Next: Saturday 5th July 2025
@ 19:30pm UK TIME
Dear Dancers,
What a glorious beginning to June it has been in Scotland basking in a spell of sunshine and warmth! The air is sweet, the days long and golden, and everywhere I turn, daisies dance beside the paths like tiny suns on green stems a perfect emblem for this radiant month. June, with her generous light and open skies, always feels like a poem in motion, doesnโt she?
Iโve just returned from the enchanting Festival of Dance and Song in Bad Herrenalb, nestled deep in Germanyโs Black Forest. The journey was smooth and calm, and I was warmly welcomed by the lovely Beate Fray, who invited me to share “The Centrepiece” at the festival. It was a joy to be surrounded by beloved community members, including Laura Shannon and Barbara Swetina, who headlined the festival alongside the energetic and inspiring Greek dance teacher Kyriakos Moisidis. His fast-paced Greek dances and lively music were a delightful challenge, just the kind I love!
Laura shannon and her wonderful husband & brotherย Nikolas Angelopoulos brought their radiant presence and deep musical harmony to the gathering. Thereโs such grace and professionalism in the way they work together, and itโs always a gift to dance familiar steps with Laura Shannon. I hear Nikolas has new music CDs out ,ย I meant to pick one up and forgot! Next time for sure.
One of the highlights was hearing the gifted ฮ ฮฌฮฝฮฟฯ ฮฮทฮบฮฏฮดฮทฯ play the gaida what a sound! And to my astonishment, he even played Amazing Grace on it, just for me. Truly moving.
As is tradition at this festival, we embarked on a pilgrimage to the Frauenalb Monastery, a serene former Benedictine convent. We danced there under the blazing sun, guided by all three presentersโKyriakos, Laura, and Barbara, in a sacred moment of connection, reverence, and joy. That sacred place held us gently in its peace.
Saturday evening brought The Centrepiece to life once again, and we were delighted to offer a special Being With You Live from Bad Herrenalb a place thatโs come to feel like a second home to me. I hope those of you who joined the evening enjoyed the rich offerings from Pablo Scornik, Pai Lamberth, Adrian & Cindy, and Maria Laura. Iโll be editing the video soon, big thanks to Amanda for her fabulous co-hosting and to Emma for handling the tech and sound support all the way to Germany, no small feat!
If you ever get the chance to attend this festival, I wholeheartedly recommend it. With its breathtaking views, wonderful food, and excellent organisation, it truly is a special gathering.
This weekend, Iโm looking forward to teaching a ceilidh with my kilt at the ready!
Also keep an eye out as Iโll be adding some new workshops for the winter season later this month or in July.
Our next online event is the Seated Serenade details and zoom code are below. Bring your chair, your heart, and gather with us around The Centrepiece.
Locally, dancing continuesย Saturdays 9:30amย on the Dance Greenย in the Findhorn Community, andย Forres Houseย dates are now updated through to November 2025, after which we take our Winter pause. see here
Theย next Centrepieceย is onย July 5th, offering you the chance to learnย beautiful dances from teachers around the globe. also offering the chance to learn theย World Circle Dance Day 2025ย dances the night before the WCDD event on Sunday.ย We invite you to bring images of your ancestors and the teachers who have shaped your sacred dance journey let them accompany us in spirit as we circle together in unity, honouring those present and those passed.
Hereโs to June’s daisies, sunlit paths, and the joy of dancing together no matter where we are in the world.
With warm hugs from Scotland
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
Below some guests and presenters take a pilgrimage to the Monestery and dance in the ruins of Frauenalb Monastery (Kloster Frauenalb) a great time had by all, Video will be edited soon!
Festival of Dancing & Singing – Here
Brant Bambery 