Hadleigh, Suffolk French Style Music and Dance

[hais1273]

For those of us in the UK here are a couple of dates for your diaries if you have a passing interest in traditional French music and dance.

23rd July 2016 which is a Saturday. Bal-Folk with Firestarters of Leiden better known as Nigel Eaton ( Hurdy-Gurdy) Dave Shepard ( Fiddle and bagpipes) Simon Geilen ( Diatonic accordion) playing at the Ansell Centre, Hadleigh, Suffolk. IP7 5DL

and for next year 7th-9th April 2017. The 3rd Weekend of French Music and Dance at the same venue. The previous two have been excellent, Duo Synkro played this year. The special guests from the continent will be La mere folle from the Morvan region. I know nothing about them and have been able to find out very little. But expect bourrees, waltz, schottish, mazurkas and so on. Probably supported by BOF ( Essex), and Dave Shepard and Anna Pack. Concert on Friday night, workshops on Saturday afternoon. Bal on Saturday evening and a session (music not beer!) on Sunday afternoon. At the same venue as above...

http://www.hadleighfolk.org.uk gives some sketchy details

 

[artidots]

Can thoroughly recommend La Mere Folle who we first met via Burybal and a Hurdy Gurdy workshop with Yves Grospretre in September 2010. The accompanying general music and dance workshops and the evening Bal were also tremendous fun.

As you may know Francois Tillerot and Isabelle Blo of Duo Synkro are (or were then, anyway) members of La Mere Folle, and are superb, very engaging musicians. The band have a very good CD, 'Les loges de la folie (La Mere Folle) - Nuzia …'

Francois Tillerot is a truly masterly player on Chromatic Button Accordion.

We are also fans of Bof!

Sadly we were unable to go to the Duo Synkro event this year but will certainly try to see La Mere Folle next year (re Accordions not Gurdies !).

Rob

 

[hais1273]

Thankyou for the extra information. I didn't know, duo-synchro were part of la mere folle, if they still are we will certainly make every effort to go up to Suffolk next year.

I am happy to report that the bal in July was excellent. BOF played a good solid set and Shepard, Geilan and Eaton were superb! The suite of bourrees d'auvergne was a delight! The only down side to the evening. It was HOT!! and very very sticky! Maclotte d'habiment (Polka) is on facebook.