
Southern Lights
Music
General Info
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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
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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.....
Stream
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Southern Lights
posted a new blog entry:
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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Southern Lights
posted an event
Comments
- Winchester MayFest4 years ago
Thanks very much for your friendship!
Winchester's celebration of music, dance & song is happening on.....
Friday 15th & Saturday 16th May 2009
Please check our page or website at www.winmayfest.co.uk for regular updates of the fun on offer! - Shinjig4 years ago
Hello from Yorkshire.
- Romsey Beggars Fair5 years ago
Thanks for being our friend! See you at the Beggars Fair on 11/12th July
- Evolve Festival -Weymou…5 years ago
Hello Southern Lights!
Thanks for being a friend of evolve festival -Weymouth, hope to see you there!
For all the festie latest go to: www.evolvefestival.co.uk
Thanks again, and roll on Summer!
evolve. - All Saints Morris5 years ago
Happy to be your dancing friends, Southern Lights!
- The Demon Barbers5 years ago
Hey girls
Nice to meet you! - Jo Freya5 years ago
Thanks for the friend request. I seem to be sitiing on top of a band of Token Women on your page. Rabble rousers the lot of them. Glad you like Tanteeka. All the best Jo
- Token Women5 years ago
Thanks so much for the friend request and your lovely comments about the band. We hope to see you dancing some time. All the best. T.W.
- Vale Islanders5 years ago
We saw you dance at this years Oxford Folk Festival and enjoyed. We look forward to meeting and dancing together at a future event.
- Barry Wake5 years ago
Hi and welcome to myspace. It's about time more people knew how great you really are.
You pick up so many compliments wherever you perform and I'm very proud to play music for you.
Your choreography is always full of surprises and I can't wait to see what the next new dance is!
Cheers for now - Barry
Shows & Events
No upcoming shows/events
Top Friends (39)
- Barry Wake
- Romsey Beggars Fair
- Oxford Folk Festival
- Winchester MayFest
- Beverley Folk Festival
- Eastleigh Music Festival
- The Point, Eastleigh
- Woolston & Bursledon Fo…
- England's Glory Ladies …
- Albion Morris Men
- Token Women
- Blowzabella
- Raving Maes
- Jo Freya
- Glorishears of Brummagem
- Evolve Festival -Weymou…
- Karen
- The Outside Capering Cr…
- Wolf's Head & Vixen Mor…
- Vale Islanders
- Hot 4 Joe Morris with A…
- Armaleggan
- Hunters Moon Morris
- Redbornstoke Morris
- The Demon Barbers
- All Saints Morris
- OBJ Morris
- The Askew Sisters
- Korkers Scratchins Morr…
- Earthly Delights
- Tyne Bridge Morris
- Boldwood
- Rockingham Rapper
- Gondwana Sound
- Neilfatea
- The Southern Lights
- Blue Bell Halkyn
- Richard
- Letty Limon






































