How do you avoid spirals in jigs and magical cercles? Waltz collisions? Dance floor chaos?!
Have you ever asked yourself these questions? Then this workshop is just what you need! Koen Dhondt has given this topic a lot of thought and is coming to CaDansa with fresh insights into floorcraft and dance floor awareness to share with you all.How do you move smoothly across a crowded dance floor without getting in the way? How do you prevent jigs from turning into whirlpools or waltzes from clogging up in front of the stage? If you think there’s nothing left for you to learn about this, then that’s a perfect reason to join this workshop!

Ready to turn your dance world upside down? In A dance playground for free improvisation in couple dances,Natalia Klamann will dive into somatic movement, contact improvisation, and modern dance techniques. No standard steps here, just a fresh, surprising journey with yourself and your dance partner!We’ll explore how to use (and keep!) momentum, both in solo dancing and as a couple. This will be a playful and safe space to experiment, let go of what you already know, and give your dance a big dose of freedom and creativity.

Whether you’ve just got the basics of balfolk couple dances or you’re an experienced dancer looking for new ideas, you’re welcome to join!

Come and have fun with live music! This workshop is for anyone who would like to explore Swedish dances. We will cover (part of) the basics of polska and slängpolska. We will also explore common and less common variations, providing something for both beginners and those more experienced in Swedish dancing. Some dance experience is required. This workshop will provide you with a toolbox that you can further explore and develop on the dance floor.Tim has immersed himself in Swedish folk dance since he moved to Sweden 8 years ago, amongst others by attending the folk dance course at the folkhögskola in Malung. Kris studied Swedish folk music at the folkhögskola in Härnösand and will provide the music during the workshop.

The maximum number of participants per workshop is about fifty. There are no pre-registrations, but note that when the workshop is full you cannot join anymore.

This workshop is all about Flemish dances: traditional dances and dances that were choreographed by iconic Flemish dancers such as Renaat van Craenenbroeck. For example: the mixer mazurka, the farewell waltz, the gavre, polka surplas. We will also focus on style, leading and posture. The collective aspect of these dances is essential (even for couple dances!), and together we will discover what each of us can do to make dancing fun and safe for everyone.On the dancefloor you can immediately put into practice your new skills: not only will these dances be played by Shillelagh, you will also learn steps and figures that you can use in other couple dances. Do you know the basic steps to folk couple dances? Come and explore the dances from Flanders with us!

How do you create your perfect dance? More intimacy, less intimacy, more fun, more energy or maybe just more clarity. Most of us love dances that feel connected, alive, and mutual. And no one wants a dance where one person is floating while the other is secretly grinding their teeth.Still, it happens. In a dance community full of touch and enthusiasm, how do we make sure we’re not crossing each other’s boundaries, without even noticing it?

This workshop is about getting better at consent in a real and practical way. You’ll get to practice asking for what you want, and listening to what the other person wants, too. We’ll play with ways of saying no, maybe and yes, with movement and words. Through simple and surprising exercises, you’ll get better at feeling what’s right for you in the moment and finding ways to change the dance so it works for both of you. Because the best dances? They’re the ones where both people feel good.

Are you curious about the unique character of the dances from Brittany? This workshop focuses on the dancing style of this region. That means: no steps, no variations, but attention to posture, the connection between steps, rhythm and dynamics; to the interaction between dance and music. With this workshop, Gertjan, Marion and Ineke want to give a depth to your dancing style in Breton dances.Travel with us to the Fest Noz in Brittany, where the group dynamic rules the dance floor!

Are you curious about musical phenomena that are common in folk music? Ready to explore their impact on your dancing, and not afraid to improvise in your dance? Then this is the workshop for you! No knowledge of music is required.We will start out by listening to and understanding folk music: structure, rhythms, dances, styles, improvisations, differences… Then, we will learn variations in connection with the music. And lastly: we will apply this new knowledge to our own dancing, and learn how to improvise to folk music.

Come and have fun with live music! This workshop is for anyone who would like to explore Swedish dances. We will cover (part of) the basics of polska and slängpolska. We will also explore common and less common variations, providing something for both beginners and those more experienced in Swedish dancing. Some dance experience is required. This workshop will provide you with a toolbox that you can further explore and develop on the dance floor.Tim has immersed himself in Swedish folk dance since he moved to Sweden 8 years ago, amongst others by attending the folk dance course at the folkhögskola in Malung. Kris studied Swedish folk music at the folkhögskola in Härnösand and will provide the music during the workshop.

The maximum number of participants per workshop is about fifty. There are no pre-registrations, but note that when the workshop is full you cannot join anymore.

Have you always been curious about the hurdy-gurdy? Then join this introduction workshop! Here we will try and play the hurdy-gurdy. Together we will try to make a first melody… and of course, we won’t forget the most important part: try to enjoy making music.For whom? This workshop is for everyone who likes to focus for two hours on playing the hurdy gurdy. Do you have no musical experience? Perfect! It’s an introduction workshop. You don’t have to bring your own instrument.

Sing along without words. Let your voice flow freely in this playful Circle Singing workshop, singing songs from all over the world – and circle songs. We’ll sing sounds, melodies, and rhythms that blend together into something beautiful: sometimes harmonious, sometimes funny, sometimes almost magical.No sheet music, no pressure. We just make music together. Everyone can join in, whether your voice is powerful, gentle, seasoned, or newly discovered.

Have you always wanted to play the bagpipes? During this workshop we will discover this instrument. But above all, we will play the bagpipes ourselves! Together we will try out a first melody and discover the instrument, always keeping the fun of playing first.
We will delve into the bagpipes as they are played in France, Flanders and the Low Countries. These are the instruments that also appear in the paintings of Jan Steen or Pieter Brueghel. You don’t need to bring an instrument: they are provided by the Dutch Hurdy-gurdy and Bagpipe Foundation (Draailier & Doedelzak). We don’t have any Scottish or Irish bagpipes with usFor whom? This workshop is intended for anyone who wants to spend two hours of fun and is interested in these instruments from the Low Countries. No playing experience or knowledge of music is required, just some enthusiasm and courage.

Have you always wanted to try out diatonic accordion? Curious how these instruments work? Or have you started playing recently, and could you use some help? Then join this introduction workshop!One of the most common instruments in Balfolk is the diatonic accordion. The basics of the button accordion are quite simple, compared to the years of practice it takes to be able to play the violin or bagpipes producing a nice sound. With the diatonic accordion you only have to push the right button and squeeze or pull the bellows of the accordion. Of course it is more complicated than that to make truly beautiful music, but you can learn the basics in just a few hours. Wouter will make you play some music on this instrument. He will explain the basics and give you plenty of opportunity to practice and ask questions.

Everybody is welcome. If you already have a diatonic accordion: great, bring it! Don’t have one? No problem! We will provide extra instruments.

Have you always wanted to play the bagpipes? During this workshop we will discover this instrument. But above all, we will play the bagpipes ourselves! Together we will try out a first melody and discover the instrument, always keeping the fun of playing first.
We will delve into the bagpipes as they are played in France, Flanders and the Low Countries. These are the instruments that also appear in the paintings of Jan Steen or Pieter Brueghel. You don’t need to bring an instrument: they are provided by the Dutch Hurdy-gurdy and Bagpipe Foundation (Draailier & Doedelzak). We don’t have any Scottish or Irish bagpipes with usFor whom? This workshop is intended for anyone who wants to spend two hours of fun and is interested in these instruments from the Low Countries. No playing experience or knowledge of music is required, just some enthusiasm and courage.

Have you always wanted to try out diatonic accordion? Curious how these instruments work? Or have you started playing recently, and could you use some help? Then join this introduction workshop!One of the most common instruments in Balfolk is the diatonic accordion. The basics of the button accordion are quite simple, compared to the years of practice it takes to be able to play the violin or bagpipes producing a nice sound. With the diatonic accordion you only have to push the right button and squeeze or pull the bellows of the accordion. Of course it is more complicated than that to make truly beautiful music, but you can learn the basics in just a few hours. Wouter will make you play some music on this instrument. He will explain the basics and give you plenty of opportunity to practice and ask questions.

Everybody is welcome. If you already have a diatonic accordion: great, bring it! Don’t have one? No problem! We will provide extra instruments.

Dive into the waltz Nouveau Monde! In this accordion workshop for advanced players, we’ll work together on this beautiful waltz. Starting from the basic melody, we’ll explore different interpretation exercises together, and dive into harmony, rhythm, and accompaniment.This is a more advanced workshop, so: if you already have several years of playing experience and you have worked on this piece before the workshop (sheet music can be found below!), then you are very welcome to join this workshop.

Bring paper, a pen, and something to record the workshop with, such as your phone. Video recording is allowed!

Have you always been curious about the hurdy-gurdy? Then join this introduction workshop! Here we will try and play the hurdy-gurdy. Together we will try to make a first melody… and of course, we won’t forget the most important part: try to enjoy making music.For whom? This workshop is for everyone who likes to focus for two hours on playing the hurdy gurdy. Do you have no musical experience? Perfect! It’s an introduction workshop. You don’t have to bring your own instrument.

The violin is often seen as a solo instrument, usually accompanied by piano or guitar. But the violin can also switch roles and play together beautifully!In this workshop, Raphaël Maillet will introduce you to new techniques such as the rhythmic ‘chop’ (percussion with the bow) and ‘twin fiddle’ (parallel harmonies), applied to styles ranging from Irish folk to jazz and classical music.

You’ll discover how you can join in even without sheet music or knowing the melody. A fresh perspective on the violin that brings new freedom to your ensemble playing and improvisation. This workshop is suitable for all levels!

Do you have dreams of teaching balfolk yourself? Or are you already teaching and want to level up your skills?Then come to the Train the Teacher workshop! In this hands-on session, Rafael and Nele will share tips and tricks on how to best pass on the magic of balfolk to others.

There is room for 20 to 40 participants in this workshop.