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 known 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 Hall[Details to follow] (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 11:00Mixed/English Dance WorkshopTown Hall[Details to follow] (P or G)

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)

Weekend or Day tickets Only
09:30 to 11:00Mixed Dance Workshop: Tunes I LikeNeeld A selection of dances with tunes that Liam particularly enjoys and hopes that you enjoy too! (G)

With: Liam Binley, Momentum

Weekend or Day tickets Only
11:15 to 12:40American Dance WorkshopOlympiad: Sports Hall[Details to follow] (A)

With: Sue Rosen (US), Hoik!

Weekend or Day tickets Only
11:15 to 12:45Mixed/English Dance WorkshopTown Hall[Details to follow] (P)

With: Brooke Friendly (US), Pair of Shears

Weekend or Day tickets Only
11:15 to 12:45Sound Engineering WorkshopOlympiad: Riverbank[Details to follow]

With: The Folk Dance Sound Collective

Weekend or Day tickets Only
11:15 to 12:40Mixed/English Dance WorkshopNeeld[Details to follow] (P or 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/English Dance WorkshopNeeld[Details to follow] (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 WorkshopOlympiad: Riverbank[Details to follow] (A)

With: Andrew Swaine, Sawney White Bird

Weekend or Day tickets Only
14:00 to 15:30American Dance WorkshopOlympiad: Sports Hall[Details to follow] (A)

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

Weekend or Day tickets Only
15:45 to 17:15Mixed Dance Workshop: Local-ish to MeNeeldDances written by people ‘local-ish’ to Liam (/from around Rutland). (G)

With: Liam Binley, 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 WorkshopOlympiad: Riverbank[Details to follow] (A)

With: Andrew Swaine, Sawney White Bird

Weekend or Day tickets Only
15:45 to 17:00American Dance WorkshopOlympiad: Sports Hall[Details to follow] (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 BallNeeld[Details to follow] Interval spot around 9pm. (P or G)

With: Bernie Culkin, Pair of Shears

Weekend or Day tickets Only
19:50 to 22:30American Contra DanceSt 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 22:30BalOlympiad: 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 11:00Mixed/English Dance WorkshopNeeld[Details to follow] (P)

With: Crowdy Kit, Brooke Friendly (US)

Weekend or Day tickets Only
09:30 to 11:00Mixed Dance Workshop: A Peek Inside My BrainTown HallDances devised by Liam which he hopes won't be too mind-boggling! Mostly English, possibly some American, and even some Scottish. (G)

With: Liam Binley, 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)

Weekend or Day tickets Only
09:30 to 11:00American Dance WorkshopOlympiad: Sports Hall[Details to follow] (P or A)

With: Charlie Turner

Weekend or Day tickets Only
11:15 to 12:45Mixed/English Dance Workshop: PostScriptum - Phillipe CallensNeeldA selection of dances by the late Philippe Callens. All of these dances are from the newly published collection ‘PostScriptum’. (G)

With: Crowdy Kit, Liam Binley

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: Details to follow

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

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

Weekend or Day tickets Only
11:15 to 12:40American Dance WorkshopOlympiad: Sports Hall[Details to follow] (A)

With: Sue Rosen (US)

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 15:30Mixed/English Dance WorkshopOlympiad: Sports Hall[Details to follow] (P or G)

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

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 17:15Callers' Workshop: Global Terminology and Positional CallingOlympiad: Riverbank[Details to follow] (P)

With: Brooke Friendly (US)

Weekend or Day tickets Only
15:45 to 17:15American Dance WorkshopOlympiad: Sports Hall[Details to follow] (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

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/English DanceTown Hall[Details to follow] (G)

With: Liam Binley, 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 WorkshopNeeld[Details to follow] (G or A)

With: Andrew Swaine, Hoik!

Weekend or Day tickets Only
09:30 to 11:00Mixed Dance Workshop: One Dance to the Tune of AnotherTown Hall[Details to follow] (P or G or A)

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)

Weekend or Day tickets Only
09:30 to 11:00Mixed/English Dance WorkshopOlympiad: Sports Hall[Details to follow] (P or G)

With: Crowdy Kit, Bernie Culkin

Weekend or Day tickets Only
11:15 to 12:45American Dance WorkshopNeeld[Details to follow. Possibly medley(s)] (P or A)

With: Charlie Turner, Hoik!

Weekend or Day tickets Only
11:15 to 12:45Mixed/English Dance WorkshopTown Hall[Details to follow] (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/English Dance WorkshopOlympiad: Sports Hall[Details to follow] (G)

With: Crowdy Kit, Frances Oates

Weekend or Day tickets Only
14:00 to 15:30Mixed Dance Workshop: From One Extreme to the OtherNeeldFrom Playford & Kynaston to modern-day Contra. In this workshop, we’re going to do it all! (G)

With: Liam Binley, Audrey Jaber (US), Bruce Rosen (US)

Weekend or Day tickets Only
14:00 to 15:30Callers' Workshop: ChoreographyTown Hall[Details to follow] (P)

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 WorkshopOlympiad: Sports Hall[Details to follow] (G)

With: Crowdy Kit, Geoff Cubitt

Weekend or Day tickets Only
15:45 to 17:15Mixed/English Dance WorkshopNeeld[Details to follow] (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 WorkshopOlympiad: Sports Hall[Details to follow] (G or 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 22:30Mixed/English DanceNeeld[Details to follow. To include 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