Dance Program

All dance workshops and displays are held in the Brolga venue

page updated 9th February, 2010

 

 Dance Workshops

 

 
Yiddish dance workshop – Di Khupe Heybners
Saturday 12noon
Dances include the khosidl, patsh-tantz, hora (different to the Israeli hora), serba, bulgar, terkisher, freylakh, and some fancy party tricks, which Sarah Myerson learned from Yiddish dancers extraordinaire Steve Weintraub and Andreas Schmitges in New York. Comfortable clothing, handkerchiefs, non-glass waterbottles and well-soled shoes recommended

 

 

Belly Dance workshop - Erika Mordek
Saturday 10.00am
Erika Mordek of the Tallaganda Dance Troupe, our former dance program co-ordinator, and veteran of many festival dance workshops, will be teaching the basics of Belly dancing.   Bring a veil or long scarf to this workshop as Erika will be teaching simple veil techniques.

 

 

 
 
 
Tango workshops - Talla Tango
Friday 7.00pm & Sunday 9.30am
Made up of part of Tallaganda Dance Troupe, a group of women who have been dancing at Cobargo Folk Festival for several years, led by experienced Tango teacher Erika Mordek, will teach you Tango at two workshops throughout the weekend, giving you the confidence to participate in the Social Tango dances.

 

 
 
Flamenco workshops – Elena Varga & The Flamenco Crew
Saturday 3.15pm & Sunday 12.30pm
We are fortunate this year to have Elena Varga, one of the most highly regarded Flamenco dancer and teacher in Australia presenting, together with her troupe The Flamenco Crew, several demonstrations and a workshop on the spectacular flamenco. Do not miss this opportunity to learn from these world-class flamenco dancers.

 

 

  

Bavarian Couples Dances - Ingrid & Jim Williams
Sunday 11.30am
Jim along with his wife Ingrid teach Bavarian couples dancing, an easy to learn and fun experience of the traditional dances of Bavaria in Southern Germany. Accompanied by live music, this workshop has been presented at the National, Illawarra and Numerella Folk Festivals.

 

Irish Dance workshop – Gordon Budd’s Irish Dancers
Saturday 4.30pm & Sunday 1.15pm
Have a go at energetic Irish dancing, ranging from traditional to Riverdance/Lord of The Rings style, under the expert guidance of Gordon Budd and his troupe of dancers. Gordon has toured internationally as a leading dancer in the Guiness Riverdance production and now teaches Irish dancing on the Far South Coast.

 

 

 
Contra Dance workshop - Canberra Contra Club
Saturday 1.45pm & Sunday 2.15pm
The North American contra-dance tradition involves longways sets of dancers stretching the full length of the hall. Couples in the set progress along the length of the set. The progressive nature of the dance is ideal for spreading experienced dancers throughout the dance floor. The Canberra Contra Club, and the tutorship of Colin Townes, will have you enjoying this very social dance in no time.
In addition, the Canberra Contra Club musicians will be conducting a workshop for all musicians on the playing of music for Contra dancing at 5.30pm Saturday in the Brolga

 

Dance Displays and Social Dances

In addition to a the comprehensive program of dance workshops, the dance program will include dance displays by The Far South Coast Scottish Country Dancers, Gordon Budd's Irish Dancers (with a much expanded lineup of dancers than in previous years), Black Joak Morris Dancers and a Flamenco display by Elena Varga and The Flamenco Crew.

There will also be plenty of opportunity to do some social dancing with a Bush Dance, Scottish Country Dance, a Contra Dance and two Tango Social dances scheduled.

So, there is bound to be something for every dance enthusiast. Or if you simply feel like a little exercise after hours of sitting watching the performers in the other venues, why not chasse on down to the Brolga venue.