23 - 26 May 2025
23 - 26
May
2025
Timetable: Folk Dances
The calling/teaching style for each ceilidh and folk dance event is specified in its event description.
  • The code (P) indicates that an event will be called/taught positionally (i.e., emphasising patterns, flow and relationships between dancers, e.g., neighbour, opposite, people facing the windows, first corners, and using those ideas rather than role terms).
  • The code (G) indicates that an event will be called/taught with some use of gendered role terms (e.g., men/women, ladies/gents).
  • The code (A) indicates that an event will be called/taught with some use of nongendered role terms (e.g., larks/robins or, for some couple dances, lead/follow) instead."
Culture and community expectations at folk dance events

Currently publicised Folk Dances for 2025, there may be more

Jump to: Friday Saturday Sunday Monday

Click on the event name for more information.

Folk Dances on Friday 23rd May 2025
WhenWhatWhereDescriptionPrice
19:30 to 22:30American Contra DanceNeeld[Details to follow] (A)

With: Sue Rosen (US), Audrey Jaber (US), Bruce Rosen (US)

Weekend tickets Only
19:30 to 22:30English DanceTown HallA selection of Brooke’s favorite modern dances from across the pond (including some of her own), with a sprinkling of older dances for contrast. (P)

With: Brooke Friendly (US), Pair of Shears

Weekend tickets Only
19:30 to 22:30Mixed DanceSt Paul's Church[Details to follow] (G)

With: Andrew Swaine, Double Dichotomy

Weekend tickets Only
20:00 to 22:30BalOlympiad: RiverbankAn evening of dances ranging from exquisite mazurkas to joyful bourrées. (A)

With: Sawney White Bird

Weekend tickets Only
22:35 to 23:45Post-Bal Session & DancingOlympiad: RiverbankBring your instruments and/or dancing shoes.

Weekend tickets Only

Folk Dances on Saturday 24th May 2025
WhenWhatWhereDescriptionPrice
09:30 to 11:00American Dance WorkshopOlympiad: Sports Hall[Details to follow] (P or A)

With: Charlie Turner, Hoik!

Weekend or Day tickets Only
09:30 to 11:00English Dance Workshop: Creating Dance MagicTown HallEvery so often, the dancers align, and a bit of magic happens. In this workshop, we'll focus on creating those moments by working together as a set, syncing our movements for the perfect flow. (P)

With: Bernie Culkin, Pair of Shears

Weekend or Day tickets Only
09:30 to 11:00Folk Dance Basics and BeyondOlympiad: RiverbankA workshop for beginners and refreshers, with an emphasis on contra and Playford-style dancing, and covering all you need to know to get you dancing this weekend. (P)

With: Bob Morgan, Audrey Jaber (US), Bruce Rosen (US)

Weekend or Day tickets Only
09:30 to 11:00Mixed Dance Workshop: Dancing with Each Other NeeldTips to enhance everyone's dance experience. (G)

With: Mark Elvins, Momentum

Weekend or Day tickets Only
11:15 to 12:40American Dance Workshop: Heys Every Which Way Olympiad: Sports HallOnce we stole the hey from ECD, they’ve gone haywire. We’ll explore American dances with a variety of hey formations. (A)

With: Sue Rosen (US), Hoik!

Weekend or Day tickets Only
11:15 to 12:45English Dance Workshop: Unusual FormationsTown HallCome play with dances with structures and formations that are a bit out of the ordinary: duple minors with oddities, set dances in unusual formations, dances for odd numbers of people, and more. (P)

With: Brooke Friendly (US), Pair of Shears

Weekend or Day tickets Only
11:15 to 12:45American Dance Workshop: Southern Appalachian Squares Olympiad: RiverbankImmerse yourself in the fun and fast style of Appalachian square and circle dances, its different regional ‘dance dialects’, plus maybe a singing square or two. All levels welcome. (P)

With: Emily Bidgood (US), Bluejay

Weekend or Day tickets Only
11:15 to 12:40English Dance Workshop: Dancing in the MoonlightNeeldWho says you can’t dance with the moon in daylight? A Playford-style workshop featuring a mix of elegant dances with a few unexpected figures. (G)

With: Bernie Culkin, Momentum

Weekend or Day tickets Only
13:00 to 13:40Callers' RoundOlympiad: RiverbankAn opportunity for callers to meet up and exchange notes, hosted by Rhianwen Davies.

With: Rhianwen Davies

Weekend or Day tickets Only
14:00 to 15:30Mixed Dance Workshop: Now And LaterNeeldThinking ahead to help dances flow, some challenging patterns to make you think. Medium to difficult workshop. (G)

With: Frances Oates, Double Dichotomy

Weekend or Day tickets Only
14:00 to 15:30Irish Set Dance WorkshopTown HallExperience the range of regional styles of Irish Set Dance. No prior knowledge required. Event tickets available from Box Office. (G)

With: Kevin & Carol Monaghan

Weekend, Day or Event tickets Only
14:00 to 15:30Balfolk Dance Workshop: Couple dancing in BalfolkOlympiad: RiverbankHow to enjoy the basic couple dances of balfolk, as well as some improvisation techniques and tools to enjoy dances you don't know! (A)

With: Andrew Swaine, Sawney White Bird

Weekend or Day tickets Only
14:00 to 15:30American Dance Workshop: Yankee Dutch CrossingOlympiad: Sports HallGet ready for a challenge! Arrive promptly for this 16 person (8 couples) set dance in the American style. This complex dance can be disorienting but great fun. (A)

With: Sue Rosen (US), Audrey Jaber (US), Bruce Rosen (US)

Weekend or Day tickets Only
15:45 to 17:15Mixed Dance Workshop: Both Feet Unplugged NeeldA selection of Mark's own dances yet to be published. (G)

With: Mark Elvins, Double Dichotomy

Weekend or Day tickets Only
15:45 to 17:15Irish Set Dance WorkshopTown HallExperience the range of regional styles of Irish Set Dance. No prior knowledge required. Event tickets available from Box Office. (G)

With: Kevin & Carol Monaghan

Weekend, Day or Event tickets Only
15:45 to 17:15Balfolk Dance Workshop: Bonkers BourréesOlympiad: RiverbankBourrées to great music are a lot of fun even if you just do the basic dance, but there's so much more you can do other than go forwards and backwards. Learn the basic bourrée before learning variations and multi-couple bourrées. (A)

With: Andrew Swaine, Sawney White Bird

Weekend or Day tickets Only
15:45 to 17:00American Dance Workshop: Leaving the SetOlympiad: Sports HallGrid squares, Exploding squares, Double contras, etc. Dances to move you around the dance floor. (G)

With: Geoff Cubitt, Audrey Jaber (US), Bruce Rosen (US)

Weekend or Day tickets Only
17:30 to 19:25Zesty Contra DanceOlympiad: Sports HallLively contra dances with a strong sense of connection and fun. Bring your enthusiasm and stamina - be prepared to dance! (P or A)

With: Charlie Turner, Hoik!

Weekend or Day tickets Only
19:30 to 22:30Irish CeiliTown HallAn evening ceili of Irish Set Dancing. (G)

With: Kevin & Carol Monaghan, WillPower

Weekend, Day or Event tickets Only
19:30 to 22:30Playford BallNeeldA night of 17th and 18th-century Playford style dances, with a programme drawn from Playford, Neal, Kynaston, and a few other treasures. Interval spot around 9pm. (G)

With: Bernie Culkin, Pair of Shears

Weekend or Day tickets Only
19:50 to 22:30American Contra Dance -- Sponsored by Halsway ManorSt Paul's Church[Details to follow] (A)

With: Sue Rosen (US), Audrey Jaber (US), Bruce Rosen (US)

Weekend or Day tickets Only
20:00 to 22:30Bal -- Sponsored by Halsway ManorOlympiad: RiverbankAn evening of dances ranging from exquisite mazurkas to joyful bourrées. (A)

With: Doug Eunson & Sarah Matthews

Weekend or Day tickets Only
22:35 to 23:45Post-Bal Session & DancingOlympiad: RiverbankBring your instruments and/or dancing shoes.

Weekend or Day tickets Only

Folk Dances on Sunday 25th May 2025
WhenWhatWhereDescriptionPrice
09:30 to 11:00English Dance Workshop: Impropriety and BeyondNeeldEnjoy dances from recently released Impropriety volume 7 and some of Brooke’s solo dances, with attention to shape, texture, phrasing, transitions, and unusual features. Expect a challenge or two. (P)

With: Crowdy Kit, Brooke Friendly (US)

Weekend or Day tickets Only
09:30 to 11:00Mixed Dance Workshop: Back in the DayTown HallDances from the Community Dance Manuals, which, we have left behind. (G)

With: Mark Elvins, Double Dichotomy

Weekend or Day tickets Only
09:30 to 11:00Callers' Workshop: American SquaresOlympiad: Riverbank[Details to follow] (G)

With: Geoff Cubitt, Audrey Jaber (US), Bruce Rosen (US)

Weekend or Day tickets Only
09:30 to 11:00American Dance Workshop: Connection in ContraOlympiad: Sports HallDancing is joyful when we connect with our fellow dancers! We'll practice helping and connecting with others, and experiment with spice and flourishes for everybody to play with safely. (A)

With: Charlie Turner, Definitely Contraband

Weekend or Day tickets Only
11:15 to 12:45Mixed/English Dance Workshop Neeld[Details to follow] (G)

With: Crowdy Kit, Andrew Swaine

Weekend or Day tickets Only
11:15 to 12:45Musicians' Workshop: Festival Band PracticeTown HallCome and join the fabulous Festival Band. This event is to practice the music ahead of the Festival Band Dance in the Neeld on Sunday afternoon. Music available here [link to follow].

With: Vic Smith & Friends

Weekend or Day tickets Only
11:15 to 12:45English Dance Workshop: Reel-y Hey!Olympiad: RiverbankA selection of Playford-style dances for experienced dancers, featuring reels and heys. Focus on timing, coordination, and refining technique to enhance the flow of each dance. (P)

With: Bernie Culkin, Audrey Jaber (US), Ali Messer

Weekend or Day tickets Only
11:15 to 12:40American Dance Workshop: Contra EvolutionOlympiad: Sports HallOver the past half-century, contra dance choreography has evolved significantly. We’ll dance some of the favorites from the past and more recent decades to compare how the rules have changed. (A)

With: Sue Rosen (US), Definitely Contraband

Weekend or Day tickets Only
13:00 to 13:40Callers' RoundOlympiad: RiverbankAn opportunity for callers to meet up and exchange notes, hosted by Andrew Swaine.

With: Andrew Swaine

Weekend or Day tickets Only
14:00 to 15:45Callers' Showcase DanceNeeldCome and dance to the calls of a preselected group of callers, new to calling at Chippenham. (P/G/A)

With: Bob Morgan, Momentum

Weekend or Day tickets Only
14:00 to 15:30Irish Set Dance WorkshopTown HallExperience the range of regional styles of Irish Set Dance. No prior knowledge required. Event tickets available from Box Office. (G)

With: Kevin & Carol Monaghan

Weekend, Day or Event tickets Only
14:00 to 15:30English Dance Workshop: Now Where Was I?Olympiad: Sports HallHave you ever started a dance facing one way and ended up somewhere completely different, wondering how you got there? Then this is the workshop for you! (P)

With: Bernie Culkin, Audrey Jaber (US), Bruce Rosen (US)

Weekend or Day tickets Only
14:00 to 15:30American/Mixed Dance WorkshopOlympiad: Riverbank[Details to follow. Probably skills-focused and probably American] (P or A)

With: Charlie Turner, Vic Smith & Friends

Weekend or Day tickets Only
15:45 to 17:15Irish Set Dance WorkshopTown HallExperience the range of regional styles of Irish Set Dance. No prior knowledge required. Event tickets available from Box Office. (G)

With: Kevin & Carol Monaghan

Weekend, Day or Event tickets Only
15:45 to 17:15English Callers' Workshop: Positional and Global TeachingOlympiad: RiverbankPositional (if you are here now, do this). Global (transitions, the big picture, talk to as many people at once as possible). Teaching this way requires rethinking! Get tips, tricks, and inspiration.

With: Brooke Friendly (US)

Weekend or Day tickets Only
15:45 to 17:15American Dance Workshop: Square Dance Chorus FiguresOlympiad: Sports HallChorus figures are the stars of the show. Here with simpler figures. (G)

With: Geoff Cubitt, Audrey Jaber (US), Bruce Rosen (US)

Weekend or Day tickets Only
16:00 to 17:15Festival Band DanceNeeldA varied mix of fun dances having great tunes, all played for by the Festival Band led by Vic Smith & Friends. (G)

With: Frances Oates, Vic Smith & Friends

Weekend or Day tickets Only
17:30 to 19:25Zesty Playford DanceOlympiad: Sports HallLively Playford dances with a strong sense of connection and fun. Bring your enthusiasm and stamina - be prepared to dance! (P)

With: Crowdy Kit, Andrew Swaine

Weekend or Day tickets Only
19:30 to 22:30Mixed Dance: Mark's MixTown HallA lively selection of dances, from Playford to modern contra. (G)

With: Mark Elvins, Double Dichotomy

Weekend or Day tickets Only
19:30 to 22:30American Contra DanceNeeld[Details to follow] Interval spot around 9pm. (G)

With: Geoff Cubitt, Hoik!

Weekend or Day tickets Only
19:45 to 22:30Mixed/English DanceSt Paul's Church[Details to follow] (G)

With: Frances Oates, Audrey Jaber (US), Ali Messer

Weekend or Day tickets Only
20:30 to 23:30ElectroBalOlympiad: RiverbankAll-synthesised electro-balfolk dance party, with windsynths, e-melodeon, drum machine, and much much more. Expect tasteful (non-flashy) lighting and highly danceable music. (A)

With: Portmanteau

Weekend or Day tickets Only

Folk Dances on Monday 26th May 2025
WhenWhatWhereDescriptionPrice
09:30 to 11:00American Dance Workshop: "Sides face, Grand Square"NeeldAmerican square dances involving variations of Grand Square. (G)

With: Andrew Swaine, Hoik!

Weekend or Day tickets Only
09:30 to 11:00Mixed Dance Workshop: One Dance to the Tune of AnotherTown HallSome dances have set tunes and others do not. Here, we'll loosen the relationship between dances and "their" music to explore adapting and enjoying dancing to the music - however unexpected! (P)

With: Charlie Turner, Momentum

Weekend or Day tickets Only
09:30 to 11:00Callers' Workshop: American SquaresOlympiad: Riverbank[Details to follow] (G)

With: Geoff Cubitt, Audrey Jaber (US), Bruce Rosen (US)

Weekend or Day tickets Only
09:30 to 11:00English Dance Workshop: Pooh, Piglet & PlayfordOlympiad: Sports HallA workshop, where all the dances—somehow—connect to the world of Winnie the Pooh. Some links are obvious, and some are so tenuous that even Owl might struggle to explain them. (G)

With: Crowdy Kit, Bernie Culkin

Weekend or Day tickets Only
11:15 to 12:45American Dance Workshop: Medleys and no-walkthrough dancesNeeldContra dances (and perhaps some squares) without hesitation! Stay alert, listen to the call, and move to the music in the moment! (A)

With: Charlie Turner, Hoik!

Weekend or Day tickets Only
11:15 to 12:45English Dance Workshop: The Music Will Tell You Town HallSometimes the music will tell you what to do. Sometimes it won't! Sometimes it's a matter of interpretation. We'll listen closely to the music and experiment with ways to match our dancing to it. (P)

With: Brooke Friendly (US), Momentum

Weekend or Day tickets Only
11:15 to 12:45Dance Organisers' RoundOlympiad: RiverbankAn opportunity for dance organisers to get together and discuss all things dance organising. Hosted by Jen Cox (Oxfolk/BunkFest/Open Morris/EFDSS) and Jane Curry & Andrew Findlay (London Barndance).

Weekend or Day tickets Only
11:15 to 12:40Mixed Dance Workshop: What Happens NextOlympiad: Sports HallThinking ahead to help dances flow, some challenging patterns to make you think. Medium to difficult workshop. (G)

With: Crowdy Kit, Frances Oates

Weekend or Day tickets Only
14:00 to 15:30Mixed Dance Workshop: Heys To Round Off the WeekendNeeldDifferent heys in different styles of dance. (G)

With: Mark Elvins, Audrey Jaber (US), Bruce Rosen (US)

Weekend or Day tickets Only
14:00 to 15:30English Choreographers' WorkshopTown HallWhat makes a good English dance? We'll explore different approaches to choreography. Note: this is not for testing existing choreography. Bring paper and pencil. Some moving and some discussion.

With: Brooke Friendly (US)

Weekend or Day tickets Only
14:00 to 15:30Scandi Dance Workshop: Bingsjö PolskaOlympiad: RiverbankPolska, the Swedish national dance is a wonderful turning dance with many varieties from different villages. Bingsjö Polska is a good introduction as it includes smooth turning of the couple despite each person having different steps. All levels welcome. (A)

With: J²ohn Stewart & Susannah Diamond, Hinny & Joe Wass

Weekend or Day tickets Only
14:00 to 15:30American Dance Workshop: It’s Hip To Be SquareOlympiad: Sports HallSquares for the Young at Heart!!!!! (G)

With: Crowdy Kit, Geoff Cubitt

Weekend or Day tickets Only
15:45 to 17:15Mixed Dance Workshop: New Dances from AmericaNeeldPresenting some recent English country dances and contras that may not have appeared on this side of the pond before. (P or A)

With: Sue Rosen (US), Audrey Jaber (US), Bruce Rosen (US)

Weekend or Day tickets Only
15:45 to 17:15Scandi Dance Workshop: Røros Pols Olympiad: RiverbankRøros Pols can be an energetic Norwegian dance and includes polska and other interesting steps. All levels welcome although the previous Polska workshop an advantage. (A)

With: J²ohn Stewart & Susannah Diamond, Hinny & Joe Wass

Weekend or Day tickets Only
15:45 to 17:15American Dance Workshop: Breaking the rulesOlympiad: Sports HallDances mostly written by Andrew that stretch the definition of "contra" and "square". Prepare to swing both ways, dance with magpies, and attempt a grid square where the squares themselves move. (A)

With: Andrew Swaine, WillPower

Weekend or Day tickets Only
17:30 to 18:55Zesty Contra DanceOlympiad: Sports HallLively contra dances with a strong sense of connection and fun. (G)

With: Geoff Cubitt, WillPower

Weekend or Day tickets Only
19:30 to 22:30English DanceNeeldDance Party! An evening of dances for our closing night: old and new, lyrical to boisterous, silly to sublime, relaxing and stimulating. Display spot from NYFTE at [time tbc]. (P)

With: Brooke Friendly (US), Momentum

Weekend or Day tickets Only
19:30 to 22:30Mixed/English DanceTown Hall[Details to follow] (A)

With: Sue Rosen (US), Audrey Jaber (US), Bruce Rosen (US)

Weekend or Day tickets Only
19:30 to 19:55Pre-Balfolk & Scandi Dance Session & DancingOlympiad: RiverbankBring your instruments and/or dancing shoes.

Weekend or Day tickets Only
20:00 to 22:30Balfolk and Scandi DanceOlympiad: RiverbankA Grand Tour of Balfolk and Scandi dances. (A)

With: Hinny & Joe Wass

Weekend or Day tickets Only

If you would like to see what we had last time: Folk Dances in 2024