They are a group of over 20 female dancers and up to 8 band members who all enjoy performing Appalachian Step Dancing.
The group are based in and around the Hereford and Worcester area and were originally formed back in 1990. They have extensively toured in the UK, dancing at venues as diverse as national folk festivals to local fetes and charity events. They have also been invited to dance in Northern France for the past few years, where they have become known as "Les Belles Blondes". |
Appalachian dancing is an American folk dance that has its origins in the southern Appalachian mountains of the United States of America. While it has strong ties to the step dance of the British Isles brought to the region by white settlers such as the Scottish and Irish, the dance is also influenced by the traditional dance of native Americans and the solo "buck & wing" dance of American blacks. The dancers wear taps on their shoes to create the percussion for the band, and in their black & white kit, they have been described as something akin to a nun's scrum! All the dances are original, choreographed by the group using many traditional steps, handed down over generations. |
- The music that Soft Option dance to is that of the "Old Time" style, and was originally played on the fiddle. However, through the years, other instruments such as banjo, bass, guitar and mandolin have been added - we challenge you to listen and keep your feet still! PA is usually necessary for performances and will be provided by Soft Option but access to the mains electricity or a quiet generator is essential. As the dancers wear tap shoes, a wooden floor is necessary for this type of dance. Soft Option normally provide their own, custom built staging. The dancing boards can be set up on most flat, even surfaces and the area covered is variable from 2 x 2m to 5 x 4m.
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Another satisfied customer!
... just one of many in our programme99 After their impact on last year's festival we had to have them back! Soft Option dance to the fast picking country and bluegrass sounds of fiddle, guitar, mandolin and banjo. Since 1990, they've been recreating the high energy and fun packed atmosphere of Appalachian step dancing right here in the shadow of the stately Malverns. --- Warwick Festival Programme 1996 |
Appalachian Step Dancers