Music Sound

Circle dance, is the most common name for a style of traditional dance usually done in a circle without partners to musical accompaniment. It became popular in the alternative, feminist and new age aspects of western culture in the 1980s and 1990s and continues today.

The circle is probably the oldest known dance formation. It is found in the dances of many cultures, including ancient Greece (chorea), African, Eastern European, Irish Celtic, Catalan (sardana), South American and North American Indian. Circle dance mixes traditional folk dances, mainly from European or Near-Eastern sources, with recently choreographed ones to a variety of music both ancient and modern.

Dances can be slow and meditative, or lively and energetic.

Sacred Circle Dance is a modern form which originated in the Findhorn Foundation community in Scotland following visits there from 1976 onwards by Professor Bernhard Wosien, a German dancer. Known first as Sacred Dance, it has changed over time as enthusiasts have made contributions, and may now be called Circle Dance, Sacred Dance, or Sacred Circle Dance (SCD). A small altar of flowers or other natural or venerated objects is usually placed at the centre of the circle.

Contents 1 References 2 See also 3 External links 3.1 Networks and journals 3.2 Notable teachers

References

• Circle Dancing - Celebrating the Sacred in Dance by June Watts, Green Magic Publishing (2006) ISBN 0954723082

See also

• Round dance

External links

Networks and journals

• Uk’s Circle Dance Network
• eJournal of Circle Dance in the U.S & Canada

Notable teachers

• June Watts, International circle dance teacher
• Martine Winnington, International circle dance teacher
• Catalan Dancing in Barcelona, Circle Dance
• LivingCircle with Brian Steere. (UK) Circle dancing with live music.
• Stefan and Bethan Freedman International (UK based) teachers and facilitators of circle dance. Dance and music as a tool for peace and reconcilliation.