Here you can find the workshop schedule for the Dansstage 2025.
Workshop descriptions (Choice modules)
Also check out the teachers that are coming!
Block 1: Friday 20:30 – 22:00
Jauziak–Sauts Basque – Dani (level 3)
A 1.5 hour immersion in the world of the ‘Jauziak’ (sauts basques, basque ‘jumps’). The famous ‘seven jumps’, so much played in balfolk jam sessions is only the funny little brother of a very big family of basque jumps’ suites. These suites are groovy, happy, funny, but also surprising, irregular and tricky!
But don’t fear! In this workshop we will learn and play around with about 10 vocabulary
steps and their main variations in order to master and be able to enjoy no matter which ‘Jauziak’ suite, by appealing to our body-learning and switching off our mind.
Bourrée à 2 temps – Koen (level 3)
Sometimes we forget how much fun a couple bourrée can be! How once you master the basic steps, musicality and groove, there are no limits to your creativity and excellency. We will dive back into the basic pleasure of “really good couple bourrée” on straight bourrées in 2 times, and also compare the groove to 3 times straight bourrée. Expect a wide range of figures and time enough to try out their specific technicity and groove.
Slängpolska – Wim (level 3/4)
In almost all of Sweden, from about the middle to the far north, the slängpolska is danced.
It is a “walking dance” in a three-quarter rhythm, in which the couples move through the hall in dance direction (like a counterclockwise waltz). While walking, a variety of figures are done. Often these are turning figures. The leader decides which figures will be danced and if a couple has more experience they can improvise. This is a good dance form for dancers who want to get more experience in
leading and following.
Musical placement – Pierre (level 3/4)
In this workshop, you will discover my universal approach to musicality. We will explore the diversity of placement within rhythms, melodies, and all aspects of timing. This will open up a world of interpretation as you discover your own “tempotype” and learn how to control and modify it.
Mazurka variations – Hanne (level 4)
Rhythmical variations and improvisation techniques for mazurka. We will also explore the connection with the music, and discover some interesting musical patterns.
Block 2: Saturday morning 10:00 – 13:00
Fandango/Arin-arin – Dani (level 3)
We will dive into two of the most well-known Basque dances in the Balfolk environment: Fandango and Arin-arin. But time permitting, I would love to share a fast trip to Lantzeko Inauteriak (Carnaval de Lantz) and some of the hundreds of other dances that exist in our country!
The challenge for this workshop won’t be to retain hundreds of stylish variations but to integrate as much as possible a simple and solid basis of the mentioned dances…with a Basque flavour and having fun together!
Congo de Captieux – Hanne (level 3/4)
Fancy discovering a new, playful figure dance?
During this workshop, we will be introduced to the Congo de Captieux – a lively figure dance that has its origins in contra dancing. This dance is not only fun to do, but also brings a touch of playfulness and flirtatious energy. The choreography revolves around the dynamic interplay between two couples, with movements reminiscent of the rondeau and couple.
This dance class is ideal for those who already have some dance experience, but do not yet know the Congo de Captieux.
Branle béarnaise (Branle d’Ossau) – Koen (level 3/4)
Yes, yes, it’s that chain dance that looks so simple… and then you realise that it’s not quite the case. A great challenge for intermediate and advanced dancers! This workshop is both for people who don’t know this dance from the Pyrenees yet, and for those who are ready for easy and difficult variations (off beats, padam, …).
Physical organisation – Pierre (level 3/4)
In this workshop, I will guide you through an exploration of different approaches to physical organization. Whether we’re addressing the origin of movement, diagonal dissociation, or the relationship between your weight and the ground beneath you, you will get an overview of different technical systems of physical organization.
Dances from the Poitou pt 1: Répertoire ile de Noirmoutier – Maxime (level 4)
Covering 50km2, the island of Noirmoutier is an incredible conservatory of traditional dances. Communes 10 km apart such as Barbâtre and l’Epine each have their own repertoire (often with the same generic names of “ronds” and “branles”), not to mention variations in dancers… a whole universe of dances in a pocket handkerchief, and also a lesson in geography! Dances that will be addressed include: Branle de Barbâtre, Branle de l’Epine (the one many people call “de Noirmoutier”), rond de Barbâtre, rond de l’Epine, demi-tour.
Requirements: Many dances will be taught during this workshop – please only join if you can competently pick up new steps and movements at high speed!
Block 3: Saturday afternoon 14:30 – 17:30
Smooth turns in Swedish dances – Koen (level 2b/3)
We’ll learn the basics of Shottis (the Swedish version of scottish) and polska, and will discover how to turn in a smooth way in both dances.
Contact impovisation – Loby (level 2b/3/4)
Join us in a workshop where we delve into a unique form of dance through contact and improvisation, discovering how to navigate movement for yourself and with others. Inspired by his ongoing practice in contact improvisation at Kahbam, we’ll explore principles through bite-size exercises. All levels are welcome to participate and apply these newfound skills in a small jamsession later on to blend the practice with movements you are familiar with Balfolk.
Spice it up: Enhancing Gameplay and Flow in Couples Dancing – Rafael & Nele (level 3/4)
Join us for “Spice It Up: Enhancing Gameplay and Flow in Couples Dancing”. An engaging workshop designed to deepen your dance partnership. Meant for higher skill levels, this workshop will cover the more subtle yet essential elements of partnering. Through practical exercises, interactive drills and fun games, you’ll learn to move more harmoniously with your dance partner. Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your dancing and strengthen your connection, and let’s have fun together.
Connections – Pierre (level 3/4)
This workshop is an introductory exploration of all the different systems we use in dancing to create connection. From the multi-point system of the embrace to chain mechanisms, spatial symmetry, and body positions – what does it mean to communicate and connect in dancing, and what tools are available to us?
Breton dances – Clément (level 4)
This workshop will introduce the amazing diversity of dances from the Upper Brittany region. The first part of the workshop will deal with circle dances, such as the ridée 6 temps, Rond de Saint Vincent, Rond Paludier and Pilé Menu. In the second part, we will work on contra-dances, including Kerouézé, Avant-deux de Bazouge and Avant-deux de Travers.
Requirements: Many dances will be taught during this workshop – please only join if you can competently pick up new steps and movements at high speed!
Dances from the Poitou part 2: Répertoire ile d’yeu/Maraichine/Grand’Danse – Maxime (level 4)
On the Ile d’Yeu, at the time of the surveys, the only remaining dances were the “demi-rond” and the “rond”. Over on the mainland, the Maraîchine and Grand’danse are danced. The former has undergone significant evolution, notably with show dancing, while the latter has remained more discreet, with the bal folk preferring the paulaïe (a dance recreated and adapted for show use). Dances that will be addressed include: Demi-rond de l’ile d’Yeu, Rond de l’ile d’Yeu, Maraichine, Grand’danse, Mouvante.
Requirements: Many dances will be taught during this workshop – please only join if you can competently pick up new steps and movements at high speed!
Block 4: Saturday evening 19:30 – 20:30
Body work/ warm up into the Ball – Loby (all levels)
Small workshop for all levels, a warm up with bodyworks (loosen up the body with massages) into the Ball. This workshop is provided by Loby from the Kahbam contactimprovisation workshop.
Festival skills – Koen (all levels)
How to avoid spirals in jigs and cercles; it’s a real epidemic lately and no, it’s not the fault of the beginners! How to solve waltz traffic jams near the stage? How to stop my neighbours from bumping into me…? Better floor management can make the dance experience a lot nicer for everybody. Most dancers have basic skills that give nice results on small or medium dance floors, but lack the advanced skills that are needed on (crowded) festivals. Koen has been reflecting a lot on this subject, and has some new insights to share with all of you. If you think you have nothing to learn on this topic… then you should definitely come to this workshop!
The dancing orgy – Rafael & Nele (all levels)
Extreme partnership dancing. It’s all about connection, use of space, musicality and improvisation. Most of all, it’s about having fun, dancing. By yourself. Or as a couple. Or as a tripple. Or even more… It’s also strictly not about sex (or is it?)
Block 5: Sunday morning 10:30 – 12:30
5t waltz – Fabien (level 3)
We will approach the waltz in 5 through listening to music, rhythmic games, as well as group exercises, alone and in pairs, for an in-depth understanding of this dance. The goal: to detach yourself from the mind, feel freer and express your creativity in connection with music!
Dancing in connection (with eyes closed) – Emelie (level 3)
A lovely quiet Sunday workshop to relax and really connect with and follow yourself, your own body. From that deep connection with yourself you will dance and (if you wish) with the others. In this you stay in alignment with yourself and other dancers. We do all this with your eyes closed (if you like you can bring a blindfold/eye mask, that can be very nice) so you can really keep your attention on the experience in your body. We let go of the balfolk steps and let ourselves be led by the dance that arises. Following and leading are alternated.
This is a wonderful experience of connecting with yourself, your body, the other, playing, exploring, moving consciously, surrendering, hmmm.
Musicality for dancers – Koen (level 3)
Want to discover the most common musical structures in folk tunes? Curious about musical phenomena and ready to explore their impact on your dancing?
Not afraid to (learn to) improvise on music? Then join this workshop! No musical knowledge required.
Cultural analysis – Pierre (level 3/4)
The goal of this workshop is to introduce the concept of the “character of a dance.” What really makes one dance different from another? We will look at common examples to understand and value different dances for all the opportunities they offer. This is the key to a deeper folk practice and to enjoying these dances for much longer! (I have been in the folk world for 29 years… the content of this workshop is the only reason I am still around!)
Switch it up & move your butt – Saskia (level 4)
It’s Sunday morning and we’ve already danced and learned a lot. Are you ready for some more? We will focus on two theme’s and how we can combine these. Firstly, switching roles. We’ll explore several ways to do so. We will not explain the basics of either role, but really go more in depth into the concept of switching. Secondly, we will be moving in space. We will play with location, speed and travelling together in different ways. Then, we can use the general flow on the dancefloor to allow for variations in switching that work best while travelling. It is going to be fun! We look forward to seeing you there!
Requirements: Please be comfortable in your couple dances and have some experience in both roles to be ready to switch it up!