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Camp Schedule and Session Descriptions

Please note that the following schedule, locations, and descriptions are subject to change up to and during camp itself.

Schedule

Workshop Descriptions

Contradancing to the Music, the Music for the Dance (Cammy)

This workshop will focus on contradances with specific tunes. The overall goal is for the dancers to learn to pay more attention to the music, to think about why these tunes were used for these dances, and how they can match their style to the music. The examples danced will be both traditional and original dances that I have written to go with specific tunes.

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Modern Moves and Manners (Experienced English) (Nan)

New moves from old! Modern sense and sensibilities! After 350 years, English Country Dancing is still full of surprises! Say what - Hey for Eight?

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Contra and Square Dance Flirtations (Suzanne)

Connection's the thing! We'll look at different tips and approaches to dance well with dancers of all sizes and experience levels. You'll be the most desirable dance partner on the floor!

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Swedish Couple Dances from Dalarna (Cammy)

Depending on the experience range among participants, this workshop may focus on one genre or it may cover the full range of Couples dances from western Dalarna (Polka, Polska, Waltz, Schottische, and Mazurka). In either case you may expect to learn some new dances.

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Campers' Southern Music Jam (no leader)

A music jam for anyone who wants to practice playing Southern tunes (old-timey). Bring your instruments, music stand, and any appropriate tune books.

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Singing (Carlo)

Songs with familiar and/or easy choruses everyone can join in on. Bring a song to share, or just sing along with the others.

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Something Old, Something New... (English for All) (Nan)

A sampling from across the centuries to engage the experienced dancer and introduce newcomers to the spirit and joy of English Country Dance.

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Couple Dance Party (no teaching)

Waltzes, polkas, schottishes, hambos, tangos, and more waltzes. You never get enough of them during a regular evening dance, so here is your chance. Requests will be gladly accepted, and may even be played.

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The Ideal Contra (for Callers, Musicians and Dancers) (Cammy)

This workshop is an interdisciplinary discussion (with probably a few dancing examples) of Cammy's idea of the roles that each member of a dance community plays in creating the transported experience one gets when everything clicks. This workshop is geared to musicians, callers, and dancers alike with the expectation that we can all do our roles better if we understand each other's niches. The "ideal" is what we strive for and the "magical" is when it works. Participants should find tips on how to make each dance more enjoyable and many of the tips will also be useful for everything from composing tunes and dances to organizing dances in new venues.

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Perpetual Motion Contras (Nan)

Hot and energetic Contra dances that will keep you moving nearly all the time. Maximize the flow, maintain the uniqueness of each movement, and know where your partner is!

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French Canadian Waltz Clog (Suzanne)

This fun, traditional Quebecois waltz clog is related to waltz clogs in tap, English and other step dance traditions. It has its own tune and a host of cool steps designed to make you look good. We'll start from scratch and learn as many of the steps as we can in 2 sessions.

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Campers' English Music Jam (no leader)

A music jam for anyone who wants to practice playing English Country dance tunes. Bring your instruments, music stand, and any appropriate tune books.

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Zesty Squares (Suzanne)

With cool floor movements and designed for fun, these squares get you moving and keep you connected. No lackluster figures in these dances - they'll keep you on your toes!

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Remembering what's next: Playford dances with lots of "stuff" (Cammy)

This workshop will cover English dances from the simplest to the more involved, with the goal to give the dancers techniques for spotting landmarks within the choreography that help them to recall the entire dance. Although dances are usually taught in little chunks, one's dancing improves if one can envision the figures of the whole dance in its entirety and anticipate moves in one's mind rather than letting the caller surprise you with them.

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Was That Good For You? (Contras) (Nan)

Maximize your partner's dancing pleasure! And your own! Things you always wanted to know about contra dancing, but where afraid to ask.

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Contras and Squares To Tickle Your Fancy (Suzanne)

While dancing contras and squares ranging from the sweet to the silly, you'll move in perfect coordination with your partner to create a dance heaven on earth.

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Unusual English (Cammy)

This workshop will be a repertoire building adventure into dances from the Playford editions that are very rarely done and a few of my own originals that are in the Playford style. Although the goal is to introduce some stimulating new dances, there will be style tips sprinkled throughout. Those who attended the workshop on how to remember yesterday will find lots of dances to practice on in this workshop.

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Campers' Northern Music Jam (no leader)

A music jam for anyone who wants to practice playing Northern tunes (jigs and reels, etc). Bring your instruments, music stand, and any appropriate tune books.

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Who Says I'm Inactive? (Cammy)

This workshop will cover methods that I like to employ as a dancer and caller to facilitate and/or augment the basic choreography in order to make the experience more pleasing for me and those around me. We will cover traditional dances (hence the title) as well as more modern ones and test out many embellishments. This workshop will include a large dose of "sensitivity" training because unbridled embellishment, improvisation, and creativity would otherwise make for a less-not more-enjoyable experience (especially for those around you).

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English Dances from the Dawn of the 21st Century (Nan)

Would John Playford roll over or simply set and turn single? Enjoy wonderful and exciting new dances that have been dreamed up since the turn of the 21st century (some are not even published yet).

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