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Summer Country Dancing

Monday 22 Jul 4pm — Friday 26 Jul 10am, 2024

To make a booking enquiry please complete the form below. We will contact you to confirm availability and complete your booking.

Pricing

Full board per person (tuition, activities, all meals & accommodation):

£430– single ensuite room
£390– sharing an ensuite room
£390– single non-ensuite room
£355 – sharing non-ensuite room

Camping per person (tuition, activities, all meals):

£260

Non Resident (tuition, activities, all meals except breakfast):

£240

Join us for a midweek country dancing break, in the height of the Somerset summer.

This will be a week of lively dance encompassing all forms of social folk dancing. We will have an opportunity to enjoy American and British contra as well as traditional English, Playford, American squares and some of Mark’s own composition.

There will be dances each evening, workshops in the mornings, while the afternoons will be left free to enable dancers to enjoy the Somerset countryside in all its summer glory. Afternoon trips out will be arranged on an ad hoc basis depending on the weather and demand.

Musicians are encouraged to bring instruments for jam sessions and cloggers experienced or beginners to bring footwear. Callers aspiring or experienced may like to bring their notes or queries for an open mic session.

This course runs alongside the July Violin Making course.

Who is it for?

This week is for anyone who would like to enjoy a country dance, learn a few new moves, dance with others and enjoy the manor and its local landscape.

Whatever your level of experience in dancing, playing or singing, come and enjoy a convivial few days with like-minded people! There is plenty of opportunity for you to come and soak in the atmosphere

Musicians are invited to bring their instruments as there will be opportunities to play together in the bar and jam sessions.

The Team

Mark Elvins is one of the very best contra dance callers in England.  He is joined by musicians Ali, Jane and Meg – a group born out of a previous mini-fest organised by Meg.

Ali, Jane and Meg are a trio of  highly experienced dance musicians. Meg Winters from  Meg ‘n’ Mor, Momentum and host of Alcester Contra Dances is on guitar, Ali Messer on accordion and Jane Harrison, who formerly played in Alterations, rounds off the trio on fiddle. Their repertoire, enriched by all three being expert dancers immersed in folk music from an early age, ranges from 1650s English tunes to modern tunes for Contra dancing.