Fado Dance Holiday in Portugal with Nanni Kloke

August 31st - September 7th 2013

Fado (translated as destiny or fate) is a music genre that can be traced back to the 1820s in Portugal, but probably with much earlier origins. In popular belief, fado is a form of music characterized by mournful tunes and lyrics, often about the sea or the life of the poor.

The music is usually linked to the Portuguese word saudade (that has no match in English but it could be understood as nostalgia felt while missing something or someone important), a word describing a sentiment.

Course Content

Nanni has choreographed some gorgeous dances to some FABULOUS Fado music. It is VERY special to dance to this music in the land of its origins. Nanni will teach for three hours every morning and for one and a half hours late afternoon/early evening before supper.

There will be a guided walk of the Domain on our first afternoon.

The last night of our holiday will be spent in Porto. We will have dinner together and enjoy a Fado concert and stay in a nearby hotel.

There will also be many additonal activities which you can take part in during your free time, e.g. for the serious walkers amongst you, hiking in the Serra de Estrelain; mountain biking in the valley and Serra; horse-riding - a tour of a few hours or lessons; Portuguese cooking workshop or painting/drawing in the open air workshop.

The holiday is open to dancers from all countries. The minimum number required to make this holiday viable is 15. The maximum is 28.

Venue

The venue is situated 12km from the privincial city of Guarda and 50km from the Spanish border.

Qunita das Corujas
Dominio Vale do Mondego
6300-095 Faia
Guarda
Portugal

For more information about the venue look at their website: www.dominiovaledomondego.com.

The dance space (Qunita das Corujas) is designed by Nanni and we dance on a professional dance floor set on wood. The temperature should be in the low to high 20s. Bring a hat, as we will sometimes be dancing in the open air. It will obviously be cooler in the evenings.

There is a swimming pool for us all to use.

Accommodation

Accommodation is either:

  • Shared Quintas (converted farmhouse) with twin or double rooms
  • Canvas Lodges
  • Tents

There is a very limited number of single rooms, allocated on a first come, first served basis. Ask Judy for more details.

Cost

The cost depends on your level of accommodation:

  • Twin/double in a double tent (with proper bed): €895
  • Single in a double tent (with proper bed): €925
  • Twin/double in Quinta or Canvas Lodge: €955
  • Single in Quinta or Canvas Lodge: €985

This includes:

  • transfer to and from Porto Airport
  • all accommodation and food at the Domain
  • all dance sessions
  • the last night dinner, concert and overnight stay in hotel in Porto

It does NOT include:

  • your air fare
  • Nanni's workshop CD and notation
  • workshop DVD
  • alcohol taken with your meals
  • any additional outings you take individually or we spontaneously decide to do as a group
  • food when we are in Porto (apart from the concert dinner)

Airport

The closest airport is Porto. The coach transfer will leave at a set time. Please check with Judy before booking your flight.

How to Book

To book your place, please send Judy a non-returnable deposit of €200 (euros). Please contact me for my bank account details.

You MUST take out holiday insurance for this week. Due to various financial commitments in runnng this course, we are unable to offer refunds on your deposit if you have to cancel.

As I'm sure you can appreciate, trying to organize a foreign holiday this far ahead is very challenging! I have made the best estimates on price that I can, taking inflation into account, but I'm sure that you can appreciate that I can't pin down prices exactly. I will do everything in my power to make sure that the price does not increase, but I must reserve the right to charge a supplement if prices do go haywire.