Dear Dancing Friends, I hope this message finds you in good spirits. Last night’s session around “The Centrepiece” was truly enchanting, marking the beginning of the year with our first dance gathering. It was divine to see familiar faces and be surrounded by the warmth of our dancing community.Revisiting traditional steps tonight was a special tribute to Bernhard Wosien, who shared a deep appreciation for these roots alongside his ballet influences. It was a beautiful way to honour his legacy by coming together and sharing these dances that hold such significance. The diversity of dances brought a delightful array of flavours, including the Military Two-Step. Research reveals its ties to ballroom dancing, and its introduction to Scotland was quite controversial (with roots in ballroom). It holds a personal connection for me, having originated in my home town, and being first introduced in a hall right along the shoreline of Portobello, where I spent much of my childhood. It’s fascinating how dance links can evoke such personal memories. “The Centrepiece” never fails to bring together remarkable teachers, creating a space for us to celebrate our shared passion for dance. I was delighted to witness the dances last night and to receive a heartfelt message from teacher Friedel Kloke Eibl. I am truly grateful for her willingness to provide these glimpses of wisdom for us. It was particularly uplifting to see Stefan Freedman, whose presence was a pleasant surprise, as we initially thought he might be too unwell to join us, glad he is feeling better. Special thanks to Evi Beck for her wonderful dance, and it was heartening to see her with friend Sandy with such a lovely dance. We’re incredibly fortunate to have had Sophia Hatch grace us with a Balkan dance, a style familiar to us here in Findhorn. Her shoes were as fabulous as her dance! read here about them, its fascinating – I do like to read about traditional clothing. With Beth Green’s intuitive piano we all had a chance to free dance. It was great to see Beth and James again letting our spirits be free, so special, I loved watching the people dance along. Vaneri from Brazil was fantastic and brought such an energy in her dance you could feel the Rhythm and soul of Brazil come through! such a pleasure to have our friend on for her first visit to The Centrepiece. Chrissandra Harris closed with a wonderful dance to bring us back to alignment with a wonderful slower tempo it really grounded me after some joyful dances. As we wrapped up this beautiful evening, I was excited to announce that the next “The Centrepiece session” will take place on March 23rd, 2024. In the meantime, we have a few upcoming offerings which are listed on our events page, including some highlighted below. Additionally, for those who missed it or would like to revisit it, I’ve posted Friedel’s review online at the bottom of the page for all to enjoy. We’re reaching out to seek your support in ensuring the ongoing success of “The Centrepiece” sessions – a vibrant network of dancers & presenters that unites our community. To sustain this rhythmic gathering, we kindly request your generous donations to cover essential running costs and upcoming license fees, ensuring that we can maintain the sessions and keep them accessible to everyone. Your support is invaluable, enabling us to provide an inclusive platform, irrespective of background or financial means. With your contribution, you play a pivotal role in sustaining the sessions and fostering a space where dance remains accessible and enjoyed by all. Warmest regards from Scotland Blessings Brant |
Brant Bambery 