From: Sidmouth FolkWeek [sidmouthfolkweek=btinternet.com_at_mail314_dot_us2_dot_mcsv_dot_net] on behalf of Sidmouth FolkWeek [sidmouthfolkweek_at_btinternet_dot_com]

Sent: 06 July 2012 16:26

Subject: Sidmouth FolkWeek - Dance Press Release

 

Press release
 

Sidmouth FolkWeek
TRIPPING THE LIGHT FANTASTIC?FOCUS ON DANCE

 
Getting itchy feet about the fast-approaching festivities at Sidmouth FolkWeek (3rd - 10th August 2012)?
 
Whether you look good on the dancefloor or have two left feet, we can
fulfill your every dancing urge throughout the festival week with a diverse programme offering every level of performance and participation - from Flamenco to Fandango, from Ceilidh to Contra dance from Cotswold Morris to Zimbabwean Gumboot.
 
World of Dance
 
Sidmouth FolkWeek celebrates dynamic international and home-grown dance styles with some awe-inspiring performances from Zimabwe's high-stepping Black Umfolosi, traditional music, song and dancefrom the Karelia region of Russiafrom Skylark & Artforge and elegant barefoot flamenco from Valerie Romanin. Representing the traditions of the British Isles - with everything from Cotswold capers to Molly mayhem and athletic rapper to Welsh dance and Lancashire clog - are KEGS (Newcastle Kingsmen, Earlsdon, Gaorsach and Jake Jones & Dan Eccles), Morris Offspring, Tipyn O'Bopeth, Seven Champions, Kirtlington Morris, Lancashire Wallopers, Mortimers Morris, Pigdyke Molly, Redbornstoke Morris, Windsor Morris and more.
 
 
JOHN GASSON JIG COMPETITION - One Giant Leap For Mankind
 
The prestigious John Gasson Memorial Jig Comp takes place on Sunday 5
th August. Over the years the competition has achieved its aim of raising the standard of English jig dancing, showcasing some of the most athletic and skilled dancers in the land.
 
 
Ceilidhs
 
The extensive ceilidh programme step-hops energetically into focus with round the clock knees-up opportunities.
 
Popular evening events take place at the Blackmore Gardens Marquee - the first hour aimed at family dancers - with some intriguing themed events: a Tickled Pink pyjama party,the "Status Quo of the Folk World", Peeping Tom celebrating their 40
th anniversary, and even a Ceilidh In The Dark with UV lighting with The Monster Ceilidh Band. An exciting Euro Bal on Sunday night sees the Italian roots of rising stars Stygiens.
 
High-energy Late Night Extra floor-fillers in the Bulverton Marquee are led by Polkaworks, Tickled Pink, Blackbeards Tea Party, Peeping Tom, Spiers & Boden, Monster Ceilidh Band and Hekety. And don't miss Sunday nights extraordinary Jim Moray's Silent Disco!
 
Twice-daily daytime ceilidhs also take place in The Anchor Gardens.  
 
Social Whirl
 
The big news this year is of a brand new, state of the art evening venue especially for social dancers at Stowford Rise. A carefully planned daytime and evening programme of social dances and workshops takes place throughout venues in town, including back-to-back morning workshops at the Blackmore Gardens Marquee.
Just some of the events on offer include Contra Dance with Frances Oates, Barefoot, Lynne Render and Masquerade, English Country Dance with Madeleine Smith, Nigel Close, Joe Hodgson and Rod & Frances Stradling, Western Dances with Mike Courthold and Fiddler's Elbow, Anglo Irish Ceilidh with Robin Dunn, Jerry O'Reilly and two impressive Playford Balls with Nigel Close, Stick The Fiddle, Andrew Shaw and Paul Hutchinson.
 
 
Workshops
 
Sidmouth is peerless in the breadth of its dance workshop programme - from one-off tasters to week-long series, from beginners to masterclasses.
 
Dancing diva Kerry Fletcher leads on Absolute Beginners and a wonderful series of European dance technique workshops from Bourr?es to Polskas via the Fandango. Plus there's Flamenco, Zimbabwean, Breton, Eastern European, Irish Set, Welsh, Contra, Playford and plenty more for aspiring Dance Callers and Beginners and Improver Ceilidh Dancers. Not forgetting Clog and Step, Appalachian Flatfooting, Border Morris, Rapper, North West Morris, Molly and Cotswold Morris!   
 
 
MUST COME DOWN - A morris spectacular fit for an Olympiad.
 
Forget about Sebastian Coe's sarcasm, Morris Offspring provide a glimpse of the spectacle that would have stunned crowds the world over had 5,000 morris dancers indeed been featured in the Olympic opening ceremony!!! Banish all thoughts of middle-aged men with beer bellies squeezed into funny costumes; Morris Offspring brings together the best young men and women that the tradition has to offer in a relentless and punishing display of power and grace of what many see as the English equivalent of a martial art, a dance form both physically demanding and exquisitely precise.
 
Within their number they count Ben Moss, who set a new record by becoming the first person to morris dance the entire 26 miles of the London Marathon this April, bells and all!
 
Featuring two brand new works, the iconic Unicorn and Boar puppets, a stunningly beautiful musical accompaniment from and a magical tapestry of storytelling from Debs Newbold to weave it all together. The band includes Becky Price, a sublime dance musician known for her work with Boldwood, Gavin Davenport, an earthy singer, also performing with Crucible and Hekety, fiddler Nancy Potts and Jackie Oates with her pure, haunting singing and lyrical fiddle playing.
 
"Morris Offspring put the mystery back into morris" Billy Bragg
 
 
Around the rest of the festival, you can expect: family events, In The Tradition events, displays, morris dancers, workshops, sessions and a diverse and entertaining programme jam-packed with feel-good atmosphere.
 
 
BOOKING
 
2011 Ticket Prices held for 2012! No Booking Fee!
 
To help you plan your own festival, further information about All-In-One, Week, Weekend, Day, Sidmouth Resident Ticket Concession tickets, group discounts and accommodation options (including Festival Camping) is available at www.sidmouthfolkweek.co.uk 
 
Book by ?phone 01395 577952
 
 
Taster Programmes can be downloaded from the web site or obtained by emailing abm_sidmouth_at_btinternet_dot_com with name, address and email address.
 
##ends##
 
 
Notes to editors
 
Media queries to: Alan Bearman Music on 020 7263 0425 or info.abm_at_btinternet_dot_com 
 
Full line-up details are available at www.sidmouthfolkweek.co.uk
Photos available on request
 
The final programme - with all featured guests at each event - will be available in the comprehensive Festival Programme published in July.



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