Lisa Heywood - Dance Caller

24/08/2026

It's been a looong time coming, but the Kickstarter for my new project is finally live!

Dance Social will be a podcast exploring social dancing through the lenses of queerness, disability and different cultures - and I need your help to make it happen!

There are some fab rewards if you pledge, including stickers and prints by Dami Fawehinme and a fabulous online launch party with Vinay from Bollyqueer

❤️ Support the project here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/lisa-dance/dance-social-a-new-podcast?

Image description: Cartoon style artwork of a large pink disco ball surrounded by joyful dancing figures. The figures have a range of skin tones from dark brown to pink and their clothes are the colours of different pride flags - trans, intersex and le***an. One is using a wheelchair, one uses a cane, one has a hearing aid and another has an artificial limb on their right leg. Overlaid text reads "Dance Social - The Dance Social Kickstarter is live!".

24/08/2026

01/06/2026

This butterfly wants you to come and dance to the fabulous in Weedon, Northants this Sat 6th June 🤩

See you there?

29/05/2026

Rainbow Maypole (or "Gaypole" if you will) ready for action at...
- 13th June
Daventry Pride - 4th July
Northampton Pride - 11th July

See you there?!

08/05/2026

The story behind my dance “the bibbity bobbity boo one” - a contra-style ceilidh dance...

I wrote this dance in the style of an American contra dance, but aimed at a ceilidh audience. I knew that the dancers wouldn’t know the conventions of contra dancing, so this dance doesn’t rely on knowing those conventions. I also love the contra dance move balance and petronella, so this was an excuse to sneak it into a ceilidh dance!

So how did the dance get it’s name? The answer to that starts with the jazz/ swing inspired ceilidh band Steamchicken....

I used to call regularly with Steamchicken, and I called this dance for the first time at a gig with them....
..they played a set which included “The Magic Song” (Bibbity Bobbity Boo) from Cinderella. So the dance became known as “The Bibbity Bobbity Boo One”!

Want to learn more?

You can find a printable dance card with more detail on my Patreon!

https://www.patreon.com/posts/bibbity-bobbity-156993006?

30/04/2026

A brief interlude from dance-related content to share that I knitted my first pair of socks! The yarn is called "Rainbow Chard" from gorgeous Wonky Veg collection. 😁

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Image description: A pair of hand knitted socks in deep red tones with small areas of orange and pink. They have reinforced heels and ribbed cuffs. Behind is a patchwork quilt in pastel tones.

22/04/2026

Three things you need to know about my
calling...

1. Your comfort is more important than doing what I say
Every body is different, and what works for some
people doesn’t work for others. I encourage everyone
to adapt the moves to suit their body and comfort - I
won’t tell you off for doing something different.

2. I see ceilidh dancing is a “team sport” - so look after
each other!
Everyone wants to have a good time at a ceilidh, and
different people like different things. I encourage folks
to check in with those around them about their energy
levels and what they’re comfortable with.

3. Having fun is more important than getting it “right”!
My motto is “as long as you’re having fun, you’re
getting it right”. Ceilidh dancing isn’t about perfection,
it’s about social connection, silliness and joy!

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Image text as in post.

16/04/2026

Learn to call for ceilidhs with me! The next cohort of my popular online "Introduction to Ceilidh Calling" course starts on Monday 15th June.

Only 6 places available so book early to avoid disappointment!

More info and booking: https://lisaheywood.net/introduction-to-ceilidh-calling-course/

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Image text: Learn to call for ceilidhs! 5 week online course, Mondays 7-9pm, Starts 15th June

Image description: Lisa, a white person in their mid thirties wearing glasses, large gold earrings, and a headset microphone. They are smiling mid-speech and have their arms open wide in a welcoming gesture. Coloured lights highlight pink glitter on their cheeks and sequins on their outfit.

09/04/2026

Let me tell you about The Weedon
Welcome, a dance I wrote to start a ceilidh with…

I was thinking about how to break down barriers to
entry when I wrote this dance. For some people, having
to find a partner is a barrier to joining in at a ceilidh…
..but other people need to stay close to someone
familiar to feel comfortable.

How to combine these two things? I came up with the
idea for a dance in a circle where you dance with the
people on each side of you equally. You always stay in
between the same two people, but you don’t need a
partner to join in!

Want to learn more?
You can find a free blog about the dance on my website, and a printable dance card with more detail on my Patreon!

https://lisaheywood.net/dance-card-the-weedon-welcome/
https://www.patreon.com/CallersChat

Image descriptions: Image text as in post, plus the caller's chat logo in a turqoise speech bubble. The rest of the design is dark blue, orange and dark orange.