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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |