FASH CHAT
We've had a folk dance free summer. Other things have been occupying our time but it's great to be back in the groove again. Whatever night of the week suits you best there is something on offer in our area, from Social and Display dance to Song Clubs. See our website at www.fash.org.uk.
This last weekend we decided to try the Contra Dance at Guildford. We encountered American Contras on our very first evening of folk dancing in the early 1970's. My wife, Hilary, ended up at one end of the room whilst I ended up at the other (we were supposed to be partners) and the rest of the set (mostly relatively experienced dancers) descended into complete chaos. We wondered what had hit us. But there was lots of laughter and support for the 'new couple' and we all had a great evening. We were hooked.
Since that time Contras have been a firm favourite and it was only later that we discovered the joys of 'Playford' with its beautiful, graceful and intricate movements. Many years later we still continue to enjoy both styles of dance.
We have visited the USA four times now and our trips have always included a fair proportion of Contra dance. Our visits to Pinewoods summer dance camps and camps in Michigan and Oregon, transformed our Contra dance experience to a new level. The driving music, the searching eye-contact, the trance-like state of the dancers as the band plays the tune for the fifteenth time through, changing partners every dance, the partner and neighbour swings, the twirls that add individuality as well as an extra dimension to today's Contra dancing, and the friendliness and generosity of the dance community mean that Contra dance now has a very special place in our hearts.
As you may know, 'Alterations' Band have been promoting a revival in Contra Dance in the UK and it now seems that their efforts are being rewarded. Contra dance clubs and events are popping up around the country, new bands are forming, and callers who focus mainly on Contra Dance are coming to the fore. We are also experiencing regular visits of bands and callers from the USA. Sadly 'Alterations' have decided to end and will play for their final gig in December.
September saw the first outing of a new Contra Dance band called 'Cruise Control', led by Judith Cooper (ex Alterations), who along with Caller Michael Barraclough gave us a great evening of Contra Dance at Jacobswell Village Hall, near Guildford. This was the first of a series of Contra events being organised by Guildford Folk Dancers. Watch out for future dates in our diary.
Michael is planning a series of Contra dances in Newbury. The inaugural dance is at 8.00pm on 16th October with a regular monthly series on the first Saturday of each month from 1st January. For more details try Michael on 01793 700099.
Don't forget the FASH Workshops and Dances this autumn, see inside for details. On 9th October there's a Cotswold Morris Jig workshop presented by Winchester Morris Men in conjunction with FASH. For more details phone Stroph Rayner on 023 8025 2112 or email stroph@btinternet.com to book a place. See you there?
THE DEMON BARBER ROADSHOW
I requested articles from clubs and am delighted that Charles Gale of Forest Folk Club has taken the time to tell us of what looks like a great event Editor
Another coup for Forest Folk – the complete roadshow will be appearing on Monday 18 October. Based in the north of the country, this is their first concert in the south of England. Damien Barber first came to the attention of the folk world when he was nominated for the BBC Young Musician of the Year award for his wizardry on the concertina. In fact, he was nominated three times! A decade or so on his talents and horizons have expanded, to say the least.
The Demon Barber Roadshow offers a literally unique entertainment experience and just the sort of shot in the arm that folk music needs from time to time. Anyone seeing the show at Forest Folk will see something much more than just a concert by a band. The show is quite fast, flowing together pretty seamlessly. The whole idea is to make it continuous and keep the atmosphere and energy level high all the time.
The Demon Barbers are a five piece band featuring Damien on lead vocals and either guitar or concertina, Bryony Griffith on fiddle and vocals, Will Hampson on melodeon, and, in case you were thinking they were a conventional folk outfit, the distinctly non-folkie Lee Sykes and Rich Ashby on bass and drums. Extra percussion is interspersed through the set by Fiona and Tiny Taylor's dynamic clog dancing. One important idea early on was the clog dancing accompanying the songs, so that the dancers are very much part of the band.
As well as the clogging, Dog Rose Morris who will put the ceiling in severe danger with their gravity-defying athleticism and the amazing Black Swan Rapper will deliver the show stopper as they dance in ultra violet tinged darkness with the whites of their shirts and the fluorescence of their swords as the only visual markers. Bryony plays for both with true aplomb, unfazed by smoke and the close proximity of enough testosterone to sink a small battleship.
If this sounds like Darth Vader meets Cecil Sharp, their choice of music is equally radical: Bryony's fiddle weaves away across a pre-recorded drum and bass track, created by Lee Sykes – no mean feat because the way music normally works in Rapper Dancing is that the dancers don't work to the music, the musician plays to the dance. The effect is stunning and unforgettable.
Tickets are limited so don't miss the opportunity of witnessing this fantastic evening. Telephone Charles Gale on 01329 833625
Folk Promotion Flyer
FASH have produced a colour trifold flyer to promote all aspects of folk. We hope that some people may read it and decide to give an event a try.
We will be distributing the flyers to libraries, information centres, art centres and folk clubs. Where appropriate we will have included a copy with this edition of Solent Waves.
Please could you help in this endeavour. If you know of any places where you could leave some flyers we would be happy to get some to you. Especially if you have other interests, access to colleges, evening classes or anything where people might be attracted to our folk scene. Contacts for FASH are on the top page.
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Submitted by Trevor Gilson (to whom technical queries and requests for additional links only) and Edited by Dennis Wheeler, Penshurst, Vicarage Lane, Swanmore, Hants SO32 2PW 01489 892911 editor@fash.org.uk).