Q. Is this the kind of dance where I need to bring a partner?
A. NO! Of course you can if you want to, but don't let the lack of a partner
stop you from coming to the dance. It's also perfectly in keeping for Ladies to
dance together. Come to the dance on your own, come in a group, come with a
partner -- just come and have fun!
Q. Do I need any special
shoes or clothing?
A. No! Just a pair of shoes you feel comfy in, and your own choice of clothing.
You would look out of place in check shirts, straw hats, and cowboy boots! Come
as you are.
Q. What age do you
have to be?
A. Any age, really. Children from junior school age can cope very well, and
people of every age can enjoy it until well into old age. And people of all ages
can dance it together.
Q. Is it anything like ceilidh
dancing?
A. Yes, but with some important differences. In Scottish and Irish Ceilidhs,
there are about half a dozen dances that "we all know from school". Country
dancing can choose from many hundreds of different dances, so a bit more
thinking and learning is needed!
Q. Is it anything like
line-dancing?
A. Only in one sense; most of the dances are a set of movements which are
repeated. The main difference is that you do not dance by yourself, doing
exactly the same as the others, but you play different parts in teams or sets or
groups.
Q. Is there a lot of form-filling?
A. No! Just pay a small weekly charge on the evenings you come along. Some clubs
would like some contact information, just in case there is some problem, like
the hall being suddenly unavailable. It can happen.
Q. What is the difference between an English ceilidh and a barndance?
A.Not much. They are both easy-going dances very suitable for beginners. If
anything, the ceilidh is a bit more rumbustious and the barn dance a bit more
sedate.
Q. Where can I
get a band for my barndance or ceilidh?
A. Start by following this link. to our Newsletter page, then click for Bands
And Callers (you will need both).
Q. Is it anything like
Sequence Dancing?
A. In one sense, it is. Most English dances feature a series of linked movements
or steps, which are repeated a number of times - a sequence. The main difference
is that the dancing is not done in Couples, but in larger groups, often with
each couple in the group in turn leading the sequence.
Q. Do I have to join the EFDSS?
A. No. The EFDSS (English Folk Dance & Song Society) is the parent body for all
English country dancing, and the local clubs are affiliated to it. Many local
dancers are members of EFDSS, and all dancers are encourage and invited to join,
but it is not compulsory or essential.
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