What are the opening hours?

Monday 9am - 11pm Tuesday 9am - 11pm Wednesday 9am - 11pm Thursday 9am - 11pm Friday 9am - 11pm Saturday 9am - 11pm Sunday 9am - 11pm

EFDSS

The English Folk Dance and Song Society – the national folk arts development organisation. Posts from And we’re about developing.
(41)

EFDSS is the national folk arts development organisation for England. We are here to champion the English traditional arts – music, song, dance, storytelling, customs and traditions – as part of the rich and diverse cultural landscape of the UK. We’re about preserving them, and we do that in our award winning library, the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library (VWML) named after our former president, t

he composer Ralph Vaughan Williams. But we’re also about promoting – shouting about the richness and huge variety of art forms and wonderful people that work under this all-encompassing, very elastic term called FOLK, and providing endless opportunities for people to get involved. Folk is living, breathing and constantly being re-invented; we encourage artists to be inspired by the songs and dances that have been handed down through the generations and support them in various ways to create new songs, tunes and dances. From big bands to solo singers, morris dancers to contemporary choreographers, schools to mass participation, intimate folk clubs to major concert halls – our work reaches far and wide. And we’d love you to be a part of it.

23/09/2024

Happy !

Here's our wonderful on stage at this summer, representing the next generation of folk talent in Europe.

📷Kyle Baker Photography

17/09/2024

Have fun and learn something new this autumn at our Morris Dancing class.

You’ll learn lively Cotswold morris dances, complete with hankies and sticks, in this friendly and accessible class. Beginners very welcome.

Classes start next week: either drop in weekly or book for the 10-week term – and save £22.

Tuesdays at 6.30pm until 3 December
Book: bit.ly/3zqDon5

📷Rosie Reed Gold

16/09/2024

Aged 11-19 (up to 24 years old for D/deaf and disabled young people)? Play a musical instrument?

This is your last chance to register for our FREE London Youth Folk Ensemble Sampler Day this Sunday (22 September) to explore folk music, learn by ear, get creative and meet our friendly team. All music is taught by ear and no previous experience of folk music is needed.

Attending the Sampler is the first step for anyone who is interested in potentially joining the 2024-25 Ensemble.

Discover more: bit.ly/3MOGaFY

📷Tammy Marlar

13/09/2024

Last chance to book: Monday Folk Singers online course with Jackie Oates, starting next Monday 16 Sep.

Join tutor Jackie Oates and learn folk songs and singing from the comfort of your home with our online course.

09/09/2024

It's Remember A Charity Week when everyone is encouraged to think about leaving a gift to charity in their Will, after taking care of family and friends.

EFDSS is incredibly grateful to the people who have left a donation to us in their wills over the past years: http://bit.ly/4cYvLSF

📷 Family Barn Dance, Brian Slater

06/09/2024

Take your first dance steps and spins across the generations at our high-energy Family Barn Dances this autumn!

Sun 13 Oct | Sun 17 Nov
3pm - 4.30pm
Book October: bit.ly/4dXOmzt
Book November: bit.ly/3MwsAqy

05/09/2024

APPLICATIONS FOR MINI GRANTS FOR FOLK DANCE: NOW OPEN!

We are delighted to again offer five mini grants to support folk dance activity.

DEADLINE – MONDAY 7 OCTOBER 2024, 5PM

For information on how to apply and eligibility: https://www.efdss.org/about-us/what-we-do/news/14156-dance-mini-grants-2024

03/09/2024

This week's Classic Folk is here! Discover new releases and listen back to some of the second series of Radio Ballads.

Classic Folk with Mike Norris Classic Folk is unique. It mines a rich seam of wonderful folk and roots music and song from around 75 years of recordings. From the great source singers to the legends of folk rock, the travellers to the

03/09/2024

We’re delighted to award Alan James Creative Bursaries for 2024 to:
Randolph Matthews
Amy Hollinrake
Lucy and Hazel
Emily Portman
Remorae

The EFDSS Creative Bursary and Residency Programme supports artists in exploring new creative ideas inspired by and sourced from traditional folk music relating to England – without the pressure of a final product.

Funded through the PRS Foundation Talent Development Partner scheme. In partnership with Black Lives in Music Drake Music and Glasshouse International Centre for Music (Gateshead).

Discover more: bit.ly/47dFhQt

📷Emily Portman by Camilla Greenwell
📷Remorae by Bruno Guastalla

02/09/2024

Calling folk educators and folk dancers with an interest in teaching...

📢Announcing Folk Education Network’s next Development Day:
Wed 13 November at University of Sheffield, presented in partnership with Access Folk.

The event will spotlight interesting folk music and dance learning and participation practice in and around Sheffield. Watch this space for more details of speakers and sessions in coming weeks.

Free to attend; booking required: bit.ly/3yRIvN3

Photo: Folk Factory performing at Cecil Sharp House, credit Roswitha Chesher

29/08/2024

New event announcement... Bhangra Ceilidh!

Join Kuljit Bhamra MBE, tabla player, composer, producer and Becky Price, accordionist and composer, to dance along to their brand new bhangra ceilidh tunes!

Expert callers Lisa Heywood - Dance Caller and Hardeep Sahota will guide you through joyous dances fusing the irresistible moves of ceilidh and bhangra dancing.

Plus unmissable interval displays from morris and bhangra dancers!

Sat 2 Nov
7-10pm
£18 | £12 under 30
Book now: bit.ly/4dGP1oL

27/08/2024

We love these photos of our inspiring youth ceilidhs at the One Dance UK U. Dance National Festival at The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, led by Mel Biggs and Tom Kitching.

Photos: One Dance UK and Simon Marshall

21/08/2024

Looking back to The Takeover in July, where London Youth Folk Ensemble were joined by Ark Fusion Ensemble and Soundpost Folk Factory for a day of dancing and music-making!

Photos: Roswitha Chesher

19/08/2024

We're delighted to announce our new Guidance on Inclusion and Accessibility in Social Folk Dance.

There's been some great work happening around the importance of inclusivity in social dance, and it's been wonderful to see some positive results of this good inclusion practice filtering down to people enjoying themselves on dancefloors.

We've brought all this guidance and codes of conduct into one place to create this all encompassing reference guide - an essential read for anyone looking to make their events and practise as inclusive as possible.

Read our news story and the Guide: bit.ly/4cMQGIp

📷Family Barn Dance, Brian Slater

16/08/2024

🚨Job Vacancy🚨
Membership & Marketing Coordinator

Based at Cecil Sharp House, EFDSS is looking for a pro-active and organised individual to join on a six-month fixed term contract as Membership & Marketing Coordinator.

The successful candidate will be passionate about folk, computer literate, familiar with CRM systems, and have excellent communication skills and an eye for detail. They’ll also have hands-on experience in a marketing, fundraising or customer service role, ideally in an arts or cultural organisation.

Sound like you or someone you know? For more information, the job description and how to apply: efdss.org/vacancies

Applications close at 9am on Friday 30 August.

15/08/2024

09/08/2024

Catch the National Youth Folk Ensemble at The Sidmouth Folk Festival today Fri 9 Aug, playing at The Ham at 3.15pm, then tomorrow Sat 10 Aug at Dartmoor Folk Festival at 12pm! Expect original arrangements and skilful performances from the future of folk.

07/08/2024

Is it too soon to say we’re feeling festive? We don’t think so! Our Festive Gathering is now on sale.

Cecil Sharp House Choir and guests invite you to our annual yuletide celebration filled with song, dance, music, and good cheer!

Sun 8 Dec
7pm-9.30pm
Book now: bit.ly/4cjDlXJ

06/08/2024

Booking up fast: our Folk Unlimited Summer Course: a FREE, fun, creative and multi-sensory folk music and dance course for learning disabled young people who live in Camden.

Just one place remains for our 7-13 morning group and a few places for the 14-25 afternoon group.

Supported by Love Camden

20-23 August
Book now bit.ly/3LkiMPM

05/08/2024

We’re delighted to announce that beloved folk performer Jackie Oates will be the tutor for the autumn term of our online Monday Folk Singers class!

We welcome singers of all abilities to join us to learn folk songs and singing from the comfort of your home.

For more information and to book for the term: bit.ly/3WB5rro

7-8.30pm UK time
16 Sep - 25 Nov (no session 28 Oct)

02/08/2024

JOB VACANCIES
We have two positions open for freelance music educators, including one traineeship, working at Cecil Sharp House and in the Greater London area.
Co-Music Leader (London Youth Folk Ensemble)
Freelance Trainee Music Leader (Inclusive Folk) 2024 – 2025 Academic Year
More information and job descriptions:

Join our team At the English Folk Dance and Song Society we offer a diverse range of employment across the organisation, including within the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library and at Cecil Sharp House. We are committed to mana

26/07/2024

Announcing: EFDSS presents at The Sidmouth Folk Festival!

We're pleased to announce the line-up of artists that you can catch in the Cellar Bar in Kennaway House from 11.30am - 1.30pm on the following dates:

Sun 4 Aug: Grace Smith Trio & Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne
Mon 5 Aug: Holly Clarke & George Sansome and Elye Cuthbertson
Tue 6 Aug: Wychbury and Roswell
Wed 7 Aug: Lucy & Hazel and Aaron Horlock & Nick Goode
Thu 8 Aug: Jennifer Reid and Culverake

22/07/2024

Interested in joining the London Youth Folk Ensemble? Come along to our FREE Sampler Session on Sunday 22 September, from 2-5 pm!

The London Youth Folk Ensemble is a passionate group of young musicians who work as a team with our much-loved tutors to perform and interpret a wide variety of folk music. Find out more: https://www.efdss.org/whats-on/28-classes-and-courses/13959-london-youth-folk-ensemble-sampler-session-2024-25

19/07/2024

We run a diverse range of folk song, music and dance classes, courses, workshops and talks for adults. Absolutely no previous knowledge of English folk arts is needed! Music classes Dance classes Lectures and Conferences

Address

2 Regents Park Road
London
NW17AY

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 11pm
Tuesday	9am - 11pm
Wednesday	9am - 11pm
Thursday	9am - 11pm
Friday	9am - 11pm
Saturday	9am - 11pm
Sunday	9am - 11pm

Telephone

+442074852206

Website

http://www.efdss.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when EFDSS posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Videos

To many of the artists we support, the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library is an invaluable resource in their research and work. To help us continue to help artists, donate through our Folk Rising Big Give campaign, which will double your donations for FIVE MORE DAYS! https://donate.biggive.org/campaign/a056900002RXt6aAAD

BIG GIVE: hear from our past bursary artists about what they have achieved

The Big Give Christmas Challenge is here! Hear from our past bursary artists about what they have achieved with the help of our creative bursaries. For one week only, you can DOUBLE your donation for FREE through the Big Give website: https://donate.biggive.org/campaign/a056900002RXt6aAAD Featuring Tamsin Elliott Tarek Elazhary Tarren Marie Bashiru Lisa Heywood - Dance Caller Folk Dance Remixed The Rheingans Sisters Lunatraktors Hugh Sheehan Eleanor Servanté Music You Are Wolf Maddie Morris Music Satnam Quentin Budworth and more wonderful artists!

What at fantastic Folk Education Development Day at the University of East Anglia on Wednesday! The event centred Gypsy, Roma and Traveller voices and we saw presentations from local community members, learning about projects from the region. Here’s a taste of Georgia of @shackletontrio’s workshop, plus a snippet of an open discussion facilitated by @esbwet towards the end of the day. More content to come! #FolkEducators

Black British History and Folk Songs: a learning resource for ages 14+ by Angeline Morrison Music and EFDSS. Find out more by visiting the Resource Bank on our website.

We’ve had such a good weekend taking participatory folk dancing to One Dance UK’s U.Dance National Festival at Dance City in Newcastle. We took folk dancing to hundreds of young dancers from across the UK – more of them than ever, as we were asked to present practical warm up ceilidhs and creative clog dancing workshops for all of the participants, who represented many dance styles. We also presented vibrant youth folk band Folkestra and rapper sword dance team Star and Shadow at the opening ceremony. The clog dancing was presented by Laura Connolly and Tiny Taylor with percussionist Brendan Murphy (shown rehearsing here). Many of the young dancers hadn’t experienced folk dancing before, so it’s been great to introduce them to some of the wonderful, rich dancing traditions of England.

We're sure that those of you who were lucky enough to be at Folk by the Oak last weekend will agree that London Youth Folk Ensemble smashed it - and they just keep getting better! Thanks to our wonderful tutors and of course all of the fantastic musicians. Think you could be the next co-leader and tutor of the ensemble? Check out our website to find out more about the role and apply: https://www.efdss.org/about-us/work-for-us/vacancies#

Meet the music learning team for our Creative Auditions for the National Youth Folk Ensemble! Tutors Miranda Rutter, Kuljit Bhamra, and assisted by Owen Spafford (NYFE alumni) are playing a tune taught to the auditionees which they then workshopped creatively. The melody is attributed to the German composer Melchior Franck (1579-1639) but the song is in fact much older and went through significant transformations - it goes back to a very old English hunting song.

We were pleased to present three artists at English Folk Expo last year as part of our Artist Development Programme: @olivercrossandeleanorservante, Marie Bashiru & Owen Spafford and Louis Campbell. You can watch our brand new video of their performances at our showcase below!

We're excited to share a brand new short video of our creative clogging workshop from #UDance National Festival 2022! We had lots of fun introducing talented young dancers to clogging and watching them create their own short rhythms. With special thanks to One Dance UK, CHARGE boys at CAPA College, & Rodillian Academy Sixth Form.

In the latest Tradfolk Old Songs Podcast, John Spiers talks about the morris tune ‘Princess Royal’. Squeezy tells us a bit about growing up in the Morris tradition, discusses the difference between performing this tune on stage and playing it for a Morris side, and much more. We love supporting this podcast series! https://tradfolk.co/podcasts/the-old-songs-podcast/the-princess-royal/

National Youth Folk Ensemble: what the players say

New video! We asked the young musicians in the National #YouthFolk Ensemble to talk with film maker Roswitha Chesher about what playing in the Ensemble means to them...

We’re pleased to continue our support of Tradfolk’s The Old Songs podcast. The new episode turns the tables, as Nick Hart interviews usual host Jon Wilks about ‘The Gloucestershire Wassail’ (Roud 209) – including Jon talking about his emotional connection to Cecil Sharp House. https://tradfolk.co/podcasts/the-old-songs-podcast/gloucestershire-wassail/

We’ve been hugely looking forward to this The Old Songs Podcast from Tradfolk, in which Angeline Morrison Music talks about ‘Shallow Brown’ (Roud 2621). https://tradfolk.co/podcasts/the-old-songs-podcast/shallow-brown/

Why we can no longer claim innocence about blackface, by Nate Holder

Folk Folk: Lucy Ward & Lisa 'Pinky' Ward

Youth Folk Sampler Days

National Youth Folk Ensemble Online, Summer 2020

Folk Folk: Different Perspectives

Clock tune #3

Our next mystery clock tune awaits your eager ears... Who can help us identify this one?

Shortcuts

Our Story

The English Folk Dance and Song Society is the national folk arts development organisation for England. We are here to champion the English traditional arts – music, song, dance, storytelling, customs and traditions – as part of the rich and diverse cultural landscape of the UK. We’re about preserving them, and we do that in our award winning library, the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library (VWML) named after our former president, the composer Ralph Vaughan Williams. But we’re also about promoting – shouting about the richness and huge variety of art forms and wonderful people that work under this all-encompassing, very elastic term called FOLK, and providing endless opportunities for people to get involved. And we’re about developing. Folk is living, breathing and constantly being re-invented; we encourage artists to be inspired by the songs and dances that have been handed down through the generations and support them in various ways to create new songs, tunes and dances. From big bands to solo singers, morris dancers to contemporary choreographers, schools to mass participation, intimate folk clubs to major concert halls – our work reaches far and wide. And we’d love you to be a part of it.