23 - 26 May 2025
23 - 26
May
2025
Sports Hall
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(From the Bridge if it does not know your location)

CURRENT PROGRAMME OF EVENTS (Others may follow)

Click on the event name or time to get more detail.

Jump to: Friday Saturday Sunday Monday

Events on Friday 23rd May 2025
TimeWhatWithPrice
10:00 - 12:30Schools' Day workshops
A by-invite-only event for local schools
Shooting Roots Event Tickets Only
12:45 - 14:30Schools' Day Ceilidh
A by-invite-only event for local schools
The Downfielders (Band) Shooting Roots Event Tickets Only
20:00 - 23:45Welcome Ceilidh
Join us for the festival's Welcome Ceilidh with The Canny Band and caller Phil Bassindale! A fun night of music, dance, and community—no experience needed! All ages and abilities are welcome! (P)
The Canny Band Phil Bassindale (Ceilidh Caller)Weekend or Event tickets Only (£15)

Events on Saturday 24th May 2025
TimeWhatWithPrice
09:30 - 11:00American Dance Workshop: Waves
Sail the high contra seas with a selection of dances featuring waves. (A)
Charlie Turner Hoik!Weekend or Day tickets Only
11:15 - 12:40American Dance Workshop: Heys Every Which Way
Since we stole heys from English Country Dance, they've gone haywire! In this workshop we’ll explore American-style dances with a variety of hey formations. (A)
Sue Rosen (US) Hoik!Weekend or Day tickets Only
14:00 - 15:30American Dance Workshop: Yankee Dutch Crossing
Get 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)
Sue Rosen (US) Audrey Jaber (US)Weekend or Day tickets Only
Bruce Rosen (US)
15:45 - 17:00American Dance Workshop: Leaving the Set
Grid squares, Exploding squares, Double contras, etc. Dances to move you around the dance floor. (G)
Geoff Cubitt Audrey Jaber (US)Weekend or Day tickets Only
Bruce Rosen (US)
17:30 - 19:25Zesty Contra Dance
Lively contra dances with a strong sense of connection and fun. Bring your enthusiasm and stamina - be prepared to dance! (A)
Charlie Turner Hoik!Weekend or Day tickets Only
20:00 - 24:00Ceilidh
Join us for a Saturday night ceilidh with Banter and caller Fee Lock! Enjoy lively music, fun dances, and great company. (P)
Banter (Band) Fee Lock (Ceilidh Caller)Weekend, Day or Event tickets Only

Events on Sunday 25th May 2025
TimeWhatWithPrice
09:30 - 11:00American Dance Workshop: Flow
Dance contras with satisfying flow and explore ways to enhance that flowy contra dance experience for yourself and your fellow dancers. (A)
Charlie Turner Definitely ContrabandWeekend or Day tickets Only
11:15 - 12:40American Dance Workshop: Contra Evolution
Over 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)
Sue Rosen (US) Definitely ContrabandWeekend or Day tickets Only
14:00 - 15:30English Dance Workshop: Now Where Was I?
Have 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)
Bernie Culkin Audrey Jaber (US)Weekend or Day tickets Only
Bruce Rosen (US)
15:45 - 17:15American Dance Workshop: Square Dance Chorus Figures
American squares in which the chorus figures are the stars of the show. (G)
Geoff Cubitt Audrey Jaber (US)Weekend or Day tickets Only
Bruce Rosen (US)
17:30 - 19:25Zesty Playford Dance
Lively Playford dances with a strong sense of connection and fun. Bring your enthusiasm and stamina - be prepared to dance! (P)
Crowdy Kit Andrew SwaineWeekend or Day tickets Only
20:00 - 23:45Ceilidh
Get ready to dance at a vibrant ceilidh with Out of Hand and caller AERYN! Expect fantastic tunes, lively steps, and a night full of fun, energy, and great vibes. Don't miss it!(P)
Out of Hand (Ceilidh Band) AERYNWeekend, Day or Event tickets Only

Events on Monday 26th May 2025
TimeWhatWithPrice
09:30 - 11:00English Dance Workshop: Pooh, Piglet & Playford
A 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)
Crowdy Kit Bernie CulkinWeekend or Day tickets Only
11:15 - 12:40Mixed Dance Workshop: What Happens Next
Thinking ahead to help dances flow, some challenging patterns to make you think. Medium to difficult workshop. (G)
Crowdy Kit Frances OatesWeekend or Day tickets Only
14:00 - 15:30American Dance Workshop: It’s Hip To Be Square
Squares for the Young at Heart! (G)
Crowdy Kit Geoff CubittWeekend or Day tickets Only
15:45 - 17:15American Dance Workshop: Breaking the Rules
Dances 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)
Andrew Swaine WillPowerWeekend or Day tickets Only
17:30 - 18:55Zesty Contra Dance
Lively contra dances with a strong sense of connection and fun. (G)
Geoff Cubitt WillPowerWeekend or Day tickets Only
19:30 - 23:00Ceilidh
Don’t miss the final ceilidh of this year's festival with Blackbeard’s Tea Party and caller Gordon Potts! Celebrate with high-energy tunes, lively dancing, and a fantastic end to an unforgettable Chippenham!(P)
Blackbeard's Tea Party (Band) Gordon Potts (Caller)Weekend, Day or Event tickets Only