TALKS & PRESENTATIONS

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THE HISTORY OF MORRIS DANCING :

The presentation covers the many different aspects of morris dancing from its origins to the present day. It is accompanied by illustrations and performance of morris tunes on traditional instruments. There is also an opportunity for the audience to have a go at a simple dance. It may be possible to include a display by morris dancers.

SEASONAL SONGS :

Colin and Sonja perform a selection of songs and tunes appropriate to the season, accompanying themselves on guitar, concertina, melodeon, whistle, and pipe & tabor. The winter programme is particularly popular, with some well-known and less familiar carols, wassails, and other songs of the season.

THE LIFE AND SONGS OF A SUSSEX SHEPHERD:

Michael Blann (1843 - 1934) worked on the South Downs near Worthing. He wrote down the songs he sung in a notebook which after his death ended up in Worthing Museum. Colin researched his life and songs. The presentation includes performance of some of the songs.

SO YOU WANT TO BE AN AUTHOR?:

Producing the first draft manuscript is only the first stage in becoming a published author. Colin shares his own experiences, focussing particularly on the expanding area of self-publishing.

All of the above talks are suitable for Women's Institute meetings, senior citizens groups, social clubs and special interest groups.

GROUP TUITION OR WORKSHOPS

FOLK DANCING FOR BEGINNERS:

Simple folk dances for beginners. Suitable for social groups, school & youth groups, young farmers clubs, etc.

FOLK DANCING FOR THE LATERAL THINKER:

A workshop for experienced dancers with some unusual formations and progressions

MORRIS DANCING:

Suitable for active social groups and clubs of any age, schools & youth groups, etc.

THEMED PRESENTATION OF FOLK SONGS:

A participatory workshop to encourage singers to contribute a song on a particular theme.

INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP TUITION

FIRST STEPS IN PLAYING FOLK GUITAR FOLK STYLE

Simple chord sequences, basic strumming and finger styles

FIRST STEPS IN PLAYING THE MELODEON OR ANGLO-CONCERTINA

Basic fingering and technique for folk tunes.  CF or DG Melodeon    CG or GD Anglo