News January 2026

Next – The Centrepiece session 31st January 2026

Dear Dancers,

I hope you all had a wonderful winter holiday and found time to celebrate with some dance.

It has been a very snowy winter here in Scotland, but today the snow has finally melted for the first time. We can move freely outside again, and the birds no longer have to poke their beaks through the snow to reach the food we leave for them. I always love this time of year, when more wild birds appear, it feels quietly hopeful.

The celebrations here in Scotland have been rich and joyful. Christmas is when I catch up with friends and family that I don’t usually get enough time with, and that always feels special.

This year was a beautiful balance of music and dance, especially through helping to organise Barbara Swetina’s “Crossing the Threshold” workshop with Jilani Prescott, a Sufi dance teacher. It was a wonderful week with guests from around the world, and we shared very special moments together in the Sunshine Room and the Universal Hall.

Hogmanay was particularly memorable. I co-organised it this year with the lovely Fabienne Barouch, and it was such a joy to see the Universal Hall packed for the ceilidh and disco. Organising the disco was new for me, but dancing together until 2am was pure joy.

Having crossed the threshold, I now feel the Centrepiece drawing closer. We have a lovely list of presenters to offer you, and Laura Shannon may also be joining us, how lovely it would be to see her if she’s able to come. One of the things I love most about the Centrepiece is the sense of community. It’s not only about showcasing dances but it’s also a place to reconnect, to meet new presenters, and to spend time together. The next Centrepiece feels like a celebration of the start of the year 2026.

The next Centrepiece takes place on 31 January 2026

Topic: The Centrepiece session 57 – Online Sacred Dance

Time: Jan 31, 2026 19:30 London

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85077268045?pwd=ImQkwmFA8geLPXq1BRWdpHM8RVp1D6.1

Meeting ID: 850 7726 8045

Passcode: Cheers2026

We also have

Seated Dance session no 8

with Anne Crowe, myself, and our guest Carolynn Bett, a very experienced seated dance teacher.

Topic: Seated Serenade session 8 – Online seated dance

Time: Feb 1, 2026 18:30 London

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82651417007?pwd=pADGTdbACb3iItv3gEFk2FdCv2Eqyf.1

Meeting ID: 826 5141 7007

Passcode: 601340

I’m also looking forward to teaching locally in the village of Duffus, where I’ve been sharing dances learned through the Centrepiece. These have been warmly received, especially Serenissima by Julia Lynam.

Forres House Community Dance will return on 29 January 2026, with more dates listed on the Events page. I can’t wait to catch up with everyone.

In May, I’ll be joining Friedel Kloke in Ireland for further training, which I’m really looking forward to. I also have an event in Ireland happening around the same time, details and other 2026 events will be shared soon.

The holidays were full of dancing and singing, so things have been a little slower as I catch up. I did manage to edit a video from Germany for you to enjoy (see below), which includes the sweetest gesture from Laura Shannon, a truly special moment for me.

I’m also very pleased to share that the Centrepiece has been offered a place on a business course, including a small grant to support its next steps locally here in Moray. With this new beginning, 2026 feels like a year of exploration around Resilience, which is the Angel of the Year for the Centrepiece, alongside my own guiding Angel, Purpose. I’ve shared their meanings below.

As always, I’m amazed by what the Beloved provides as we move into a new year. My hope is that we continue dancing together with the shared intention of preserving these dances for younger generations.

Some have asked why I continue to offer online dance. The answer is simple, this is often where younger generations connect and increasingly where older generations find accessibility, mobility, and social connection. Community is created through the desire to connect, not only in one place but in many. While learning dance is always richest in person, the connections formed online are real, potent, and deeply meaningful. I know firsthand that friendships formed there are anything but imaginary.

I’ll leave you with a poem, below, which came to me while attending Barbara’s workshop. Thank you to everyone who has taken the step to dance online. I can’t wait to see what the Beloved brings next for the Centrepiece and for each of you.

With love and in dance,

Brant

PS: As we continue building and improving the Centrpiece experience, we’d love your support with helping cover our App development costs and other projects. Your contributions will keep new videos coming, editing, updates running smoothly, and the whole platform growing stronger. If you’d like to support the work, you can donate here.