Workshops

IVFDF always offers a wide range of workshops and taster sessions and 2008 is no exception with over 40 workshops scheduled for the weekend.

Workshops are scheduled throughout Saturday and Sunday morning see the full timetable for more details

Workshops labelled with a (B) are particularly aimed at beginers. Workshops labeled with (I) for intermediate are aimed at people with some experience or quick learners. All other workshops are suitable for all.

Dance Workshops

American Flatfooting (B)(with Sara Marshall) 

Try something different with the rhythms of this exciting dance style. Be prepared to be challenged! You will need smooth soled or tap shoes.

Appalachian (B)(with Feet First) 

A chance to learn Appalachian 'clogging' with members of Derbyshire-based Appalachian team Feet First. Have fun learning this amazingly enjoyable rhythmic dance style. Hard-soled or tap shoes useful but not essential.

Argentine Tango(with Janeen Akhtar) 

Slinky, sexy, satisfying - the real thing. Couple dancing with real communication. No partner necessary. Soft shoes recommended.

Beginner's Ceilidh(with Pete Rees) 

Pete Rees's Big Bad Ceilidh Workshop. If you're new to ceilidhing, or an intermediate who wants to brush up on your skills this one's for you. No need to bring a partner.

Bollywood Dance(with Sheena Brabazon) 

The best moves from modern Indian cinema are high-energy and fun. Bring water and a great sense of humour.

Boomshanka Tribal Bellydance (B)(with Julia Bisby) 

A lively, fun and energising workshop that is suitable for women of all shapes and sizes. You will learn a combination of basic moves, steps and shimmies that form an impressive choreography.

Breton Singing and Dancing(with Gwen Ambuhl & Graham Knapp) 

French songs for circle, chain and couple dances, and have a go at the dances. All levels welcome.

Clog (B)(with Vikki Lewis) 

Try clogging in the Lancashire style. No experience necessary. Hard soled shoes or clogs needed.

Contra(with Andrew Swaine) 

Contra dancing is tantric, high-energy, exhilarating, dizzifying... what the American dance scene was inventing while we were busy inventing English Ceilidh. A conversion course for ceilidh goers before this evening's main event.

Cotswold Morris(with Pecsaetan) 

Come and try a Cotswold hanky dance Pecsaetan style. Bring hankies if you have them, but don't worry if not.

Dance 4 All(with Gwen Ambuhl) 

Dance workshop for people with learning disabilities in association with the Burton Street Foundation. 1 to 1 carer free.

French Dance(with Eurosession) 

Slinky dances of central France, including the waltz, bourree and schottish.

Grenoside Longsword Dance(with Grenoside) 

A unique Sword Dance and the first to be collected by Cecil Sharp in 1910. The workshop will teach the figures and the distinctive Break Step. Bring stepping shoes/ clogs if you have them, not obligatory though.

Macedonian Song & Dance(with East Handed) 

Learn to sing and dance Macedonian style - lively jazzy fresh melodious original evocative rhythmic Balkan music! Workshops suitable for everyone, get rocking to the Balkan beat.

Molly (with Gog Magog) 

OK, we admit it, you don't HAVE to be mad to do molly dancing, but it does help! Danced to a step-hop throughout, it's like morris dancing but sillier and more fun - and there's not a hanky in sight. Gog Magog have made this dance form their own over recent years - so learn from the experts.

Non-Traditional Border Morris (with Boggart's Breakfast) 

Boggart's Breakfast dance their own composed dances in a modern variation on the border morris style. Learn some really unusual and interesting figures you won't have seen anywhere else.

Playford with Attitude (with Rhodri Davies) 

Playford published "The English Dancing Master" at the end of the English Civil war when you might expect that dancing would not have been allowed. Time to recapture the subversive spirit of the original and dance with style, energy and enjoyment.

Pole Dancing (with Eve Webster) 

A taster session, looking at basic spins and transitional moves for this increasingly popular dance form. Sign up at the Welcome Desk - numbers strictly limited.

Rapper Sword Dance (with Triskele) 

Try this fast-moving traditional sword dancing. Beginners-Intermediate. Smooth hard soled shoes useful but not essential.

Roaring '20s (with Sheena Brabazon) 

Come and learn to Charleston, Blackbottom and shimmy till your garters break! Smooth-soled shoes a must for the sliding steps.

Salsa Rueda (with Mike Gibbs & Heidi Newberry) 

Rueda is danced with couples in a circle. Dancers perform salsa moves when called - Latin barn dancing.

Scandi Dance (with Eurosession) 

Try out atmospheric couple dances from the dark north lands, including the polska (quite different to the polka) and schottish. No partner necessary. Non-grippy shoes make turning easier.

Scottish Country Dance (B) (with Debbie Hammond) 

Simple fun dances to cover basic formations and steps, skip change and strathspey. Could also be considered a Scottish conversion course!

Scottish Country Dance (I) (with Alison Edmondson) 

Try some more Scottish dance figures in the intricate dances written by John Drewry. Previous experience of Scottish dancing is an advantage, but is by no means necessary!

Swing (with Linda Moon) 

Ever popular, fun dancing with a partner to swinging tunes. No partner necessary.

Music & Song Workshops

Music 4 All (with Gwen Ambuhl) 

Great fun musical games for people with learning disabilities in association with the Burton Street Foundation. 1 to 1 carer free.

Fiddle (with Jess Arrowsmith) 

Participatory workshop, for beginner/intermediate fiddle players who can already play at least a simple tune. The workshop will explore phrasing, ornamentation and bowing techniques, playing by ear and helping you to develop your own style.

Harmony Singing (with Fay Hield) 

Learn warm up techniques, vocal control and tools for creating harmonies. Enthusiasm is more valuable than perfect pitch for this workshop, come along and sing your head off.

International Song (with Frances Watt) 

Harmony singing from the icy Inuit to the deserts of Southern Africa with a bit of Eastern Europe inbetween (if we're lucky). A whistle round some world harmony singing. No need to read music. No need to be the world's best singer. You just need to enjoy singing with other people and having a go!

Macedonian Song & Dance (with East Handed) 

Learn to sing and dance Macedonian style - lively jazzy fresh melodious original evocative rhythmic Balkan music! Workshops suitable for everyone, get rocking to the Balkan beat.

Melodeon (with Martin Keates) 

Participatory workshop, for beginner/intermediate melodeon players who can already play at least a simple tune. The workshop will explore ways to develop your technique. Led on a G/D box but anyone welcome.

Playing for Dancing (with Gloworms) 

Exploring how to make music exciting for dancers as a band. Bring your own instrument if you want to play.

Scandinavian Dance Tunes (with Carol Turner) 

Learn some tunes to match a few of the regional polska styles of Sweden. All instruments welcome (but tunes commonly in G, D or A)

Shape Note Singing (with Carmel Wood & Simon Dumpleton) 

An introduction to this rich American harmony tradition as heard on Cold Mountain. Prepare to sing with enthusiasm. All welcome.

Sheffield Carols (with Ray Ellison) 

Re-visit the joys of Christmas with this unique and beautiful local tradition - all singers welcome, dots provided for melody players.

Sheffield Tunes (with Paul Davenport) 

Sheffield Tunes from the Burnett Ms. and other local collections. The workshop will explore the local fiddle tradition with special reference to the virtuosic Sheffield Hornpipes. Written notation will be provided and a 'by-ear' session will allow players to access these unique dance tunes. The workshop is suitable for all abilities and will, in addition, consider ways of interpreting the tunes and developing style in playing them.

Slow and Steady Tune Session (with Val Huzzard) 

An informal music session to play tunes together at a steady pace. All musicians welcome, especially those who are new to sessioning or don't fancy attempting to keep up with 100mph fiddle tunes!

Songwriting (with Simon Heywood) 

We're aiming to send you away from this workshop with at least a new chorus and maybe half of verse one. Hints and tips from a master.

Survivors' Scratch Band (with Trinculo) 

If you want to play at the survivors' ceilidh on Sunday, come along to the scratch band rehearsal, led by members of Sheffield ceilidh band Trinculo. Open to all musicians.

Other Workshops

Calling for English Ceilidhs 1 (with Andrew Swaine) 

Calling for English Ceilidhs 2 (with Nick Walden) 

A pair of flexible workshops covering some or all aspects of the marvellous art of calling.

Live Sound Engineering (with Tom Wright) 

A guide to setup and use of PA for folk concerts and Ceilidhs. Bring a note pad!

Massage Therapy (with Alley York) 

Do you fancy a chance to recharge your batteries? Come and learn some simple massage techniques usable on tired muscles at work and home.

Pilates (with Eve Webster) 

Have a go at this challenging and yet really relaxing exercise technique focussing on core stability. Bring your carry-mat if possible! All fitness levels welcome.

Sock Monsters (with Abi Gibbens) 

Learn the basic how-tos, tricks and techniques of making your very own sock monster. No sewing experience necessary. All equipment provided, though feel free to bring your own sock if you wish!

Storytelling (with Simon Heywood) 

Where the cocks never crew and the winds never blew and the devil never sounded his horn - where's that? Find out at this beginner's practical introduction to the forgotten folk art.