Folk Festivals UK May/June

Subject: RE: Folk Festivals UK May/June
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 01 Dec 16 - 08:22 AM

theres generally a ceildh at Weymouth. Lots of morris dancers and various troupes also - rapper dances, appalachian etc. and generally we get nice weather - although I don't like to tempt fate.

Subject: RE: Folk Festivals UK May/June
From: Sarah the flute
Date: 01 Dec 16 - 02:09 AM

Rochester sweeps has well attended ceilidh (not just tired morris dancers!) but also loads of sessions and singarounds and concerts in the pubs too - all genres of music - something for everyone really.

Subject: RE: Folk Festivals UK May/June
From: Mr Red
Date: 30 Nov 16 - 04:40 AM

remember the request was: dates, song and dance. A lot of these mentioned festivals are concerts and maybe sessions eg Wimbourne. If the OP'er wanted Morris it would be stated (one assumes).

eg Rochester Sweeps info is light on ceilidh heavy on Morris. They have a ceilidh but in my experience loadsa Morris means their dancers have danced enough by evening, not many go to the ceilidh. And Joan Armatrading (STC) is their headline act, which tells you how much Folk they want (cf footfall).
Upton make a feature of their ceilidhs, & headline acts are definitely FOLK, not exclusively trad but a good balance. Song and music sessions are well attended in real ale pubs.

Whatever festivals Hrothgar gets to, it can be expected that the welcome will be very convivial. Particularly if you want to participate in the entertainment. That's folkies for you.

Subject: RE: Folk Festivals UK May/June
From: GUEST,big al whittle
Date: 29 Nov 16 - 09:06 PM

also theres Wimborne - also Dorset


http://wimbornefolk.co.uk/

Subject: RE: Folk Festivals UK May/June
From: GUEST,big al whittle
Date: 29 Nov 16 - 09:02 PM

this a good one - first week of june and a beautiful setting - all round the harbour in Weymouth, Dorset. plenty of accommodation locally.


http://www.wessexfolkfestival.com/about-wff

and its pretty free and easy. you can either perform or just spectate.

Subject: RE: Folk Festivals UK May/June
From: GUEST,the wanderer
Date: 29 Nov 16 - 01:37 PM

Dentdale beer & music festival in the Yorkshire Dales village of Dent, the last weekend in June, the best free festival going, though you do have to pay for the beer.

Subject: RE: Folk Festivals UK May/June
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 29 Nov 16 - 10:17 AM

If it is any help, hrothgar, and you are not averse to 'roughing it' I have a decent(ish) tent and some camping equipment that you can borrow if you are passing by the Skipton area. I am pretty sure I can trust fellow mudcatters to treat it respectfully :-) What you cannot trust though is the British weather :-(

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: Folk Festivals UK May/June
From: Sarah the flute
Date: 29 Nov 16 - 08:58 AM

Down south festivals include Kent's

Rochester Sweeps Festival

and the Sussex

Jack in the Green in Hastings

Both first weekend of May

Subject: RE: Folk Festivals UK May/June
From: Mr Red
Date: 29 Nov 16 - 05:48 AM

I have assumed the OP implies participation.

Upton upon Severn is a smallish festival with loadsa Morris, 2 ceilidhs and a singaround in the Muggery pub. Plus ad hoc ceilidhs under the bridge. Early May Bank Holiday

Chippenham is right in the middle of Hrothgar's window and has everything requested. See you there - I will most likely be in the information cabin, at the ceilidhs and in the Old Road Tavern which is a session, the song is more likely to be in the Bear Hotel.

Tredegar House Festival is mid May in Newport, Wales. It had 2 ceilidhs and plenty of singing last time I was there. The house proper was built from the proceeds of piracy!

Subject: RE: Folk Festivals UK May/June
From: GUEST,Nick (guest)
Date: 29 Nov 16 - 05:23 AM

There's Shepley (in Yorkshire) in mid-May. Always a good mix of acts, although mainly for campers and interesting weather guaranteed.

Subject: RE: Folk Festivals UK May/June
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Nov 16 - 05:07 AM

Er .... Sweeps festival, Rochester in Kent 1st May bank holiday ?

Subject: RE: Folk Festivals UK May/June
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 28 Nov 16 - 07:55 PM

There will be a new version of the TMSA (Traditional Music and Song Association of Scotland) Calendar for 2017 out soon, from which you'll get some, but not all of the Scottish Festivals: here is the 2016 one, from which you can get their websites and follow up: http://www.tmsa.org.uk/music-events-scotland.asp

Subject: RE: Folk Festivals UK May/June
From: Noreen
Date: 28 Nov 16 - 04:37 PM

Hi Hrothgar, you say Priorities are (1) Singing (2) Dancing

If you could be more specific we could maybe help narrow it down further.

For example, do you want to:
1) go to concerts of singing
2) attend workshops to learn about singing / how to sing better
3) take part in singarounds
   a) unaccompanied
   b) with instruments

4) watch dancing (of what variety?)
5) take part in dancing workshops (of what variety?)
6) attend ceilis/ other organised mass dances (you get the picture)

7) attend:
   a) larger festivals with well-known booked acts to watch
   b) smaller, more intimate festivals where you are more likely to
      see the same people at numerous events?


Lots of knowledge here from festival-goers who are happy to help :)

Subject: RE: Folk Festivals UK May/June
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 28 Nov 16 - 04:31 AM

This is the Living Tradition calendar;

Festival calendar

Subject: RE: Folk Festivals UK May/June
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 27 Nov 16 - 07:36 PM

And then of course "April in Paris" - been there it is near Holmfirth - Oh yes it is!

Subject: RE: Folk Festivals UK May/June
From: Mo the caller
Date: 27 Nov 16 - 10:31 AM

Lichfield Friday 16th to Sunday 18th June 2017 concentrates on American and Playford dance. There are also 4 'playing for dancing' workshops and 2 of these lead to playing for a dance.
It all happens in a school and a Leisure Centre next door, but on Saturday afternoon there is a Shanty session in a pub in the town centre (short walk)
There are usually Morris teams in town on Sat (but not last time)

Eastbourne 28th April - 1st May 2017 is another dance festival (never been but highly spoken of)

Most festivals have an evening ceilidh and maybe a workshop from one of the display sides but concentrate on concerts, singaround & session (wild, ignorant generalisation)

Subject: RE: Folk Festivals UK May/June
From: Mo the caller
Date: 27 Nov 16 - 10:18 AM

I would echo Chippenham May 26th - 29th (Bank holiday weekend)for almost every kind of folk.
Singing (acoustic) to listen to and swell the chorus, in a converted chapel
Shanty sessions in pubs (round the room and swell the chorus)
Other concerts

All kinds of dance, choice of 2 workshops (lasting 90 minutes each) all morning, & early afternoon - one usually
American (Squares and Contra),
the other Playford type (which I believe Americans call English)

Ceilidh (the other kind of 'English') in the evening, and lunchtime. Lively simpler dances.

Some afternoon workshops in other types of dance - some years there has been Irish Set dance, or Scottish /Welsh / 19th century / maypole.
Dance displays in town in the afternoon. Morris & Step dance, probably workshops in those too (if you could be in several places at once)

Also music workshops and the chance to play together in pub sessions

Subject: RE: Folk Festivals UK May/June
From: Mr Red
Date: 27 Nov 16 - 08:50 AM

Beverley used to have a ceilidh and Chrissy Wade not only played in a ceilidh band but I remember seeing her bouree to a band at a Festival concert. Now, I suspect no participatory dance!
The current prognosis is echoed by lack of words like dance or ceilidh in the booked guests' schpiel and tellingly - evidence in the video. Unless you value a thin mosh pit on grass.
The location is the racecourse, which is an expansion from what I remember of nice town venues.

Subject: RE: Folk Festivals UK May/June
From: GUEST,Glen
Date: 27 Nov 16 - 07:01 AM

Surprised that no-one has mentioned Falmouth Sea Shanty Festival. Off the top of my head, it's 16th-18th June and is definitely worth a visit

Subject: RE: Folk Festivals UK May/June
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 27 Nov 16 - 05:27 AM

Beverley 16-18 June 2017. I thought Whitby Moor and Coast was May/June time but just seen that it is cancelled for 2017 and back in 2018 - You will have to come back :-)

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: Folk Festivals UK May/June
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 27 Nov 16 - 05:04 AM

You can get me liquid any time you like. Anything above 4% will do!

Subject: RE: Folk Festivals UK May/June
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 26 Nov 16 - 09:23 PM

If I told you that Steve I might have to get you liquidated or even worse sent back to Lancashire!

Subject: RE: Folk Festivals UK May/June
From: GUEST,Guest - barely awake
Date: 26 Nov 16 - 09:21 PM

Just to liven things up, I could suggest Inneshowen in March.
Or Shrewsbury in August or Hartlepool in October.
And I think there is something in Whitby in August as well.

Subject: RE: Folk Festivals UK May/June
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 26 Nov 16 - 08:10 PM

I am. I'm in exile and have been since 1969. Now that you know all about me, who are you?

Subject: RE: Folk Festivals UK May/June
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 26 Nov 16 - 08:00 PM

Thought you were a Lankie Steve?

Subject: RE: Folk Festivals UK May/June
From: Leadfingers
Date: 26 Nov 16 - 11:45 AM

If you find yourself at a loose end in Thames Valley or West London , message me

Subject: RE: Folk Festivals UK May/June
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 26 Nov 16 - 10:08 AM

There's Bude Folk Festival, 26-29 May. There's a website of the same name. A friendly little festival with singing a-plenty and, maybe, dancing... and Bude and area is totally gorgeous in late May. I should know - I live here! 😊

From Steve, the three-legged, strictly non-dancing carthorse.

Subject: RE: Folk Festivals UK May/June
From: Mr Red
Date: 26 Nov 16 - 06:35 AM

Upton
Great Alne
Chippers
Lichfield
are all May/June but not in 1917!

If you are here for more than a week, you may be taking in mid week things. My list might help, best to go for the map
If you are doing the Shakespeare thing, there is a Folk Club in Stratford and not too far away is the Fleece at Bretforton - a beautiful old old pub and Thursday there is a session/singaround. Run by Nigel, a very astute businessman who happens to be a real folkie and ex-Morris dancer, and he knows his real ales - trust me. Look for the marks around the fireplaces that ward off witches (must work since I ain'ta never seen one there)

Subject: RE: Folk Festivals UK May/June
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 26 Nov 16 - 05:03 AM

Sidmouth is August, not May/June!

My Scottish list: right at the beginning of May, same weekend:
Girvan Traditional Music Festival -plenty of singing, guest soloists and bands, competitions, children's events, workshops, sessions and a ceilidh.
Shetland Folk Festival - more instrumental stuff

Usually mid-May: Fifesing - traditional singing weekend in Falkland (Fife). Guest singers, typically from Scotland, Ireland, England, USA and singing sessions.

Late May: whisky festival on Islay, but I believe there us some music attached to the dramming!

Isle of Arran: early June. Sessions.

End of June: Falkland Traditional Music Festival: concerts, sessions.

Will add to list, and links, later.

Subject: RE: Folk Festivals UK May/June
From: Mr Red
Date: 26 Nov 16 - 03:51 AM

I booked a room for the GF at Chippenham last month - worth a try. Not 8 miles but a good walk. She drives so as to not waste a moment.
Try soon for the Premier Inn, Chippenham

There is, of course, Sidmouth but the hotel situation is similar - there can be cancellations. (PM me) there may be a cancellation that I could point to (will know around Xmas time).

Subject: RE: Folk Festivals UK May/June
From: Mr Red
Date: 26 Nov 16 - 03:37 AM

I dance all sorts of social dancing.
Depending on when you come.
IVFDF Cambridge this year - February is very well attended, run by Uni students but they are good at it.

My list based on the Mid West of England (plus bits of Wales) of which I would suggest:
Gloucester Cajun Festival. session, but not singing per se. Plenty of dance if you Cajun/Zydeco.
Upton on Severn** if you like Morris, they do have two ceilidhs, and pub sessions/concerts.
Great Alne for Contra Dancing
Chippenham** for plenty of ceilidh and contra, plus singarounds & concerts
Warwick has ceilidhs and good singarounds plus concerts
Towersey** has a lot of dancing and a singing tent. (Much moreso than Shrewsbury)
I like Bromyard which has 3 ceilidhs and loads pub sessions, not sure about singing sessions, but has bijou singalong concerts.
& Maybe Bristol Cajun Festival next year.

I don't list them but Lichfield has a weekend of contra dance
and Halsway Manor do a lot of weeks/weekends of all sorts. (pronounced Hallsey)

If you spot me at one of the above - say hello.

**Book soon for hotel as these are Bank Holiday weekends & popular. And check distances because most internet listings refer to the nearest large town which means a car journey. Villages and subdivisions may look the same on paper (as it were).

Subject: RE: Folk Festivals UK May/June
From: BobL
Date: 26 Nov 16 - 03:23 AM

Chippenham ticks every box bar one. There's no hotel / B&B accommodation to spare in town, so unless you're camping, you have to travel in each day from 8-10 miles away. Preferably early if you want to find a parking spot.

Subject: Folk Festivals UK May/June
From: Hrothgar
Date: 26 Nov 16 - 02:25 AM

We are looking at being in the UK for a few weeks during May/June 1917.

Can somebody recommend festivals? There seem to be heaps, but in many cases it is difficult to see where their main focus might be.

Priorities are (1) Singing (2) Dancing