So, you've made it this far...the only thing now is to spend the rest of your energy dancing, playing and calling at the Survivors' Ceilidh! This year's ceilidh will be held from 2pm to 5pm in The Octagon - it will also be livestreamed here: https://sheffield-ivfdf.org.uk/livestream/ The Survivors' Ceilidh will be MC'd by Sioned Davies and the scratch band will be led by Robyn Wallace. The rest is up to YOU!
Want to try your hand at calling? A sign-up sheet is available at the front desk!
Want to join the scratch band and play for the ceilidh? Music is available at the front desk and the final rehearsal will be from 12pm to 1:15pm in Gallery 2!
Why not give it a go?!
Workshops start at 9am Sunday!
WORKSHOP UPDATES
Sunday
- CANCELLED: 'Dances from the B's, Brittany and Bulgaria' workshop, Chamber Rooms, 9am
- CANCELLED: 'Relaxed Quiet Dance', Chamber Rooms, 10:30am
- ROOM CHANGE: 'Rince Gaelach: Trebles, batters, and rallies' is now in the CHAMBERS ROOMS at 12pm
- ROOM CHANGE: 'Collegiate Shag' is in FUSION at 12pm
Updated copy of workshop programme below!
What a wonderful evening of dancing! Thank you so much to everyone who came along or tuned in from home - we hope you had a lovely time😊
The festival is not over yet! We have an exciting morning of workshops and the final 'Survivors' Ceilidh' tomorrow afternoon. Check-out the most up-to-date version of our workshop timetable below and keep an eye on this page or our socials for further potential updates Sunday morning 👀👀 Also, check-out our What's On page for more information about the workshops!
REMINDER: Five Rivers Morris will be doing a dance spot in The Octagon during the Ceilidh at approximately 20:15! 😍
Update (18:13 2022-02-26): The Scottish Country Dance will now run from 7:30pm until 10:30pm.
URGENT ANNOUNCEMENT (18:50 2022-02-26): Unfortunately the level accesss to St. Andrews URC is currently unavailable. The committee is working to get this issue resolved, however until then please keep this in mind before making your way to the venue. We apologise profusely for any inconvenience!
We have an amazing line-up planned for you tonight at Sheffield IVFDF 2022 across 3 different venues! Read on to find out the 'what', 'who', 'when' and 'where', as well as which performances will be streamed live on our website!
There will be two seperate streams running: one for Uni Central and one for The Octagon, so please make sure you are watching the appropriate stream the event you want to see! Unfortunately, we cannot provide a live stream of the Scottish Country Dance event.
Coming up at 2:30pm we have the Display Ceilidh featuring band Bellamira and calling from The NYFTE Group in The Octagon!
This event will also include displays from any dance groups who wish to present their talents - don't forget to sign-up at the Front Desk if you would like to perform in this very welcoming and encouraging setting 😊
This event will now also be viewable via our livestream! Please click on The Octagon stream on our livestream page at around the time the event is supposed to begin.
Workshops start at 9am Saturday!
WORKSHOP UPDATES
Saturday
- CANCELLED: Calling 101 workshop, Gallery 3, 12pm Saturday
- we have an extra pop up workshop of Bal and Breton dances in the Council chambers today at 12pm
- Intermediate Bodhrán would love a volunteer musician so they can practice playing with one - come to the Octagon Front desk or talk to Matthew Blackburn
Sunday
- CANCELLED: 'Dances from the B's, Brittany and Bulgaria' workshop, Chamber Rooms, Sunday 9am
Updated copy of workshop programme below!
Thank you everyone for a fantastic first evening of dancing! What a great way to start of Sheffield IVFDF 2022!😁🥳
We are back tomorrow with the first workshops kicking off at 9am at Sheffield Students' Union! Check-out the workshops programme below or our What's On page for more information! Tickets available on the door 🙂
Also, keep an eye on social media, the website, or the flipchart near the front desk throughout the day in case there are an last minute updates or changes 👀👀
Don't forget to check-out the Morris Tour today, organised by our fantastic friends at Five Rivers Morris! They have put together quite an impressive line-up, all focused around Sheffield City Centre, so take a stroll or a tram down the hill from the University and see what it's all about!
The tour starts at 11am and ends with some socialising at The University Arms at 4:30pm!
Check-out the programme below or click on this magical Google Map version of the programme to find out where to go and watch the fun! Open to all, not just ticket-holders!
Thanks again to Five Rivers Morris for their work 💛🖤
Present at the Display Ceilidh!
Do you and your friends/dance group want to present your great folk dancing skills in a welcoming and encouraging environment during tomorrow's Display Ceilidh?
Sign-up at the front desk before the event starts at 14:30, Saturday!
IVFDF 2022 Livestream available!
Want to attend IVFDF in-person this year but can't because of varying reasons? Well you can almost feel like you're there with our livestream! Tune in at 7:30pm GMT when the Friday Evening Ceilidh kicks off and participate in IVFDF from afar 😁
And, if you would like to support the festival without buying a whole ticket, consider making a donation 😊
🥳🥳IVFDF STARTS TODAY!!🥳🥳
We can't believe it's finally here - Sheffield IVFDF 2022 starts this afternoon! Check-in opens at 4pm, and then we have a wonderful evening of dancing ahead of us 😄 Find out more at our newly updated What's On page!
We hope you have a fantastic weekend - see you on the dance floor 😍🐧💃
2022-02-24
Support from Nottingham Folk Dance Group!
More gratitude! 🙌🙌
This time the thank you is heading the way of Nottingham Folk Dance Group who are kindly sponsoring our Friday Night Ceilidh! The Ceilidh will run from 19:30-22:00 in The Octagon, and features Hekety and caller, Charlotte Rich-Griffin.
It is also the FIRST event of Sheffield IVFDF 2022 and will start in LESS THAN 24 HOURS 🥳🥳 We can't wait to have you dancing and having a great time!
Ticket available on the door!
🥳🥳IVFDF is TOMORROW!🥳🥳
This is a reminder that in line with our Covid-19 policy, all festival attendees need to take a lateral flow test no more than 24 hours before you come to IVFDF, and bring evidence of a negative test to the door.
Evidence is:
🐧 A photograph of a negative test result (if shown on an electronic device that displays the date of the photo)
🐧 A copy of a text or email confirming a negative test result, with the date (you can print this or show it on your device
If you are medically unable to take a Covid test, and have not received an email from us to confirm that we know this, please email us to tell us ASAP.
Check in is Friday from 4pm, so please do your LFT any time from 4pm today (Thursday). Read more about our Covid Policy!
🚨🚨LAST CHANCE FOR STEWARDS AND ONLINE TICKETS 🚨🚨
Today is your LAST CHANCE to sign-up to steward or buy online tickets for Sheffield IVFDF 2022. Applications and tickets will close at Midnight GMT, Thursday 24th February!
Please note that tickets will still be available to purchase on the door, but you must have a negative LFT result ready to show before you can make your purchase. Read more about our Covid Policy!
2022-02-23
Support from Sheffield University Alumni Fund!
More people to thank! Today we would like to acknowledge the amazing support of The University of Sheffield Alumni Fund, whose funding is contributing to the Saturday Evening dancing events at Sheffield IVFDF 2022! These events include -
🐧 An exciting Ceilidh by band Powerhouse and caller, John Brown!
🐧 A wonderful Contra by Vicki Swann and Jonny Dyer, with calling by Rachel Shapiro Wallace!
🐧 AND an amazing Bal, played by The Rheingans Sisters!
Along with the UK/Indian social dance fusion event by Dance:social and the Scottish Country Dance from @FourthRoadBand, with callers Kirsten and Liz, THIS Saturday Night at IVFDF 2022 is looking like one not to be missed! Grab your tickets on the door, or online now
Thank you again to The University of Sheffield Alumni Fund for helping to make this line-up possible 🐧💛🖤🐧
Want to hang out online with other IVFDF people? Following the success of IVFDF Online 2021 community Discord server, IVFDF Central have set up a dedicated IVFDF Discord server for the IVFDF community! It's a great place to hang out, get excited and also chat live with other attendees at IVFDF!
Need help from a committee member during IVFDF? Look for the orange lanyards! These indicate a committee member on duty, who you may approach at any time for assistance.
If you recognise a committee member and they're not wearing an orange lanyard, please do not approach them for assistance unless it's an emergency, as they are off duty! We have devised this system so that committee members hopefully get to enjoy IVFDF too 🙂
Looking forward to seeing you all! 💛
Emily & The Simons' Apéritif Bal - February 28th from 5pm!
Are you around after IVFDF finishes on Sunday and just can't get enough dancing? Come to Emily & The Simons' Apéritif Bal at the Shakespeare's (approx 25 minutes' walk) from 5pm! There may or may not be a cherkessia kfula leaving from the Survivor's Ceilidh at 5pm 👀
MEET THE COMMITTEE: Our Layperson/Assistant Stewards Co-Ordinator, John!
Meet The Committee! We're introducing our wonderful committee to you one post at the time. With less than a week to go, meet our brilliant Layperson & Assistant Stewards Co-Ordinator, John!
"Lay person - it's many years since I graduated
We sung folk songs when I was at Junior School, and did maypole dancing. My first folk club was the Jug O'Punch in Birmingham during the folk revival of the '60s. I did some circle dancing in the '80s, and got into social dancing after my son went to college. I've been going to Uni folk events since 2015.
I know how much work it is organising festivals, so volunteered to help this year, as I enjoyed stewarding at the last Sheffield IVFDF (and at Nottingham) .
I am a building volunteer at Portland Works - the first place in the world to make stainless steel cutlery."
Want to help our wonderful committee by volunteering for IVFDF? Sign up to steward. You can volunteer for as little as 2 hours' work to get a reduction on your ticket price, and you can sign up with a friend and have all your shifts together - or sign up by yourself and make new friends!
2022-02-18
Only ONE WEEK to go until IVFDF!
We are so excited to see you all, and it's not too late to grab your
tickets!
We have an incredible programme packed with exciting things, and it's finally time to share it with you all! DRUMROLL PLEASE...
Head over to the website to see our full evening dance schedule, and we'll be updating you all about workshops
soon! We have some amazing things lined up!
As always, our stewards earn the committee's eternal love and thanks - sign up here
2022-02-10
Support from the RSCDS!
We are incredibly grateful that the Scottish Country Dance at IVFDF 2022 will be sponsored by The Royal
Scottish Country Dance Society (The RSCDS Dance Scottish)! The dance will be hosted by the enthusiastic Fourth
Road and callers Kirsten and Liz. Come join the fun at St. Andrews URC on Saturday February 26 at 7pm! Buy
your ticket for the Saturday Evening (or the whole weekend) now!
Want to help IVFDF run smoothly, get a free t-shirt and a refunded ticket? Consider stewarding at this year's festival! For more details, see the
volunteering page.
2022-02-07
MEET THE COMMITTEE: Our Tech Wizard, Humphrey!
Meet The Committee! We're introducing our wonderful committee to you one post at the time. Today, meet our incredible Tech Wizard, Humphrey!
"Play the accordion - can also do so whilst riding the unicycle.
I have been properly embedded in the folk world for about 10 years, but have been playing for twice as long!
I got involved in IVFDF because I thought - I could help with the tech side"
Want to help our wonderful committee by volunteering for IVFDF? Sign up to steward. You can volunteer for as little as 2 hours' work to get a reduction on your ticket price, and you can sign up with a friend and have all your shifts together - or sign up by yourself and make new friends!
2022-02-04
Support from SIFD!
We are excited to announce that this year IVFDF is being sponsored by the Society for International Folk
Dancing! This money is
going directly to support the UK/Indian Social Dance Fusion with DANCE:SOCIAL, being held in the early evening
of Saturday, February 26. The money is also aimed at encouraging the recovery of dance after the disruptions of
COVID. Thanks again to the Society for International Folk Dancing for
supporting our festival!
To participate in this exciting even hosted by DANCE:SOCIAL, as well as the many other fantastic events that
we have in store for you at IVFDF 2022, make sure to buy your
tickets online!
2022-02-02
MEET THE COMMITTEE: Our Secretary, Abigail!
Meet The Committee! We're introducing our wonderful committee to you one post at the time. Today, meet our superb Secretary, Abigail!
"I grew up loving folk and going to ceilidhs with my parents, as my dad plays for an Irish gig band and we were members of Folk Song and Dance section of the Camping and Caravanning Club so I spent all my childhood New Years and Easters at folky meets. I was thrilled to launch myself into the wider social dance scene when I came to uni in Sheffield, after attending my first IVFDF here in 2018. I have met my closest friends through folk festivals, my morris sides, and social dances, so volunteering to help run IVFDF feels like a great way to give back to a community I get so much from!"
Pronouns: she/her
Want to help our wonderful committee by volunteering for IVFDF? Sign up to steward. You can volunteer for as little as 2 hours' work to get a reduction on your ticket price, and you can sign up with a friend and have all your shifts together - or sign up by yourself and make new friends!
2022-01-30
MEET THE COMMITTEE: Our Stewards Co-Ordinator/Accessibility Officer, Sol!
Meet The Committee! We're introducing our wonderful committee to you one post at the time. Today, meet our sparkly Stewards Co-Ordinator/Accessibility Officer, Sol!
"I'm Sol and I look after Stewards and Accessibility, though my unofficial role is "Takes On Too Much" My first foray into folk dancing was childhood Cornish dance classes (a broom dance from which is now in Uni Morris' repertoire!) When I moved to Sheffield I started going to ceilidhs and then there was no going back... despite infiltrating the student folk scene, I have never been to university.
I blithely signed my soul away to the IVFDF committee because running events with other people makes me a special kind of happy; it contributes to community, develops skills, and generates Good Camaraderie Happy Brain Chemicals (which can result in lifelong friendships). This is definitely legitimate science that proves you should steward."
Pronouns: they/them or she/her
Want to help our wonderful committee by volunteering for IVFDF? Sign up to steward. You can volunteer for as little as 2 hours' work to get a reduction on your ticket price, and you can sign up with a friend and have all your shifts together - or sign up by yourself and make new friends!
2022-01-25
MEET THE COMMITTEE: Our Artists Liaison, Joshua!
Meet The Committee! We're introducing our wonderful committee to you one post at the time. Today, meet the splendorous Joshua, our Artist Liaison!
"You may call me Joshua. I was bound into the world of dance music long before I was born by forces beyond my control. I talk to the artists. I volunteer at IVFDF because the penguins threatened my family."
Pronouns: they/them
Want to help our wonderful committee by volunteering for IVFDF? Sign up to steward. You can volunteer for as little as 2 hours' work to get a reduction on your ticket price, and you can sign up with a friend and have all your shifts together - or sign up by yourself and make new friends!
2022-01-23
MEET THE COMMITTEE: Our Treasurer, Chloe!
Meet The Committee! We're introducing our wonderful committee to you one post at the time. Today, meet our amazing treasurer Chloe, who is helping to run IVFDF all the way from Australia!
"I first tried Ceilidh and other folk dance when I lived in Edinburgh in 2014, but I really joined the scene when I joined Sheffield Uni Morris in 2018, when I started studying as an Overseas student at Sheffield University. My first IVFDF was Edinburgh 2019 and after that I knew I was hooked on folk dance!
I moved back to Australia at the start of 2020 and am currently studying a PhD. To deal with the time difference, I usually have to wake up early in the morning to attend the committee meetings!
I chose to be on committee for IVFDF 2022 because I think IVFDF is a fantastic festival and I wanted to give back to the wonderful community that makes it so enjoyable!"
Pronouns: she/her or they/them
Want to help our wonderful committee by volunteering for IVFDF? Sign up to steward. You can volunteer for as little as 2 hours' work to get a reduction on your ticket price, and you can sign up with a friend and have all your shifts together - or sign up by yourself and make new friends!
2022-01-18
MEET THE COMMITTEE: Starting with our Wonderful Chair Esther!
Meet The Committee! We're introducing our wonderful committee to you one post at a time.
First up is our fabulous Chairperson Esther!
"Hi, I'm Esther, and I'm the Chair of the Sheffield IVFDF 2022 committee I have been going to folk festivals my whole life, but got into folk dancing after joining Boggart's
Breakfast Morris. I love the maths and geometry of folk dancing! I was the secretary of Sheffield IVFDF 2018, and since then have been doing as much as I can to keep the
wonderful IVFDF experience thriving!"
Pronouns: they/them or she/her
2022-01-16
Steward Applications!
Want to help IVFDF? Want to go to IVFDF for free or cheap? Want an awesome yellow stewarding t-shirt? Want to make new friends? Want the eternal love and gratitude of the
committee?
Early Bird prices - and also merch pre-orders - are only available until January 30th, so don't delay!
You can pre-order t-shirts and hoodies with your ticket, and they come in (most) colours of the rainbow! 🌈 We will have some t-shirts available at the festival,
but only in limited colours and sizes, so pre-order by January 30th to ensure you get the size and colour you want.
Finally, we know some of you might be uncertain about returning to in-person dancing right now. We're requiring (18+) ticket holders to take an LFT (unless medically unable) and
show a Covid pass, and we're taking as many measures as we can to improve safety at IVFDF. If you catch Covid and can't come to IVFDF, your ticket will be refunded with no
questions asked. Please see our Covid policy for more information.
We and the penguins are excited to see you all! Can't wait until February!
2021-12-21
Workshop Submissions
Do you have a skill or activity you want to share with us at IVFDF? Our workshop applications are still open! Don't forget to submit this form to us before noon on the 31st
of December to run your workshop: bit.ly/ivfdf22ws
We are thrilled by all the applications so far so let's keep it going!
Are you interested in playing for workshops rather than running your own? Fill in this form here: bit.ly/ivfdf22wsmus
2021-12-05
Our Final Line-up Announcement!
It's time for our final line-up announcement, and it's an exciting one! We are delighted to host a project called DANCE:SOCIAL, brought to IVFDF 2022 by Lisa Heywood -
Dance Caller, Nisha Lall Dance, Vijay Venkat and
Mel Biggs Music!
We are incredibly grateful to The English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS) for supporting this event with their Getting Back To Dancing In Person mini grant!
The Project
DANCE:SOCIAL is a project launched in summer 2021 that brings together social dance teachers and musicians from different dance styles and cultural backgrounds to share ideas and create exciting new dance experiences.
At IVFDF 2022 you'll be treated to a social dance that combines Indian and English dance styles, with Lisa Heywood and Nisha Lall guiding you through the moves. They'll be joined by a fantastic band including the talented Vijay Venkat and Mel Biggs who will be weaving a musical tapestry drawn from both musical cultures. All dances will be taught/called and everyone is welcome!
2021-11-29
Scottish Country Dance Artist Announcement!
With only a few more line-up announcements left to go, we are so excited to welcome Fourth Road with callers Kirsten and Liz to host our Scottish Country Dance! We are
incredibly grateful to The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society (The RSCDS Dance Scottish) for sponsoring this event! We are
thrilled to be
able to have so many amazing
artists at IVFDF this year!
THE BAND - Fourth Road
Based in North East Fife, Fourth Road bring an exciting new concept to the ceilidh scene. With an eclectic mix of classic ceilidh with added foot stomping rock and a punk style vibe, this 3-piece rock ceilidh band will liven up the dance floor with their buzzing enthusiasm, talent and energy.
Featuring Grace Emery on violin, Sam De Pasquale on electric guitar and Al Clark on drums. With decades of experience between them on the ceilidh scene that stems the length and breadth of the UK, this band will take you on a musical adventure with classic song covers to jazz jams and traditional ceilidh with a modern twist, that will make even the Forth Road bridge rock and roll.
THE CALLERS - Liz and Kirsten
Kirsten and Liz are experienced Ceilidh and Scottish Dance teachers and callers based in Aberdeen. Nathaniel is less experienced, but that's because he's only two.
They've had tons of practice barrelling unsuspecting students through strip-the-willows and schiehallion reels alike, and promise to deliver an evening of relaxed and accessible Scottish chaos. All welcome. Non-gendered calling, dances called throughout.
Thanks again to RSCDS!
2021-11-21
Display Ceilidh Artists Announcement!
For the Display Ceilidh, we're delighted to have the phenomenal Bellamira and the talented young callers of The NYFTE Group!
THE BAND - Bellamira
Bellamira hail from Sheffield, the folk capital of England. They bring influences such as klezmer, Appalachian, morris, and eurobal, and forge them together with the sensibilities of punk, EDM, ska, and fusion. Always a breath of fresh air and a dancer's treat.
With Josie Wexler on fiddle and vocals, Robyn Wallace on squeezebox, Patrick Rose on guitar and vocals, and Mina Rowan on drums.
THE CALLERS - The NYFTE Group
The National Youth Folklore Troupe of England is a group of young people from all over the country with an interest in learning and performing all types of traditional
dance, music and song. During the pandemic three NYFTE members have been learning the art of calling dances with weekly online sessions mentored by IVFDF veteran Rhodri Davies. They have called online for a transatlantic contra event and in person for a NYFTE ceilidh. Some of them have already called at the IVFDF survivor’s ceilidh. They will be bringing their freshly polished skills and enthusiasm to this year’s IVFDF display ceilidh.
2021-11-14
We are delighted to announce our artists for the Friday evening contra!
We are thrilled to have not one, but two contras at IVFDF this year! our Friday evening contra will be brought to you by the fabulous Vertical Expression, and incredible caller Charlie Turner!
THE BAND - Vertical Expression
One of the UK's most high-energy contra dance bands, Vertical Expression are well-known for delighting dancers at festivals and dance series across the UK, Europe and beyond! Their driving double bass and guitar foundation, layered with rhythmic fiddle and melodeon tunes and foot percussion, makes them one of the most danceable bands around. They excel at picking just the right tune for the dance and maintaining the connection between dancers and music.
THE CALLER - Charlie Turner
Charlie Turner has been dancing and teaching for as long as she can remember, but a move to San Francisco transformed her contra dancing and started an international calling career. Now based in Cambridge, UK, she brings the best of the West Coast to contra crowds, with clear, friendly teaching and satisfying dance selections. She emphasises connection, fun, flow and inclusivity in dance.
2021-10-31
Techno Playford Artist Announcement!
We are delighted to announce that the legendary Bearded Dragons: Contra and Ceilidh Band will be playing for
a Techno Playford at IVFDF, with the incredible Daisy Black calling!
THE BAND - Bearded Dragons
Out of fire and darkness rise the mighty Bearded Dragons.
Blending traditional and electronic styles, they
are pioneers of Techno Contra, Techno Playford, and Electro Folk in general — at the very cutting edge of
folk dance music.
They are fiddle playing behemoth Benjamin Rowe, and keys and synths monster Vic Smith.
With influences ranging from traditional British, Irish, and American; to electronic genres such as EDM
Techno, Synthwave, Glitch, and Ambient — Bearded Dragons weave a musical experience that is entirely
unique.
They are joined by lighting design wizard Amy Worrall, to transcend the dancefloor into another
dimension!
THE CALLER - Daisy Black
Daisy is a caller based in Sheffield, where she runs the popular dance and music session, Playford in the
Pub. She calls for ceilidhs, and tends to mix older dances with more modern ones. She particularly enjoys
making seventeenth century dances lively and accessible for new and more experienced dancers. When not
calling, Daisy is a storyteller and a lecturer in medieval performance at the University of Wolverhampton.
Her programmes are energetic, dynamic and somewhat silly.
We are excited to announce our artists for the Saturday evening contra.
THE BAND - Vicki Swan and Jonny Dyer
Vicki Swan & Jonny Dyer have developed an enviable reputation for their ability to reimagine folk and folk
dance music; creating sounds that are simultaneously new and progressive, and yet entirely sympathetic to
the tradition.
They have become
deeply involved in folk dance over the last ten years; contra, ceilidh and 'social dance' both as the duo
and as Purcell's Polyphonic Party.
They often insert performance elements into their dance music. You are
very likely to find yourself
dancing to a song - and we dare you not to sing the chorus as you go.
THE CALLER - Rachel Shapiro Wallace
Rachel Shapiro Wallace is a dance caller who strives to communicate the joy of dancing, whether she is
calling at a dance, festival, weekend, wedding, or public event.
Having stumbled upon contra dancing in Boston, Rachel eventually realized her passion for calling after
moving to Chicago. Since then she has called throughout the United States, and since moving to her current
home in Edinburgh, Scotland,
Rachel has called in Paris and the United Kingdom.
Rachel's high-energy approach involves clear, concise walk-throughs, flexibility in teaching and programming,
and working with the band to create that groove that dancers love.
We are delighted to announce our artists for the Friday evening ceilidh!
THE BAND - Hekety
Mixing traditional and self-penned tunes, Hekety have been playing cutting edge English dance music since
their formation in 1997. Based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire they have performed to much acclaim at
festivals and other events throughout the country.
THE CALLER - Charlotte Rich-Griffin
Charlotte Rich-Griffin is an enthusiastic ceilidh and contra caller based in Oxfordshire. Charlotte started
calling ceilidhs in 2013 with Warwick Folk. Since then she has spread her wings to call at Sidmouth and
Whitby folk festivals. She
is delighted to be calling at Sheffield IVFDF, the city where she attended her first IVFDF!
Thank you for all your wonderful feedback about stewarding last week! We'd like your feedback again,
about something else this time...
This IVFDF, we are doing our best to make accessibility and inclusivity a priority.
We are really keen to make Sheffield IVFDF 2022 as accessible and inclusive as possible, and to this
end we would love to hear any thoughts or suggestions you might have! Please
email us: accessibility@sheffield-ivfdf.org.uk.
(All private feedback will be anonymous except to the committee; if you require more anonymity than
this, please contact us first.)
We would especially love thoughts from people who are speaking from their own experience, e.g. if you are a
wheelchair user and have opinions on wheelchair accessibility, or if you are a person of colour and have
opinions on how to create
a welcoming and anti-racist environment.
We politely request that if you're sharing an opinion about something that does not affect you, you specify
this in your comment/email 🙂 (e.g. if you want to share something that could help accessibility for
autistic people, but are not autistic
yourself).
We'd also ask that if you are not speaking from your own lived experience, you pause to consider if your
comment is accurate and helpful. It may well be if, for example, your job involves working on accessibility
issues; possibly less so if
you're basing your suggestion off something you saw on TV once 🙂
Please bear in mind that as a student festival run by a committee of volunteers on a tight budget, we will
not be able to implement absolutely everything we'd like to - but we would very much like to learn what is
important to you!
We'd also really love to receive any proposals for workshops that might help create a more accessible and
inclusive atmosphere - for example workshops that relate to accessibility/inclusivity in some way, or
workshops on dances from cultures
that are often underrepresented at IVFDF.
With much love and gratitude, Sol, Accessibility Officer, on behalf of the IVFDF 2022 committee
P.S. if you've never been to IVFDF before, we would still love to hear from you - part of this is working
out if there's anything about IVFDF that is not inclusive or accessible that might be preventing people from
coming.Jump to Top
It's time for our second artist announcement! *drumroll*
For the Saturday evening ceilidh, we are absolutely stoked to have the phenomenal Powerhouse, accompanied by
the discerning calling skills of John Brown!
THE BAND - Powerhouse
Powerhouse are a five piece ceilidh band consisting of melodeon, flute, electric guitar, bass and
drums. Brought together by a mutual love of rock, beer, general geekiness and ceilidh, they combine
traditional tunes with rock riffage and pop culture to tempt even the most determined
non-dancer.
The band consist of -
Dr. Robobnik - Science! Also melodeons.
Judge Shredd - Rumour has it Judge Shredd was not born but created in a secret lair by
members of Emperor, Nile and Opeth to unleash mighty riffs, shreds and chugs upon the world! (This is
actually untrue, he's from
Stockport.)
The Jenerator - The tempo is whatever she says it is.
Robin of Rocksley - "What do you mean we've got enough cheesy bass slides in this set?"
Triumphant C - Erstwhile purveyor of the heavy flute sound, C has yet to master the art
of riding her motorbike and playing the flute at the same time.
THE CALLER - John Brown
John has spent many years training to be a professional cat herder in the foothills of Crookes. Since
that time he's been calling gender free up and down the land (mostly up, down is a long drive), from
Festivals to Ceilidh Clubs, and the odd Social Occasion.
IVFDF Stewards Past & Future - We want your feedback!
Have you stewarded at an IVFDF before? Have you wanted to steward, but never done so? Has anything put you
off - or conversely, made your stewarding experience more enjoyable? We'd love to hear your feedback about
what you would and wouldn't
like to see, and for former stewards, what you did and didn't enjoy, so we can use it for the 2022 event.
Some things we're thinking of implementing next year (we'd love to hear your feedback on these, too!):
A Discord server or WhatsApp group for stewards, to make communication and last-minute shift-swapping
easier
The ability to do shorter shifts and/or be "half a steward" if you'd like to have a go at "shadow"
stewarding without being up for the full commitment
including basic accessibility training in stewards' briefings
sign-ups in pairs, so you can steward the same shift as a friend
Any other ideas? Comment below, message us or email us at stewarding@sheffield-ivfdf.org.uk - all private
feedback will be anonymous except to the committee. (If you require more anonymity than this, please contact
us first.)
If commenting publicly, please be kind in your feedback regarding past IVFDFs; remember that past steward
coordinators can see this post! We're looking for useful, constructive feedback that will help us create a
good stewarding experience.
🙂 🖤 💛 love,
Sol, Steward Coordinator with supervision from the Morris Penguins
We are delighted to announce our first artist! *drumroll*
For the IVFDF 2022 Saturday evening bal, we are so excited to have The Rheingans Sisters playing gorgeous
music for us!
The Rheingans Sisters make playful, powerful and richly connecting music that is wholly contemporary while
deeply anchored in folk traditions. The award-winning multi-instrumentalists, composers and folk scholars
are nominated for 'Best Duo/Group' at 2019 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.
Over the last five years, three critically acclaimed albums and a BBC Radio 2 Folk Award win for 'Best
Original Track' in 2016, audiences across the UK, Europe and Australia have been utterly captivated by their
very special live performances. Drawing
on their pan-European musical scholarship and their spirited mission to make connections between the music
of different geographical roots, they have developed a rich artistic approach to the deconstruction and
reimagining of traditional
music alongside their own beguiling compositions. Performing live, the sisters are inimitable; full-hearted
performers and spontaneous, on-stage improvisors, with adventurous use of fiddles, voices, banjo, bansitar,
tambourin à cordes,
spoken word, dancing feet and percussion.
A unique and unmissable act on the folk and world music stage today, Rowan and Anna play a plethora of
instruments in their live shows, many of them handmade by their luthier father Helmut Rheingans who is based
in their native Peak District home.
The Rheingans Sisters released their much anticipated fourth album in 2020 on the Bendigedig Label.
