Circle dance, is the most common name for a style of traditional dance usually done in a circle without partners to musical accompaniment. It became popular in the alternative, feminist and new age aspects of western culture in the 1980s and 1990s and continues today. Feminism is a collection of social theories, political movements and moral philosophies, largely motivated by or concerned with the experiences of women. ... New Age describes a broad movement characterized by alternative approaches to traditional Western culture. ...

The circle is probably the oldest known dance formation. It is found in the dances of many cultures, including ancient Greece (chorea), African, Eastern European, Irish Celtic, Catalan (sardana), South American and North American Indian. Circle dance mixes traditional folk dances, mainly from European or Near-Eastern sources, with recently choreographed ones to a variety of music both ancient and modern. The Ancient Greek world, circa 550 BC Ancient Greece is the period in Greek history which lasted for around one thousand years and ended with the rise of Christianity. ... Chorea (choreia, khoreia, χορεία) is a circle dance (χορεύω σε κύκλο) accompanied by singing (see chorus, khoros), known in ancient Greece. ... The sardana (Catalan plural sardanes) is a type of circle dance typical of Catalonia. ...

Dances can be slow and meditative, or lively and energetic.

Sacred Circle Dance is a modern form which originated in the Findhorn Foundation community in Scotland following visits there from 1976 onwards by Professor Bernhard Wosien, a German dancer. Known first as Sacred Dance, it has changed over time as enthusiasts have made contributions, and may now be called Circle Dance, Sacred Dance, or Sacred Circle Dance (SCD). A small altar of flowers or other natural or venerated objects is usually placed at the centre of the circle. The Findhorn Foundation is a Scottish charitable trust registered in 1972 to act as a focal point for the work of the community that grew up around Eileen and Peter Caddy and Dorothy Maclean near Findhorn, Scotland, from 1962 onwards. ... Motto: (Eng: No one provokes me with impunity)1 Anthem: Multiple unofficial anthems Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow Official language(s) English, Gaelic, Scots 2 Government Constitutional monarchy  - Queen of the UK Queen Elizabeth II  - Prime Minister of the UK Tony Blair MP  - First Minister Jack McConnell MSP Unification    - by... 1976 (MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday. ...

References

• Circle Dancing - Celebrating the Sacred in Dance by June Watts, Green Magic Publishing (2006) ISBN 0-9547230-8-2

See also

• Round dance
• Tarantella

There are two distinct dance categories called Round Dance. ... The tarantella (tarentule, tarentella, tarantel) is a traditional dance 6/8 or 4/4 time characterised by the rapid whirling of couples. ...

External links

Networks and journals

• UK’s Circle Dance Network
• eJournal of Circle Dance in the U.S & Canada

Notable teachers

• Mandy de Winter, International (UK based) circle dance teacher, musician and choreographer
• Judy King, International (UK based) circle dance teacher and musician
• June Watts, International circle dance teacher
• Martine Winnington, International circle dance teacher
• Catalan Dancing in Barcelona, Circle Dance
• LivingCircle with Brian Steere. (UK) Circle dancing with live music.
• Stefan and Bethan Freedman International (UK based) teachers and facilitators of circle dance. Dance and music as a tool for peace and reconcilliation.
• Lynn Frances, International circle dance teacher
• http://www.circledancing.com/ Marina and John Bear, and the Bay Area Circle Dancers. Marina is a choreographer known for such dances as Circle Chant (or Peace Chant), Nightwalking, and Hora Starina.