Artists

Boka Halat

Boka Halat is a dance and concert band originally created by Roger Watson of TAPS and Musa Mboob from the Gambia in 1999. The name means 'Mutual Inspiration' in the Wolof language of Gambia/Senegal. The band mix cultural influences from West African, Indian and jazz origins with tunes from England, in a blend of rhythms, melodies and figures that you won't find anywhere else.

Boka Halat offer a unique ceilidh experience - "English moves, Global grooves" - inspiring rave reviews wherever they've gone.

The band is Musa Mboob (Sabars, Djembe, Tama, Bongo, Vocal), Roger Watson (Melodeon, Concertina, Vocal), Iqbal Khan Pathan (Dholak, Nall, Darraboukka, Tabla), Daniel Dotor-Cespedes (Bass guitars) and Zem Audu (Soprano, Alto & Tenor saxes).

"Hand-on-heart I swear they were the most inspiring, exciting, fun thing I saw all week!" - fRoots magazine.

Changeling and Diane Silver

Changeling play hot modern contras with a distinct Celtic influence. We are privileged to have Changeling and Diane Silver, from the USA, featuring IVFDF on their short UK tour.

Changeling are husband and wife duo Deborah (fiddle) and Karl Clark Colón (guitar), who play for concerts and dances across the American Midwest. Their fusion of traditional Irish and Scottish music with American chutzpah gets the pulse racing and the heart soaring. They create tremendous musical energy, "the power of ten in a package of two".

Diane Silver is a hugely talented caller and teacher from North Carolina with a wealth of experience. Addicted to all forms of traditional American dancing and an expert in most of them, Diane will be calling our American Contra dance with Changeling, and teaching a workshop in Appalachian Flatfooting. Her enthusiasm and fun, easy-going style make these events as accessible for beginners as they are appealing for more experienced dancers.

Contra dancing has been rapidly rising in popularity on the UK folk dancing scene in recent years, and the Contra dance has been a highlight of the IVFDF programme for the past 5 years or more. The dance will start with a workshop covering the basics, making this an ideal introduction to Contra dancing!

Fendragon and Lizzie Dougherty

Cambridge-based band Fendragon are a popular feature of the local ceilidh scene and are increasingly in demand further afield. Mary Humphreys (keyboards) and Anahata (melodeon) are both well-known on the national folk music circuit. They have teamed up with Dave Holland (fiddle) and Gina Holland (flute) who were founder members of Cambridge University's Round Band. The result is a versatile band who love playing for ceilidhs.

Individual band members regularly play for morris, Playford, molly, contra and French dancing, which all contribute to the band's unique ceilidh style. "Lovely stuff", according to Verity Sharp, BBC Radio 3.

Lizzie Dougherty has a wealth of calling and dancing experience. Since taking up the microphone for the first time over 7 years ago, her talent and enthusiasm have led her to master numerous types of folk dance, including Ceilidh, Playford, Molly, Irish Set, French, Contra and Scottish. Lizzie will guide you through an eclectic mix of dances, showcasing Fendragon's exciting repertoire.

Junction 24 and Sheila Mainwaring

Jazz, Funk, Fiddling. What do you get if you take three musicians who have played together since they were at school, but who have thirty years of widely varying experiences and a love of danger? Two parts Jazz Improv Session, one part Country Dance - all of it danceable English ceilidh music. Brian Stone (fiddle), Rob Woodward (keyboards) and Pete Mason (drums) play a heady mix of traditional and modern tunes for a funky, laid-back, manic ceilidh.

Sheila is used to calling for folk dances/ceilidhs throughout the country and has called at all the major Folk Festivals in the past few years. Enjoyment and fun characterise her calling. She was dance advisor at Sidmouth Folk Arts Festival for eight years and is currently dance organiser for Bromyard Festival. Dancing, according to Sheila, should be fun - so expect to be entertained.

Stömp and Adam Hughes

Stömp are a high-energy English ceilidh band who draw their music from the British Isles, Scandinavia and beyond. A huge range of traditional and contemporary sources are brought together to create an excitingly danceable sound. Intricate melodic interplay carries the tunes over the most flexible & muscular of electric rhythm sections to create a mix of marches, polkas, hornpipes and schottishes. These guys are as good as it gets. They even play an Iron Maiden tune. Stömp are Sheena Masson (concertina, flute & whistle), Martin Appleby (bass), Rob Gifford (drums & percussion), Kevin Adams (fiddle, mandolin & guitar) and Andrew King (guitars).

Adam Hughes has been calling for English, Scottish and American dances for more years than he is likely to admit, with clarity, variety, enthusiasm and a hint of mischief. A favourite at local ceilidhs and a well-known face at events across the country, it promises to be a high-adrenaline evening all the way.

The Sensational Jimi Shandrix Experience and Andrew Kellett

Not your average Scottish Country dance! Fantastic music and Scottish dance favourites will make this a once-in-a-lifetime experience. "Scotland's Ace accordionist" Sandy Brechin has toured internationally with Scottish bands Burach and Seelyhoo. His hugely popular electric ceilidh band will include IVFDF veteran James Gray (keyboards), playing jigs, reels and strathspeys like you've never heard them before.

We welcome back Andrew Kellett, a well-known name in Scottish dance circles and a veteran of such far-flung arenas as Sidmouth, Cecil Sharp House and IVFDF 2001 in Cambridge. Breviloquent but never boring, he will guide new and experienced dancers alike through a jumble of jigs, a riot of reels and a stream of strathspeys. Miss him at your peril!

Denise and Norman

Denise & Norman are musicians from the North West who play as a duo or as part of their band SARABAND. They play regularly for workshops, weekends and dances. They are also very keen dancers and like to play the way they like to dance and in a variety of styles from the graceful to the lively.

Karmadillo

Karmadillo are a Cambridge based three piece, who base their songs around the sound of a South American folk instrument known as a charango. On the Friday night they bring a pleasant mix of music that comes across as an alt-country George Formby experimenting with a lute. All mixed in with the quietly sophisticated classical music sounds of the oboe, flute and kazoo.