Southern Lights

Music

General Info

Genre: Folk
Location Southampton, Un
Profile Views: 10879
Last Login: 10/8/2012
Member Since 7/6/2007
Website www.myspace.com/southernlightsdancers
Record Label none
Type of Label Unsigned
Bio
Welcome to the blue and green world of Southern Lights ladies traditional style dance team. .. .. ..IN THE BEGINNING........ ..Southern Lights began in 1997 when several friends, who were all experienced traditional dancers, were looking for a new challenge and direction. ..They gathered together a few more friends, dancers and musicians, who were up for pushing the boundaries of folk dancing and the accompanying music. ..In 1998 they emerged from the upstairs room of the Obelisk pub in Woolston as a refreshing new concept on the traditional dance scene. .. .. ..AND HERE WE ARE........ ..Southern Lights display ladies' folk dance mainly in what we perceive to be a Southern style (no clogs, no marching, no big drums or big flowery hats!), but with some influences from the North West. Accessories include small sticks, hankies, mollies (twirlers), ropes or anything else that comes to mind, including absolutely naked hands. Our aim is to keep the dancing tradition alive, give it modern relevance and bring it to the public's attention. ..In the past we have collected some traditional dances and are eager to hear of any more from the South. Most of our repertoire now consists of dances created for the side, using traditional steps and formations in an innovative way. ..We dance to our own band, who play not only traditional dance tunes, but also contemporary tunes from some of today's finest composers and exponents in the world of folk music, and some tunes specially written for the side by our original accordion player, Carrie Jones. .. ..GIGS 1998 - 2011....Over the years, Southern lights have danced at many of the Southern Folk Festivals, including Chippenham, Christchurch, Fareham and Gosport, Oxford, Solent (Southampton), Southsea, Swanage, Winchester, Wimborne, Beggar's Fair (Romsey) and the International Festival of the Sea Portsmouth. .. ..Whilst we generally concentrate on dancing at Folk Festivals, we also perform at village festivals, fetes, country shows and fairs, carnivals, private functions, commercial events and occasional pub get-togethers with other dance sides. .. .. ..GET IN TOUCH........ ..If you would like to book Southern Lights for an event or you fancy joining us, either as a dancer or a musician, click the appropriate button and send us a message. ..We rehearse on Wednesday evenings, from 8.00pm to 10pm at Woolston Community Centre, in Church Road, Woolston, Southampton. .. ..Many thanks to Becky Abrahams, Trevor Gilson and Jane Allison for the dancing action photos. Please note that no stunt doubles were used and no animals or members of the public were harmed during these performances. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .... .... .... .... .. .. .. .. ...... Layout by ..CoolChaser.. .. .. ...... .. .. .. .. ..
Members
..THE DANCERS:.... Rosie Badham, Lin Bown, Marion Boxall, Sylvia Callaghan, Mary Lee, Maureen Wake, Shirley Wilson, Diane Allen, Yvonne Wheeler..... ..THE MUSICIANS:.... Howard Bown (Guitar), Roy Eccles (Accordion), George Fraser (Violin), Barry Wake (Banjo)..... ..TOP JOBS:.... Chair - Howard Bown (a brief cameo at the AGM)... Secretary - Marion Boxall (a plucky volunteer)... Treasurer - Mary Lee (also plucky but closer to the ground)... Dance Co-ordinator - Maureen Wake (too clever by half)... Band Leader - The one wth the biggest ego!..... ..CONNECTIONS:.. ... Roy Eccles appears in many guises, including the very popular barn dance band "Skipper" - contact him at emeric.eccles@ntlworld.com.... Barry Wake is a well known songwriter and singer - visit myspace.com/barrywake.... The dancers also perform as "Aurora", the shyest folk act in the world, who only perform in the dark by ultra-violet light, with white gloves on.....
Influences
..BAD:..Chocolate, cream cakes and alcohol..... ..GOOD:..Ditto.... Seriously though, we are not so much influenced by, but inspired by top dance teams and great music. Some of our dances are created purely to complement irresistible tunes that the band come up with. At other times, the band is presented with a new dance and has to start looking for some suitable music to complement the choreography. We are also inspired when we catch a really slick dance side at a festival and can learn (steal) a few of their crafty moves.....
Sounds Like
You really need to catch Southern Lights at a festival near you.....

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Oct 08

Southern Lights
posted a new blog entry:

NEW DANCERS

We are very pleased to welcome two new dancers to join in the living legend/nightmare that is Southern Lights choreography! Good luck to Yv...

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Sep 26

Southern Lights
posted an event

Woolston Christmas Festival

01/12/2012 13:00:00
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Southern Lights

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