Folk Dancing as a performative art and as social dancing.

[Bailango]

When I have seen or witnessed folk dancing it tends to fall into two main categories. One is more performance style. Practiced more widely as a performative art through didactic teaching/training methods. Less danced socially. The other category is more widely danced socially which then gives rise to some exponents who practice it as a performative art. Yet it primarily continues as a dance tradition that sees far more active social participation. Mostly seen during wedding celebrations, local festivals or festive occasions.

 

[opendoor]

That's how it is in my hometown in the north of Germany, Bailango . There are two non-overlapping folk scenes: in the city there is the bal folk scene, in the rural surroundings there are folk dance groups.
The former dances about 30% choreographed round and row dances and 70% improvised couple dances. The improvised couple dances are mostly Mazurka, Scottish, Hambo, Bourrée. These are publicly announced social dance events.
The folk dance groups are closed shops. They keep the region's autochthonous dances alive, mostly contra dances and square dances. They practice behind closed doors and perform in front of an audience at festivals.

I'm completely unsuited to choreographed dances because I don't want to remember the steps. But for a while I played in a folk band that people also danced to.

 

[Cal]

I'm going to look around to see if there are any groups in my area who are planning a Maypole dance.
I've always wanted to see one.