A good time and doing something new!

[hais1273]

I'm pleased to say that we have just returned from a very fine weekend in northern France near Amien. Sadly we didn't get to visit the fine Gothic cathedral, or visit Les Hortillonages ( Small vegetable gardens amongst canals). We did however go to a very good folk/traditional dance event in the small and almost picturesque town of Corbie.
It was very fine weekend of music and dance run by our chums from " Peut Que Manquer" an association promoting traditional music and dance. As might be expected there was good food and drink, although these days the drink is kept to minimum for dull health reasons. The music and dance were of course very good, supplied by Les Pantouflards, Decibal, Gelee Groseilles and the massed DBA's of Peut que Manquer. There was a good selection of dances, many bourree's of course. Slinky mazurka's and spiny waltz's, a taste of Breton with a selection of An-dro's, Gavottes and Larides.

. Also played and danced were Brise Pied, Pieternelle, Sept saut, a couple of Avant Deux, even Golopede from England. The French obsession with La Circle Circassian was evident, god knows why they find it so, exciting...!

In between all of the dancing, best beloved and I had a chance to play a few tunes with the locals. Some we knew, some we didn't. the tunes, not the locals. Leading the musicians into a reasonable rendition of " Mon Amant de St Jean" was really, really enjoyable. and having our chums Jean-Francois and Bernard the Baker singing along with our playing will be memorable for a long time.
And just for the record, I am quite shy ( no really) and for a few reasons, real or imagined sucking up the confidence to do this sort of thing is difficult!

 

[Stephen Hawkins]

Congratulations for overcoming stage fright. I know it isn't easy for some people, so I'm glad it all went well for you.

It sounds as though you enjoyed a splendid weekend ........ may you have many more similar experiences in the future.

Kind Regards,

Stephen.

 

[hais1273]

Thankyou, Stephen. We're visiting again in September (probably) for a more informal weekend.

I was the only PA/CBA player present,.

Ian

 

[jozz]

Did you plan to go to this folk event, but where do you look up such things? I want this to happen on my holidays too

 

[Tom]

Congratulations! Sounds great.

 

[Anyanka]

Bernard the Baker? Is that the author of THE bagpipe tutor book?

 

[Anyanka]

Did you plan to go to this folk event, but where do you look up such things? I want this to happen on my holidays too

You could try a folky weekend break in Germany in November - http://www.spielkurs-pipenbock.de/
Theres nothing accordion-specific, but Jo White is running an ensemble worshop, and Jan Kristof Schliep is doing something about harmonising (Grundlagen der Harmonielehre).

 

[Stephen Hawkins]

Before we go off on holiday, I search the internet for folk clubs in the area(s) we intend visiting. I then contact, usually by email, whoever is in charge of the club.

We have met some lovely people on our travels, and seen for ourselves the diversity of folk music around England. We have never been disappointed.

Kind Regards,

Stephen.

 

[Anyanka]

I find it easiest to build the holiday around the event - our main summer hols take us to Sidmouth during Folk Week. Accommodation is expensive and hard to find... but its worth it.

 

[Stephen Hawkins]

Hi Kirsten,

Folk Festivals are terrific, but I much prefer more intimate gatherings. We enjoy participating in a "sing around" type of club, where everyone contributes to the entertainment to the best of their ability.

Kind Regards,

Stephen.

 

[Geoff de Limousin]

If it is Traditional (Folk) music you are interested in and France you are visiting, then search at www.agendatrad.org where one can find events, happenings etc. from sessions to festivals and all shades between, listed by date, regions and departements.

Im sure there will be on-line calenders for other genres and countries.

 

[jozz]

cool stuff everybody, I am taking notes for this summer

 

[hais1273]

Thanks for the responses everyone. Ive been a bit busy with, finishing the camper van furniture, catching up with the allottment ( Vegetable garden for overseas correspondents) and looking after best beloved, as she is a bit poorly at the moment. (Another NHS tale of woe)

The trad fest near Amien is fairly small. I wouldnt bother with a big one. We visited St Chartier briefly years ago and decided for many reasons it wasnt for us. I like music and dance but not enough to live 500mm away from strangers in a tent for a very hot long weekend. I like a bit of privacy. Oh, and the toilets, Im not fussy, but.....

I dont know how the Brighton group initially met up with the Amien group, at a festival somewhere I guess. We get on very well and will be visiting again in September.

If youre looking for events in North-east France and Southern Beligium search on infolk60. If you find yourself in Brittany. www.tamm-kreiz.com lists Fest Noz, concerts, events and workshops, mostly in Brittany but further afield as well. Further south searching on Bal Occitan seems to produce local Bal Folk, however the organisers often overlook full addresses. St Jean Sur Le Roche, for example, with just the departement number afterwards is a bit of nuisance for us foreigners. I found 3 or 4 events a couple of years ago when we visited the Gorges of the Tarn and the Cevennes (worth a trip) but they were 1-3 map pages away! Rule of thumb is a page width = an hour or so.

As an observation accordions and Tea Dansant seem to be more popular the further south you travel, there were a number of events advertised when we visited Florac and Meyruis a couple of years ago. Needless to say, they were old posters for events that were passed, or were going to happen after we had gone home.
Thanks for the virtual support, much appreciated. :tup:

Oh yes, and I only think that Bernard the Baker is called..... Bernard!

 

[Anyanka]

We visited St Chartier briefly years ago and decided for many reasons it wasnt for us. I like music and dance but not enough to live 500mm away from strangers in a tent for a very hot long weekend. I like a bit of privacy. Oh, and the toilets, Im not fussy, but.....

I agree - this festival has now become Le Son Continu at the Chateau dArs; great if you want to try out traditional instruments, esp for bagpipes, hurdy gurdies and either type of button accordion. I went in 2015 and discovered my affinity with the Swedish bagpipe, which made it worth the trip, but the concerts were largely underwhelming. Lots of opportunity to dance, but it was too hot for me, and the campsite was the noisiest Ive ever been to. The toilets werent so bad that year... but the showers :shock: