Country Spirit

A Lively New Dance Group in Haute Vienne

We heard about a new dance group that had been set up in Saint Yrieix La Perche, Haute Vienne and decide to find out more.

The dance group is a joint venture between Veronique and Guy, and Chris and June Keen.
Veronique and June are the driving force having originally met at a dance group in the Dordogne, they decided it would be good idea to set up their own group nearer to home and so Country Spirit was born.

Veronique has been a dance teacher for over 14 years, initially specializing in modern jazz, but has been using her teaching skills predominantly for line and country dancing for the last two years.

June danced in England for around eight years,and has teaching accreditations but unfortunately the qualifications are not transferable to France and so June will shortly be taking her French dance teaching exams in Montpelier in order that she can run classes on her own.

June says that joining the group has been the best thing she has done for improving her French language skills. “Before getting involved with Country spirit, life seemed to be dominated by with the renovations on our home but now I have met so many new people and my French has improved enormously”

Guy is also an accomplished dancer but Chris only joins in from time to time, preferring his role as general roady!

Country Spirit

The group meets every Tuesday evening in Salle Espace Feraud, Saint Yriex La Perche starting at 7:30pm.

The group only started at the beginning of September but already has around 25 members most of whom are new to dance. They are keen to encourage as many new members as possible to come and give it a go.

At present most of the members are French but the group would like to encourage more members from other nationalities so they have a really good cultural mix.

Language is not a problem as Veronique is an English teacher and her husband Guy also has an exceptionally good grasp of the English language and of course June and Chris speak great English.

The first hour of each session is perfect for beginners with Veronique taking everyone through the moves step by step before adding the music.

At the beginning of the lesson Veronique recaps on some basic steps and interestingly many of the instructions are already in English
“Step Turn, Scuff, Heel, Slide, Touch”

For the second hour there is a marked increase in tempo, with plenty of opportunities to take a break on the sidelines!

The first lesson is free to give you a chance to see what the group is all about.

Thereafter it is €15/ month.

The fee includes the lessons every Tuesday evening and an optional all day monthly Sunday session where the group usually invite a guest teacher. There are also regular events arranged with other dance groups in the area (see below).

It really is great exercise and a perfect opportunity to meet new people, integrate and improve your language skills, what more could you want.

If you would like any more information about the group you can contact

June and Chris on 05 55 75 47 87

Or

visit the group’s new website where you will find lots more information as well as a discussion forum where there is even an area dedicated to English speakers!