Spare Parts are based in Lewes, East Sussex. We write and play arrangements of British dance music on concertinas and fiddle. Valmai writes songs on Sussex subjects. They play for Magic Lantern shows, collaborations with Lewes History Group and Lewes Little Theatre, the ‘Shepherds Arise!’ collection of old Sussex carols and tunes, and the mysterious ancient sport of dwyle flunking. They help to run Lewes Saturday Folk Club, which meets every Saturday night and also puts on nationally-known workshops for folk musicians and singers (over 300 workshops to date). They also run monthly practice sessions for people wanting to learn tunes popular in local English tunes sessions, and helped compile the Lewes Favourites tune books which resulted from the practice evenings.

 

Colum Sands has performed in over thirty countries around the world, confirming the universal appeal for the songs and stories with which he observes the minute and often humorous details of life. A member of the internationally renowned Sands Family from County Down, Colum established his reputation as a songwriter with the release of his first solo album, Unapproved Road in 1981. Songs like Whatever you say, say nothing, and Almost every Circumstance were soon in the repertoire of artists from Billy Connolly to Maddy Prior and June Tabor. On his travels around the world he soon discovered that many of his songs had arrived before him, carried by other singers and in recordings by fellow performers like Andy Irvine, Tommy Makem and Liam Clancy, Roy Bailey, Mick Hanley, Gerard van Maasakkers, Rosemary Woods, Iain McIntosh and Enda Kenny.

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Compelling Northumbrian music, lively social dances and a vibrant atmosphere – these are the hallmarks of a Barn Dance led by The Hedgehog’s Skin, for over 25 years one of North-East England’s most active and popular traditional bands. People love dancing to their music.

The band’s philosophy is simple: they only play great tunes and they only do great dances, carefully chosen to suit the particular occasion. If you’ve danced to The Hedgehog’s Skin already, you’ll need no persuading. If you haven’t, you’re in for a treat!

Daisy is based in Sheffield, where she runs the popular dance and music session, Playford in the Pub.  She calls for contra, ceilidh and English dances, and particularly enjoys making historical dances lively and accessible for new and more experienced dancers.  She also uses her experience as a drama researcher, theatre practitioner and storyteller to give dances momentum, narrative and energy.

Charlotte Rich-Griffin is a friendly contra dance caller from Oxford. She loves sharing the joy of contra dances with dancers of all levels of experience. She will be leading a series of American contra dance workshops for beginners and improvers. The start of the week will focus on the fundamentals of contra dance, followed by workshops which will emphasise dancing with confidence, energy and style.

Bob has been calling for almost 20 years now, in a range of styles. He is passionate about accessible calling and developing new callers. This year you’ll find him sharing the MC duties at the callers showcase night and calling for the last family ceilidh of the week.

Five musicians at the top of their game, honed from years of performance. With talent in great measure, they showcase their creativity & technical brilliance in every song. Intriguingly crafted classics and soul searching ballads shine with five-part harmonies and instrumental virtuosity, all introduced with dry wit and audacious humour. A unique band ….. to see them is a must.  

Doug (voice, melodeon) and Sarah (voice, fiddle, viola) use their natural, expressive musicality to craft their arrangements with style and intuitive elegance. As well as drawing on some of the finest English folk song repertoire to sing in breathtaking harmony, they play English and European dance music in outstanding instrumentals and beautifully flowing tune sets.

 

Established in 1968, the Marske Fishermen’s Choir gives around 30 concerts each year. Our repertoire includes sea songs, popular songs and a few maritime hymns, all arranged by one of our founder members, the present Musical Director and accompanist, Bill Porritt.

The Choir has appeared all over Britain, and even abroad, at many musical occasions such as festivals, milestone anniversaries, TV and Radio programmes, as well as smaller local events.

Our concerts in support of social, community and fundraising events have provided entertainment for a wide variety of charities and organisations, and helped raise thousands of pounds, especially for the RNLI, by whom we were honoured with the 2006 National Group Supporters’ Award, followed in 2008 with the conferment of the Freedom of the Borough of Redcar & Cleveland.

After more than 50 years, the Choir continues to thrive and help raise money for local charitable organisations.

Contrasaurus (Benjamin Rowe — fiddle, Alan Brunier — accordion, Adam Rich-Griffin — guitar, David Ledsam — double bass) play an exciting range of energetic and dino-soaring arrangements for American contra dancing. They enjoy playing fresh and exciting tunes for contra dances, workshops, folk dance clubs and festivals throughout England. Not technically dinosaurs.

Bedlam have been performing at festivals and on the ceilidh circuit across the UK for almost 30 years. With Bryony Griffith on fiddle and recorder, Will Hampson on melodeon and bass guitar, Drew McKinlay on guitars and didgeridoo and Ross McKinlay on drums, this foursome blend traditional British, French and self penned tunes with driving rhythms and powerful harmonies to create their unique and highly danceable sound.

Andrew Swaine began calling and teaching workshops upon joining his University Playford group The Round in 1996.  He is now considered one of the country’s leading Playford callers and workshop leaders. The combination of his enthusiasm, in-depth knowledge and gentle, friendly teaching style make his dances and workshops a real treat for the dancers.

Chiltern Hundreds are a high-energy team who perform engrossing dances from the industrial North West of England. You will likely hear the booming sound of melodeons, drums and clogs before you see the dancers’ dazzling gold sashes.

Based in Bromyard, Herefordshire, The Falconers English Folk Dance Band was formed in 1975, initially to play for the fortnightly folk dance club that still meets in the town, but quickly playing to a wider audience, especially after appearances at the Sidmouth and other Folk Festivals. The band is now usually a duo, with Roger Wilkins – founder – on accordion and Maggie Percy on flute. Roger and Maggie have played together virtually from the inception of the band in 1975, and are known for their devotion to danceable music – strongly believing that, “Dancing is Music made visible”.

Renowned folk dance band Whapweasel have been delighting and exhausting the folk dance enthusiasts for over 20 years. This solid seven piece folk rock dance band have now over that time notched up 7 albums of enthralling, turbo- charged dance music attracting rave reviews and packed dance floors and the accolade of Dance Band Of The Year at the Radio Two Folk Awards. The line up includes Saul Rose-melodeon, Stuart Finden-saxophone, Fiona Finden-saxophone, Heather Bell-keyboards, Matt Price-guitar, Brian Bell-bass, and Dan Ward on drums