Balfolk
Encyclopedia
Bal Folk is a dance event for folk dance
and folk music
in a number of European countries, mainly in France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. It is also known as folk bal.
There are numerous organisations that organize such dance events monthly and at a lot of folk festivals there are both concerts and dances.
In France some villages have their own annual folk festival.
In Flanders, Boombal
is the biggest organisation for the popularization of bal folk. Their influence is so great that the term Boombal is more known than the term bal folk.
Although there are similarities, the dances of bal folk are not the same as dances danced by traditional folkdance groups.
Folk dance
The term folk dance describes dances that share some or all of the following attributes:*They are dances performed at social functions by people with little or no professional training, often to traditional music or music based on traditional music....
and folk music
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
in a number of European countries, mainly in France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. It is also known as folk bal.
History
Dancing to folk music is gaining popularity since the 70's. The traditional dances come primarily from the French tradition, with additions from all parts of Europe.There are numerous organisations that organize such dance events monthly and at a lot of folk festivals there are both concerts and dances.
In France some villages have their own annual folk festival.
In Flanders, Boombal
Boombal
Boombal is the name given to a relatively recent phenomenon of folk dance parties in Belgium, originating in the frech bal folk. The partygoers indulge in pair, ring, line, and string dances such as the waltz, polka, An Dro, etc. adapted from the French bal folk scene...
is the biggest organisation for the popularization of bal folk. Their influence is so great that the term Boombal is more known than the term bal folk.
Although there are similarities, the dances of bal folk are not the same as dances danced by traditional folkdance groups.
- Traditional folk dances have more extensive choreographies and may be danced with traditional clothing. The preservation and/or presentation of a tradition is important here. Music is sometimes played live, sometimes pre-recorded. The audience sits down and watches the dancers perform their choreographies.
- Dances of bal folk are generally based on simple traditional choreographies and have an easy base so everyone can easily start with it. Refined movements are not the main concern. Often, the music has modern influences. Music is played by live bands. The audience is on the dance floor, dancing on the live music.
Parts of a Folk Bal
There may be two parts in a Folk Bal.- Initiation / Dance Workshop: Often at the start of a bal some dances are explained for people that are new to the dances. During an hour dances are explained. Group dances as well as couple dances are explained. All is done under musical accompaniment of a live folk musician.
- Bal: Folk musicians play for dancing. It is similar to a common party, except that in this case young and old dance together to live folk music.
Commons dances
The main dances are usually played during such a session are:- ScottishSchottischeThe schottische is a partnered country dance, that apparently originated in Bohemia. It was popular in Victorian era ballrooms as a part of the Bohemian folk-dance craze and left its traces in folk music of countries such as Argentina , Finland , France, Italy, Norway , Portugal and Brazil , Spain ...
es - BourréeBourréeThe bourrée is a dance of French origin common in Auvergne and Biscay in Spain in the 17th century. It is danced in quick double time, somewhat resembling the gavotte. The main difference between the two is the anacrusis, or upbeat; a bourrée starts on the last beat of a bar, creating a...
s - WaltzWaltzThe waltz is a ballroom and folk dance in time, performed primarily in closed position.- History :There are several references to a sliding or gliding dance,- a waltz, from the 16th century including the representations of the printer H.S. Beheim...
- PolkaPolkaThe polka is a Central European dance and also a genre of dance music familiar throughout Europe and the Americas. It originated in the middle of the 19th century in Bohemia...
- MazurkaMazurkaThe mazurka is a Polish folk dance in triple meter, usually at a lively tempo, and with accent on the third or second beat.-History:The folk origins of the mazurek are two other Polish musical forms—the slow machine...
- GigueGigueThe gigue or giga is a lively baroque dance originating from the British jig. It was imported into France in the mid-17th century and usually appears at the end of a suite...
s, also known as Chapelloise (a different dance than the irish JigJigThe Jig is a form of lively folk dance, as well as the accompanying dance tune, originating in England in the 16th century and today most associated with Irish dance music and Scottish country dance music...
) - Circassien circle
- Ronds (from BrittanyBrittanyBrittany is a cultural and administrative region in the north-west of France. Previously a kingdom and then a duchy, Brittany was united to the Kingdom of France in 1532 as a province. Brittany has also been referred to as Less, Lesser or Little Britain...
, but also from other parts of France) - BranleBranleA branle l)—also bransle, brangle, brawl, brawle, brall, braul, or brantle —or brainle—is a 16th-century French dance style which moves mainly from side to side, and is performed by couples in either a line or a circle.The word is derived from the French verb branler , possibly related to brander...
s - Contradances
- Ridées, laridés, andro (from BrittanyBrittanyBrittany is a cultural and administrative region in the north-west of France. Previously a kingdom and then a duchy, Brittany was united to the Kingdom of France in 1532 as a province. Brittany has also been referred to as Less, Lesser or Little Britain...
) - and many others.
Books
- La danse traditionelle en France d´une ancienne civilisation paysanne à loisir revivaliste, Yves Guilcher, Librairie de la Danse, FAMDT, 1998 Courlay
See also
- Les Panards DansantsLes Panards DansantsLes Panards Dansants is a traditional French music and dance organisation in Leeds, West Yorkshire.It has existed since late 1998....
, Leeds - Soas French Folk Dance Society, London
External links
- Musictrad (in French) (France)
- List of UK events (UK)
- BalFolk (Netherlands)
- Folkroddels (Belgium)