Here’s a bit of an update on dancing. We are getting back up to speed after being open for six lovely months now. Now we are back open and running courses are booking up quickly – So this is a window where if you want to try a new course, bring a friend or two, to try a course that hasn’t been available to you in the past – now is the moment!!!!
Folk Dance and Music Weekend (12-15 Nov) how musicians and dancers can work together with David Bradley, Vicki Baker and Dorothy Seedhouse.
Zesty Contra (19-21 Nov) [NEARLY FULLY BOOKED] an exhilarating, popular and fun weekend designed to extend your dance horizons with Rhodri Morgan, Mark Elvins and Wild Ride
French and Breton Dance Week (22-26 Nov) Peter Clifton, and supported by Karen Prager. Yannick Minvielle-Debat will join the team for part of the week to introduce traditional singing-for-dancing.
Country Christmas – Dinner and Dance (6-11pm on Wed 22 Dec) A folk themes dinner dance. Enjoy a delicious home-cooked supper followed by light-hearted country dancing. All welcome, including those new to country dance. Simon Mapplesden (caller) leads the dancing with live music from musicians Chris Toyne and Henry Lovegrove.
Christmas (23-27 Dec) and New Year (29 Dec -2 Jan) House Parties a fine programme of festive delights with plenty to keep you entertained in great company!
Poldark Plus (Feb 2022) follows on from the previous course. Led by Stuart Marsden (Dancing Master & Choreographer of the acclaimed TV series) with music from the brilliant Warleggan Village Band, Matt Coatsworth, Richard Heacock & Chris Green (Musicians of the same TV series.
English and Scottish Dance (Mar 2022) A light hearted week of Scottish and English country dance with a friendly and experienced team of Frances Richardson, and musicians Ali Messer & Mollie Koenigsberger
Dancing and Walking (28 Mar – 1 April 2022) A mixed-programme of country dance workshops each morning with Rhodri Morgan and the band Vicki Swan and Jonny Dyer, and guided walks in the Quantocks in the afternoons.
Plus much more planned for 2022. A link to all of our dance events is here. (NB Irish set in April, Contra in April and May are nearly full)
Since reopening its been an utter delight to be back among friends, and fellow dancers and musicians. the manor is brought to life with music, song and dance. We are keeping our Covid measures in place as they are working very well and welcomed by staff and guests alike. We are very lucky that we have Halsway Manor as a resource – with the Long Room well ventilated, with double doors that open onto the lawns, a marquee in place, new dining rooms and the refurbishment of the Marsden Room giving us additional space for safe distance socialising, bar table service, testing in advance and smaller occupancy for our rooms and courses. We have also considered the style of dances to be offered to best make use of the space. Plus our amazing location which is very much our own folk bubble. We want to ensure all of our staff and visitors remain safe, well and social.
This last couple of years have been a hard for all including dancers. Your patience has been amazing. So hopefully you can take your first tentative steps or giant leap back into folk dance with us.