We have been so excited to have Rogue World Music guest artist Brooke Friendly bring her energy, passion, and expertise as a teacher with specialties in dance choreography, calling with global (non-gendered) terminology, and teaching dance, to focus on a number of RWM events in connection with our upcoming “Step We Gaily” concert by the Rogue World Ensemble.

Friendly has been teaching Scottish and English dance since 1981 in K-12 settings, universities, camps, workshops, and classes. In addition to co-producing English and Scottish Country Dances of increasing international acclaim since 1996, she has also co-published five books of dances and produced accompanying CDs of music for each book; was a founding member of The Heather and the Rose Country Dancers, whose teachers use global terminology (no reference to gender) for calling dances; has served in many leadership capacities for the Country Dance and Song Society, including as the current the board secretary; and has been in several performing groups presenting English, Scottish, Irish and Garland dance. 

Starting in September as the RWM guest artist, Friendly hosted two Pub Sings as fun, relaxed, community-singing opportunities; instructed dance students from Crater Renaissance Academy in the traditional and modern country dance styles of Scotland and England, and showcased these students in a November performance; AND organized and led a community ceilidh (a community get-together focused on dance, song, storytelling, and sharing found in a number of cultural traditions from the British Isles).

 On January 12th, Friendly and RWM have planned a day filled with singing, dancing, education, and AMAZING music at The Grove, in Ashland. Join us at a singing workshop taught by Shira Kammen, focused on performing rounds, canons, catches, and other forms using musical imitation from the 12th to 17th centuries. In the afternoon, gather the family at a barn dance, with music by Creekside Strings, and calling by Friendly. Skipping, twirling, and galloping will be encouraged. After dinner, connect with community at our first Community Ceilidh of 2019, with music by Roguery and calling by Friendly and let the music, singing, movement, pattern, personal connection, and dance create an evening of warm hearts on a cold winter evening.