24 - 27 May 2024
24 - 27
May
2024
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 known Folk Dances for 2024, there may be more

Jump to: Friday Saturday Sunday Monday

Click on the event name for more information.

Folk Dances on Friday 24th May 2024
WhenWhatWhereDescriptionPrice
19:30 to 22:30Friday Night HoedownSt Paul's ChurchSome of Mike's favourite dances, from both sides of the Atlantic, to get the weekend off to an exciting start. (G)

With: Paul Hutchinson & Karen Wimhurst, Mike Courthold

Weekend or Day tickets Only
19:30 to 22:30Mixed DanceTown HallFun dances to start the weekend - a mix of English, contra, Scottish dances, which will all be fun to dance! (P)

With: Fran Bulpit, Philip Rowe & Dave Yeomans, Nicola Scott

Weekend or Day tickets Only
19:30 to 22:45Contra DanceNeeldAn evening of lively contras and squares. (G)

With: WillPower, Lynne Render

Weekend or Day tickets Only
20:00 to 22:30Bal Olympiad: RiverbankAn evening of dance music ranging from exquisite mazurkas to joyful bourrées. (A)

With: Portmanteau

Weekend or Day tickets Only
22:35 to 23:30Balfolk Session & Dance Olympiad: RiverbankA post-bal afterparty! Bring your instruments and/or dancing shoes. (A)

Weekend or Day tickets Only

Folk Dances on Saturday 25th May 2024
WhenWhatWhereDescriptionPrice
09:30 to 11:00Let’s Be DifferentNeeldContra dances where the 1s and 2s do different things. This workshop will explore contra choreography where the 1s and 2s are on separate tracks - starting with contra corners and building from there! (P)

With: Contra Sutra (USA), Nicola Scott

Weekend or Day tickets Only
09:30 to 11:00Dance Technique, Style and SensitivityTown HallMike will help refine your dancing skills, with examples from the English & American dance repertoires to demonstrate subtle differences in their execution. (G)

With: The Falconers, Mike Courthold

Weekend or Day tickets Only
09:30 to 11:00Basics and BeyondOlympiad: RiverbankContra session for beginners and refreshers, covering all you need to know to get you contra dancing. (A)

With: Tom Evans, Rachel Shapiro Wallace

Weekend or Day tickets Only
09:30 to 11:00Pat Shaw DancesOlympiad: Sports HallPat Shaw wrote many wonderful dances (and tunes), mainly Playford-style - some quite complicated. He wanted people to dance them well, not just scramble through them - and so does Colin! (G)

With: Paul Hutchinson & Karen Wimhurst, John Hymas, Colin Hume

Weekend or Day tickets Only
11:15 to 12:45Travelling CompanionsNeeldA selection of dances with shadows or trail buddies. A familiar face to look out for can make even a complicated dance so much easier. (G)

With: Contra Sutra (USA), Lynne Render

Weekend or Day tickets Only
11:15 to 12:45Faking ZestTown HallZest without the lemons. Daunted by ‘Zesty’ dances? Use rhythm and connection to make your dancing seem lively and energetic while protecting your body and energy levels. (P)

With: The Falconers, Daisy Black

Weekend or Day tickets Only
11:15 to 12:45Connection in Partner DanceOlympiad: RiverbankFocusing on connection and communication in dance.Expect some fun exercises exploring lead/follow technique.The principles are relevant to any partnered dance.The music will have a balfolk flavour.(A)

With: Tom Evans, Lindsey Kennedy & Jos Style

Weekend or Day tickets Only
11:15 to 12:40The Sound of MusicOlympiad: Sports HallExplore how we interact with the band: their harmonies, drive, who’s playing, how each express the tune; the tune’s pulse, phrase, variety, mood, how it conveys movement;what the band gets from us.(G)

With: Paul Hutchinson & Karen Wimhurst, John Hymas, Bruce Hamilton (USA)

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

Weekend or Day tickets Only
14:00 to 15:30Maggot Pie DancesNeeldMaggot Pie was the first new collection of set dances for over 200 years, which was very controversial. With nothing to guide them, Heffer and Porter produced a terrific collection. (G)

With: Fran Bulpit, Philip Rowe & Dave Yeomans, Colin Hume

Weekend or Day tickets Only
14:00 to 15:30Irish Set Town 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 BasicsOlympiad: RiverbankAn introduction to (or reminder of) some of the most common couple, chain and circle dances so you're ready to throw yourself into the bal this evening. All levels welcome. (A)

With: Portmanteau, Jenny Norris & Jos Style

Weekend or Day tickets Only
14:00 to 15:30Making the Most of the SpaceOlympiad: Sports HallSome dances just work so much better with plenty of space and lots of dancers. Grids, interactive sets and dances that need a lot of room up and down the hall. (G)

With: Mollie Koenigsberger & Ali Messer, Lynne Render

Weekend or Day tickets Only
15:45 to 17:15Theatre Playford 1NeeldA playful workshop exploring how Playford’s dances reflected the theatre and characters of their times, then using this knowledge to dance them.Clowns, monarchs, villains and all dancers welcome.(P)

With: Fran Bulpit, Philip Rowe & Dave Yeomans, Daisy Black

Weekend or Day tickets Only
15:45 to 17:15Irish Set Town 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 Dances: 2 and 3 Time BourréesOlympiad: RiverbankHigh-energy dances from France, with lots of opportunity for variations and improvisation. All levels welcome. (A)

With: Portmanteau, Jenny Norris & Jos Style

Weekend or Day tickets Only
15:45 to 17:15Kentucky Running Set Olympiad: Sports HallMike will concentrate on square-dance figures, aiming to teach eight individual figures, two for each couple, plus chorus figures. No previous experience needed, but be prepared laugh a lot. (G)

With: Mollie Koenigsberger & Ali Messer, Mike Courthold

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

With: Bearded Dragons, Lynne Render

Weekend or Day tickets Only
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
19:30 to 22:30Playford BallNeeldDances from "The Dancing Master" of John and Henry Playford and John Young: some well-known, some unknown, some fast and energetic, some slow and graceful, some easy, some difficult. (G)

With: Paul Hutchinson & Karen Wimhurst, John Hymas, Colin Hume

Weekend or Day tickets Only
19:30 to 20:25Balfolk Session & Dance Olympiad: RiverbankA warm up for the main bal! Bring your instruments and/or dancing shoes. (A)

Weekend or Day tickets Only
19:30 to 22:30Transatlantic Dance PartyTown HallFeaturing English and American dances specially selected for a night to remember. (G)

With: The Falconers, Mike Courthold

Weekend or Day tickets Only
19:45 to 22:45Contra Dance St Paul's ChurchA fun evening of contras and squares, suitable for all. (A)

With: Contra Sutra (USA), Rachel Shapiro Wallace

Weekend or Day tickets Only
20:30 to 22:45Bal Olympiad: RiverbankAn evening of dance music ranging from exquisite mazurkas to joyful bourrées. (A)

With: Hartwin Dhoore & Ross Grant

Weekend or Day tickets Only

Folk Dances on Sunday 26th May 2024
WhenWhatWhereDescriptionPrice
09:30 to 11:00Making it Look EasyNeeld‘Muscle memory’ enables fluid & graceful movement without conscious thought;but D.Kennedy stated “the conscious mind is no easy adversary to overcome.”Bruce introduces the long, satisfying journey.(G)

With: Fran Bulpit, Philip Rowe & Dave Yeomans, Bruce Hamilton (USA)

Weekend or Day tickets Only
09:30 to 11:00Theatre Playford 2Town HallA playful workshop exploring how Playford’s dances reflected the theatre and characters of their times, then using this knowledge to dance them. Theatre Playford 1 is not a prerequisite for this (P)

With: The Falconers, Daisy Black

Weekend or Day tickets Only
09:30 to 11:00Calling for Contras and SquaresOlympiad: RiverbankIf you have done some calling of any genre but would like to find out more about calling contras and squares then come along for some teaching tips and discussion with Lynne and Rachel.

With: Lynne Render, Rachel Shapiro Wallace, Bearded Dragons

Weekend or Day tickets Only
09:30 to 11:00How Many People Can You Dance With in One American Contra Workshop?Olympiad: Sports HallNicola will get you dancing with as many people as possible, with mixers, multiple progression contras and even interaction between different sets. (P)

With: WillPower, Nicola Scott

Weekend or Day tickets Only
11:15 to 12:45Dance AlgebraNeeldDances form the Gary Roodman collection, some easy, some not so easy, but all with superb tunes. (G)

With: Fran Bulpit, Philip Rowe & Dave Yeomans, Mike Courthold

Weekend or Day tickets Only
11:15 to 12:45Festival Band PracticeTown HallCome and join the Festival Band! Everyone welcome. Music available here: [link to follow]

With: The Falconers

Weekend or Day tickets Only
11:15 to 12:45Connection in ContraOlympiad: RiverbankDancing is joyful when we connect with our fellow dancers! We'll practise helping and connecting with others, and experiment with spice and flourishes for everybody to play with safely. (A)

With: Bearded Dragons, Charlie Turner

Weekend or Day tickets Only
11:15 to 12:40Squares and Contras Without a WalkthroughOlympiad: Sports HallFive or ten minutes explanation and from then on it's solid dancing. For dancers who know their figures, can react quickly and not panic if things go wrong, and will turn up on time! (G)

With: WillPower, Colin Hume

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

Weekend or Day tickets Only
13:40 to 13:55Callers’ Showcase Meet-UpNeeldFor callers in the callers' showcase.

With: Bob Morgan

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

With: Mollie Koenigsberger & Ali Messer, Bob Morgan

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

With: Will Allen, Kevin & Carol Monaghan

Weekend, Day or Event tickets Only
14:00 to 15:30Theatre Games for Playford DancersOlympiad: RiverbankFun games from physical theatre and movement training to improve the co-ordination, style, rhythm, connection and group communication of your dancing. All dancer levels welcome. (P)

With: Bearded Dragons, Daisy Black

Weekend or Day tickets Only
14:00 to 15:30Something BorrowedOlympiad: Sports HallA selection of Squares & Contras that include figures taken from Modern Western Square Dancing. (G)

With: Contra Sutra (USA), Mike Courthold

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

With: Will Allen, Kevin & Carol Monaghan

Weekend, Day or Event tickets Only
15:45 to 17:15Beyond the Duple ImproperOlympiad: Sports HallContras and American dances in formations other than two couple sets. Get ready for squares, tempests, zias and more! (A)

With: Contra Sutra (USA), Rachel Shapiro Wallace

Weekend or Day tickets Only
16:00 to 17:15Festival Band DanceNeeldCome and dance to the music of the Festival Band as they play for a mixed programme of dances comprising a selection of well known favourites. (G)

With: The Falconers, Nicola Scott

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

With: Mollie Koenigsberger & Ali Messer, Daisy Black

Weekend or Day tickets Only
19:30 to 22:30English AllsortsSt Paul's ChurchA mix of English-style dances from the USA and British Isles -- mellow to rowdy. (G)

With: Fran Bulpit, Philip Rowe & Dave Yeomans, Bruce Hamilton (USA)

Weekend or Day tickets Only
19:30 to 22:30Irish CeiliTown HallExperience the range of regional styles of Irish Set Dance. No prior experience/knowledge required. Event tickets available from Box Office. (G)

With: WillPower, Kevin & Carol Monaghan

Weekend, Day or Event tickets Only
19:45 to 22:45Contra DanceNeeldA fun evening of contras and squares. (G)

With: Contra Sutra (USA), Lynne Render

Weekend or Day tickets Only
19:45 to 22:45Techno Contra Olympiad: RiverbankHigh-octane contra dance. With music that uses traditional instruments and sounds with live hardware synthesisers, this will be a contra dance like no other this weekend! Warning: flashing lights. (A)

With: Bearded Dragons, Rachel Shapiro Wallace

Weekend or Day tickets Only

Folk Dances on Monday 27th May 2024
WhenWhatWhereDescriptionPrice
09:30 to 11:00Dance SymmetryNeeldSome contras are more symmetrical than others. Will you be in for a shock when you turn round at the end of the set or will you hardly even notice that you have changed direction? (G)

With: Chaotic Good, Lynne Render

Weekend or Day tickets Only
09:30 to 11:00Defensive DancingTown HallEver felt uncomfortable or off-balance on the dancefloor? Positive ways to change uncomfortable holds, assert personal space and communicate during ceilidh, contra, English and balfolk. (P)

With: The Falconers, Daisy Black

Weekend or Day tickets Only
09:30 to 11:00The Craft of Calling: Tools for Your BeltOlympiad: RiverbankThe unwritten contract between caller & dancers; earning/spending personal capital; making progress forwards; when & what to prompt and dropping-out; a framework for mistakes to enable rapid progress.

With: Bruce Hamilton (USA)

Weekend or Day tickets Only
09:30 to 11:00Reels, Reels and More ReelsOlympiad: Sports HallExploring different reel formations in different traditions, particularly Scottish and English country dancing. No previous Scottish dance experience required. (P)

With: Paul Hutchinson & Karen Wimhurst, Nicola Scott

Weekend or Day tickets Only
11:15 to 12:45Sea and StarsNeeldContra workshop focusing on the connection and flow within dances that feature waves and stars. (A)

With: Chaotic Good, Rachel Shapiro Wallace

Weekend or Day tickets Only
11:15 to 12:45The Fourth DimensionTown HallA mixed bag of Timeless Dances that have stood the test of time, because they were so well crafted, fit the music, and are loved by the dancers. (G)

With: The Falconers, Mike Courthold

Weekend or Day tickets Only
11:15 to 12:45Positional American SquaresOlympiad: RiverbankA ground-breaking workshop of traditional-style American Squares called positionally - no men, women or birds! For those with some experience of American Squares who like a challenge. (P)

With: Vic Smith, Colin Hume

Weekend or Day tickets Only
11:15 to 12:40Space: The Final FrontierOlympiad: Sports HallSpace between things is as important as the things themselves.Space between people, inside/outside the set, dances, footfalls, phrases,notes.We'll attend to this part of becoming a Compleat Dancer.(G)

With: Paul Hutchinson & Karen Wimhurst, Bruce Hamilton (USA)

Weekend or Day tickets Only
13:00 to 13:40Dance 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
14:00 to 15:30Dances From WilliamsburgNeeld The Williamsburg Heritage Dancers are lucky to have had many talented choreographers within their group. This workshop will include dances by some of them! (G)

With: Contra Sutra (USA), Nicola Scott

Weekend or Day tickets Only
14:00 to 15:30Working With PA and/or Recorded MusicTown HallMike will provide callers with sufficient tuition, using a wide range of hardware and software options, to achieve a professional result when working with PA and/or recorded music.

With: Mike Courthold

Weekend or Day tickets Only
14:00 to 15:30Intro to Swedish PolskaOlympiad: RiverbankLearn the basics of one of the most popular Scandinavian folkdances. Polska is a flowing, turning dance unlike any other. Accompanied by enchanting music from the distant North. No partner needed. (A)

With: Confluence, Rosie Bryce & Michael Cade-Stewart

Weekend or Day tickets Only
14:00 to 15:30Afternoon TeaOlympiad: Sports HallA gentle workshop of flowing dances to end the weekend. (A)

With: Mollie Koenigsberger & Ali Messer, Rachel Shapiro Wallace

Weekend or Day tickets Only
15:45 to 17:15TeamworkNeeldIf our part is easy, are there others whose part is hard, and what assistance might they need from us? What forms of assistance actually assist?Achieve more satisfying circles, poussettes, & stars.(G)

With: Contra Sutra (USA), Bruce Hamilton (USA)

Weekend or Day tickets Only
15:45 to 17:15Slängpolska for BeginnersOlympiad: RiverbankCome and try Slängpolska, a fun social dance from Sweden characterised by playfulness and improvisation. Accompanied by driving, twisty Scandinavian music. No partner necessary. (A)

With: Confluence, Rosie Bryce & Michael Cade-Stewart

Weekend or Day tickets Only
15:45 to 17:15Rattling’ the ChainsOlympiad: Sports HallDances which all have a variation of a chain in their choreography. Chains in different directions, chains from the ‘wrong’ side , and maybe a Teacup chain thrown into the mix. (G)

With: Mollie Koenigsberger & Ali Messer, Lynne Render

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

With: Bearded Dragons, Daisy Black

Weekend or Day tickets Only
19:30 to 22:30Mixed Farewell DanceNeeldA wind-down with friends. Suitable for all levels. (G)

With: Mollie Koenigsberger & Ali Messer, Bruce Hamilton (USA)

Weekend or Day tickets Only
19:30 to 22:30Mixed Final DanceTown HallFor more experienced dancers who like variety, a challenge or two, and probably some repartee between band, caller and dancers. (G)

With: The Falconers, Colin Hume

Weekend or Day tickets Only
19:30 to 20:10Balfolk/Scandi Session & Dance Olympiad: RiverbankA warm up for the Balfolk & Scandi Dance! Bring your instruments and/or dancing shoes. (A)

Weekend or Day tickets Only
20:15 to 22:30Balfolk & Scandi Dance Olympiad: RiverbankA Grand Tour of Balfolk and Scandi dances. (A)

With: Confluence

Weekend or Day tickets Only

Folk Dances in 2023