Croydon Harvest: Folk Dance & Song Workshops

This October, Croydon Harvest brings live performance into the streets, gardens, cinema and public spaces of the town centre. Come for music, circus, theatre, dance and stories on 3-4 October, 12-5pm.

Active-Chil-Art Dance Company, led by Achila: Kandyan Dance performance and workshop

Sri Lankan folk dances incorporating traditional props including pots and winnowing fans, accompanied by drum percussion. Experience the rhythms and movement of these folk traditions through workshops and performances!

Amirtha Varshini: Karagattam and Oyilattam Dance performance and workshop

Amirtha introduces two folk traditions from Tamil Nadu. Oyilattam, meaning “dance of grace”, combines rhythmic footwork, expressive gestures and group formations, while Karagattam involves balancing a pot on the head while moving gracefully. The workshop will introduce participants to Oyilattam steps, syllables and rhythmic movement.

Beeja Dance, Anusha Subramanyam and Senjuti Das: Garba dance workshop

Garba is a joyful traditional folk dance from Gujarat, danced during the nine-night festival of Navratri. Beeja’s young dancers will open with a short two-minute performance, before Anusha and Senjuti invite everyone to learn the steps and join in this lively communal dance.

Beeja Dance has also co-curated the folk dance programme with Culture Croydon

Georgia Cornwall: Bhangra workshop

A joyful introduction to Bhangra, the energetic Punjabi folk dance with strong connections to agriculture and harvest. Georgia will invite audiences to experience its rhythmic movement and celebratory energy.

Suhani Dhanki: Marathi Folk Dance performance and workshop

Suhani Dhanki will share a celebratory Marathi folk dance performance and workshop, bringing the rhythms, movement and communal spirit of Maharashtra’s folk traditions to Croydon Harvest. Audiences will be invited to join in and experience the dance together.

Ethnovox: Caribbean Folk Song Workshop

Sing with Colin Anderson and CeCelia Wickham Anderson of Ethnovox! Learn about Caribbean folk music and musical traditions in a joyful celebration of community.

JANUKA: Quadrille Dancing performance and workshop

JANUKA is an acronym for Jamaican Nurses in the UK and their Associates. They are a group of volunteers who aim to promote positive awareness of Jamaican Cultural Heritage. They dance the Quadrille Jamaican style to entertain, educate, empower and inspire.

Orleta: Polish Folk Dance performance and workshop

Get ready to dance with Orleta, London’s most vibrant Polish dance group that’s been running for over 50 years! Together, some of the youngest participants of the group, and the most experienced dancers will spin you away to the sound of an accordion. After their performance, join them in the Braithwaite Hall to learn the moves for yourself!

Shiva Raichandani: Queer Bollywood / Harvest Songs

Shiva presents a joyful Bollywood dance workshop reimagining traditional harvest songs and celebrations through a vibrant, playful and inclusive queer lens.

Vietnamese Family Partnership: Bamboo Dance and Lantern workshops

Come join a vibrant Vietnamese Bamboo Dance on Saturday – time your feet to avoid getting caught between the poles! Plus, drop-in throughout the weekend for a lantern making workshop.

Dance Dreamers (Padmini) – Kooth & Kummi Dance performance and workshop

Kooth is a lively Tamil folk dance rooted in the popular and celebratory traditions of Tamil Nadu, followed by Kummi, one of the oldest traditional folk dances of South India, with movements connected to harvesting. Padmini will also be joined by five community dancers, creating a welcoming performance and workshop full of rhythm, movement and shared joy.