BALFOLKINO - Dance workshops and Folk Ball

Kiwi dance teachers Michael Parmenter and Kate Grace, directors of Balfolk groups in Auckland and Dunedin, have teamed up with the musicians of Ensemble Sangineto, eminent Italian folk musicians who have been touring New Zealand since early January.  The dancers and musicians will inaugurate the new year of Balfolk classes and Folk Balls here in New Zealand with BALFOLKINO, a day of workshops and a live-music Folk Ball in Auckland.
Twins Caterina and Adriano Sangineto and Caterina’s partner Jacopo Ventura are currently touring in support of their new CD Grand Tour, a collection of traditional and contemporary songs from various regions of Italy. The trio’s sound, anchored in the inter-weaving of Adriano’s magical harp playing and Caterina’s enticing vocals, seldom strays far from the dance, and it is in this area that the musicians take on a new life. Under the performing and recording name Lyradanz they also play music in the popular Balfolk tradition, and even before they arrived in New Zealand they had sought out Balfolk specialists in this country.
The Italian musicians began their New Zealand tour at the Whare Flat Folk Festival near Dunedin and here teamed up with Kate Grace who was teaching Balfolk classes there. Similarly at the recent Auckland Folk Festival; despite the severe weather constraints the musicians teamed up with Parmenter and Grace to lead an afternoon Folk Ball.
Before their tour concludes in late February the musicians of Lyradanz will join forces with Parmenter and Grace for one more event.  On Saturday 18th of February Balfolk Aotearoa with Lyradanz will offer BALFOLKINO, a day of workshops and an evening live-music Folk Ball at the Old Church Hall, (Auckland Guide Centre), 132 Grange Rd, Balmoral, Auckland.
 
During the day three workshops will demonstrate the varied repertoire of Balfolk, while the evening Folk Ball will be characterised by the unique sound of Lyradanz in an evening of dancing called by Parmenter.
 
From 10am – 12noon Parmenter and Grace will lead a partner-dance workshop exploring three popular dances featured in any Balfolk evening: valse, mazurka and scottish.
 
After lunch Parmenter and Grace offer a 90 min. workshop (1 – 2:30pm) featuring group dances that reflect the French origins of Balfolk. Lyradanz’s Adriano Sangineto will follow from 3 – 4:30pm sharing some traditional Italian dances.
 
The evening Folk Ball will be preceded by a one-hour introduction (6 – 7pm) to some of the most commonly featured Balfolk dances.  The evening dancing with the irresistible music of Lyradanz commences at 7pm. All dances will be called by Parmenter so no prior experience needed.
 
BALFOLKINO will be an ideal re-introduction to Balfolk in New Zealand. With dance being an early casualty of the Covid pandemic, Balfolk classes have been sporadic over the past two years, but active groups in Dunedin and Auckland are looking forward to resuming weekly meetings and relish the idea of starting the year with an event featuring a prestigious international Balfolk ensemble.
BALFOLKINO
Saturday 18th February
Old Church Hall, 132 Grange Rd, Balmoral, Auckland
Workshops 10 am-12noon, 1 - 2:30pm and 3- 4:30pm
Balfolk Introduction 6 - 7pm
Folk Ball with Lyradanz  7 - 9:30pm
 
Balfolk Dunedin
classes resume on Tuesday 14th February.
Tuesday 7:00 – 8:30
Nga Maara Hall, 63 North Road - North East Valley, Dunedin
 
Balfolk Auckland
classes resume on Monday 20th of February.
Mondays 7:00 – 8:30
St Stephen’s Church Hall, 65 Jervois Rd, Ponsonby, Auckland