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The stage programme is extended this year, with demonstrations
taking place every half hour from 10.30 in the morning to 4.00 in
the afternoon.
On Saturday, in addition to stage demonstrations, dance sides will
perform at a variety of locations around the showground and all will
take part in a procession at 12 noon, ending in massed dancing
outside the Members’ Pavilion.
It’s a noisy, energetic and colourful part of the festival which
fills the avenues with packed crowds.
A
new feature this year is a dance floor in the festival marquee. It
provides covered space for demonstrations if the weather is poor and
various sides offer dance workshops here.
Sally Hamlyn, one of the organisers, said:
“The festival aims to take dance out to people and to let them see
what’s happening in Cornwall.
“We also involve invited sides from outside the county which is good
for the whole dance scene because it allows dancers and musicians to
learn from each other.
“The Royal Cornwall Show is an ideal location for the festival,
which is becoming widely known and appreciated.”
Dance sides taking part in this year’s festival are:
Saffron Maids
Saffron Maids dance North West Clog and are based around Truro in
Cornwall. They dance with precision and enthusiasm and wear the
gold and black for Cornwall
Phoenix Morris
First formed in 1952, Phoenix dance Cotswold Morris in their own
distinct way. They are based near Watford, Middlesex.
Raddon Hill
Arguably Exeter's largest Clog Morris side, with men and women
members drawn from across Devon.
Shuffle the Deck
Formed in 1995, based at Harbertonford,Totnes this experienced
Appalachian side perform regularly at major and smaller festivals.
Kickin' Chicken
A
new Cornwall-based quartet of enthusiastic Appalachian Dancers who
perform regularly with 'Just Plain Myrtle', a new Blue Grass/Folk
band based in Lostwithiel.
Asteveryn
A
Cornish Dance side which promotes all areas of Cornish dance and
music
Hanging Johnny
Shanty men from Plymouth who entertain with traditional shanties and
tales of the high seas – with a few unexpected elements in their
performance.
Tribal Fire
A
group from Devon who dance Tribal Belly Dancing, a style of dance
that has originated from the USA within the last twenty years. It
draws from elements of Arabic, Turkish, Indian and Flamenco making
it a very distinctive kind of dance.
Trigg Morris Men
The name Trigg comes from 'The Hundred of Trigg' an ancient
administration administrative area of Mid Cornwall. Based in Bodmin,
the perform Cotswold Morris.
Ros Keltek
Ros Keltek is a group of dancers and musicians who have been
performing, teaching and promoting traditional Cornish dance and
traditional Cornish music for over 20 years.
Newquay Jive
They teach a form of dance called ‘Modern Jive’ (also known as Ceroc).
On a typical class night, beginners will be given a basic lesson of
four simple moves, the emphasis being on having fun and not
taking it too seriously.
Sally Hamlyn said:
“The festival is supported by local companies who make it go with a
real swing. So we are grateful to Skinner’s of Truro, Ginsters Food
and Hobgoblin Music.” |
