Welcome to

This weekend – Sat 30th November 2024 @ 7:30pm UK TIME

Dear Dancers,

What a lovely few weeks it has been! As the chill of autumn settles in here in Scotland, the heating is on for the first time this year. I feel fortunate that we were able to dance outdoors all summer long, with only one day where the rain drove us indoors, a small price to pay for such a beautiful season! Teaching on the dance green was a joy, but I’m also looking forward to returning to the warmth and heart-centered space of the Universal Hall for the winter months.

My local Forres group is going well, with a lovely mix of people gathering to dance once a month. We’re hoping to shift to fortnightly sessions by the end of the year, and I’ll keep you updated as we make that transition.

This past week, the Findhorn Bay Arts Festival filled the area with so many incredible events. Although I could only attend one workshop and concert, I chose to join the Breton band Gwaid. They taught us the traditional dances of their region, and we spent hours dancing to live music, both in the afternoon and into the evening. One of the highlights was dancing through the village hall kitchen through the backdoor and back with a band member playing a pipe instrument, a joyful and coordinated experience! I’ve included an image below, and I’m sure we’ll see more of this band in the future.

In other news, last night’s Centrepiece marked a smooth transition into the autumn equinox season. The dance was relaxed and beautiful, with wonderful presenters and, of course, our miniature dancer adding a special touch! A big thank you to all the amazing teachers who joined and shared their passion, it was a true joy to dance with you all and connect through The Centrepiece.

Laura, joined us from Greece but unfortunately had poor WiFi there but her group kindly recorded her dance so we wouldn’t miss out, how incredible, we do appreciate this. Chrisandra’s group also brought in some new faces, and it was fantastic to meet everyone. Bobbi Bailin kicked off the event with an upbeat, fresh energy, and the music was fantastic. Katharina Kroeber returned to share her Libra Lullaby, a favorite dance for this time of year, and it was such a pleasure to have her with us again. And, of course, a special mention to Shakeh, our talented Armenian teacher, who guided us through a peaceful, transitional dance that I’ll definitely be incorporating into my own groups. It was wonderful to dance with her again.

Our next TheCentrepiece is on November 30th, and it will be our 50th session can you believe it? The theme is Unity, and I truly believe that when a community works together, lifting each other up instead of dimming one another’s light, we can create peace. This is why The Centrepiece works so well, giving space to everyone who has something to share. There are still many teachers we haven’t yet seen, so if you feel called to join us, please reach out! We’d love to have you.

Other News

I’m also excited to share a personal update, my final training session with Friedel Kloke-Eibl and Saskia Kloke is approaching this November, and I’ll be traveling to Germany for our last gathering with this incredible group. While it will be bittersweet to say goodbye (Although I will be returning hopefully next year for updates and possibly a deepening session), I feel so blessed to have worked with such an inspiring, positive group of people. Together, we’ve shared a deep sense of gratitude for this special course. Friedel and Saskia have been pillars of support, so kind, professional, and nurturing throughout this journey. They’ve truly restored my faith in myself, allowing me to be who I am without hesitation.

It hasn’t always been easy, though. Holding The Centrepiece and living with limited financial resources has been difficult but a choice to be creative, one that I see as my medicine in this world. I’ve had some wonderful help via my GoFundMe campaign and am now looking for some final assistance to complete this part of my training. Here I am, preparing for the final session, flights booked, ready to embrace the closing of this chapter.

In other exciting news, Barbara Swetina will be offering a block of sessions on The Centrepiece before the year’s end. She’s eager to share her unique approach to rhythm through music training, which will be particularly helpful for those creating dances and wanting to deepen their connection to rhythm. It promises to be a joyful and enriching experience an opportunity to embody the rhythm of life through music and dance… more info in the coming weeks.

We have more offerings on the horizon, and I can’t wait to share them with you! As always, The Centrepiece continues to run on contributions, so if you’ve been touched by these sessions, please consider offering your support. Your contributions help cover running costs and keep this community alive and flourishing. Let’s add a little joyfulness to the process, knowing that each gift, no matter how small, supports the whole.

Don’t miss out on our upcoming dances and events, which you can find on The Centrepiece App direct from your phone. Why not consider listing your upcoming event on the App or your presenter/group profile. Every listing will help us continue to provide the App for the community.

Thank you all for being part of this journey together, we are creating something truly magical.

Sending big hugs from Scotland

Blessings,
Brant

PS: Please consider making a donation to The Centrepiece. Your support helps us continue to offer engaging events, maintain our growing audience , and develop new features for our community. Every contribution, big or small, makes a difference. Thank you for your generosity! donate here

PPS: My fundraiser will remain active for a while after my Nov training, where I’ll continue to share updates about my journey. There is still time to support my training in November check out the latest update here GoFundMe page

Also on a peaceful note….

Below is Friedel Klokes new Dance video: “Security” (lyrics: By loving forces silently surrounded /Von guten Mächten
wunderbar geborgen)