Balèti!

This week I had the chance to attend my first balèti, a Provençal folk dance, with lots of live music and steps that reminded me very much of contra dancing in the United States. Unlike the contra dances, however, a balèti also includes a lot more couple dances, such as polkas and mazurkas, and several different varities of chain dances, called farandoles. There were also bourrées and waltzes and quadrilles, as well as one dance I had originally learned as "Soldier's Joy." It was fun to recognize so many of the steps! Our musicians included two fiddlers, a bagpipe player, several recorders or flutes, a clarinet, a guitar and several accordions. Often the musicians would take turns swapping out so they could dance, too, and would occasionally remind the other dancers that it was generally well thought of to buy the musicians drinks... :) The dance itself was free, hosted in a brasserie in Aix, but the owner did good business at the bar with thirsty dancers. When the weather warms up the dances will take place in the open air--it will almost be like the Renoir painting!