Tunes in Your Feet: Virtual Introduction to Percussive Dance
Many cultures from across the North Atlantic use dance for music-making. This hands-on (feet-on!) workshop for all ages will introduce you to some of these gestures that you can use to make music with your feet. Drawing from clog and step dance styles from Ireland, Scotland, England, Canada, and Appalachia, Nic Gareiss will share the building blocks of many of these movement traditions. Wear comfortable shoes with a low or no heel for this virtual class. Roll back the rug and find a spot in your house where you can hear your footsteps for this introduction to the traditional art of putting tunes in your feet!
Following Nic’s presentation, Marcia LeClear will do a live reading of the book “Passing The Music Down”.
Nic Gareiss Bio:
A child of the folk revival, Nic grew up attending folk festivals (including Wheatland!) in Michigan. At these events Nic learned Appalachian, Irish, English and Canadian step dance surrounded by fiddlers, banjo-players, balladeers and folksingers. This mix of traditional music, song, and movement from rural places has become the heart of Nic’s creative work as a performer and teacher of traditional arts.
Nic has earned numerous accolades including a Canadian Folk Music Award nomination for traditional singer of the year and the Michigan Heritage Award, the state’s highest distinction bestowed on traditional artists. He has performed in sixteen countries with many of the luminaries of traditional music and dance. Always jubilant, often puckishly queer, Nic Gareiss has emerged as one of the most beloved young masters of traditional dance and music.
If you would like additional information regarding Wheatscouts or to be added to the email list you may call the WMO Office at 989-967-8879 or email at wmo.office@wheatlandmusic.
TO REGISTER Email: “Kris Stableford” <thestablefordagency@gmail.com>
by NOON on the FRIDAY before the event
to get ZOOM link and password