Social Dance (5)
As with performance dance, social dancing is a thriving and evolving tradition; new dances are constantly being devised.
The old dances have moved around the country and indeed, to other countries and back and have developed along with the music, retaining common roots. For example, Contra dance, popularly danced in Britain today, developed in the USA from British roots, and is now an up-tempo, fast-moving, intricate dance form.
Currently, the folk dance scene has many dance clubs, some specialising in one particular form, as well as regular and one-off public dances with a more mixed programme. Most folk festivals will have a ceilidh.
London Folk at the EFDSS National Gathering, social dancing
Cecil Sharp House, London 2011
Photo: Derek Schofield
