ENGLISH TRADITIONAL DANCE
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We provide workshops to
teach several types of dance (Dave is very well known nationally
as a folk
dance
caller, (see Dance Calling) has been a member of the Ironbridge Ironmen,
one of England’s
premier Morris teams, for over 25 years and has been
teaching dance for 30+ years.
Maggie Sunshine is also an experienced
dancer
and teacher and currently dancing with Severn
Gilders. (www.ironmenandseverngilders.org)
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Social dance
Based on English Country Dance but with lots more pizzazz!! (What is currently
known as ‘English Ceilidh’). An introduction to the joys of dancing
together. We use this to get children working in groups to create and demonstrate
their own dances…and some very good ones they have written too! (see
also Dance Calling).
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Border Morris
An exciting form of English traditional dance, originating from the Welsh Border
counties of Shropshire, Worcestershire and Herefordshire. Border Morris is
vigorous, exuberant, simple to learn and great fun to do. Children work together
in groups of six or eight to make up and perform their own stick dances. (We
can teach up to thirty or so people at a time, though less is better and safer!)
Simple traditional ‘tatter’ or rag costumes can also be made. |
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Border Morris - click
here for a larger image |
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Longsword Dances
Using wooden ‘swords’ to
learn some of the figures of the traditional longsword dances of
North Yorkshire. This activity can involve up to 32 children/adults at
any one time. |
| Sword Dancers - Click
here for larger image |
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All of
the above dance workshops can be anything from about an hour
for a simple dance up to a whole day or more for really creative
activity,
and to practice sufficiently for ‘public’ performance.
These
are all excellent activities for encouraging working together
in groups, using imagination and invention.....
and getting fun physical exercise too!
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Dave led a super day
of dance as part of our Arts week. He immediately captures the
complete attention of the children and uses a lovely sense of humour
to establish a
fantastic rapport with them.
It was a pleasure to see children of all abilities completely focused
on dancing and
gaining so much from the day.
Ruth Howell, Special
Needs Co-ordinator and Dance Club organiser, Spennells
First School, Kidderminster
"Foley Infants School enjoyed a fun ,
entertaining and informative afternoon with Dave Hunt…a
master at holding children’s attention whilst teaching
them his craft of Morris dancing." G. Wainwright, Class Teacher Foley Infants
School, Kinver, Staffs.
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Sunshine Arts
