22 - 25 May 2026
22 - 25
May
2026
Neeld
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(From the Bridge if it does not know your location)

PROGRAMME OF EVENTS

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

Jump to: Friday Saturday Sunday Monday

Events on Friday 23rd May 2025
TimeWhatWithPrice
19:30 - 22:30American Contra Dance
Come and start the festival in style with a fun evening of contras and squares! (A)
Sue Rosen (US) Audrey Jaber (US)Weekend tickets Only
Bruce Rosen (US)

Events on Saturday 24th May 2025
TimeWhatWithPrice
09:30 - 11:00Mixed Dance Workshop: Dancing with Each Other
In this workshop we'll dance a varied selection of dances (including some American-style and some English-style) and explore what we can do as dancers to enhance everyone's dance experience. (G)
Mark Elvins MomentumWeekend or Day tickets Only
11:15 - 12:40English Dance Workshop: Dancing in the Moonlight
Who 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)
Bernie Culkin MomentumWeekend or Day tickets Only
14:00 - 15:30Mixed Dance Workshop: Now And Later
Thinking ahead to help dances flow, some challenging patterns to make you think. Medium to difficult workshop. (G)
Frances Oates Double DichotomyWeekend or Day tickets Only
15:45 - 17:15Mixed Dance Workshop: Both Feet Unplugged
A selection of Mark's own dances yet to be published. (G)
Mark Elvins Double DichotomyWeekend or Day tickets Only
19:30 - 22:30Playford Ball
A night of 17th and 18th-century Playford style dances, with a programme drawn from Playford, Neal, Kynaston, and a few other treasures. (G)
Bernie Culkin Pair of ShearsWeekend or Day tickets Only

Events on Sunday 25th May 2025
TimeWhatWithPrice
09:30 - 11:00English Dance Workshop: Impropriety and Beyond
Enjoy 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)
Crowdy Kit Brooke Friendly (US)Weekend or Day tickets Only
11:15 - 12:45English Dance Workshop: Three-Time Hornpipes
A selection of historic country dances from the Dancing Master set to three-time hornpipes—one of the most exciting rhythms of the day with some really great tunes and interesting dances to match! (P)
Crowdy Kit Andrew SwaineWeekend or Day tickets Only
14:00 - 15:45Callers' Showcase Dance
Come and dance to the calls of a preselected group of callers, new to calling at Chippenham. (P/G/A)
Bob Morgan (MC) MomentumWeekend or Day tickets Only
16:00 - 17:15Festival Band Dance
A varied mix of fun dances having great tunes, all played for by the Festival Band led by Vic Smith & Friends. (G) [note: band practice is Sunday 11:15-12:45 in the Town Hall]
Frances Oates Vic Smith & FriendsWeekend or Day tickets Only
19:30 - 22:30American Contra Dance
An evening of lively contras and squares. (G)
Geoff Cubitt Hoik!Weekend or Day tickets Only

Events on Monday 26th May 2025
TimeWhatWithPrice
09:30 - 11:00American Dance Workshop: “Sides Face, Grand Square”
American square dances involving variations of Grand Square. (G)
Andrew Swaine Hoik!Weekend or Day tickets Only
11:15 - 12:45American Dance Workshop: Medleys and No-Walkthrough Dances
Contra dances (and perhaps some squares) without hesitation! Stay alert, listen to the call, and move to the music in the moment! (A)
Charlie Turner Hoik!Weekend or Day tickets Only
14:00 - 15:30Mixed Dance Workshop: Heys To Round Off the Weekend
Different heys in different styles of dance. (G)
Mark Elvins Audrey Jaber (US)Weekend or Day tickets Only
Bruce Rosen (US)
15:45 - 17:15Mixed Dance Workshop: New Dances from America
Presenting some recent English country dances and contras that may not have appeared on this side of the pond before. (A)
Sue Rosen (US) Audrey Jaber (US)Weekend or Day tickets Only
Bruce Rosen (US)
19:30 - 22:30English Dance
Dance Party! An evening of dances for our closing night: old and new, lyrical to boisterous, silly to sublime, relaxing and stimulating. 20-30min display spot from NYFTE at 8pm. (P)
Brooke Friendly (US) MomentumWeekend or Day tickets Only
NYFTE  (National Youth Folk Troupe of England) (Youth)