24 - 27 May 2024
24 - 27
May
2024
Timetable: Workshops

Jump to: Saturday Sunday Monday

Click on the event name for more information.

Workshops on Saturday 25th May 2024
WhenWhatWhereDescriptionPrice
09:30 to 10:30Aurora Appalachian WorkshopYelde HallCome along and learn the newest dance in our repertoire - Bounce! Suitable for people with little or no experience of Appalachian dancing, yet still intended to be interesting enough for everyone. Hard soles shoes or taps preferred.

With: Aurora (Appalachian)

Donation
09:30 to 10:30Border Morris WorkshopThe Halsway Stage @ St Andrews ChurchCome along and learn a Border Morris Routine in our own way and style. Folk Friendzy were established 20 years ago, we perform many dance styles keeping traditions alive for future generations. We look forward to seeing you in Chippenham this year. So come on and have a go it will be great to see you! Suitable for beginners upwards, please bring comfortable trainers/shoes.

With: Folk Friendzy (Clog, Morris (northwest/border), Rapper, Irish)

Donation
09:30 to 10:30Learn the Hammer DulcimerThe Cause: The Cause CafeA workshop with Kerensa on the Dulcimer. Kerensa has a limited number to lend, but you are welcome to bring your own.

With: Kerensa Wright (workshop leader )

Donation
10:00 to 11:30Practice Tune SessionThe AngelPractice sessions for popular English dance tunes, any instrument. Ear players and readers are welcome. Dots provided, also downloadable on request.

With: Spare Parts (English trad on concertinas)

Donation
11:00 to 12:00Ouse Washes Molly WorkshopThe Halsway Stage @ St Andrews ChurchOuse Washes Molly Dancers have been creating and performing molly dances since the 1980’s and this year they celebrate their 40th anniversary. Influenced by the legends and stories of their native fenland, their dances draw on the long tradition of east Anglian molly dancing, adding their own colourful twist and take on tunes new and old. Whatever your ability come along and learn a molly dance or two and find out more about the history and revival of this tradition.

With: Ouse Washes Molly Dancers (Molly)

Donation
11:00 to 12:00Great Western Cotswold WorkshopYelde HallAimed at improvers and experienced dancers, Great Western will be teaching two of the side’s signature show dances - ‘Red Arrows’ and ‘Serpentina’. Both were written by GW in the Bampton tradition, but with unique features that will test your dancing and performing mettle.

With: Great Western Morris (Cotswold)

Donation
12:30 to 13:30Absolute Beginners Squeezebox from ScratchYelde HallWith: Squeezebox from Scratch (Melodeon workshop)Weekend or Day tickets Only
15:00 to 17:00Bodhran Workshop Old Road Tavern BarnThe aim of this class is to teach drummers to play with other musicians. We will go through regular beats, jigs, reels etc. aimed at beginners through to advanced. At the end you will have a good understanding of how the drum can enhance the music

With: Fiona Melford (workshop leader )

Donation
17:30 to 18:30Playing for English Country DanceTown HallSimple tunes suitable for all instruments and levels with an emphasis on playing with style. Basic techniques for working effectively as a dance musician and playing music that is great to dance to.

With: Fran Bulpit, Philip Rowe & Dave Yeomans

Weekend or Day tickets Only

Workshops on Sunday 26th May 2024
WhenWhatWhereDescriptionPrice
09:30 to 10:30Meet North BritishYelde HallAgreeable. Entertaining. Skillful. Lithe. Sober. Which of these words best describe North British? Come to our Meet the Team and find out. You’ll be treated to a little bit of history, something of the philosophy of the team, and of course a discussion of our three rapper and three longsword dances, illustrated by the performance of artfully-selected excerpts. How did we cope when Lufthansa mislaid our swords? What is it about Harris Tweed that makes a man so appealing? Come along and find out, and experience the joy that is an hour with the North British Sword Dancers.

With: The North British Sword Dancers (Longsword and rapper)

Donation
09:30 to 10:30Scratch FiddleThe Cause: The Cause CafeCome and have a try at playing a fiddle! If you're a complete beginner or an early learner , then Lauren will get you playing tunes within the hour. Theres a number of fiddles you can borrow or you are welcome to bring your own

With: Lauren South (Singer-songwriter)

Donation
11:00 to 12:00Meet Aurora Appalachian Yelde HallAurora perform over a dozen different dances. Come along and find out the stories behind how some of these dances came about, and maybe you will then watch them with fresh eyes.

With: Aurora (Appalachian)

Donation
11:15 to 12:45Festival Band PracticeTown HallCome and join the Festival Band, and prepare to play for the Festival Band Dance at 4pm in the Neeld on Sunday! (see the Folk Dance timetable) Everyone welcome. Music available here: [link to follow]

With: The Falconers

Weekend or Day tickets Only
12:30 to 13:30Absolute Beginners Squuezebox from ScratchYelde HallWith: Squeezebox from Scratch (Melodeon workshop)Weekend or Day tickets Only
15:00 to 15:45Sound BathYelde HallIntroducing our enchanting Sound Bath Experience – a symphony for your senses, a journey for your soul! Immerse yourself in the soothing waves of sound as Ben Matthews and friends guide you through a transformative sonic adventure

With: Ben Matthews and friends (Inclusive Music)

Weekend or Day tickets Only
15:00 to 17:00Bodhran WorkshopOld Road Tavern BarnThe aim of this class is to teach drummers to play with other musicians. We will go through regular beats, jigs, reels etc. aimed at beginners through to advanced. At the end you will have a good understanding of how the drum can enhance the music

With: Fiona Melford (workshop leader )

Donation

Workshops on Monday 27th May 2024
WhenWhatWhereDescriptionPrice
09:30 to 10:30Ouse Washes Molly WorkshopThe Halsway Stage @ St Andrews ChurchOuse Washes Molly Dancers have been creating and performing molly dances since the 1980’s and this year they celebrate their 40th anniversary. Influenced by the legends and stories of their native fenland, their dances draw on the long tradition of east Anglian molly dancing, adding their own colourful twist and take on tunes new and old. Whatever your ability come along and learn a molly dance or two and find out more about the history and revival of this tradition.

With: Ouse Washes Molly Dancers (Molly)

Donation
09:30 to 10:30Great Western Cotswold WorkshopYelde HallAimed at beginners, Great Western will be teaching two dances chosen to give you a chance to try morris dancing with a difference. We’ll look at a ‘heel and toe’ dance from Fieldtown and exercise our voices as well as our legs with ‘Go Enlist’.

With: Great Western Morris (Cotswold)

Donation
10:00 to 11:30Practice Tune SessionThe AngelPractice sessions for popular English dance tunes, any instrument. Ear players and readers are welcome. Dots provided, also downloadable on request.

With: Spare Parts (English trad on concertinas)

Donation
11:00 to 12:00Longsword WorkshopYelde HallYou’ll have seen us dance by now, so come along and try longsword dancin for yourself. Our dances are all lively and relatively short (or maybe other teams just make their dances seem to last an eternity), and we are told that we dance with style and panache, so now’s your chance to see what rubs off on you. We’d also welcome any musicians who are comfortable playing in D&G. Come and take part or simply stop a North Briton and talk to us about the dances, the music, or whatever else seems fitting.

With: The North British Sword Dancers (Longsword and rapper)

Donation
11:00 to 12:00North West Morris WorkshopThe Halsway Stage @ St Andrews ChurchCome along and learn a North West Morris Routine in our own way and style. Folk Friendzy were established 20 years ago, we perform many dance styles keeping traditions alive for future generations. We look forward to seeing you in Chippenham this year. So come on and have a go it will be great to see you! Suitable for beginners upwards, please bring comfortable trainers/shoes.

With: Folk Friendzy (Clog, Morris (northwest/border), Rapper, Irish)

Donation
12:30 to 13:30Improvers Squeezebox from ScratchYelde HallWith: Squeezebox from Scratch (Melodeon workshop)Weekend or Day tickets Only

If you would like to see what we had last time: Workshops in 2023