New Haven Community Circle Dance - Recently Updated Pages

New Haven Sacred Circle Dance Home

Heather17 — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 15:15:36 CST

Move in the footsteps of our ancestors as we enjoy traditional
dances from many cultures, as well as contemporary
pieces choreographed in the spirit of ancient folk
dance set within the context of
the Wheel of the Year.

What is Sacred Circle Dance?

Sacred circle dance evolved from the traditions of European folk dance. It includes a blend of traditional dances from around the world as well as contemporary dances choreographed by modern dancers to a variety of different types of music. Some circle dance groups focus on preserving traditional dances, some dance just for the fun of it, and some include a spiritual focus. As June Watts explains in her book, Circle Dancing: Celebrating the Sacred in Dance (Green Magic, 2006), sacred circle dance “is not connected with, nor does it spring from or represent any religion or set of beliefs; it does express universal themes and aspirations, and is spiritual in the widest sense” (p. ix). Our tradition includes seasonal dances celebrating nature and the wheel of the year, dances celebrating life and the human cycle, and dances from various spiritual and cultural traditions. Our moods range from fun and lively to quiet and contemplative. Most dances are done holding hands in a circle, though some are done free-standing. Dancing in the circle can be a kind of moving meditation. Thought to be the oldest form of dance, circle dance connects us with ancient traditions and creates a sense of community and belonging like no other. The movements are simple and are always taught before each dance, so no prior dance experience is necessary. It is the spirit that counts, so there is no need to worry about getting it exactly right. Come on and give it a try!

About New Haven Circle Dance

We meet the first Thursday of every month from September-June, from 7:30-9:30 at the Friends Meetinghouse at 225 East Grand Avenue, New Haven, CT. See our schedule and directions pages for more information.

An $8 donation is suggested to cover costs.

All dances are taught on the spot and no experience is required. Most dances consist of simple steps that anyone can learn. There is no need to bring a partner.

We dance in bare or stocking feet or soft-soled dance shoes in order to avoid stepping on each other's toes and to preserve the hardwood floor in our beautiful space.

Children are welcome but be aware that some of the steps may be challenging for them, and they must be attended by an adult at all times.

If you aren't sure whether you want to participate, you are welcome to come and observe the dance. Even regular dancers often enjoy sitting out a dance now and then to observe and soak up the beauty of the dance.

We have a lovely large room with windows on two sides open to a wooded environment.

Our meeting place is a smoke and alcohol-free environment. Water is provided at break time.

Ample, lighted parking is available on site free of charge.

Schedule

Heather17 — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 18:24:14 CST

We meet the first Thursday of every month from September-June, from 7:30-9:30 at the
Friends Meetinghouse at 225 East Grand Avenue, New Haven, CT (see directions page).

2010

January 7 - Ringing in the New Year

February 4 - Stirring the Seeds

March 4 - Waking the Earth

April 1 - Spring Celebration
*Spring Cleaning: bring items to give away at our "free market" (optional)

May 6 - Beltane: Celebrating May

June 3 - Summer Celebration

September 2 - Beginning a New Season of Dance

October 7 - Harvest
*Sweep the Attic: bring items to give away at our "free market" (optional)

November 4 - Samhain: Welcoming the Dark

December 2 - Winter Celebration

Download Our Flyer

Heather17 — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 13:17:55 CDT

See the attachment below to download our flyer for the 2009-2010 season for your own use or to share.

Feel free to make copies, post or distribute the flyer anywhere you think it might find its way to new dancers.

Directions

Heather17 — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 16:32:55 CDT

We have a beautiful dance space in the Quaker Meeting House at 225 East Grand Avenue. Safe, free, off-street parking is available on the premises and the building and facilities are wheelchair-accessible.

I-95 North (from Fairfield):
Get off on exit 50 after the Q bridge (Woodward & Lighthouse Point). At the first light at the top of the exit ramp, take a left turn onto Woodward. Proceed to the first light at Forbes Avenue (gas station on your left). Go through the light, crossing Forbes, and proceed straight on Woodward past a fire station and woods on your left, some houses on your right. You'll come to a STOP sign at Woodward and Townsend. Proceed across Townsend straight onto Quinnipiac Avenue (large grey condos on your right). Quinnipiac takes some twists and turns for about a minute or so. You'll see an elementary school on your right, Buckeye Pipe Co. on your left, and then New Haven Morors on your right. The road will now be running parallel to the river. At the first light on the corner of Quinnipiac and East Grand Avenue (a large old bridge off to the left), take a right turn onto East Grand. Go up the hill. The meetinghouse will be on your right, (toward the end of the street) at 225 East Grand Avenue. Pull into the parking lot and enter through the front of the building. (If you reach the T at the end of the street, you've gone a wee bit too far.)

I-95 South (from New London):
Get off on exit 51 (Route 1, Frontage Road, Lighthouse Point). Get into the right lane and drive up the small hill on the right, past stores, gas stations and a U.S. post office facility. Proceed through the first light (Gulf station on your left) to the second light at the intersection of Forbes Avenue and Woodward. Take a right onto Woodward, and proceed straight on Woodward past a fire station and woods on your left, some houses on your right. You'll come to a STOP sign at Woodward and Townsend. Proceed across Townsend straight onto Quinnipiac Avenue (large grey condos on your right). Quinnipiac takes some twists and turns for about a minute or so. You'll see an elementary school on your right, Buckeye Pipe Co. on your left, and then New Haven Morors on your right. The road will now be running parallel to the river. At the first light on the corner of Quinnipiac and East Grand Avenue (a large old bridge off to the left), take a right turn onto East Grand. Go up the hill. The meetinghouse will be on your right, (toward the end of the street) at 225 East Grand Avenue. Pull into the parking lot and enter through the front of the building. (If you reach the T at the end of the street, you've gone a wee bit too far.)

From the center of New Haven:
Get onto Elm Street and drive past the New Haven Green toward State Street. When you get to the intersection of Elm and State (TV station on your right), cross over State Street onto Grand Avenue. Follow Grand Avenue to the river (two miles or so). Cross the bridge, which puts you onto East Grand Avenue. Proceed up the hill. The meetinghouse will be on your right, (toward the end of the street) at 225 East Grand Avenue. Pull into the parking lot and enter through the front of the building. (If you reach the T at the end of the street, you've gone a wee bit too far.)

South on I91 (from Hartford):
Get off at exit 8 (Middletown Avenue). Take a left turn at the bottom of the ramp and go under the highway. Go through a couple of lights, passing a Super K-Mart on your right. Immediately after the Super K-Mart is a stoplight with a Shell station on the right. Turn right at this stoplight onto Quinnipiac Avenue. Go to the first stoplight at East Grand Avenue (to your right is the river and a large old bridge.) Turn left onto East Grand and go up the hill. The meetinghouse will be on your right, (toward the end of the street) at 225 East Grand Avenue. Pull into the parking lot and enter through the front of the building. (If you reach the T at the end of the street, you've gone a wee bit too far.)

Contact Info

Heather17 — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 16:32:00 CDT

For more information, call 203-467-1069
or email: nhcdance@hotmail.com