THE 14th ANNUAL POURPARLER
is scheduled for September 23-26, 2010,
in Shepherdstown, West Virginia
[at the Men's Club, site of many traditional dance events]
with support from National Folk Organization,
New England Dancing Masters, and others.
Shepherdstown is a charming, little historic community with many excellent restaurants, and good local accommodations including an historic B&B. The closest airports are Dulles and Reagan in Washington, D.C.
POURPARLER 2010 is in the planning stages. Boomark this page
and come back in a few months!
PHOTOS OF POURPARLER 2009
[More about Pourparler BELOW the photos]
FIRST TIMERS:
COMING SOON - full-detail registration form and supplemental information
VETERANS OF POURPARLER:
COMING SOON - short registration form here
WANT TO ADVERTISE?
COMING SOON - publicity flyer you can print and distribute
The name Pourparler comes from the French word ‘to speak’, and connotes a get-together, a chat. Since its inception in 1997, Pourparler has taken place in Illinois, Utah, California, Massachusetts, Washington State, Vermont, and Wisconsin.
Pourparler is a yearly gathering of people who are dedicated to teaching folk/ethnic/world/ traditional dance in schools and/or community events. The brainchild of Sanna Longden, internationally respected dance educator from Evanston, Illinois, Pourparler is gathering of colleagues, where we are all leaders and participants, and there are no hired ‘experts’. It is a unique opportunity to be surrounded by people with extensive teaching skills who care deeply about passing the joy of dance on to the next generations.
The content each year is different, reflecting the needs and skills of the people who attend. In the past we have learned dances from many traditions including Balkan, Scandinavian, Israeli, French, square dancing, contradancing, Maypoles, old-time couple dancing, singing games, and many others. We discuss teaching techniques, repertoire, costuming, music, school curricula and self-employment. NOTE: No part-time registrations. Pourparler is not workshop, but a special bonding, sharing weekend. Please plan to join us for all of it.
Dance Sharing
Dance sharing is the heart and soul of PP, the focus for discussions and the major way we learn from each other. All participants are encouraged to present a dance, whether or not you have attended previous Pourparlers. It is also okay not to, if you prefer.
In order to balance the program, we ask that you submit two or three dances for consideration. The committee will then consider all submissions and put together a balanced program.
In the past, dance sharing sessions have included such topics such as:
- Easy mixers/Icebreakers/Ending dances
- Dances that require no partners, or odd numbers
- Dances useful for teaching specific figures or techniques: buzz step swing, waltz, grapevine, giving weight, contra dance progression, etc.
- Modifying dances for special circumstances
- Social dances for groups of novice adults
When considering which dances to submit, please ask yourself:
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Why is this a good dance? In what situations do you use it?
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Does it teach a certain technique, or lead up to something?
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Where does the dance come from? Where did you learn it? What do you know about the traditions surrounding it?
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How well known is it?
Since most of the people who attend Pourparler come with at least some (and often vast) experience teaching dance, it’s not generally useful to present classic dances such as Virginia Reel or Troika, unless you have a strong, specific reason for doing so.
Syllabus
Last year when we arrived at Pourparler, we were handed a syllabus and a CD of the music for the dances that were to be done on the weekend.. We all agreed that this was tremendously useful and Sanna and Mars have set a standard.
Folk dance and music educators from the U.S. and Canada will gather at the annual Pourparler, for a weekend with a unique blend of dance sharing, discussion and networking. Experts in the field, teachers and musicians known across the continent join with relative newcomers to share their best dances and tips for successful school residencies, family dances and other events that build community through cross-cultural dancing.
Here’s what previous participants had to say about Pourparler:
"It's hard to say which part of Pourparler I value most…spending a weekend dancing in a charmed place with charming people . . . or that these people know exactly the challenges I face and have six ways to solve every issue . . .. or returning to my students with a deeper understanding of traditional dance."
"The memories of our Pourparler weekend linger on. I cannot put into words the wonderful feeling I had of camaraderie and joy in dance."
"Somehow, every year Pourparler seems to get better and better. . . As always, I come away with a mellow high from associating with such wonderful people through the medium of music, dance, and simple childlike play."
No Cologne Zone
Because many of us are sensitive to scented products, Pourparler is a fragrance free event. Please come without cologne, or scented lotions, after shave or conditioners. You’re sweet enough as you are.
