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GROUP DANCING
A very unique service offered by The Wandering Minstrels
is that of group dancing. The success of Riverdance and Lord of the Dance
have helped to make people eager to try their hand, or foot, at Celtic
group dancing. And it's not as hard as it looks. Truth is, simple dances
from the Cape Breton, Contra, Irish or Square Dance traditions can be
taught by our callers to a crowd of beginners in just minutes.
At weddings, group dancing brings together all generations and members
of both sides of the family. At parties or corporate events it is an excellent
ice-breaker in a mixed crowd and instills team-spirit among colleagues.
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CAPE
BRETON DANCING
Hailing from our own Celtic island in Nova Scotia is an extremely simple
dance form that can be learned by three year olds to 103 year olds. It
is typically accompanied by driving fiddle and bagpipe music along with
piano and/or guitar. Our caller was born and bred in Cape Breton and can
lead your guests in all of its different varieties of dance.
CONTRA
DANCING
For the very adventurous we offer this slightly more complex dance form
which originates in the New England states. Contra dancing is said by
some to be a mixture of elements of English, Scottish and French country
dancing. It is ideal for a crowd that is used to other types of dancing
and is often accompanied by fiddle and flute and chording instruments
such as guitar or piano.
IRISH
DANCING
This is about on a par with Contra dancing in terms of complexity but
slightly more refined looking with many different varieties. Flute, fiddle
and accordian with chording instruments like guitar or piano often accompany
this dance form.
SQUARE
DANCING
From the Ottawa Valley to Texas square dancing has been the predominant
dance form of rural areas. Actually Cape Breton dancing is one variety
of this relatively easy-to-learn form. You may have heard the colourful
rhyming and rhythmic calling that often accompanies this dancing along
with, of course, fiddle mandolin, piano or guitar.
DANCE
PERFORMANCE
Irish Dancers
Scottish Highland Dancers
Traditional Step Dancers (Ottawa Valley, Cape-Breton and French-Canadian)
Again due to the influence of Riverdance and Lord of the Dance many of
the companies that specialize in these well-known dance forms have added
very progressive elements to create spectacular high-energy performances.
These dancers can be accompanied by live musicians for the most authentic
performance or by recorded music for a tighter budget.
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