The Centrepiece Sessions
“Harvest of Community Dances”
Saturday 23rd September 2023
@ 19:30 UK TIME
Dear Dancers,
I hope you had a wonderful August!It has been a fantastic month for me, indeed very busy, but blessed with lots of dancing and traveling. Let me share some of the exciting moments from my dance-filled adventures.
Dancing in the Park
started the month with dancing in the park, where we also continued relearning dances from the Findhorn Sacred Dance festival in July. It has been a delightful experience. I taught some dances outdoors and in the Universal Hall, enjoying the sense of community as changes within our community take place. For those who asked, rest assured that the dance goes on and still takes place within the community every Saturday at 9:30 am, with various teachers from the Findhorn Sacred Dance group of teachers here in Scotland.
Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2023
One of the highlights of August was taking “The Centrepiece” to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2023, live and in person. It marked the first time Sacred Dance had entered such a vibrant realm, and it was a monumental task. However, I’m thrilled to say that we created an oasis of peace, friendship, and dance in the heart of the city’s energy.
Shakeh Major Tchilingirian co-hosted with me and worked tirelessly behind the scenes, along with Laura Shannon, Katie Jack, and Kate Daly, who were incredibly helpful and organised. I deeply appreciate their dedication as presenters and fellow organisers.
Peter Vallance and Sue Cutterbuck also presented an outstanding session with Scottish themes, adding to the diverse dance offerings at the festival, it was great to have them with us. Laura also brought her talented musician husband, Kostantis Kourmadias, who added a superb musical dimension to our circles. The atmosphere was joyful and festive, and we were treated to live music by Sabine Mehlberg, a talented guitarist from the Findhorn community who was also performing at the Fringe. Witnessing such talent, both locally and in Edinburgh, was truly amazing. We had a lovely venue in Craigmillar Church hall, and we are grateful to all who attended. It was a terrific experience.
I also managed to attend a few ceilidhs, and one highlight was the “White Heather Club”, a Scottish institution that has been revived. The fantastic Charlie Kirkpatrick Trio provided the music, and if you ever find yourself in Edinburgh, it’s definitely worth a visit.Additionally, I took one of my favorite walks up “Jacob’s Ladder” to enjoy a panoramic view of the city before heading onward to Carton Hill for a wonderful sunset. It was such a lovely time! – I ve put a video here to show you Jacobs ladder (Click here)
Training in Germany with Friedel Kloke
In addition to all the excitement in Edinburgh, I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Germany to train with Friedel Kloke as part of our ongoing three-year training program. Our time together was truly enriching, as Friedel guided us through folk dances and choreographed routines, unveiling valuable insights into dance that I had eagerly awaited. It was a delightful experience, and being surrounded by such an enthusiastic group added to the joy.
Friedel will join us for “The Centrepiece” special event, “The Roots of Sacred Dance,” in October. Details are here, along with an opportunity to ask questions.
I also had the chance to put into practice the little German I have been learning during zoom sessions with the lovely Pamala. I never thought I’d start to understand spoken German, but every small step feels like a significant achievement.
Unfortunately, on the way back, my flights got cancelled, and I found myself stranded in Germany! To my delight, a group of three people started to chat with me, and we agreed to hire a car and drive to London since no flights were available for at least a week. This led to a lovely experience of meeting a new group of people who have been gracious driving companions. I feel blessed to have received this support, and it seems the beloved is in the experience.
Upcoming Centrepiece
Now, looking ahead to the future, I’m thrilled to share that the upcoming Centrepiece promises to be something truly special. We are joined by the lovely Bobby Bailin and Katharina Kroeber, among other fantastic presenters. The anticipation is building, and I can’t wait to dance with you all again! Please check out our upcoming events online as we enter the next season.As we enter September, let’s carry the energy and inspiration from this past month with us.
keep spreading the love of dance!
Big Hugs from Scotland Blessings Brant
PS – I look forward to dancing with you first on September 17th at “Flowering Friendships.” Our first guest teacher is lovely – see below.
PS – As I continue to navigate festivals, rehearsals, and community work, I am grateful for all the contributions that help me run “The Centrepiece” and cover the upcoming Zoom costs. If you feel inclined to support us, please consider contributing.
Brant Bambery 