General Information For Prospective Performers

The festival exists to present and promote traditional folk music – primarily from the British Isles and Ireland, but occasionally from further afield.

It is run as a non-profit making venture by a few like-minded friends, all of whom are in demanding full time employment, because we love the music.

Festival Events

There are around 600 events in dozens of venues covering all aspects of traditional dance, music, song and storytelling as well as a comprehensive children's programme.

The events range from workshops in a multitude of subjects through singarounds, ballad sessions, casual concerts, barn dances, specialised dance, ritual dance display and teaching, formal concerts, family events to late night happenings.

We are NOT a main stage festival, nor do we look for flavours of the month. There is no star system but we do look to give respect to all performers.

A Working Holiday

We usually invite a mixture of full time professional performers, gifted amateurs and traditional performers. They are invited to be with us for the week on the basis of a working holiday together with their families where this is appropriate. We try to pay the professionals a ‘wage’ for the week but this in no way reflects what their individual fees might be elsewhere. With the others we try to ensure that they are not out of pocket when with us.

The essence of the festival is one of joining in or being part of a very extended family.

There also appears to be a certain kudos attached to being asked to the festival although we realise this may not necessarily pay the mortgage or feed the kids.

Accommodation

Most people are placed in good quality accommodation supplied by the festival and we try to make sure that everyone is comfortable and well informed.

The majority of our performers are booked in the late part of the previous year but we are constantly adding people right up to going to our printer with the programme in late June.

The pattern of the festival and its place in the calendar of like events usually means that we have accommodation available for last minute additions to the programme for the last two days of the event (Thursday & Friday)

What we do not have is any significant amounts of cash.

However, the chance is there for latecomers to enjoy the finale of what we feel is a unique festival at no cost other than a little of their time and talent.

If you are interested, please contact the festival.