Nottingham Folk Dance Group
Nottingham Folk Dance Group
Since 2012 we have had a set of 10 to 12 dances which we call our "core" dances. The dances change each year. Club callers will include them in their programmes so that members can learn them and be able to dance them well.
The dances are chosen to allow the callers to teach particular figures, styles and formations. Also, they are chosen to emphasise dancing to the music and letting it guide our movements. Some of the dances are a bit of a challenge, so we won't get them right until we've done some practising. Others have been chosen because they are often danced at public dances, and some more practice will help us to enjoy them more.
We are still experimenting with the best way to approach core dances so please keep passing on feedback to any member of the committee.
Where possible, links to the notation for the dance have been included. No guarantees as to the content of other sites can be given! Note that we may be teaching a slight variant of what is published on the external web site. See also our links page for web sites which provide hints on dance (and calling) technique.
We might even become good enough to publish our own videos as a reference for others!
But, most important of all : Happy Dancing!
| From | To | Dance Name | Formation | Source | Music |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29-Apr-25 | 03-Jun-25 | Diamonds Are For NEFFAInstructions for the dance can be found at: https://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/dance.php?id=15546 Steve Moore has transcribed the instructions as follows: Diamonds are for NEFFA Chris Page Becket 32 bar American contra reel/jig A1 (1 – 8) Slice left into circle left 3/4; swing neighbours A2 (1 – 8) Long lines, go forward and back; star right 7/8 so that the men are on the outside of the set and the ladies are in a long line down the middle B1 (1 – 8) Ladies with new neighbour in left hand, allemande left once round (there is no time to pause and take stock at the end of the star – it is straight into this allemande), ladies re-join the star and star right 3/4 putting the ladies on the outside and the men in a line in the centre, men with new neighbour allemande left once around (see note below) B2 (1 – 8) Men walk forward to partner and gypsy right; meltdown to a swing Progression is clockwise NOTE: In B1, the allemandes are quick – about five steps and the star is six steps. Click here for an animation of this dance. Also, if there are multiple longways sets, then the men can allemande left with a man in the neighbouring set whilst their partners are doing their allemande in the middle. Similarly, the ladies can allemande left with a lady in the next set whilst their partners are doing their allemande in the middle. | L/W Improper | This is dance #15546 in The Caller's Box, a contra dance database. It was the winner of the New England Folk Festival Association (NEFFA) dance competition in 2019 which was their diamond jubilee year. | 32b contra reels or jigs |
| 04-Mar-25 | 15-Apr-25 | Mary K | Longways, Improper | ||
| 21-Jan-25 | 25-Feb-25 | Braes of Dornoch | 3 couple longways | Own tune | |
| 26-Nov-24 | 14-Jan-25 | The FandangoThe Fandango is one of the classic English Country Dances. As a 64 bar dance it is twice as long for each time through as most dances. It also has a split personality, with stately sections and more vigorous sections. Dance Video - See if you can spot someone who has called at NFDG! | 3 cpl longways | Thompson 1774 | Own tune. 64 bars. CD "The Apted and other Country Dances" Track 16. One note introduction. |
| 08-Oct-24 | 05-Nov-24 | The Bonny CuckooDance AnimationDance Video Dance Instructions | 4 copule longways | Gail Ticknor, 1986 | Waltz time "Si Beag, Si Mohr" by Turlough O'Calloran Recorded on "Playford from the New World" by the Assembly Players (track 14) with 4 bar introduction. |
| 01-Sep-24 | 01-Oct-24 | The Astonished ArcheologistDance animation and instructions
| 3cpl L/W | Philippe Callens (Continental Capers) | Goff Hall, by Dan Lanier, recorded on "At Home" by Bare Necessities and "Red Star Line" by A Joyful Noise and Hold The Mustard. |
| 09-Jul-24 | 23-Jul-24 | Caller's ChoiceCallers will choose from the Core Dances we have done this year and in prior years. | |||
| 28-May-24 | 02-Jul-24 | Charlene's Celebration | 4 cpl L/W | Gary Roodman, Calculated Figures, 2005 | Elizabethan Tango Man, Charlene Thompson |
| 16-Apr-24 | 21-May-24 | FelicityDance Instructions | 4 cpl L/W | Colin Hume | Felicity by Dave Brown |
| 05-Mar-24 | 09-Apr-24 | FandangoThis dance was published in Twenty Four Country Dances for the Year 1774 by Thompson and is now danced as a three couple set, with each couple taking the "active" role in turn. | 3cpl L/W | Thompson 1774 | Own Tune |
| 02-Jan-24 | 20-Feb-24 | Devil's DreamDance Animation
| Longways Improper | CDM Book 6 | EFDSS Community Dances CD1 Track 10 |
| 30-May-23 | 18-Jul-23 | An Early Frost | L/W Proper | Philippe Callens | Own Tune |
| 11-Apr-23 | 23-May-23 | Nettle Rash | 5 Couple L/W | Jack Brown | 5x32b Jig |
| 14-Feb-23 | 04-Apr-23 | Dunham Oaks | Longways duple minor, proper | Brian Wedgbury, English Dance & Song, 1973 | Own Tune |
| 01-Jan-23 | 07-Feb-23 | Charlene's Celebration | 4 cpl L/W | Gary Roodman, Calculated Figures, 2005 | Elizabethan Tango Man, Charlene Thompson |
| 15-Nov-22 | 13-Dec-22 | FelicityDance Instructions | 4 couple longways | Colin Hume | Felicity by Dave Brown |
| 11-Oct-22 | 08-Nov-22 | Buffalo StampedeDance Instructions | Longways, becket formation, even number of couples | Tom Hinds | 32bar American Reel |
| 06-Sep-22 | 27-Sep-22 | John Tallis' Canon | Duple minor | Pat Shaw | 32b own tune (slow jig) |