Circle dance is not only enjoyable for the dancing but also for the rich variety of music we dance to.
The music is joyful and soulful and exciting. It comes from many different places, but especially the Balkans and the area around the east of Europe - Hungary, Bulgaria, Greece, Armenia, Albania, Turkey, Ukraine, Russia, Israel, Macedonia, Serbia....giving a great diversity of interesting rhythms and melodies.
Circle dance brings us together and by sharing music and dance we can taste each others' cultures and spirit.
Traditionally, dancing is part of many community events, and the music is live, with dancers and musicians and singers sparking off each other, magnifying the enjoyment. Recordings may be used nowadays, but it is particularly special to have live music, and the lyrics, rhythms and melodies are wonderful to play and sing. Look out for the 🥁 on the Special Circle Dance Events page for those with live music.
If you would like to get in touch with local circle dance musicians please contact Morag Allen: moragallen368@gmail.com or 07946 584760. All nationalities and instruments are welcome and learning is mainly by ear.
Circle dancing with live music from Bob, Morag and Jude at Horfield Quaker Meeting, February 2026
Circle dancing with Jess at Five Acre Farm, Backwell, Bristol, January 2026. Photos courtesy of www.emmajacobsphotography.com
If you would like to source circle dance music resources, Judy King has an online shop of music books available to purchase: Judy King - Circle Dance - Music Books
Here are Spotify links to some of the recorded music we dance to at our Bristol monthly evening:
Enas Mythos Enas Mythos - Marinella
Release Sarahka Viidna - Mari Boine
Honey Dance I Roza I Naziara - Yannis Markopoulos, HarisAlexiou
Mori Shej Mori Shej - Mescaria
Sweet Girl Sweet Girl - Artie Barsamian
Hasapiko Hasapiko - Orchestra Mesogios
Irish Lyrical Lois Na Banriona - Nollaig Casy, Arty McGlynn
Caravan Caravan (From “Chocolat” Soundtrack) - Rachel Portman
Ma Navu Ma Navu - Libana
Song For Mercy Könyörgés - Kalyi Jag
White Bird La Vasija de Barro - Sandra Argudo
The Child Awakes The Child Awakes - Bob Minney