We’re delighted to welcome American caller Kathy Anderson and the fantastic English Contra Dance Band for another great week of dancing at Halsway Manor!
Our American Contra Dance weeks are tremendously popular and often sell out so we really do encourage early booking for these courses. Hosted by Meg Winters, dance workshops take place each morning with fun optional outings and activities in the afternoons. There is usually a musicians’ workshop Wednesday tea-time, so bring instruments! Dances every evening, all in the lovely setting of Halsway Manor!
“Friendly and welcoming group of people, plenty of laughs, energetic dancing and really enjoyable sessions in the bar afterwards!” Participant
Who’s it For?
Dancers of all levels of experience.
The Team
Meg Winters is a familiar face at Halsway Manor, and the perfect, friendly and knowledgeable host to make sure you get the best from your break at Halsway!
Kathy Anderson (USA): Internationally known and sought after, Ohio’s Kathy Anderson is a legend in her own time. She has long been a favourite caller across the US, Canada, England and Denmark. Her smooth vocal delivery, enthusiasm and wit combined with her repertoire of flowing contras and high-energy squares always guarantee a fun and exhilarating dance experience!
Here she is talking about getting started as a caller:
English Contra Dance Band are one of the best-known contra bands in the UK; they’ve performed at all the dance series and folk festivals that there possibly are for contra bands to do in this country, several times over, plus they’ve toured in America and are established favourites on the Danish contra dance festival scene (yes, there is one). They are also regulars at Halsway Manor playing for dance courses and weekends. Once you start dancing to them, you don’t want to stop!
Gareth Kiddier (piano) has been playing on the folk dance scene for in excess of 15 years and is a passionate dancer, all of which shows in his driving rhythmical support of the dance tunes using well considered harmonic chords. When not with ECDB, he may be heard playing most weekends of the year with The Watch, PolkaWorks and other occasional line-ups.
Linda Game (fiddle, mandolin) has been playing folk based music for over 20 years since she escaped from the Classical world! In addition to being fluent in a number of styles she is able to take tunes into another dimension with her stunning improvisational ability and rhythmic sense, making her a particularly exciting dance musician! Over the years she has worked with the American Appalachian dance team Broken Ankles and pursued other American styles – Cajun, Texas swing, Old Time – with the band The Kitchen Girls. In addition to other projects she currently plays with The Fold, a Brighton based, international Folk Rock band, and until very recently with the acclaimed contemporary folk trio Zoox (who have now decided to go their separate ways).
