The Plan for the Weekend

As always, IVFDF will involve more dancing than you can shake a stick, hanky or sword at. If you can't join us for the whole weekend, separate tickets will be available for all of the main events (details/prices).

Friday Night will see a Ceilidh with Stömp, with Adam Hughes calling a selection of dances for everyone from the complete beginner to the seasoned IVFDF-er looking for a challenge. There will also be music in the bar for those who prefer less energetic entertainment – watch this website for more details.

After a night on the classroom tiles, Saturday will be packed with over 20 workshops. These are your chance to try out traditional UK dance styles such as Cotswold, Border Morris, Maypole dancing and Highland, go international with Swing, French, Scandinavian or Tahitian dancing or brush up on your calling, singing or storytelling skills. If you want to shake, hit, pluck or blow things then join a musicians. workshop or just start playing and wait for people to join in; there will always be a session running, with a range of different session leaders to ensure that everyone (including beginners) will find their style catered for. Those who want to buy music and instruments instead of just looking at them will find all they need (and some things which seem like a good idea at the time) at the craft fair. In the afternoon there's a chance to catch your breath between dances, show off your best dance and see what everyone else is up to in the Display Ceilidh with Fendragon and Lizzie Dougherty.

Once the Morris Tour gets back from its trip round Cambridge we'll be in for a packed evening. It kicks off with an extended American Contra workshop and dance with Diane Silver and Changeling, both on tour from the States. “Scotland's Ace Accordionist” Sandy Brechin's band The Sensational Jimi Shandrix Experience (including James Gray, who played for us in 2001) will be joining us from Scotland for a Scottish dance, called by Andrew Kellett. We are grateful to the RSCDS and a donation in memory of Susan Nedderman for making this possible. Junction 24 will keep everyone moving in an English Ceilidh, called by the amazing Sheila Mainwaring, while a Roots Ceilidh will feature the unique global rhythms and energy of Boka Halat. Sandy Brechin will finish the evening with late night music.

On Sunday the sessions continue, there will be over 20 more workshops, then the Survivors' Ceilidh. Bring your instrument and join the scratch band, bring a dance and have a go at calling for the first or the n^th time, bring a friend and convince them that they really want to dance! Or simply stumble through another set of great dances and then head for a hot bath, a long sleep and the knowledge that you kept going until the bitter, bitter end.

Whatever your interest or ability, you will have a very full weekend. Programme subject to change without notice – please watch this website for details.