Schottish, waltz, polka, circassian circle, jig,… If you want to be ready for the dance party, brush up the steps & figures and taste the pleasure of dancing, then this session is for you. Leen Devijver is an experienced dance instructor who knows how to keep you dancing and dancing… Sara Salverius will play suitable music on the accordeon !

Saturday 3 July, from 17 till 18h
Sunday 4 July, from 14h30 till 15h30

Dr Eugène Jochems cultivates medicinal grapes, which are used to cure serious mouth affections. He is musically talented, plays the guitar and sings in the band Dr Eugène. During this initiation he will teach a song and recommend exercises to improve your voice and your breathing.

Saturday 3 July, from 17 till 18h.

These sessions are an opportunity to play with other musicians under the leadership of a competent artist. On Saturday Toon Van Mierlo will conduct the musical interplay. Toon is a multi-instrumentalist in his own right and plays everywhere, everyday and in many bands.
On Saturday night he will be on stage with Harakiwi.

On Sunday Björn Van Hove will lead the interplay session. Björn is a fiddler, he plays in various folk bands and is the leader of Fanteyfare !

Saturday 3 July, from 17 till 18h.
Sunday 4 July from 17 till 18h.

Laughter yoga is a combination of light exercises, childlike playfulness, yogic attitudes and spiritual exercises. Unconditional laughter is the essence of this technique. Leen Van Gils will conduct this very funny session (lasts one hour and a half).

Saturday 3 July, from 17 till 18h30.

We are organising various workshops during the festival. Some of the performing musicians will give initiations. For our visitors this is a nice opportunity to learn something from the musicians they have seen at the festival. The Ukrainian and Portuguese artists will conduct an initiation into the dances of their respective countries. André Deru and Thierry Legros will lead a dulcimer workshop. Piia Kleemola will teach how to play Finnish style fiddling. Dr Eugène will tell you how you can improve your vocal cords.

The plucked dulcimer (or fretted board zither) is a modest drone instrument that has come to play a major part in our folk music tradition. Many dance tunes and songs from the various regions of our country have become core repertoire for dulcimer players.

This Irish frame drum is much used in folk music and can produce plenty of special sounds, ruffles and other exciting vibrations. During this initiation you will learn the principles of playing with the tipper or beater, modulating the pitch by sliding with your hand on the skin.

Tutor William Alfvoet will give examples and make you listen to some sound fragments of bodhran playing. A number of instruments will be available.

Sunday 4 July, from 14h30 till 15h30.

William Alfvoet will also lead a workshop for advanced bodhran players and focus on special techniques regarding rhythm and tone modulation.
A number of music fragments will be played and discussed.

Saturday 3 July, from 14h30 till 15h30.

Most guitar players stick to long established rules. For practical purposes the strings of a guitar used to be pitched in standard tuning. With this universal tuning you can easily form basic chords and play tunes on your guitar. But other tunings are possible : in folk and blues the guitar is often played in open tuning, which produces a wider and deeper sound. This workshop takes a closer look at this universe : we retune our guitar from standard tuning to DADGAD tuning. You will get tips and tricks on chords, tunes and flatpicking so that you can start on your own after this workshop !

The band Pé Na Terra will initiate you to the following dances : the Pingacho, the Repasseado, the Rosinha, the Regadinho. And if there is some time left : the Chula and the Sariquite.
Have fun !

Sunday 4 July, from 17 till 18h.

Ukrainian dances are cheerful and acrobatic. During this initiation the band will teach you how to adopt a proud attitude (with your thumbs under your armpits) and to make fast paces and intricate feet movements. Dive into a genuine Cossack atmosphere with The Burdon Folk Band, that will open the festival on Friday night !

Saturday 3 July, from 14h30 till 15h30.

This particular string instrument used in Swedish traditional music has become essential in folk music. Dr Eugène Vanmeerbeek, famous for his culinary art, is one of the few Flemish nyckelharpa players.

During his initiation he will provide advice on how to play enjoyable music on this instrument.

Sunday 4 July, from 17 till 18h.