singing with the music hall duo Allcock & Brown.
Mary Panton is well known as an English ceilidh caller who has worked for over 40 years calling at folk events, teaching and touring. When younger, Mary started two morris sides where she danced and played, before starting to call at Folk Camps, and performing at her first festival, Sidmouth, in 1982. Mary particularly enjoys introducing folk dance to people who are new to it; she is always on the lookout for new dances to teach, especially if there is an interesting twist!
Terms and Conditions
Read full Terms and Conditions for classes and courses run by the English Folk Dance and Song Society.
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