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A chance for all to learn new skills or brush up on techniques - we have some very fine tutors ready to share their knowledge and help you get the best out of folk life. Please bring your own instruments where applicable.
Learn to make sweet music in our music and song workshops in Centre 70 (African Drumming workshop on the Kinecroft Little Stage)...
We once again have a series of highly diverse dance workshops in the Regal Centre - get those feet moving!
If you are a young aspiring musician / singer / dancer (aged 8-19) check out the Shooting Roots workshops in Centre 70.
Music and Song - Saturday - Sunday
Dance - Saturday - Sunday
Music and Song workshops
Saturday MWS1 10.00-11.00 Centre 70
Music Theory for beginners with Steve Dingle
A chance to come to terms with the dots... chords and harmonies explained so even a novice can start to make sense of sheet music.
Saturday MWS 2 11.30-12.30 Centre 70
Fiddle with Matt Tarling
Matt Tarling from the band Elephant Talk is a full time professional performer and fiddle teacher/workshop leader. He specialises in teaching his students by ear for a more natural approach to playing, rarely using sheet music. We will be mainly learning a tune by ear for this workshop and possibly looking at some techniques/styles. So all you need to bring are your fiddles.
Saturday MWS 3 13.00-14.00 Centre 70
Indian Mridanga drum with RhythmZone
The mridanga (from India) is a challenging and rewarding instrument (see link below). Instruments provided to offer an intense workshop with a small group of adults (up to 5 participants).
Learning to play this drum requires a lot of focus. It's taught using a mantra system where players learn names for each of the sounds. You can visit Andy's blog about the drum and check out the video to see what we're talking about - Mridanga.net
Saturday MWS 4 14.30-15.30 Centre 70
Bodhran for Beginners with Gerhard Kress
Got a bodhran and want to use it? Master bodhran maker Gerhard Kress will show you the fundamentals including how to play along at a session without having the instrument lovingly broken over your head by a well wisher. Some bodhrans will be provided for those unable to bring their own.
Saturday MWS 5 16.00-17.00 Centre 70
Songwriting in the round with Paul Openshaw
Not exactly a workshop and not exactly a master class but an opportunity to see some of our talented singer - songwriters get together. They will talk about their technique and approach and demonstrate the fruits of their efforts. If you have any aspiration to write and play your own material then this opportunity is not to be missed! With special guests Pete Orton, David Moss from Lightgarden and Sian Magill.
Saturday MWS 6 17.00-18.00 Kinecroft Little Stage or Regal Centre if wet
African Hand Drumming with RhythmZone
Andy from RhythmZone will be leading a 1 hour African Hand Drumming workshop. Everyone is welcome and you will have a chance to learn basic technique, practice some West African Rhythms, layer these rhythms together and more.
Music and Song - Saturday - Sunday
Dance - Saturday - Sunday
Click here for a map of Wallingford showing BunkFest venues and the Festival Bus routes
BunkFest Workshops back to top
Sunday
Sunday MWS 1 10.00-11.00 Centre 70
Beginners guitar with Richard Butler
A basic introduction to the guitar for absolute beginners, to start you off on a lifetime of strumming and picking. Please bring your own instruments.
Sunday MWS2 11.30-12.30 Centre 70
Intermediate / advanced guitar with Steve Dingle
The workshop will look initially at fingerstyle techniques for song accompaniment and guitar solos. We will then go on to discuss an introduction to open tunings (dropped D, open G, open D) and altered tunings (eg CGCFCD. CGCGCD, CGDGCD). The workshop will look at pieces of music from Martin Simpson, William Ackerman and others and allow the participants to exchanges ideas / tunes or perform pieces if they wish.
Sunday MWS 3 13.00-14.00 Centre 70
5 string or G banjo taster with Norman Guiver
Fed up with just strumming along with a group of only guitarists or just trying to decide whether to take up an instrument like the banjo or ukulele for the 1st time? …. then this session will give you an insight into the 5 string banjo, focusing on the “Old Time” style of playing known as clawhammer or frailing.
There will be several banjos for you to get your hands on and the odd guitar would be welcome, you should go away at the end of the session knowing enough to make that decision.
Sunday MWS 4 14.30-15.30 Centre 70
Music Matters Vocal Workshop for all with Lyn Thomson
Lyn comes direct to us from Maidenhead where she runs Music Matters classes for babies to 12 year olds and directs an adult choir called the Elentone Singers. At the workshop, folk songs and singing games from around the world will be sung in parts and with great gusto. Open to all aged 7 to 87. No prior experience necessary.
Sunday MWS 5 16.00-17.00 Centre 70
Melodeon with Simon Care
Come and brush up your skills with one of the finest exponents of the push-pull button box on the scene.
Music and Song - Saturday - Sunday
Dance - Saturday - Sunday
Click here for a map of Wallingford showing BunkFest venues and the Festival Bus routes
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Dance Workshops in the Regal Centre
Saturday
Saturday DWS1 11.00-12.00 Regal Centre
Capoeira of Brazil: the dance within the fight - with David Nunan
The workshop will be an introduction to Capoeira and will involve movement, dance,
singing and music. Following a brief history of Capoeira, participants will perform basic
movements of Capoeira working individually and in pairs. The instruments used in
Capoeira will be demonstrated. Finally, participants will be invited to join a 'roda' (circle)
where participants play instruments, sing, clap and watch each other play Capoeira. For
more information visit Cordão de Ouro Capoeira.
Saturday DWS2 12.30-13.30 Regal Centre
Belly Dancing with The Isisters
The Isisters will be giving a fun workshop in Egyptian style bellydance. We will show
you how to shimmy and shake! No need to wear anything special, just something cool
and comfortable. This workshop is open to everyone.
Saturday DWS3 14.00-15.00 Regal Centre
Border Morris with Beltane
Incorporating themes and narrative elements into the border tradition.
A workshop on original dances from Devon in the border style by Beltane Border.
Boots or trainers recommended. Sticks of approx 20" will be required but there will
be some available to borrow.
Music and Song - Saturday - Sunday
Dance - Saturday - Sunday
Click here for a map of Wallingford showing BunkFest venues and the Festival Bus routes
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Sunday DWS1 11.00-12.00 Regal Centre
Appalachian for Improvers with Cornucopia
Cornucopia are energetic Appalachian and Step Clog performers who are entertaining to watch and the band is great to listen to! Come & learn one of our Appalachian dances with a variety of steps. Bring tap shoes or hard soled shoes.
Sunday DWS2 12.30-13.30 Regal Centre
African Song and Dance with Zulu
In the first half hour, we primarily deal with the musical aspect of the workshop: we get the people to sing us a generally popular song so we can hear their vocal range; then we start by teaching them the Zulu lyrics of our song. Thereafter we demonstrate the song by singing it first and then they will have to emulate... with then help of the Zulus every step of the way. We usually work collectively but there is always a designated workshop conductor who is well experienced and guarantees an enjoyable and educational experience.
To conclude the first half, we then explain the meaning of the song and the historical background.
The second half of the workshop is primarily ZULU traditional dancing.
We begin by stretching; informal warm-ups and then we communicate techniques essential to the safety of the participants. We have different genres of Zulu dance ranging from the hunting dance; warriors dance; celebration dances etc.
To conclude, we allocate approx. 5-6 mins for question and answers...all age groups (5 yrs to fully grown adults, parents and children) thoroughly enjoy the experience.
Sunday DWS3 14.00-15.00 Regal Centre
Irish Dancing with The Heneghan James and O'Gara School of Irish Dance
An opportunity to learn the basic moves of Irish dance with Viv O’Gara of The
Heneghan James and O’Gara School of Irish Dance, who teaches classes in Didcot
and Reading. This stunning style of dance is always very popular at BunkFest so not to
be missed! The workshop is open to all from the age of 5 upwards. Please wear loose
comfortable clothing and comfortable flat shoes
Sunday DWS4 14.30-15.00 Kinecroft Big Stage
Join in with Charleston on the Kinecroft Big Stage
Sunday DWS5 15.30-16.30 Regal Centre
Charleston workshop with 1920's Charleston Dance Classes
Charleston is spiffing fun, jazzy, energetic, and easy to learn! Also learn the the Black Bottom,
the Shimmy, the Mess Around and other 1920's moves.
Charleston Hen Parties with afternoon tea are taking place in venues in the Wallingford,
Henley, Oxford and Reading area.
Shiny soled shoes are best - dress the part in 1920s garb or come as you are!
Music and Song - Saturday - Sunday
Dance - Saturday - Sunday
Click here for a map of Wallingford showing BunkFest venues and the Festival Bus routes
BunkFest Workshops back to top