*********************************************************************************************************************************** Useful links -cLICK on the WEBSITE LINKS shown BELOW
Information on - almost ALL TYPES of Dancing - throughout the UK - (You can ask to be informed by email fortnightly, of any dance events of your choosing within your own Region) cLICKonAre you Dancing
Information DIARY pages - Dancing Events throughout the UK - You may also use the site to seek regular clubs, callers for dances, bands, festivals etc. Caters mainly for - English (Playford) & English Country Dance. Many Contra & Ceilidh dances too. cLICK on Set and Turn Single
In Moseley, Birmingham UK. Friday Folk. A lively welcoming group. Meet most Friday evenings. Varied kinds of Dancing - mainly english Ceilidh. Just arrive & take part. Plenty of changing of dance partners. Couples and singles are equally welcomed. The MAJORITY of members come without a partner. In a complex website the "Activity Exchange". To check date/location/caller or type of dancing for an evening - cLICKonFriday Folk
In Birmingham UK. Join in lively Scottish Dancing. B'ham branch term-time Beginners’ class, Tuesdays. Selly Oak Methodist Church, Langleys Rd, B29 6HT Term-time dates: Class 7.45-9.45pm: Spring term 2012 – 10 January – 27 March (half term 14 February) Summer term 2012 – 17 April – 22 May. AGM – 29 May. Social dancing, June 12th, 19th, 26th 2012. Those at the Long Weekend may particularly recognise further welcoming faces - Most Tuesdays at the main Langleys Road class also 7.45-9.45pm. Almost all Thursdays: Baille Tartan Club, Dame Elizabeth Hall, Oak Tree La, Bournville B30 1UA 8.30-10.30pm. There are also many more Scottish classes around B'ham (throughout UK too). NB. At Scottish "social dances", they helpfully go over each dance with a quick walkthrough first. cLICK on Royal Scottish Country Dance Society, Birmingham
In London UK -Friday Feet. For those wishing to try out, or to begin International Dancing. A small lively group particularly welcoming newcomers at Cecil Sharp House (tube: Camden Town). Anne Leach our vivaceous main 2011International Dance teacher frequently shows dances here. So does very active Pam. (Diminutive in stature only - Pam's life-vocation without one knowing, would not be guessed.) Just ARRIVE and take part. Most Friday Evenings except August, 7.30-9pm. No need to bring along a partner - For more details, phone or - email Caspar on 020 8340 4683. cLICKonFriday Feet
In London UK -Dance Around the World. Much to watch/ try out in this excellent - International Dance (& much more) sampling WEEKEND. A vibrant, lively dancing, viewing and music playing w/e. 20-21st Oct 2012. Considerable choices of dance styles - All at Cecil Sharp House (nearest tube Camden Town). Very moderate prices, primarily because, as at Great Alne, the dance teachers are prepared to give freely of their time in order to dissipate the joys of different kinds of Dance. An excellent culminating Sunday evening dance - An introduction to International and English Country Dancing. Anne Leach our vivaceous main 2011 International Dance teacher and Caspar Cronk are joint organisers. For more details, phone (on 020 8340 4683) or - email Caspar. cLICK on Dance around the World
In London UK -Balkanplus. Take up the generally quite vigorous patterns of Balkan Dancing. Usually 2nd Sats 7.00 to 10pm - in the lower (Trefusis) Hall of Cecil Sharp House (nearest tube Camden Town). Times may vary though, and occasional Special Dance Workshops take place too. cLICK on Balkanplus
In AlcesterWarwickshire, UK. Alcester Contras."American style" Contra Dances. As in USA, there's lots of dance partners there. It's quite usual to change partner after each dance. It's nice if you take-in there just a little food (that's easy to pick-up by hand) for others to share. There's a dance on an occasional Friday most months (not August). Dates and details at website - cLICKon Alcester Contras
At University of Warwick Folk, Coventry. One of the best - a slick rapper team - at festivals, & around the Midlands. And a good Ceilidh Band. Make contact if interested via website. Regular Ceilidhs of great appeal to the youthful and exuberant at Cryfield Sports Pavilion, off Gibbet Hill, Coventry. cLICK on Warwick University Folk Society (Events)
Folk Camps. Week long, and weekend - Active Holidays based in a Village Hall, or a Marquee. Do you enjoy mainly Ceilidh dancing? Camping in a pleasant part of the UK? Making folk music along with others? Generally would you enjoy friendship through making your own entertainment ? They are like a small, very friendly, do-it-yourself Folk Festival. Here's the page - "What Folk Camps are like". cLICKon Folk Camps
Details of an Annual Woodland - Folk Music Camp for the Physically Disabled- each September. A 5 day camp of special interest those physically disabled, thus able to enjoy playing musical instruments together. Many who enjoy being involved in folk music and folk songs, volunteer assistance to make the week possible. (Main participants are wheelchair restricted.) Enjoy making music in a group, and informally singing with others. Early Sept each year. Located at the excellent facilities of Woodlarks near Farnham Surrey UK. cLICK on Woodland Music Camp
About- Dansgroep Oostzaan - in the Netherlands- our dancing visitors in April. Don't miss seeing the dances done in costume at Great Alne. Then enjoy doing their dances too ! cLICKonDansgroep Oostzaan- on their top line you may select the "page in English" ****************************************************************************************************************************
Next here - Links to a range of Dance Opportunities -Then further links to explore: cLICK onto each link shown in this blue along with the details... Should any recommended site here for any reason NOT fulfil for YOU what's written "on the can" - do please contact us back ! :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Info on - ALL TYPES of DANCE - throughout UK - View local & more distant events. Ask to be informed eg by email fortnightly, about dance events [you choose which types] in your local area: (equally if you plan to visit a Region then you may obtain details for there.) cLICKonAre you Dancing *************************************************************************************************************************************
Information Diary - Daily: Weekly: Monthly Dance Event Pages - covers all of UK for - English (Playford) & English Country Dance. Contra Dances. A few Ceilidh dances. cLICK on Set and Turn SingleSelect "What's on" for any day /week/ month in the future - You may also use the site to seek regular dances/ folk dance clubs/ to select a caller for a dance/ band - etc. ***********************************************************************************************************************************************
Info on all - FOLK FESTIVALS involving music/dance - throughout UK - The "Big List". Details of 200 events: Voluntarily & excellently arranged by the month they take place annually. (Unfortunately the site survives by needing to incorporate a small distraction from very few miscellaneous adverts.) cLICKonUK Folk Festivals ************************************************************************************************************************************************
To find out more about - International Dancing - throughout UK - cLICKonSociety for International Folk Dancing- the SIFD. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
In London UK, for those wishing to try out, or to begin International Dancing. A small group - particularly to welcome newcomers - cLICKonFriday Feet
At Cecil Sharp House (tube: Camden Town). If you wish, bring a partner - but just arrive to join. Most Friday Evenings (except August) 7.30 - 9pm. Anne Leach our vivaceous International Dance teacher in 2011 & '12 frequently shows the dances. *******************************************************************************************************
In London UK, - Dance Around the World. Much to watch/ try out. An excellent - InternationalDance (& much more) SAMPLING WEEKEND. A vibrant, dancing, viewing & music playing Saturday & Sun. 25th & 26th Oct 2014. Choose from a vast range of dance styles - At Cecil Sharp House (tube Camden Town). Very moderately priced. Mainly since as at Great Alne, dance teachers give their time freely, to dissipate joys of different kinds of Dance. An excellent Culminating Sunday Evening Dance is an Introduction to International & English Country Dancing. Anne Leach our vivaceous International Dance teacher in 2011 & 2012 with Caspar Cronk, are joint organisers. For more details, phone (on 020 8340 4683) or - email Caspar.
cLICKon Dance around the World ******************************************************************************************************************************
In London UK. In London UK -Balkanplus. Generally quite vigorous, challenging patterns: mainly Balkan Dancing. Usually 2nd Sats 7.00 -10pm, in the lower (Trefusis) Hall of Cecil Sharp House (nearest tube Camden Town). Sometimes live music. Times may vary and occasional Special Dance Workshops take place too.
cLICKonBalkanplus Visiting Balkanplus; you are sure to meet with Brian Dowsett who brought our lovely Balkan dances of 2012. *******************************************************************************************************************************
Just 2 miles from Great Alne - In Alcester UK. An active and lively style of dance - American style Contra Dancing. Great if you take a partner - not a requirement. Organised by Meg who kindly hosts our Sunday cream tea & scones during Gt Alne Long Weekend. As in USA - lots of dance partners there & usually a change of partner after each dance. It's nice if you take-in there just a little food (that's easy to pick-up by hand) for others to share. There's a dance on an occasional Friday most months (not August). Dates and details at website - cLICKonAlcester Contras ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Traditional English & American dances: dancing in a relatively more sedate style. At Great Alne - in the Memorial Hall (as is the Long Weekend) - 2m from Alcester UK. Alcester Folk Dance Group. Some take along a partner; not a requirement. Organised by David Pattenden. A welcoming group meeting weekly to enjoy traditional English and American dances - To recorded and also live music. Taking your musical instrument may be welcomed. Dances are on Wednesdays 8-10pm in Autumn and Spring School term times.(ie Sept to early April.) cLICKon Alcester Folk Dance Group *************************************************************************************************************
All 5 of us on Gt Alne Long Weekend Committee are based in Birmingham - and are regularly at Meg's Alcester Contras. Others from various dance groups in B'ham also enjoy the Annual April rural visit to Great Alne Village. These groups include - In Moseley, Birmingham UK. Friday Folk. A lively welcoming group. Meet most Friday evenings. Varied kinds of Dancing - mainly English Ceilidh. Just arrive & take part. Plenty of change of dance partners. Couples and singles are equally welcomed. The MAJORITY of members come without a partner. Sometimes dancing is to varied musician bands. To check date/location/caller or type of dance on an evening - cLICKonFriday Folk(Sited within a complex website called the "Activity Exchange".) ************************************************************************************************************************************************* InStirchley, Birmingham UK - lively International Dancing. Tuesday "Terms", 7.30. St Andrews Methodist Church. Cartland Road/Pershore Rd, Birmingham B30 2RD. SELPAR Group - email Maggie Kaye. ********************************************************************************************************************************************************************
In Selly Oak, Birmingham UK. Join in lively Scottish Country Dancing. B'ham branch term-time Beginners’ class, Tuesdays. Selly Oak Methodist Church, Langleys Rd, B29 6HT In Term-time the dancers divide -7.45 to 9pm into - A Beginners Class: and - An Advanced Class all joining from 9 - 9.45pm in Scottish Social Dancing -
And look out for the occasional special Scottish Ceilidhs !
Those who have been at the Long Weekend may particularly recognise further welcoming faces - Almost all Thursdays: Baille Tartan Club, Dame Elizabeth Hall, Oak Tree La, Bournville B30 1UA 8.30-10.30pm. There are also many more Scottish classes around B'ham (and throughout UK too). NB. At Scottish "social dances", the method is to helpfully go over each dance with a quick walkthrough first. cLICK on Royal Scottish Country Dance Society, Birmingham
Technical stuff: to explain this. Section just above needed updating. I pasted back like this phrase what was initially written lower. Due to our longstanding fonts and format - this formatting failure occurred also to 14 links then following on the page. All the links still work! System improvements by our otherwise excellent website host "Weebly" precipitated this fault ! A respectable appearance is being gradually restored as full detail is reinstated both above & below...
At University of Warwick Folk, Coventry. One of the best - a slick Rapper Team - at festivals - And around the Midlands. Here are some of tomorrow's most lively folk enthusiasts in action today. They also market a good Ceilidh Band. Make contact if interested via website. Regular Ceilidhs. Great for the youthful and exuberant. Cryfield Sports Pavilion, off Gibbet Hill, Coventry. cLICK on Warwick University Folk Society (Events)
Folk Camps. Week long, and weekend - Active Holidays based in a Village Hall, or a Marquee. Do you enjoy mainly Ceilidh dancing? Camping in a pleasant part of the UK? Making folk music along with others? Generally would you enjoy friendship through making your own entertainment ? They are like a small, very friendly, do-it-yourself Folk Festival. Here's the page - "What Folk Camps are like". cLICK on Folk Camps
An Annual Woodland - Folk Music Camp for the Physically Disabled - each September. A 5 day camp of special interest those physically disabled, thus able to enjoy playing musical instruments together. Many who enjoy being involved in folk music and folk songs, volunteer assistance to make the week possible. (Main participants are wheelchair restricted.) Enjoy making music in a group, and informally singing with others. Early Sept each year. Located at the excellent facilities of Woodlarks near Farnham Surrey UK. cLICK on Woodland Music Camp
The Memorial Hall - used by our Long Weekend for almost 30 years - we've needed to adapt to many "improvements". (Many changes have affected our use during the Great Alne Long Weekend: some in rather disappointing ways.) Under "News" there, see how and why the high raftered interior of the roof was "modernised". See other regulars whose venue is the Memorial Hall, and the various uses for its present facilities. Should YOU wish to hire for its many modern features, details of how to download a booking form etc. cLICK on Villages of Great Alne and Kinwarton Memorial Hall
Mick Smith Radio. Began as a Leicestershire BBC local Radio Country Music Station - surviving closure by going on line. Weekly 2hr show of Well presented Country Music. Deservedly now enjoyed worldwide. No ads ! (Some Midland Folk Club Dates). Show usually divided into two hour-length parts in order that enthusiasts may burn each part onto a 60min blank CD. Details are given of each track played. Click on "Previous Shows" to explore an extensive Country Show-music archive. cLICK on Mick Smith Radio A monthly 2hr Folk Show is also now available, with its own Folk Show-music archive.