Not familiar with world trad dance? Expect to dance around the world to the tunes and steps of Old Time Scottish (a precursor of Ballroom), Bollywood, Southern Italian Pizzica, American Line and Lindy Hop. These taster sessions will offer unforgettable fun experiences led by our qualified dance teachers and accompanied by live music. Soak in the history along with some fun moves so you can get on the dance floor and give it a go!

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The block of five sessions in early 2024 will run at the Stockbridge Library 24 February – 23 March 2024 – free and open to all on a drop-in basis. Please note that all under 12 year olds should be accompanied by a guardian. Places are limited to 20 per session and available on first come first served basis upon registration in advance. Please fill in the brief registration form and we will be in touch to confirm your space/s.

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 REGISTER NOW

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PIZZICA PIZZICA

with Lara Russo, Inesa Vėlavičiūtė and Michela Furin (dance teachers), Alessandro Parlato (tambourine), Michele Quarta (voice and guitar) and Simone Caffari (voice, guitar and recorder)

Saturday, 24 February 2024, 12-1pm

Pizzica pizzica is a traditional folk dance from Puglia, South of Italy. An energetic and playful dance performed during family gatherings and town festivals. Its music and moves are deeply related to the healing ritual of Tarantism. During the workshop you will feel the cathartic rhythm of the tambourine, learn the main steps of the dance and experience its different dynamics. You will go back home with a huge smile on your face!

BOLLYWOOD

with Apeksha Bhattacharyya (dance teacher) and Gourab Dey (vocals and guitar)

Wednesday, 28 February 2024, 6.30-7.30pm

Join us for this high energetic, vibrant and fun session. We will enjoy learning choreography and movement to a specific Bollywood song with a focus on expressions, coordination and emotions. You will be encouraged to explore you own creativity and love for dance, as well as perfect your Bollywood steps while being accompanied by live music.

OLD TIME SCOTTISH

with Pia Walker (dance teacher) and Bernie Hewitt (accordion)

Saturday, 9 March 2024, 2-3.30pm

Old Time dancing is probably the most endangered Scottish dance style, but worth resurrecting. There are dances up and down the country for just this style of dance and for the dancer it opens up the possibility of going to dances that are not high-octane ceilidhs, nor Scottish country dancing, although quite a few of the dances are included in the ceilidh dance style repertoire. Come and have a go at something Scottish but different.

LINDY HOP

with Rob Armitage (dance teacher and drums), Emily Raithby (dance teacher), Adam Harries (saxophone) and Nicholas Franck (keyboard)

Wednesday, 13 March 2024, 6.30-7.30pm

Come and try Lindy Hop – a swing dance from the 1930-40s founded by Black American communities. It is all about feeling the rhythms and bringing your own personality while sharing a dance with another person. You don’t need to come with a partner as we will change around in the session, just wear something you can move around comfortably in and footwear that is not too grippy – we recommend not wearing high heels.

AMERICAN COUNTRY LINE

with Angel Godwin (dance teacher) and Rachel Petyt (fiddle)

Saturday, 23 March 2024, 12-1pm

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As the only national charitable organisation of its kind dedicated to the advancement of all forms of world dance with roots in traditional culture, Traditional Dance Forum of Scotland has curated these five sessions as part of our ongoing partnership with Edinburgh Libraries as part of Pomegranates 2024 – Scotland’s festival of international traditional dance which continues with a range of events until 30 April 2024: https://linktr.ee/pomegranatesfest. The sessions were made possible through initial public funding from the City of Edinburgh Council Warm and Welcoming Spaces.

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Images courtesy of contributing artists and partners