French Dancing with Yannick Minvielle-Debat

Yannick (of Les Panards Dansants) is renowned throughout the country as one of the finest French dance teachers, and the workshop in the morning will be followed by an opportunity to put all you have learned into practise in the Bal after lunch. Les Panards Dansants host monthly french music sessions at the Chemix, Leeds, and regular sessions, tuition and dances at Holms Street Arts Centre, Hebden Bridge. So get along to the Picturedrome on Saturday, no partner needed, just reasonably sensible shoes, and be prepared to learn, or brush up, your bourees, schottisches, mazurkas and waltzes.

Saturday morning 10.30 - 11.30 @ The Picturedrome

 

A Yorkshire Songs Showcase with Ray Padgett and Friends

The Yorkshire Garland project received HLF funding to establish a data base of Yorkshire song in 2006 (www.yorkshirefolksong.net). The workshop will be chiefly a Yorkshire song workshop from the repertoire of Ray Padgett and other contributors to the Yorkshire song database, such as Jim Potter and Alma Wright.

Saturday morning 10.30 – 12.00 @ Stamps

 

Waking, Warming and Working the Voice with Chris Coe

Chris says "We do serious but not necessarily sensible voice work followed by some (mainly trad) songs that I have arranged for parts. Attendees wouldn't need serious singing skills so that the session is more open. All taught by ear. Also, if the hall is of a size, I could incorporate some movement work. They need to bring water".

Saturday morning 10.30 – 12.00 @ Old Bridge Function Room

 

Improve your Rhythm Skills with Zoox

Zoox will improve your rhythm skills using body percussion, spoons, poi and instruments. They'll create and layer different rhythmic patterns and get some funky riffs going! Come along with or without an instrument. It would be aimed at beginner/intermediate level musicians.

Saturday morning 10.30 – 12.00 @ White Hart (upstairs)

 

Ukelele Song Session with Hamish Currie

Hamish Currie says "Not quite a workshop - although beginners welcome - more of a everybody-mucking-in-together in a led ukulele song session. (We could tie in with the music shop - I'm sure they'd sell quite a few both before and after the session.) We did stuff like Buddy Holly's Everyday, Molly Malone, YMCA, Pretty Flamingo... marvellous stuff. Very participative and a hoot. I've put together an hour's programme of progressively more complex tunes so that everybody should learn something even if they're already experienced. But it's all about having loads of fun."

Sunday morning 10.30 – 12.00 @ Stamps

 

Traditional Humorous Songs or "The Tune the Cow Died On" with Jeff Warner

Jeff Warner will be presenting Traditional humorous songs – whether they are funny or not!

Saturday lunch time 12.00 – 1.00 @ Holmfirth Library

 

Alternative Tunings for Guitar with Gerry McNeice & Niamh Boadle

Gerry will primarily focus on the C-Modal (or Csus2) tuning in this workshop which introduces players to some of the techniques and uses of 'non-standard' tunings. He will also talk about other tunings. Niamh is an accomplished DADGAD player and uses this tuning almost exclusively. No real prior knowledge of alternative tunings is necessary but please bring a guitar! Worksheets will be provided.

Sunday morning 10.30 – 12.00 @ Carniceria

 

Shimmy and Shake and Introduction to Belly Dancing with Amanda Crane

Amanda Craine has been Egyptian Belly-dancing since 1998 when she participated in workshops at Whitby Folk Festival (nowhere more glamorous or exotic!). She now hold classes in Halifax and Huddersfield and regularly dances at a Halifax restaurant and performs at parties, charity events and festivals. Her knowledge of the dance has grown through regular classes and also by attending workshops delivered by professional UK based belly dancers, Egyptian dancers visiting the UK and also from other countries. Belly-dance is good for you on so many levels. Physically, mentally, emotionally - it helps women define their femininity. It is good exercise, good fun and gives you chance to shake your stuff!

Sunday morning 11.00-12.00 @ Picturedrome (upstairs)

 

Beginners Songwriting with Hissyfit

Hissyfit will focus on the non musician - those who don't play instruments but would like to write and sing their own songs.

Saturday morning 10.30 – 12.00 @ Carniceria

 

Sacred Harp and Southern Harmony with Muldoon's Picnic

The robust and passionate American folk hymn style known as 'Sacred Harp' is named after a hymnal of 1844. Its origins go back to the New England of the late eighteenth century, and before that to English 'West Gallery' music. It's also known as 'shapenote' singing because the notes are printed in different shapes relating to a solfa scale current in the seventeenth century. The sound is austere but joyful, thrilling and invigorating to sing, and accessible to all.  Music-reading ability is useful but not essential and you don't need a 'good' voice. Muldoon's Picnic teach the songs by ear and explain their fascinating historical background. 

Saturday morning 10.00 – 11.30 @ Parish Church

 

East European and Georgian Folk Songs with Samzeo

Samzeo will be teaching some traditional songs, many of which are generations old and have been passed down and learned by ear. Featuring beautiful Georgian style three part close harmony, the songs are suitable for all levels and for a mixed choir.

Sunday morning 10.30 – 12.00 @ Old Bridge Function Room

The robust and passionate American folk hymn style known as ‘Sacred Harp’ is named after a hymnal of 1844. Its origins go back to the New England of the late eighteenth century, and before that to English ‘West Gallery’ music. It's also known as ‘shapenote’ singing because the notes are printed in different shapes relating to a solfa scale current in the seventeenth century. The sound is austere but joyful, thrilling and invigorating to sing, and accessible to all.  Music-reading ability is useful but not essential and you don't need a ‘good’ voice. Muldoon's Picnic teach the songs by ear and explain their fascinating historical background.