What is Balfolk?

To get an impression you can take a look at this video-clip or read the text below.

Balfolk is a collection of West-European dances. You can compare a balfolk dance-night – or ball – to a salsa or tango evening, but with European music instead of South-American. There are couple dances such as Scottish, mazurka, waltz and bourrée, but also group dances such as the chapelloise and the Circassian circle. There will always be live music, which gives the balls a great atmosphere.

Everyone can join a balfolk event. You don’t need a dance partner of your own, because it is very common to change partners after a dance, or sometimes even within a dance. The most important thing is to enjoy dancing with the people around you and have fun. Dancing the steps and figures perfectly is less important. The basic dances are relatively easy to learn. At the beginning of a ball there is usually a short instruction which allows you to join most of the dances of the evening. Advanced dancers will not get bored however, as each dance has plenty of room for refinement and improvisation.

In summary balfolk can be described as a lively tradition with influences from various other styles of dance and music. The historical traditions are secondary to the joy of the contemporary dancers.