Intensive summer school:
Bourrées for intermediate to advanced dancers
Straight bourrées in 2 and 3 times, as well as bourrées from Auvergne, for 2 – 16 dancers,
punctuated by a few couple and collective dances
With Elena Leibbrand (Cadansa, Mattstedt, Dansstage Enschede, Balfolk Poland, AKDT …)
July 2-9, 2022
As part of the renowned Neufchâteau Summer School (AKDT, South Belgium), where up to 20 folk music and other dance courses take place at the same time – and come together in the evening for concerts, balls, jams, etc.
In addition, the AKDT is celebrating its 60th birthday this year and a particularly festive program is being prepared.
There, you will find the price of the workshop and options (accommodation, meals). Watch out: book really early if you want to enjoy full board or a B’n’B in town! Otherwise, you can camp on the ground directly next to the school.
In short
The bourrées are dances of French origin, danced in couples (without touching each other) or with a number of dancers from 3 to infinite. They are characterized by fairly fast and rather slipped steps, very diverse forms, and a great potential for improvisation and play.
We will deal with straight bourrées in 2 times and 3 times (danced as a couple in lines, as well as in various forms for four to sixteen or even more dancers !), as well as the bourrée as danced in Auvergne (also danced as couples, with a lot of improvisation possibilities, as well as in different formations for 3 dancers or more).
We will practice bourrées of a varying degree of difficulty.
A little more info on the course
The intentions of this workshop are manyfold:
- Improve your bourrée technique in general, and dance without getting tired
- Recognize the music of different types of bourrées, choose the right steps, styles, rhythms and ornaments
- Take home a « catalog of every day bourrées » you can share with friends
- Discover and practice dances that are more complicated and / or require a large number of dancers
- And of course, have fun!
In addition, depending on participants’ needs and wishes:
- A bit of stretching in the morning and/or evening (on your own, or together)
- A few couple dances and group dances for a change
- Co-creations with other courses, such as the folk music ensemble (see video at the bottom of the page)
- At least one folk ball in the evening, but probably a lot more
- Get a taste of a different course every day (instruments, dance)
Important information
Dance level and target audience & Dance partner
Intermediate and advanced level
This week is reserved for dancers who already have some experience in Bourrées, or a solid experience in another structured dance, or at least a week of dance at the AKDT (folk, waltz, salsa …).
The basics will be (re)revised, but we will move quickly to a lot of bourrées – from simple to complicated. Please note that Bourrées are energetic dances, even if we will learn how to dance them without getting too tired.
Having trouble judging your dance level ? Or you prefer to speak rather than write? Then contact Elena at +32 476 99 80 51 or eledanse.danse@gmail.com in French, Dutch, English or German!
Dance partner
You can register alone, as a couple or as a group – no dance partner required !
Language(s)
The workshop will probably be given in French, with succinct translations into English or German if necessary. The more non-French speakers, the more translations.
So, do you want to join us ?
Tarif & Registration
Registrations will be handled only via the AKDT website, from March 2022. Info (+ prices) will be posted here when available.
There, you will find the price of the workshop and options (accommodation, meals) and the link to the registration form. Watch out: book really early if you want to enjoy full board or a B’n’B in town! Otherwise, you can camp on the ground directly next to the school.
Venue
Summer school and the camp ground:
Athénée Royal
Avenue de la Victoire 28
B-6840 Neufchâteau
Belgium
Where to sleep
The early birds can book a bed in a simple student’s room in the boarding school which is in the same building as the classroom and the canteen. (Most single rooms have one bed, one table, one chair and one sink; toilets and showers are shared).
Adventurers can pitch their tent right next to the building where the summer school takes place, and use the showers there. They can either cook their own food, or take (some) meals at the boarding school. There is a supermarket a few minutes walk away, and many nice cafés in Neufchâteau.
The most independent and those who appreciate being able to retire in their bubble will be able to choose one of the many B & B of Neufchâteau and beautiful surroundings. They can also choose to share (some of) their meals at the boarding school. RESERVE YOUR ROOMS EARLY !
Dates & times
Arrival on Saturday, July 2, 2022, from 17h approximately: distribution of keys, finding your room, etc. After an evening meal, we meet for the first time together, in our classroom.
On the last evening, there is a big show with all dancers and musicians.
Departure is on Saturday, July 9 after lunch, so around 13h.
Please make sure you are available for the full length of the workshop.
What to bring
To protect your knees and back, bring shoes with soles that allow you to slide and turn. The bourrée is danced rather flat (choose shoes without heel, or with little heel – or socks). Bring one pair that allows dancing on concrete, for the evening dances that take place in a gym.
If you like, bring comfortable clothes for stretching on the floor, and a yoga mat, before or after class.
For the evening dances, and also for fun moments, why not bring a beautiful evening outfit ?
Facebook & car sharing
If you want to find out who’s interested, or organise a car share: find the event on facebook
Here are a few impressions from our workshop in 2017 (no video montages have been made since then …), the topic was waltzes and dances of the Bal Musette (Bourrée will of course have a different atmosphere) :