The Randolph Arts Guild presents "A Brief History and Exploration into American Folk Dancing"
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The Randolph Arts Guild presents "A Brief History and Exploration into American Folk Dancing"

Posted on 04/08/15

Asheboro, NC - The Randolph Arts Guild hosts “Why Do-Si-Do” a.k.a. “A Brief History and Exploration into American Folk Dancing" -- a free cultural event that is one part history lesson and one part rhythmic celebration of American folk dancing.  Award-winning folk dance historian, musician, and dance caller, Jim Morrison out of Charlottesville, Virginia will emcee the event and offer a brief lecture on the American tradition.  The second part of the event features live music, samples of heritage folk dances, and opportunities for the public to join in and participate in several historically celebrated dances.  It all takes place at the Rotary Pavillion located in the Asheboro's Bicentennial Park, 135 Sunset Avenue in downtown on Monday, May 18th.  Jim's lecture begins at 6:30 p.m.  The dancing portion of the event is scheduled from 8 p.m to 10 p.m.  Those interesting in attending are encouraged to bring a picnic supper and lawn chairs/blankets.  Those interested in dancing are asked to wear non-high-heeled shoes.  No experience required.  The rain location is "The Exchange" located at 204 South Fayetteville Street.  For more information contact the Randolph Arts Guild at (336) 629-0399 or visit them on the web at www.randolphartsguild.com .  Registration is not required.        

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The time has come to call the dance.  Social dance is a creative tradition spanning centuries, cultures, and continents.  A dance is often involved where we first meet a loved one, marry a loved one, and in some countries celebrate the life of a loved one recently passed.  But before we go way off on a tangent -- let’s bring it back home -- to Randolph County.  The Randolph Arts Guild is honored to announce a social dance event not known around these parts.  It is very much a community, family, artful, and educational-based program you have come to know from us.  On Monday May 18th beginning at 6:30p we are hosting “Why Do-Si-Do” aka “A Brief History and Exploration into American Folk Dancing".  That’s right -- in one evening we have a free event designed to share the history of folk dance and then offer up a chance to jump right in and hear live instruments, listen to the caller, and learn to step to the music.  We sought out the very best regional folk dancing historian to guide us.  Mr. Jim Morrison from Charlottesville, VA has studied many forms of folk dancing all over the U.S. and also here in the southeast.  He is a musician, a dance caller, and a 2014 recipient of the Country Dance and Song Society’s Lifetime Contribution Award.

The evening begins with a brief lecture on the history of folk dance.  Jim plans to share examples of historic folk dances and traditional music resounding from his own fiddle.  Then, after a brief intermission North Carolina musicians, Ted Ehrhard also on fiddle, and Pete Campbell on keyboard will perform traditional folk dance tunes as Jim will emcee the dances and play a bit of music.  George Segebade will also utilize his knowledge of traditional folk dance to call a dance or two.  It all takes place at the Rotary Pavillion located in the Bicentennial Park, 135 Sunset Avenue in downtown Asheboro.  The lecture begins at 6:30 p.m.  The dance portion of the event is scheduled from 8 p.m. -- 10 p.m.  This event is free to the public.  Attendees may want to bring their own lawn chairs, picnic supper, and non-high-heeled dancing shoes.  The rain location is The Exchange, located at 204 South Fayetteville Street, opposite of the Bicentennial Park.  A big ‘thank you’ to our distinguished guests, the Clemmons, N.C. Fiddle & Bow Society, and the City of Asheboro for helping us with this event.  

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