Parkinson's Set Dancing Group Christmas party

We have completed the first term of Irish set dancing classes for people with Parkinson's disease in Bristol. The class was set up by Geraldine Teggart following preliminary research in Italy showing benefits of set dancing to people with Parkinson's disease. 
Further research is ongoing in Ireland and Italy, but it is thought that the strong rhythm of the music and the "feel good factor"of set dancing may contribute to its beneficial effect.
During nine classes of an hour and a half, in which people with Parkinson's were supported on a one-to-one basis by experienced set dancers, modified versions of the Connemara, and parts of the Cashel and Black Valley Jig sets were danced. 
The tenth class was the Christmas party, all the learnt figures were danced and there was also entertainment including poems, songs and music. A raffle raised £58 for the local branch of Parkinson's UK. 
Photos below were taken by Mick Carr at the Christmas party.

For details of all the Christmas parties, see "Calendar". There is a Hibernia party, with entertainment and dancing, which will almost certainly include some set dancing if enough set dancers turn up, on Friday 6th December. Dinder class have their party on Thursday 12th, Colyford on Sunday 15th, Newton Abbot on Saturday 21st, and St Bon's on Sunday 22nd December. Shoscombe's party, to round off the festive season, is on Friday 3rd January.

The Autumn Ceili at St Bon's was lots of fun - see pictures below - and the raffle raised £122 for Parkinson's UK. Thanks to everyone who came along.
And another good night last night at Gloucester Irish Festival, a very lively and entertaining night and we got a few sets in too!

Autumn Ceili 2013

Here are a few photos from the Autumn ceili at St Bon's.

Autumn Ceili

Ceili with music by the Polka Pests this Sunday at St Bon's! See under "Calendar" for more details.

Events in October:
New class starting for people with Parkinson's disease - see previous post, below.

Autumn Ceili at St Bon's, with music from the Polka Pests, on Sunday 20th October - click on "Calendar" above for more details.

Traditional Ceili/ Folk dance at Gloucester Irish Centre on Saturday 26th October - see under "Calendar" for more details.

Usual classes at St Bon's, Dinder, Shoscombe,  Wotton and Newton Abbot - see under "Other local groups".

Sunday workshops/ ceilis at Dinder (6th October), Wotton (13th October) and Colyford (20th October) - see under "Other local groups"

Set Dancing Classes for people with Parkinson's disease (and partners) will be starting at the Vassall Centre, Fishponds, Bristol, on Wednesday 9th October 2013. Geraldine has been able to obtain funding to pay for the venue, and a group of the more experienced dancers from St Bon's have offered to help and support the new dancers. For more information please contact Geraldine Teggart by email:  geraldine.teggart@blueyonder.co.uk