ONLINE: Event

Sunday 4th July, 2021

1:45pm

Event information

The workshop will be conducted online on Zoom.

April Verch will teach a workshop in the Ottawa Valley Step Dancing style from Canada. No dance experience required for this workshop – it will be suitable for absolute beginners, or dancers from other styles who are looking to try something new and fun! First, April will teach the basics of the style; the different tools used to form "steps" and then she’ll lead the class in learning a simple routine. You’ll find that supportive shoes are best, ideally something that makes a sound on your floor and slips more easily will help (think hard or leather soles rather than rubber soles and ideally not a carpeted floor.)

April grew up in Pembroke, Ontario, Canada and the rich musical and dancing heritage of the Ottawa Valley is at the heart of her work. Beginning with the tunes and step dancing of the early loggers, it incorporates the influences of the French, Scottish, German, Polish and Irish settlers who have moved to the region over the years. The step dance tradition is a melting pot of a lot of different dance styles including Irish hard shoe, clogging and tap, to name a few. It has evolved into an exuberant and physical type of dance, more “off the ground” than other Canadian step dancing styles such as French Canadian or Cape Breton.

Acclaimed fiddler, singer and dancer April Verch has been dancing since the age of three and fiddling since the age of six! She has recorded 14 albums and has toured worldwide for over 20 years. Whether performing with her trio the April Verch Band or in her duo with Joe Newberry, the show always includes some of April’s spectacular step dancing. April is also an excellent tutor of music and dance and has taught for many years at camps and festivals across North America.

This workshop is part of True North Music's Streaming Across the Sea online festival, which also includes workshops in mandolin and banjo, plus livestreamed concerts free to access on YouTube and Facebook. With thanks for the funding support of Arts Council England. For full details visit truenorthmusic.co.uk/streaming-across-the-sea

PLEASE NOTE - the workshop will be conducted online via Zoom and a link will be emailed out to all participants by the day before. You do not need a Zoom account set up, just use our link to join the event between 1.45pm and 2pm (UK time) on Sunday 4th July. The workshop will start promptly at 2pm and will finish by 3pm. The workshop will be recorded and participants can request a link to view again after the live session (or if for any reason you can't join us for the live session).

Zoom link to follow

truenorthmusic.co.uk