Bal Folk

The term Bal Folk ( French bal - " dance, ball "; folk - " folklore " ) referred to in French about the same as the German term folk dance evening. The French Bal Folk has its roots but in the folk revival of the 1970s, were involved in the next politically progressive, urban - student also traditionalist circles.

Bal Folk in Germany

In German the term is most commonly used to describe dance events where most dances are performed, which are regarded as French, are sometimes also danced in contrast to the also used the concept of hard - noz, in which almost exclusively dances, as Breton be considered.

The Bal Folk is in Germany one of the forms of hands-on dances that spread here more and more, in contrast to the sometimes experienced as dusty and rigid folk dance events. When Bal Folk usually the dances of the French regions (about Auvergne, Berry, Gascony, Alsace, Brittany and Poitou ) are danced to live music, with the particular composition of the dance mix aid depends on what the band plays. The fact that all dance along, everyone contributes to the special atmosphere, a mix of fun, music, joy of exercise and socializing.

Be danced circle, row, couple dances and mixers (which are couple dances, in each of which, after a hairpin bend a partner conversion is performed). Occasionally you can find Basque groups solo dances.

The typical six basic dances of the Bal Folk are waltz, mazurka, Scottish, Bourrée and the mixer Chapelloise and Merry circle. With the development of the folk scene and the associated mix of French dance styles are now available in a Bal Folk but also many Breton dances (eg, An- dro, Hanter - dro and Gavotte, as they originate from the Fest Noz ), many Branles from Alsace ( where he also painted new branle choreographies ) and dances of the other regions mentioned. Dances from other countries (Sweden, Germany, Spain and Italy ) are increasingly incorporated into the Bal - folk repertoire.

In the Benelux countries, there is also a strong Bal - folk movement. In particular, in Flanders there are about since 2000 a very strong and well organized, mainly student Bal - folk scene under the label " Boombal ".

Expiration

A typical Bal Folk usually begins 20 to 21 clock and often goes well until after midnight. The majority of the dancers dancing most of the night. The instructions for the dances takes place only in individual cases, many dances but you can dance too fast.

Often a workshop the Bal Folk preceded by, where you can learn the most important Bal folk dances. What is important in a Bal Folk, that the soil is suitable to dance, so held the majority of the Bal Folk events in rooms with wooden floors or parquet. The dancers usually wear ordinary clothes.

Music

In general, the live music with the following instruments (or a selection thereof ) reinforced or unreinforced played: Diatonic and Chromatic accordion, violin, hurdy-gurdy, bagpipes, guitar, harp, Bombard, Flute and double bass. But modern instruments are used more and more, such as electric bass, electric guitar, saxophone and drums.

Bands

• Known groups from Germany, the game for Bal Folk ( ed): " Allumette ", " All You Can Dance", "All Hopp ", " bilwesz ", " Cassard ", " La Chanterelle " (up to " AOK! " 5/2011 ), " Dudlhupf ", " Dudelquetsch ", " The Hayner ," " Fievklang " (until 10/2010), " helix ", " La Marmotte ", " Les hommes ventrus ", " Moenus ", " Palouse ", "Pas de quoi ", " Prends tes pieds ", " Querx ", " strings, fur & frippery ", " SPOC ", " Trio Grande ", " Four Home Jam ", " The Two "
• Bal folk groups from France, which are occasionally heard in Germany: " Au Gré des Vents ", " Ciac Boum ", " La Chavannée ", " duo James Leblanc ", " Excalembour ", " La Machine ", " Parasol "," La Poupée du Loup "," Toc Toc Toc "
• More Bal Folk Group: " Blowzabella " (England), " Bruno et Maria " ( Germany / Switzerland ), " Gonnagles " (Netherlands), "Hot Griselda " ( Netherlands / Belgium), " Naragonia " (Belgium ) " Phoenix " (Denmark)

These groups play traditional and new, also self-composed melodies to Bal folk dances. The most important criterion is the good danceability of a piece ( rhythm, tempo, character, arrangement ).

Many musicians do not adhere strictly to the notes of each piece and vary or improvise. This is facilitated by the fact that many bands play by heart. This, and the interaction with the dancers creates the tension needed to keep a dance alive.

Dances

The featured dances (often, however, only a selection of them, sometimes dances that have not been mentioned here ) are played live at a Bal Folk in free order from the band, some can even occur several times in one evening.

• Walzer ( couple dance )
• Mazurka ( couple dance )
• Scottish ( couple dance )
• Bourrée (usually a pair dance, sometimes two-, three - or four-pair dance)
• An- dro ( chain dance)
• An- dro retourné ( circle dance )
• Branles ( chain dances or couple in the circle)
• Merry circuit ( mixer)
• Chapelloise (Mixer)
• Gavotte de montagne ( chain dance)
• Hanter - dro ( chain dance)
• Hambo ( couple dance )
• Maraîchines (Mixer)
• Suite Plinn ( couples in a circle)
• Polka ( couple dance )
• Ronde St. Vincent ( circle dance )
• Rondeau en couple ( couple dance )
• Ridee à six temps ( circle dance )
• Laridée 8 à temps ( circle dance )
• Valse à 5 temps ( 5/4-Walzer, couple dance )
• Valse à temps 8 ( 8/4-Walzer, couple dance )

In addition, there are many dances that are on the way to Bal folk repertoire, such as Congo de Capsieux, Scottish impaire, Pas d ' été, Carnaval de Lanz and Sept sauts.