All I Want for Christmas is to Dance

Classes are offered for all ability levels, from beginner to advanced. In Morris Dancing for All, complete novices and old pros can leap, clash sticks and wave hankies in this centuries-old dance tradition from England. Extraordinary Contras will challenge even the most experienced contra dancer with wild geography, surprising figures, tricky transitions, and new time signatures. Dance through Time class members will experience American dance from the 1870s to the 1970s, and Kerry/West Cork Sets allow participants to enjoy the wild, exciting dances of southwestern Ireland. Those interested in learning to call dances can hone their skills in leading English dances and square dances. And of course Christmas School would not be complete without square dancing, English Country Dancing and beginning and advanced clogging.

Dance is not the only offering at Christmas Country Dance School. Classes are offered in Mountain Dulcimer, Harmonica, and Sacred Music for Consort Playing, as well as in Harmony Singing, Shape Note Singing, and Songs from Past to Present. Crafts include basketry, temari craft, and woodcarving. Two classes in storytelling invite participants to Find the Storyteller’s Voice.

The staff of Christmas Country Dance School represents, as always, a mix of internationally known teachers and musicians of all ages. Some, like Pat Napier, Mary Harrell, Eric Crowden, Peter Rogers, and Donna and Lewis Lamb, are from Kentucky while others hail from distant states and other countries. Returning this year to the Christmas School staff from Scotland is Aidan Broadbridge, who has been featured on fifteen English and Scottish dance albums. Peter Kruskal once again brings his high-intensity Rapper style to Berea, and Owen Morrison returns from Nashville to teach and to play for classes and dances. Carol Ormand brings “wickedly fun dances” from Wisconsin.

Christmas Country Dance School is, according to many participants, “a great way to extend the holiday season. The three hundred-thirty participants from all over the country become an extended family that welcomes the new year with dance and song.

Berea College hosts Christmas Country Dance School December 26, 2006 to January 1, 2007. Registrations received by November 1 are discounted. For information, call 859-985-3431 or email .