International Circle Dancing with Stefan and Bethan Freedman

www.worldance.org

Peace Through Dance

Explore the role of circle dance in reconciliation

Are you a dancer interested in how dances may be used for groups facing conflict?

Or a community or peace worker wanting new insight and useful tools?

This is the first event of its kind: a five day residential specifically designed to develop the role of circle dance in enabling peace.

• reaching through barriers between alienated people to create mutual trust

• cultivating inner harmony and resilience

See Stefan's Article with inspiring accounts of reconciliation through dance.

CULFORD SCHOOL Nr Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

Friday 27th Oct - Wednesday 1st Nov 06

     History shows us that talking alone may be fruitless. People are debating without a foundation of trust . But dance is a time-tested way of moving beyond differences towards closeness.

     You are invited to a five day residential to explore new tools for reconciliation. The course integrates practical with inward aspects of peace, so the meditative/contemplative dimension of dance will play a vital role. No partner and no prior experience of circle dance is needed.

     As this is a structured and sequential course we require people to come for the whole event. Dance teachers, community workers and newcomers are equally welcome to take part, and no partner is needed. The goal is to deepen understanding and practice in the potency of dance to support people who feel mutually alienated. Peace is seen as a dynamic and lively process which may include conflict, based on respect for diversity and for voices from the margins.

     We passionately hope that the benefits might radiate out into our fear-gripped and fragmented societies, here and abroad.

     STEFAN FREEDMAN is an internationally acclaimed group leader and choreographer with a background in Cultural Anthropology and conflict resolution. With his team he introduces a series of participatory workshops on Circle Dance:

Moving through grief, fear and projection, to empathy, inclusion and trust

     Key workshops and teachers include:

     BETHAN FREEDMAN ....... Dimensions of joy in dance

     KEN MASTERS .............. "The Stillness To Move" (Qi Gong and dance)

     EVE CORRIN .................."Dancing in the eternal present" (attunement)

     Evening programme highlights: circle dancing - sometimes carefree and wild, sometimes transcendent with a spiral of candles - fireside songs, cabaret and Halloween Party. We plan to balance the focus of workshop sessions with some tremendous fun. There'll be a late nite live-music cafe scene and a dash of Salsa !

     Our special guest is Luke Bermingham From Dublin who will host late-nite singing sessions. Guitarist & composer, Luke (writer of "Gentle Return Of An Optimist") is well loved for his honey-sweet voice and his wide range of songs which he encourages all to sing or harmonise with.

     Culford is a historic school with elegant, wooden floored dance hall, extensive grounds with fields, mature trees and river. They have a lovely warm swimming pool we'll be able to use. Accommodation in single or twin rooms. Freshly cooked meals - omni or veggy. Special diets catered for (within reason).

Course Fee - Special Introductory Price:
£199 early bookers price
(booked with deposit by Aug 25th)

or

£219 regular price
(booked after Aug 25th)

+ Bedroom Accommodation & all meals (incl. daytime facilities) - £205

(single room supplement £2/nt - special diet suppl. £2/day)

     Booking with £100 deposit payable "S.Freedman" to:

Jill Hope, 22 Longfields, Ongar, Essex. CM5 9BZ. UK

01277 363 085 (Considerate hours please).

jrhope@onetel.com

NOTE ! Jill's new email address - is now .com (update your addressbook if appropriate)

Top of page

Copyright Stefan Freedman ©2007