German Folk Scene

Subject: German Folk Scene
From: Alan Day
Date: 06 Jun 08 - 04:13 AM

It was with great pleasure that I played as part of GIGCB Big Band at the Leipzig Folk Festival a few years ago.The enthusiasm for learning new dances was just amazing with between 150 -200 dancers attending the afternoon workshops and the dance in the evening absolutely packed.With some English Dances, as many of you know, there are usually some sets that struggle to get it right, but here all the sets danced to perfection.On stage it was wonderful to play for and to watch.There were a number of bands booked for the evening and even at two or three in the morning were all well attended with few going home.
French ,Breton,Italian dances were all featured as well as ours (a mixture of mainly English with ,Breton,and French)and these dances are rarely called just played, once again the standard of dancing was fantastic.I certainly came away thinking that the German Folk Scene is very strong indeed and from the age of the participants, being mostly young, will be for years to come.
Al

Subject: RE: German Folk Scene
From: Gulliver
Date: 06 Jun 08 - 07:51 AM

At the Mudcat Eurogathering in Kiel last year we had a great time at the Ceilidh (pictures are here ).

But I was in Germany a couple of weeks ago (Hamburg and Hannover) and from speaking to people there got the impression that (whatever about the dancing) interest in folk music (and I don't mean the Bavarian-style Volksmusik) is not nearly as strong now as it was in the seventies. But of course that was only two cities--what's it like in the rest of the country?

Don

Subject: RE: German Folk Scene
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 08 Jun 08 - 08:09 PM

There is quite a lively dance scene in and around Kiel, centering on musicians and callers who keep it going. You'll find similar situations in other places. But Leipzig is a special case. It was there the big 'dance-houses' were organised when the GDR still existed, and they're still going strong, with a festival each year. Google their website: Leipziger Tanzhausfest.

Anyway, there is a lot more info on the German folk scene in these threads: German folk music and German folk music II

Subject: RE: German Folk Scene
From: Alan Day
Date: 09 Jun 08 - 03:56 AM

Susanne our band went to Leipzig to play and one of our band members
married the organiser.They recently had a little baby girl.
How about that for an encore
Al

Subject: RE: German Folk Scene
From: Mr Happy
Date: 09 Jun 08 - 03:56 AM

In 2006, I attended a Liedertag in former east Germany in the seaside resort of Boltenhagen on the Baltic sea.

Their Liedertag actually translates to 'song week' rather than just one day.

I was astonished at the variety & enthusiasm of the participants, who as well as singing played many & varied instruments.

Subject: RE: German Folk Scene
From: Alan Day
Date: 09 Jun 08 - 05:14 AM

Perhaps Mr Happy from what you are saying and my trip there, it is the Eastern part of Germany that is embracing the European dancing scene.
Al

Subject: RE: German Folk Scene
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 11 Jun 08 - 04:28 PM

Not exclusively, Alan, but folk music and dance did have a different meaning for them, I suppose. I remember the band Folklaender singing a song about travelling artisans (?) with all those destinations that no one living in the GDR would be allowed to travel to, giving the song a subtext it didn't have over here.

Anyway, another link for those who'd like to find out about the range and variety of folk music in Northern Germany: LAG Folk Schleswig-Holstein

Subject: RE: German Folk Scene
From: Betsy
Date: 11 Jun 08 - 05:03 PM

If you know more about German festivals etc., this guy's gig list is a good guide ( sorry can't do blue clickies.

www.ralfweihrauch.de

und auch bei myspace
www.myspace.com/ralfweihrauch.

www.ralfweihrauch.com.