For this remarkable transatlantic venture dancers from the USA and UK come together to celebrate the diversity of folk dance over a memorable weekend.

Performance

7.30pm - 11pm
Folk Art, Let's Dance: The Gulf Streams
The closing night of this Folk Dance weekender focuses on the cross fertilisation of influences amongst trans-Atlantic dance tradition. Look, listen and resign yourself to the insatiable urge to dance as English Gypsy group The Orchard Family, Cajun maestros Petit et la Gross and barn dance super group Cut-A-Shine introduce their potent crafting and updating of time honoured traditions. Expect florid dance displays, lightening stepping, whole audience 'strip the willows', 'Do Si Dos' and lots and lots of sweat!

A selection of archive film of folk dancing throughout the 20th Century will be screened during the evening.

Talk and Workshop

2.30pm - 3.30pm
Talk with Phil Jamison - 'Square Roots'
The Southern Appalachian Square Dance or 'Running Set' is the frenetic and euphoric crux of traditional social gatherings in the Southern States. This talk will explore the pan-European, African-American and Native American influences that have informed this tradition drawing upon Cecil Sharp's accounts while collecting songs and dances in Kentucky in 1917.

4.00 - 6.00pm
Phil Jamison & Rayna Gellert - Appalachian Stepping Intermediate - Advanced
Exploring the many forms of percussive Appalachian step dance and their techniques: flatfooting, clogging and buckdancing. Prior step dance experience necessary.

Kerry Fletcher + Tim Brooks - Southern English and Appalachian step - Beginners
Kerry Fletcher will lead an introductory practical class for beginners into the roots of Appalachian clogging from its connections to Southern English stepping traditions.

Tuscarora Indians - A Tuscarora Social Dance Workshop - Beginners
The Tuscarora Indian Nation of North Carolina will teach traditional social steps central to their ceremonial roots and ancestral community.

There will be a 15 minute finale where all participants are invited to join together for a shared 'Dance Off'

Friday 8 May

The Folk Art, Let's Dance weekend starts at Sadler's Wells on Friday 8 May. more »

 

www.efdss.org - English Folk Dance and Song Society (Cecil Sharp House)