East Preston Dance Circle

International Folk and Circle Dancing

   

Time : 7:30pm - 9:30pm Thursdays (except August) (Directions)
Place: Catholic Church Hall, Vermont Drive, East Preston, West Sussex
Contact for Circle Dancing: Judith Washington (01903 722189)
Contact for International Folk Dancing: Janet Douglas (01243 265010)

The East Preston Dance Circle alternates between 2 styles of dance, though some of the dances are the same. During the international folk dance evenings, only traditional national dances are danced whilst modern choreographies are included in the circle dance evenings.

The repertoire of the group is mainly dances that are danced in lines, circles and spirals in a mixed range of slow, moderate and high energy level dances with a similar mix of difficulty (something for everyone!). One reason for choosing these type of dances is that there is no need for a partner. Anyone can come along on a Thursday evening and enjoy dancing with other people.

International Folk Dancing at East Preston

1st,3rd & 5th Thursdays
This is an associated group of the Society for International Folk Dancing (SIFD).

The East Preston International side have a huge range of dances, but there is always a reminder lesson of the steps before each dance, and new or old (half forgotten) ones are taught thoroughly. The dances are all folk dances from around the world, which have been researched and collected over the years.

Current favourites are: TaiTai (Greece), Zonoradiko Karoti (Greece), Erzeroumi Shoror (Armenian), Dagh Gorani (Armenia), Ajsino Oro (Albanian), Vosle Sadu (Russia), Joc de Ulita (Roumania), Azerbeycan (Turkish), Shifers Tanz (Yiddish Roumanian), Tik (Greece), Kumanovka (Macedonia), Pogonissios (Greece), Bufkansko (Macedonian), Lugawonka (Russia), Pivna Jagoda (Russia), Kakpri Balkye (Russia), Ambee Dageets (Armenia), Iste Hendek (Turkey), Dodi Li (Israel), Miserlu (Greece), Stiga misa momne le (Bulgaria), Pomasko Sirto (Bulgaria), and Sepastia Bar (Armenia).

Part of the true experience of a traditional dance is feeling how the appropriate costume affects the style of dance i.e. long heavy skirts would restrict movement, some shoes make one style of dance impossible whilst facilitating another. On these evenings you are encouraged to imagine the situation the dance evolved from to appreciate its qualities. Dancers who are interested in doing more are encouraged to join the display team - the Bognor Regis International Dance Ensemble.

Circle Dancing at East Preston

2nd & 4th Thursdays

Dancing in a circle is one of the ways in which people celebrate community and togetherness. We enjoy a very wide ranging repertoire of European and world folk dances, some traditional and others more recently choreographed to a variety of inspirational music, ancient and modern. These include Celtic, South American and Classical music. This variety of styles of dance and music means that there is something for everyone, no matter what their age or ability. Many are village dances and can be carried out with youthful vigour or mature reflection.

Circle Dance groups, worldwide, have their roots in Folk Dance. At East Preston, we aspire to pass on traditional dances as accurately as possible to enable our group to experience a rich variety of styles and rhythms true to the country of origin. In addition, we share dances that have been choreographed within the Circle Dance network to enhance and encourage free expression and to enlarge the range of music that we can experience and explore through dance.

Current favourites are drawn from the various strands of the Folk and Circle dance worlds. They come to us through workshops organised by teachers such as Stefan Freedman, Hennie Konings, Maggie O'Regan, Bob Minney, Hugh Spriggs, Ersin Seyhan, Jan Knoppers, Judy King, Colin Harrison, David Roberts, Paja & Madelon Milic, Lesley Laslett and Sue Kewley with Labyrinth.

The emphasis is on joining in and sharing the dance experience for enjoyment and personal enrichment. We offer a warm welcome to newcomers throughout the year and look forward to encouraging the 'dancer' within you!

Getting to East Preston Dance Circle

From Arundel, follow the A27 eastwards from Arundel to the Angmering exit, follow main road (Arundel Road) through Angmering, turning into Station Road and then cross the A259 into East Preston (see below).

If you are coming from the east, leave the A27 and follow the A280, bearing right to enter Angmering and continuing through to join Station Road (see below).

Alternatively if a drive through Angmering does not suit, continue until you reach the A259, turn right (west) and continue along the Roundstone Bypass road until you turn off left into Station Road towards the Angmering and East Preston Railway Station(see below).

From Littlehampton, follow the A259 and turn south at the East Preston roundabout into Station Road (towards the station). Of course there are several ways to get there from Littlehampton but if you are unsure this is the best route. Once you know where the hall is, you can explore the alternatives on your return to Littlehampton.

Once in East Preston
Continuing south, cross the railway line and take the first left (at the mini-roundabout), signposted to East Preston. Turn 2nd right into The Street (also signposted to East Preston) and follow it to the end. Turn right, then immediately left into Vermont Drive – the church hall is in the car park on the right. Note: if you are walking from the station, it is just over a mile.