Dance
Le Vendredi danse (balfolk)
This year we are delighted to have 'Metheglin' playing for us on Friday night at the Civic Hall
(upstairs) from 8.30 - 10.30 pm. This wonderful Band warmed up the Eurobal crowd at the Gower Folk Festival, prior to Blowzabella, last year.
Le Vendredi Danse, our local eurofolk group will start the evening (musicians) 6.30pm, dancing from 7.00pm
(doors open 30 mins before), there will also be a bar.
Le Vendredi Danse always support the Festival by usually playing for the Friday night dance every year and this year are supporting the Festival by not only playing at the beginning of the evening, but also partially sponsoring this Band in conjunction with the Festival.
Admission £10 on the door or via Festival ticket.
LVD regulars and guest musicians only £5 on the door
Ceilidh dances
If you like Ceilidhs, there are two on offer ! Saturday evening at the large Civic Hall we present the fabulous Wanton String Band with our favourite caller John Brown. Holmfirth Civic ! tickets £10 and £6 u/16
On sunday at 2pm until 3pm we offer our free family ceilidh at the Methodist Church. Music by the Moonraker Ceilidh Band with Jill Bond calling.
Morris Dance
There is some doubt regarding the road closure on Hollowgate both Saturday and Sunday, due to the impending works. We won't know this, nor the precise route of the parade, until much nearer the day. Meanwhile dancing will also be in various spots in and around the small town centre all weekend. On Saturday, there will be a grand procession, culminating in a spectacular show dance performance in Victoria Park overlooking the town centre. We also hope to have dance workshops for people to join in with. If you want to have a dance yourself, there will be a French music and dance session on Friday evening, a ceilidh on Saturday evening and a family ceilidh on Sunday afternoon. (see above)
Dance sides for the 2025 Festival so far - it's early days yet in the Morris world. Keep checking for updates !!
Cricket on the Hearth
Appalachian
Hathor dance troupe perform a mixture of Traditional and (slightly) more Modern belly dance styles. Over the last 24 years they have performed at hundreds of Community and Charity events as well as Private Functions, and always encourage audience participation. They rehearse at a dance studio in Huddersfield, where Troupe leader Ann Wear runs all her classes.
Milltown Cloggies are based in Dukinfield, Greater Manchester and have been dancing both locally and across the country since 1989. They dance in the North West tradition, wearing clogs. Many dances originate in the mill towns of Lancashire and North Cheshire. Their eclectic band provides the lively music. They still have five of their founder members in their side.
Powderkegs are a mixed side of Border Morris dancers and musicians formed in 2001 and based in Whaley Bridge in the Peak District. They take their name from the old gunpowder mills near their home, and their red, yellow, and gold tatters symbolise fire. The side’s evolving repertoire includes an explosive mixture of traditional and more modern dances, including a number of dances written by the side’s own members.
Slubbing Billy's are a mixed North west Morris side, founded in 1986, with a distinctive purple, woollen kit and fresh flowers in their bowlers hats. Most members live in the Holme and Colne Valleys and they practice on Tuesday evening in Slaithwaite. They are an inclusive side and are always happy to welcome new dancers and musicians – no prior experience necessary – so please talk to them if you would like to give Morris dancing a try.
Thieving Magpie is a mixed border Morris side from Marsden in the Pennine Hills of Yorkshire, formed in 2006. They like waving big sticks around and yelling. They may not be a vision of terpsichorean delight, but they do give it some welly. The collective noun for Magpies is a 'murder' but they haven't murdered anybody yet.. Their motto is 'Leave nowt but wood,blood and feathers!'.
T'Owd Man Border Morris. Dancing Morris with Attitude (in a border style) since 2020. T'Owd Man is the affectionate name given to the medieval bas-relief carving of a lead miner, currently found in St Mary's Church, Wirksworth, Derbyshire and believed to be the earliest existing depiction of a miner. They wear tatters of black, silver and grey to pay homage to the lead mining heritage of their local area.
Boggart's Breakfast
Hadrian Clog
Ringheye Morris
Mons Meg Rapper and Sword
Fox's Morris
Harlequin Morris
Kitchen Taps
Cross Key Clog
Flagcrackers of Craven
Bourne Borderers