Tag-Archive for ◊ Dancing ◊

26 Jun 2009 Fun Festival Festivities
Whitchurch Youth Project thirll the crowds with Michael Jackson's Thriller tribute

Whitchurch Youth Project thirll the crowds with Michael Jackson's Thriller tribute

Last weekend’s festival procession and carnival really showed off the creative talents of Whitchurch residents!

There were many creative costumes on show as many Whitchurch residents paraded through our streets, and onto the Meadow for the bustling carnival.

And, who would have guessed that less than a week after the Whitchurch Youth Project wowed the crowds with their dancing to Michael Jackson’s Thriller song that the famous singer would pass away.  It is a fitting tribute to a talented, influential artist that local youth celebrated his music here in Whitchurch so recently.

Many more pictures are on the Whitchurch Festival website.

23 Mar 2009 Dancing with Morris

arh20090319-17502-largeWhat an expression of…well, I don’t know what, at the showing of the Morris movie last Thursday at the Gill Nethercott Centre.

People from all over the south of England descended upon our lovely little town to watch the movie, Morris: A Life With Bells On, put on by Moviola.  The 7:30pm show was sold out weeks in advance, and a second one had to be put on at 5pm.  Or is the first one now the second one, and the second one now first?

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Watch where you point your stick!

Those at the later show were treated to a full-on Morris dance by a local troupe.  They were obviously all ex-coal workers – just look at those bird feathers and dirty faces.  Some said they were from the border with Wales, but one told me he came from Reading. Rumour has it that they really came from Hook. Last time I checked, neither of those places was anywhere near the border with Wales.

Squeezing out a tune

Squeezing out a tune

The crowd on hand watched in awe as the troupe demonstrated the finesse and aplomb of bashing each other with sticks to the sound of accordions and a trombone.

Would you buy popcorn from them?

Would you buy popcorn from them?

Plenty of real ale was on hand to prepare the crowd; and to refresh the dancers.  Finally, it came time to watch the movie….its worth a go, as it is funny in its mockumetary kind of way.  It definitely is going for the cross-over crowd, as it includes some alternative dancing from the beaches of California.  Now, if only they could get a distributor, it might just rake in a few million this and the other side of the pond.  It will certainly put England on the map.  I mean Dorset. I mean California.

A hush falls upon the crowd, as everyone gets out their hankerchiefs.

A hush falls upon the crowd, as everyone gets out their hankerchiefs.

The organizers also asked me to mention that they found three handkerchiefs while tidying up after the show – they are in the lost & found jar if you want to pop back and pick them up.

For those left wanting, want no more:

08 Nov 2008 Heaving Home of Festival Fun
Crowds participate in the folk festival at Harvest Home

Crowds participate in the folk festival at Harvest Home

The Harvest Home pub on Winchester Street was packed full for the afternoon session of the Whitchurch Folk Festival.

There were young and old from near and far listening and singing.

Overton's Sword Dancers put on a sharp show

Overton's Sword Dancers put on a sharp show.

A myriad of musical instruments, from spoons-on-knees, to banjos, guitars, flutes, violin, mouth organs and drums.  And some lovely singers.

In the afternoon, a performance by the Overton Sword Dancers wowed the crowd with their artistic routine.

More fun is going on over at the Sports and Social club, too!  See the pub guide for info.