Great Alne Long Weekend: In April.....that's 24th-27th April 2009.
And it's this coming weekend:
Sat 21st, View This April's Programme.
Available at the 2nd webpage to be titled "April's Programme".
Quadrilles from the 19th Century. We may select The Lancers for 2010. (Without intricate fast footwork) A more sedate successor to Regency Quadrilles. (Come to partake in these origins of square dance.)
Don't miss - On Saturday, Hopefully yet more of Cathy's fun dances from the 1940s.
And an italic sans serif CLICK without a link for copying.
Lunchtime Concerts. A new feature for '09 to allow us, whilst noshing, to be able to enjoy listening and appreciate the variety of folk instruments, and the talented playing skills of a variety and succession of our (hopefully some willing, but not hungry) musicians.
If the weather is pleasant, it's hoped this will be outside.
If there was an aspect of 2008, or previous Long Weekends that you particularly liked,
or if you wish to contribute activities or ideas, please email a feedback, or ring, or tell André.
Great Alne Long Weekend...... 2010_______is to be from____23rd-26th April 2010
Great Alne Long Weekend...... This April....................that's
From......24th-27th April 2009
Hi and you're Welcome to browse the website.
(This is our Home page) Over a long April weekend every year:
Pay us a Visit at Great Alne Long-Weekend.
Try different kinds of dance. Join to play music too. Song, handbells and many more activities. Welcome to this beautiful English Warwickshire village. Enjoy as a beginner (or experienced) dancer, musician or singer.
This extended weekend explores varied traditional folk activities from around the world.
For 2008,we were pleased again to see Karin Bellaart from The Netherlands. A lively dance teacher, she showed 1 or 2 Dutch Dances, but mostly dances from other countries. Karin was the first teacher of International Dance to be invited to Gt Alne. Karin was appropriately, here for our Silver Celebration.
Click for the News of 2009 Event above to see who will next be visiting us from the Netherlands.
Many other teachers of dance and callers take part as well:
eg for Israeli Dances, German Dances & for some dancing sessions in couples too.
In Music Workshops, instrumentalists play a wide variety of dance tunes lead by a skilled musician.
Social dancing. 3 evenings Fri/Sat/Sun. drinks & entertainment breaks: plus 3 bonus late dances. Workshops are throughout the day on Sat Sun and Mon (Note this is the w/e BEFORE bank hol.)
Are you on our email list? Be sent-out a programme for the 2009 event. To receive information for next year's event, CLICK and then fill in your name and email address.
Attend for all, or ANY PART of the Long-Weekend. You're welcome singly, or if arriving with a partner.
For a short early history, CLICK about Gt Alne in Warwickshire. We use its WW1 Village Memorial Hall.
24th to27th April 2009 will be the 26th annual Great Alne Long-Weekend.
CLICK for 2009 prices. Also CLICK for accommodation options.
Weekend, and long weekend visitors may email, should they require further accommodation advice.
There's no need to book. Though you may CLICK here if you wish to SEND an email.
You may like to tell us you intend coming in 2009: or perhaps you may have a specific question.
Photo- dancing in the Village Hall. (On her last but one visit, then with daughter Witzke) Nel, in the centre, is one of our International Dance teachers from the Netherlands.
Copyright; James Hobro 2004. To enlarge the photo below, Pic CLICK
The Village Hall position is "pinned" opp the Old Station on the map. On + or - ,CLICK above. Local Accommodation -
Visit the CLICKWarwickshire Tourist Information web page.
Camper vans or caravans may park hardstanding, nearby the Hall.
Ring please, if you intend to bring a tent to pitch on the nearby meadow.
Tel. 01789 488 568.
CLICK to see a typical programme for the long weekend.
(Karin's earlier visit in 2005).
Photo Copyright James Hobro 2004.
OUR EXCELLENT CATERERS - from the traditional Tudor Rose Tea Rooms in Alcester -
have there a lovely bakery section with temptingly delicious cakes on display.
They'll again be catering in 2009. An on-line menu will be available here in advance.
A variety of food will thus be provided at the hatch during most of the long weekend:-
On SAT. LUNCHTIME & SUN. EVE, filled hot jacket potatoes were available; also baguettes or rolls.
HOT MEALS FOR FRI EVE, SAT EVE & SUN LUNCH are home cooked,with VEGETARIAN or MEAT CHOICES.
Enjoy Amanda's homemade soup with a crusty roll. Salads available too: especially for warm, sunny days.
On MONDAY, a first class and quieter day, we order a WAITRESS SERVED HOT LUNCH in the hall.
If your food need/preference is missing, don't winge. Explain to Amanda at the hatch for the next day.
(Sarnies / eating before you leave: DON'T. Delicious catering alone is worth coming to Great Alne Village Hall to sample!)
Why Great Alne Long-Weekend happens:
1) To foster International contacts. Generally to promote friendship and understanding.
2) To give opportunities, especially for dancers and musicians to try-out skills with which they may not be familiar.
So when you attend a particular dance or workshop, try coming earlier, or perhaps stay over, or try out a tune.
Use this opportunity for discovery and exchange.
3)Great Alne Long Weekend hopes to foster young participants' fulfillment through folk activities.
And to encourage all to sample something different.
Pricing is structured to try to reflect these principles. CLICK for PRICES
Leaders are not paid. Those contributing regularly find fulfillment in attending the workshops of others.
Each year, travel is subsidised for a teacher well trained in International Dance, usually from the Netherlands, to bring material "new" to the dancers and musicians. That normally means dances of recent local choreography with traditional style and music from a range of countries.
(André finds much joy in partaking. Having organised 25, he may manage a few more yet. Thanks are due to many helpers who've given time to share the organizing, running responsibilities & workshops.)
Particular thanks are due to Linda and David for their lovely decoration of the Memorial Hall - put up especially for the 2008 Silver Celebratory Year.
It will be possible for you to view the decorated hall in 2008 pics very soon, here on this website.
CLICK (on the pic.) below, James Eisner accompanies a song.
Photo Copyright James Hobro 2004.
Accommodation Options Bed & Breakfast. CONTACT Warwickshire Tourist Information, CLICK
or ring them on 01789 293 127.
Youth Hostel. The nearest is 9 miles away CLICK or 01789 297093
Camping or mobile home. £2 per person/night (under 16s free).
or Caravan. - First telephone please. 01789 488 568.
[You may also contact 0121 777 3722 for other accommodation ideas].
.
Walking near the village Churchyard.
all pictures: Copyright James Hobro 2004.
Next Year Next year's Great Alne Long Weekend will run from 24th to 27th April 2009.
We look forward particularly to American Contra technique with Rhodri Davies.
The Bulgarian Orphanage Draglishte orphanage is near Rila in the Macedonian Region.
This accommodates children left there with mainly ESN limitations.
(Most would have been placed there after initially being abandoned at an early mother and baby clinic.)
The horrendous Eastern European State Orphanages are gradually closing, or receiving a few very basic improvements.
Considerable transformation of Draglishte is due mainly to voluntary help from just 2 couples in the UK.
£157 was raised at 2008 Gt Alne Long Weekend from the sale of Pam's tasty home-made marmalades and chutneys.
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CLICK to go back to the top here on the Home Page. website last updated 27.6.08