Southern Lights

Ladies Traditional Dance Team

Southern Lights is a refreshing new concept on the traditional dance scene. We display ladies' folk dance, mainly in the southern style, but with some influences from the north west.

Our aim is to keep the dancing tradition alive, give it modern relevance and bring it to the public attention. In the past We have collected some traditional dances and are eager to hear of any from the south. Most of our repertoire now consists of dances created specially for the side, using traditional steps and formations in an innovative way.

We dance to our own band, who play not only traditional dance tunes, but also contemporary tunes from some of today's finest composers and exponents in the world of folk music, and some tunes specially written for the side.

The Dancers

We normally rehearse on Wednesday evenings, from 8.00pm to 10pm at the Woolston Community Centre in Church Road, Woolston, Southampton.

We are interested in attracting new dancers. If you think you would enjoy being part of our team and if you think you might be able to learn our routines, please contact us and come along to a rehearsal.

The Musicians

We allow men to play in our band and, for the moment, the men have taken over. The band rehearses with the dancers on Wednesday evenings.

Our lineup is accordion, fiddle, guitar and banjo. If you think you could make a useful addition, please get in touch.

Past Gigs

In 2006 we took part in various festivals in Hampshire, Wiltshire and Dorset, such as at Winchester, Swanage (see above), Wimborne (below),

Gold Hill and the Solent Folk Festival at Woolston.

2007 Gigs

Here is how our 2007 programme stands at the moment:

Sat, 24^th March: Lions Music Evening at Titchfield Village Hall.
Sun, 1^st April: Oxford Folk Festival
Sun, 3^rd June: Display at Exbury Gardens, between 1.00pm and 4.00pm for the "Great Hip and Knee Walk"
Sun, 10^th June: Wimborne Folk Festival - Walford Mill between 11.00am and 4.00pm.
Sun, 24^rd June: Botley Festival, pm on the recreation ground.
Thu, 5^th July: Fox and Hounds, Hungerford Bottom, Bursledon (with King John's Morris Men) at 8.00pm.
Sat, 7^th July: Hedge End Carnival - Recreation Ground in afternoon.
Sun, 9^th Sept: Swanage Folk Festival - All day.

Watch this space for more items.

Contact Us

There are many reasons why you might like to contact us. You might want to:

See us in action
Make friends with us
Join us
Book us for an event

Whatever the reason, please either phone Maureen (dancing) or Barry (music), both on 02380 432216 or email Southern Lights.

Friends of Southern Lights

FASH (Folk Association of South Hants) which publishes Solent Waves – a monthly hard and softcopy newsletter with all folk activities.

SCoFF, The Southern Counties Folk Federation and their magazine Folk on Tap.

Woolston and Bursledon Folk Club. We both have connections with Woolston and we share some of our members.