Warepa folk dancers pack hall

Sharp-dressed gentleman Cameron King, 12, steps up for a fun time with Grace Collins, 8. PHOTOS: NICK BROOK

Students, staff, family and friends turned out en-masse for Warepa School’s old-school, country-hall Folk Dance, last Friday.

Swarms of students of all ages celebrated dance demonstrations of La Vinca, Oh Suzannah, the Gay Gordon, Durham and Virginia Reels, the Chicken Dance and the Hokey-Tokey, before grabbing eager parents and friends to share the fun and energy.

Wearing fashionable flair for a fun dance are Will Young, 13, and Kayley Burgess, 12.

Besides plenty of practice for fun, co-ordination and good manners, the children explored the origins of folk dancing and its place in cultural celebrations, a senior-class spokeswoman said.

"Warepa has not held a folk dancing afternoon for a few years now ... We chose to include folk dancing this year as part of an inquiry into how different cultures celebrate traditions.

Tking part in the "Chicken Dance", are (from left) Grace Duckworth, 5, George Williams and Cameron Sinclair, both 6.

"The students showed a great deal of enthusiasm, it turned out to be a fantastic afternoon for everyone involved [and] there are already children asking when we are going to have another folk dancing afternoon," she said.

nick.brook@alliedmedia.co.nz

Clutha Leader