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1st phase Completed June 2009.
***NEW*** SESSIONS NOW SCHEDULED |
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| photo with thanks to E.Kingscote www.folkyfotos.com |
How do I say CEILIDH? - say it kay-lee. see also FAQs here Dates - Places - Tutors Schedule here |
In 2009 SEFAN was delighted to receive grants from Crawley Borough Council
and Grassroots Grants to set up a series of TUTORED ENGLISH CEILIDH
SESSIONS plus two associated pilot Ceilidhs at The Hawth.
***NEW*** 2010 SESSIONS NOW SCHEDULED see below
The Hawth has kindly offered further support by continuing to including these English Ceilidh tutored dances in their
A Night Less Ordinary scheme ~
allowing FREE participation to all under 26 yr-olds.
(funded by Arts Council England in association with Metro).
Would you like to acquire or develop English Ceilidh dance skills?
Try something less boring on a weekday night?
Come and polish your dance skills,
learn to English Ceilidh dance with flair and expertise
and go home with a big smile on your face.
English Ceilidh dancing (often known as barn dancing) can be enjoyed by all levels of experience.
Once a set of people have learnt the basic moves and can put a bit of swing into it,
the enjoyment level goes through the roof.
This programme of tutored dances (workshops) in Crawley leads up to the Ceilidh
at Crawley Folk Festival on Saturday 26th June.
Sessions will be at Southgate West Community Centre
during May and June and are open to people of all ages and abilities.
Costs: only £3 a session.
Under 26's pay nothing!!
(Supported by Arts Council England Night Less Ordinary scheme)
Come to more than one and build your fitness and skills considerably.
You'll certainly have great fun at the sessions and the Festival ceilidh at the Hawth
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All dances will feature experienced musicians and tutors/callers
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Southgate West Community Centre. RH11 8QL
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2010
TUTORED DANCE SESSIONS |
TUESDAYS
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For info / updates (and to register interest) ~ call John on 01293 537234 or email: jbyng@btinternet.com Alternatively, just turn up on the night. See A Night Less Ordinary for information of proof of age requirements for FREE sessions for under 26yr-olds How to get there and Bus details for Southgate West Community Centre here |
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CRAWLEY FOLK FESTIVAL STUDIO CEILIDH
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The Jigalots are a 4 piece dance band from Surrey playing mostly traditional English music- while drawing from other influences such as Medieval, Renaissance, French and Irish. Their eclectic range of music dates from 14th century to the 21st with a few self penned tunes thrown into our repertoire.
In short, if its a storming tune, they'll "plagiarise it, then play it!" All the band members are dancers as well as musicians ...so know what music 5pm - 8.15pm (before evening concert starts in main auditorium) |
| Tickets: £8.50 (discounts: £6) or included as part of a Day or Weekend ticket Under 26s: FREE. subject to availability. See A Night Less Ordinary Please note - limited space at this venue and as English Ceilidh can be fast and energetic - this dance is not really suitable for the under 8's without prior experience. |
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How do I pronounce "Ceilidh"? Say it 'KAY-LEE'
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English Ceilidh is an energetic form of Barndance or English Country dancing
(the sort of dancing in various set formations that most people have bumped into at a wedding, birthday, PTA, fundraiser or at school sometime in their lives).
The English have pinched the word 'Ceilidh' from our Scottish neighbours - mostly because if you say "barn dance" people tend to think it's American-based and need checked-shirts and/or cowboy hats!
The dancing is infectious and great fun.
It's a wonderful way to meet people, mix the generations, get some exercise, laugh a lot and hear some really amazing sounds - LIVE.
The music tends to be faster (and louder!) than your average PTA/club dance, but the figures can be danced, or walked, as energetically as age, agility and fitness allow.
There'll often be several different 'styles' of dancing within the same set.
With English Ceilidh the emphasis is more on having fun than getting it 'historically correct'. A great many of the dances are modern, using traditional set formations, figures and moves.
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Why do I need to know what I'm doing before I go to a PUBLIC dance?
It doesn't matter if you've never done it before, and you don't need to go to classes. (The Caller walks you through every dance first to explain the moves and prompts during the first few times through. Just listen, watch and follow.
You'll probably see more experienced dancers adding extra bits and twirls, you'll be able to do that too, soon).
The rationale for these TUTOURED DANCES is to give a basic knowledge of the moves and what the calls mean etc.
This extra know-how will enable you to get more enjoyment out of all the dances.
Most of the dances are as couples in sets but you don't need to come with a partner, anyone can dance with anyone, nobody minds!
But of course it's more fun if you come along with a friend/s to start off with.
Women can ask men to dance, no problem.
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What do I wear?
Dancing can be energetic ... YOU WILL GET HOT!
So - loose comfortable clothing is best, together with low shoes with some grip and that stay on!