An overview of who’s on today. All information subject to change.
The festival programme with full details of locations and timings is available to purchase from the Whitby Folk Week Shop, as well as various venues in Whitby including Holmans, Arch & Abbey, Station Inn, Tourist Information and Whitby Pavilion.
Special Events
Book Launch The Yorkshire Songster – A new edition of folk songs from Yorkshire has been produced by Clive Boutle and edited by Steve Gardham. Steve will be introducing the book and singing some of the songs together with Nick Dow, Bryony Griffith & Alice Jones; Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne and Mossy Christian
The Roy Palmer Lecture – Jon Boden presents the ‘The Folk Revival’ A view from the middle. In this informal lecture, Jon reflects on the ups and downs of this extraordinary cultural movement and makes the case for optimism
Concerts
Ailsa Dixon – Aisling Holmes – Alex Cumming & Audrey Jaber – Anne Lamb – Annie Winter – Anthony & Heather Robb – Arthur Knevett – Banter – Bryony Griffith & Alice Jones – Close Quarters – Crows – Culverake – Dan Quinn – David & Joey Oliver – Derek Schofield – Enda Kenny – Ffion Phillips – Gavin & Amy Davenport – Granny’s Attic – Helen Capes – Iris Skipworth – Janet Russell – Janice Burns & Jon Doran – Jess & Richard Arrowsmith – Jim Murray & TGTHB – Jim Woodland – Jimmy Crowley & Eve Telford – Joanie Crump – John McIntosh – Julia Pollock – Ken Wilson – Kevin Sheils – Lainey Dempsey – Luke Daniels – Lynda Hardcastle & Alan Rose – Lynne Heraud & Pat Turner – Martyn Wyndham-Read – Mary Cryan – Mossy Christian – Nancy Kerr & James Fagan – Nick Dow – Pete Coe – Pete Morton – Peter & Barbara Snape – Sandra Kerr – Sherburn Bartley Sanders – Sisters Unlimited – Stanley Accrington – Sue Burgess – The Davenports – The Wilderness Yet – Vic Gammon – Will & Pippa Noble – Wynton Moore
Ceilidhs & Dances
Family Ceilidh – Ian Nichols; Drinks on the House; Shonaleigh: The Gillow Family
Irish Hoolie – MC Jerry O’ Reilly; The London Lasses; Rosie Davis; Thomas McCarthy; Jimmy Crowley & Eve Telford; Wynton Moore; Macdara Yeates; Rosie Stewart; Enda Kenny; David & Joey Oliver
Playford Costume Ball Then Late Night Playford – Playford Costume Ball with Mollie and Ali & Thomas Bending, followed by high-energy late-night Playford with Oakstone Trio & Bob Morgan. Dance display by Flag & Bone Gang
Storytelling
Ailsa Dixon – Ffion Phillips – Graham Pirt – Jim & Lynette Eldon – Kirsty Hannah – Simon Heywood – Taffy Thomas – Tom Goodale – Tyburn Road
Talks, Chats & Interviews
Presentation – The Jarrow Crusade – Graham Pirt – A preview of the folk opera of the same name that Graham hopes to present at next year’s festival
Whitby Interview – Not sure who’s interviewing who – but Katie Howson & Roger Digby chat to each other about their music and experiences
Folkies On Film (2 Of 2) – Join Jonny Mohun as he forages for the furtive folkie lurking in dusty corner of TV & film
Workshops
Running Set Dance Workshop – Lead by Annabel & Nigel Sharp and Morris Oxford
Intermediate/ Advanced Melodeon Workshop – Learn some Irish tunes on the button accordion with Luke Daniels.
English Tunes Practice Session – Spare Parts Concertina Band. Mixed ability, learning by ear and from dots
Festival Orchestra (4 of 6) – with Carol Dawson & Steve Le Voguer
Beginners Whistle Workshop – with May Cheadle
Irish Set Dance Workshop – Jerry O’Reilly & Rosie Davis will review of sets taught so far and other dances ahead of tonight’s Irish Hoolie
Tai Chi Quan Workshop (2 of 4) – with Melvin Samuel
North West Morris Workshop (2 of 2) – Old Speckled Hen will be teaching New Mills, a dance for 6 that includes both polka and single stepping. Suitable for intermediate dancers
Longsword Workshop (3 of 5) – with Southport Swords
Cotswold Morris Workshop (2 of 2) – Come and learn a couple of Berkshire Bedlam’s living repertoire of original dances rooted in the Cotswold tradition. Intermediate to advanced. Please bring hankies
Shape Note Singing (3 of 5) – Four-part harmony shape note singing with Phil Tyler. No experience necessary
Songwriting Workshop – Nancy Kerr shares advice on writing original songs, taking inspiration and form from traditional materials to create new pieces
Beginners Clog Workshop (3 of 5) – with Camden Clog
Constructing Vocal Harmonies Workshop (2 of 2) – Jess Arrowsmith takes you through a simple method of understanding chords and harmonies to bring new life to your vocal arrangements
Flag & Bone Workshop (1 of 3) – with Flag & Bone Gang
Singing In Harmony Workshop (4 of 5) – with Carolyn Robson & Moira Craig. No experience necessary
Tunes Workshop – with Alistair Anderson. Some New Tunes from Northumberland. Tunes from the late 20th & 21st century that may or may not enter the tradition. It’s players like you who decide! Any melodic instrument. Notation will be available
Beginners Pipes Workshop – with Aisling Holme. A complete beginners taster session. Thanks to The Bagpipe Society for the loan of the student border style pipes
American Dance Workshop – Rattlin’ the Chains with Lynne Render: Contras and maybe the odd square using various types of chains. Some contra dance experience neccesary. With Alex Cumming & Audrey Jaber
Village Band Workshop (2 of 3) – with Dave Townsend
Intermediate Whistle Workshop – with May Cheadle
Playford For All Workshop – A fun and informal introduction to Playford dancing! Lead by Matthew Vernon. With Oakstone Trio
Intermediate Clog Workshop (4 of 5) – with The Gillow Family
Carols In August – Ian Russell “One Village, One Tradition “. Carols from Castleton in the Hope Valley. Singers, instrumentalists, enthusiasts, reprobates, drinkers – All Welcome
Next Steps In Playford Workshop (4 of 6) – Not actually Playford…but close! – with Thomas Bending, see Page XX for details. With Mollie and Joshua
Advanced Clog Workshop (4 of 5) – with Tiffany Walker
West Gallery Workshop (3 of 4) – with Dave Townsend
Clog For The Family – with May Cheadle. All welcome
Contemporary Poetry Workshop (4 of 4) – Angela Topping will nurture your skills and inspire your writing
English Dance Workshop – Norfolk Capers – Bob Morgan leads dances from the collections of Peggy Hazel a caller from Norfolk who started calling at 60 and writing dances at 62. She then wrote and published 200 in 10 years! Intermediate dancing level – mostly common figures with uncommon figures walked through carefully. With Fran & Philip
Contra Flow Dance Workshop – Led by Charlie Turner, dance contras with satisfying flow and explore ways to enhance that flowy contra dance experience for yourself and your fellow dancers. Fun for all experience levels! With Trip Hazard
Children & Young People
Playtime For Children Aged 3 To 6 (Under 3 Welcome With An Adult) – Come and join the Playtime team. There will be an opportunity to join in crafts, playdough, games, stories, songs and dance.
Playworks For Children Aged 7 To 11 – Children will be able to participate in a range of crafts, games and songs, and lots of silliness with the Playworks team
Longsword For Children Aged 7 To 14 – Children have the opportunity to learn a range of longsword dances with Sue Coe and Mossy Christian
Yoof Club (For 10 To 18 Year Olds) – Bryony Griffith & Will Hampson
Youth Orchestra For Children 8 Years And Over – Lesley, Kerry and Will lead the children in ensemble arrangements of popular folk tunes. All abilities welcome ability to read music is preferred
Children’s Folk Choir – Lesley, Kerry and Will will teach the children a selection on well known songs. (If you have a pirate hat, please bring it along)