Bognor Regis International Dance Ensemble
The Bognor Regis International Dance Ensemble is a non-profit group whose aim is to increase local opportunities for international folk dancing. It is an associated group of the Society for International Folk Dancing (SIFD). The regular weekly classes are an opportunity for children to learn and enjoy folk dances from around the world.
Children dancing in Danish costume
The group is run by Janet Douglas who is an approved teacher of the Society for International Folk Dancing
(SIFD). More importantly she understands that dance lessons for children are as much about fun as education. The children
learn more if they are enjoying themselves.
Every year we prepare a display team to perform international folk dancing at local fetes and
carnivals. Every year we try to attend at least one special event - this can be a performance at the Victoria Embankment Gardens
in London as part of the Society of International Folk Dancing season. In past years we have performed at the Hawth Theatre, Crawley and
the Royal Albert Hall. In 2009 the children competed (with music supplied by some of the adults) at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.
We returned to the
Royal Albert Hall in 2010.
Some of the dancers in Ukrainian costume
The display team of all ages enjoy international folk dancing, dressing up and performing in public. The grown-ups in the display team have irregular practice meetings depending on the display schedule. They also meet to co-operate in various ventures for fun.
