English American Week - Class Preferences

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Morning Session #1 (9:00-10:00)

Advanced English
Rhapsody in Rhythm
Rapper
Other: sleep, swim, relax ...

Advanced English: Dances with a Challenge -- Scott Higgs and Joanna Reiner (3 days each) -- A class for dancers who are very familiar with English country dance, and ready for a challenge. Standard figures will not be taught, and dancers must be experienced with learning dances quickly.

Rhapsody in Rhythm -- Joanna Reiner and Scott Higgs (3 days each) -- We will explore the breadth of English dance styles, as reflected in the music -- from elegant to energetic, playful to thoughtful, flowing to frolicking. This is an engaging session for those who already love English dancing and a great introduction for those who soon will.

Rapper -- Shona Kearney -- Shona will share a mixed bag of figures gathered from the Dancing England Rapper Tournament (DERT) competition. In this class, novices can master basic patterns, while experts tackle exciting new figures. We will look at the full range of rapper skills -- stepping, figures, drive, teamwork and presentation. Hard-soled shoe required.

Morning Session #2 (10:15-11:15)

Stylish Contras
Cotswold Morris
Platter of Styles
Join Us in Song
Other: sleep, swim, relax ...

Stylish Contras -- Lisa Greenleaf -- Come tune up your dancing as you have fun with cool choreography and satisfying style. Lisa will get your dance engine purring down the smooth and zesty highway.

Cotswold Morris: Kirtlington -- Jan Elliott -- One day's class in this tradition last summer stimulated lots of interest; this year we'll explore a number of dances in this distinctive and showy style. This class will be fast-paced, geared to experienced morris dancers, but motivated novices are welcome to give it a try!

Platter of Styles -- Mary Lea -- We will look at a different musical genre each day to see what makes it distinct, including old-time, Irish, Québécois, English and several more. All musicians are welcome, although primary focus will be on fiddles and melody instruments.

Join Us in Song -- Suzannah Park -- Most of our songs will come from American traditions, but we'll also sing some from around the world. No experience is required and you don't need to read music. We'll sing and shout and make great music together. Come on and sing!

Afternoon Session #3 (1:45-2:45)

Dance Jam/Open Mic
The Couple Dance Connection
Longsword
World Harmony Singing
Other: sleep, swim, relax ...

Dance Jam/Open Mic -- Scott Higgs, Emily Troll -- This session welcomes dancers, callers and musicians at all levels for an hour of fun and discovery. Scott will coordinate with callers to present a varied, fast-paced program. Emily will lead the camper orchestra in a diverse mix of music to suit each dance. Bring your dance shoes, dance cards and fiddle -- you'll use all three!

The Couple Dance Connection -- Lisa Greenleaf -- In the context of waltz, hambo, swing and other dance forms, we will focus on communication with and learning from our partners. As we dance, we will explore connection, balance, frame and all those lovely things that make for the "ahh" moments of couple dancing.

Longsword: Haxby -- Shona Kearney -- Open to all, Shona will guide you through the Haxby longsword dance, the most recent addition to the repertoire of Toronto Women's Sword. Haxby is an upbeat dance with fun flowing figures.

World Harmony Singing -- Suzannah Park -- This session is for those who want to stretch their singing horizons. We'll sing songs with lovely harmonies, unusual rhythms and multiple parts. Some written music will be provided, but you don't have to read it -- Suzannah will teach the parts. We'll explore songs from Europe, Africa, Appalachia and diverse places in between.

Afternoon Session #4 (3:00-4:00)

Squares with a Difference
Potpourri
Ontario Step Dancing
Garage Band Music Theory
Other: sleep, swim, relax ...

Squares with a Difference -- Kathy Anderson -- Fasten your seatbelts for a whirlwind tour through the world of squares. Kathy promises fast Southern squares to sizzling old-time tunes, but also an intriguing mix of the Western squares of the 50s, her favorites from New England, ... even Britain and Denmark! Lots of unexpected twists and turns await you in this fast-paced session.

Potpourri -- Chloe Maher -- This is a fun opportunity to explore the exciting diversity of dance and music -- with different themes each day. Current prospects include Appalachian clog, Irish Sets, special music workshops and much more. Talk with Chloe about the special session you'd love to lead, or the dance or style that you'd love to learn.

Ontario Step Dancing -- Shona Kearney -- This class features an Ontario clog, jig and reel routine from the repertoire of the late Alex Mulligan. Mulligan developed his distinctive style in the lumber camps of northern Ontario, and perfected it on the vaudeville circuit in the 1920s. Mastering the full performance is geared to intermediate/advanced cloggers, but all are welcome and will leave with useable portions of the routine.

Garage Band Music Theory -- Anna Patton -- A class for melody players who want to learn to recognize common chord progressions and spot substitutions, variations and cheap tricks. Working with well known tunes, we'll make up bass lines, harmonize and improvise. All that's required is basic skill on your instrument and a willingness to play by ear.

Afternoon Session #5 (4:30-5:30)

Surprise and Delight: English for All
Border Morris
Slow Jam
Big Themes
Other: sleep, swim, relax ...

Surprise and Delight: English for All -- Joanna Reiner -- A potpourri of ECD, drawing from a 350-year history. We'll dance forward and back in time, discovering new favorites and re-discovering gems from the past.

Border Morris -- Jan Elliott -- Border morris is lively, fun and suitable for all levels of experience (including none!). Jan will teach stick dances in the style of Rogue Morris, an energetic team from Oxford, England, with simple stepping patterns and an emphasis on the geometry of the figures. Wear athletic shoes.

Slow Jam -- Dave Langford -- We'll play them slowly, and play them until the tune sinks into your subconscious. In a slow jam, there's enough time to experiment, find your distinct voice and explore the deep groove of great tunes, old and new.

Big Themes -- Scott Higgs and Lisa Greenleaf -- This discussion session considers the big questions faced by those who love traditional music and dance. What helps to build and sustain a thriving concert series, festival, local dance community or national organization? How do we encourage youthful initiative, but still leave room for the old-timers? Meet with others who care deeply about such themes, and join the big conversation.

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