This week's episode of Classic Folk includes tracks by: The Chieftains Kings Of Calicut The Askew Sisters @petecoevo.bsky.social @jimcausley.bsky.social @jezlowe.bsky.social and many more! www.efdss.org/listen

Have fun dancing at the morris class Tuesdays 6:30pm at Cecil Sharp House. This week's breaktime chat will be "Hey for May". www.efdss.org/learning/adu... Image: Taylor's Morris and Guildford Bush at the Castle - Guildford Summerpole 2026 (EFDSS Membership Officer Liberty as the Bush)

Just a few of the incredible acts gracing our stage from September to December, including the first-ever collaboration with Dance Umbrella, artists like The Haar and Malin Lewis new to the House and return gigs from The Young’uns and Le Vent du Nord. Music: Malin Lewis youtu.be/pRUIVCMDGmI

We were delighted to host the Arts & Minds conference on Monday, with sector leaders gathering at @cecilsharphouse.bsky.social to discuss what should happen next, now the controversial EBacc has been scrapped. With key note speech from @michaelrosenyes.bsky.social bit.ly/3QUZSoB

Ed, works in our Hires Team during the day, and by night he is a DJ at Voices Radio. This week he interviewed former EFDSS Membership Officer, Tennessee Woodiel, about her Banjo playing and together they listen to some wonderful music. Aren't our team talented?! www.mixcloud.com/VoicesRadio/...

Will you be Maypole Dancing this May bank holiday? @theguardian.com www.theguardian.com/music/2026/a...

@kingsplacelondon.bsky.social is looking for emerging chamber ensembles from jazz, classical and folk genres to perform in the Music Foyer before concerts. A paid opportunity for artists who are London-Based and aged 18-30. Deadline: Mon 8 June 2026 www.kingsplace.co.uk/.../learning...

This week's episode of Classic Folk includes tracks by: Leveret Shirley & Dolly Collins The Carrivick Sisters @ciderhousereb.bsky.social @merryhellband.bsky.social Fairport Convention Seth Lakeman Alan Bell Jackie Oates Alistair Anderson Maddy Prior and many more! www.efdss.org/listen

Have fun dancing at the morris class Tuesdays 6:30pm at Cecil Sharp House. This week's breaktime chat will be "More Summerpole, Maypole and Morris" (we think it's Andy's favourite) www.efdss.org/learning/adu...

Our show-stopping autumn season is now on sale 🎉 Check out the full line-up and secure your tickets at efdss.org

There's HUGE line-up news coming on Monday so be sure to watch this space... 👀 Our full autumn gigs season will go live, with 30 incredible gigs and dances for you to get stuck into. Subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to see the line-up and secure your tickets 🔔

The EFDSS Maypole will be up for this English Country Dancing class! This session will be lead by Mike Ruff and will include dances to welcome in the May. Thu 30 Apr 7:30pm-9:30pm Cecil Sharp House Book now: www.efdss.org/.../15640-en.... Illustration by Isabel Greenberg

'Th’ Coaler' by Walter Emsley The Song That Shaped Me: Jennifer Reid jenniferballads.bsky.social "I love singing [Walter Emsley's] work as the audience is left with a feeling akin to standing at the bar unsure if they’re next to be served or not. Read more: bit.ly/4u5k6uf

📣Calling all Folk Musicians Apply now for a Creative Bursary of up to £2,000 Deadline for applications: Sunday 31 May 2026. Find out more and apply now: bit.ly/4cYCT4z

This week's episode of Classic Folk features tracks by: @waterboysmusic.bsky.social @bellowhead.bsky.social @finncalvert.bsky.social @duncanchisholm.bsky.social And many more! Listen now www.efdss.org/listen #FolkMusic

Wow! The Peter Sinfield Bursary Fund Emerging songwriters and composers between the ages of 18 and 30 can apply for up to £5,000 to support the creation of new, original works in the genres of folk, classical, progressive rock, and world music. www.ivorsacademytrust.org/peter-sinfie...

Have fun dancing at the morris class Tuesdays 6:30pm at Cecil Sharp House. This week's breaktime chat will be "Summerpole, Maypole and Morris". www.efdss.org/learning/adu... Image: Guildford Summerpole 2022. The Taborers, Ewell St Marys, Pilgrims, The Royal Court Mayflowers and Fleur-de-Lys.

English Country Dancing - St George's Day On April 23rd most of the dances will be from different counties of England to celebrate St Georges Day. Some of the dances will be from Mike's book "A Dance Through History – a History of English Country Dance" Book now: bit.ly/3OR3M19

Read more about our latest commission, Rooted & Rising, a new musical show by Adriano Adewale, which will be touring Folk Festivals this summer. bit.ly/3QskzrK

National Youth Folk Ensemble’s Open Days. Take part in these free days: play folk music as part of a band and find out more about the Ensemble. Cecil Sharp House London - 27 May 2026 Exeter Phoenix - 28 May 2026 Leeds Conservatoire - 30 May 2026 www.efdss.org/.../national...

This week's episode of Classic Folk features tracks by: Harry Chapin @therealjoeely.bsky.social @stevetilston.bsky.social @joancbaezofficial.bsky.social Niamh Parsons Paddy Grant Kate Burke & @ruthhazleton.bsky.social Vin Garbutt Christy Moore The Copper Family And more! www.efdss.org/listen

Have fun dancing at the morris class Tuesdays 6:30pm at Cecil Sharp House. This week's water break chat will be "Favourite County". www.efdss.org/learning/adu... Image: Taylor's Morris Belle Isle's March Longborough at Oxford Folk Festival

Tomorrow! ‘The Catterwauling Scrapes of Thrashing Fidlers’: Explorations in the history of English Vernacular Fiddle Players, 1600-1900 Talk by Vic Gammon, with Sheila Gammon (Reader) and Bridget Enever (Fiddler) Book now: bit.ly/4d7I5no Image: Fiddle Etching by David Deuchar, Wellcome Collection

Calling all music students 📣 Make Music Work 2026 is this Friday and you should be there! Come along for a jam-packed day of discovery, networking and live music - AND get free ISM membership with your ticket. Join us this Friday ⬇️ www.ism.org/event/make-m...

Arts and Minds: what's next for arts in schools? We are delighted that alumni from the National Youth Folk Ensemble will be performing. Cecil Sharp House, London 27 April, 10am-3pm Free, tickets limited www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/arts-and-m...

The Merrie Merrie Month of May The Vaughan Williams Memorial Library Saturday, 16 May, 1-4pm (Drop in) FREE From bringing in the May to Jack in the Green, Rogationtide, Whitsun and everything in between. Find out more: bit.ly/40XSY3M Garland Day, Castleton, 29 May 1900

Resource of the Month: Working by Ear A booklet of ideas and resources for learning and teaching music by ear, produced for us by Rob Harbron and Miranda Rutter, based on their experiences while working with secondary school students at Hanham Woods Academy. Explore the resource: bit.ly/3NYoonB

Maypole is very fun for all ages and very kid-friendly, so if you or someone you know is likely to be in (or able to get to) the neighbourhood! The EFDSS run great events.

Maypole Special! Bring all the family to our May Family Barn Dance, and take part in lively ceilidh and maypole dancing to welcome in the spring! For this dance, our caller is Martin Clarke, who will be joined by The Belles of London City Sun 10 May, 1:30pm-4:30pm Cecil Sharp House bit.ly/4bTOVKU

This week's Episode of Classic Folk includes tracks by: @mattquinnmusic.bsky.social @elizacarthy.bsky.social Kris Drever Francy Devine Olivia Chaney Reg Meuross Laura Smyth & Ted Kemp @steeleye-span.bsky.social @billybragg.bsky.social and many more! www.efdss.org/listen

This month at the House: 🎶 Gigs from National Youth Folk Ensemble, Holly Clarke, Tarren, Basset the Band and Oysterband's John Jones Trio 📚 Library Lecture from Vic Gammon on English Vernacular Fiddle Players 1600-1900 💃 Morris and English Country Dancing classes return for summer term efdss.org

EFDSS Out and About this Summer! Where to catch our latest folk projects, musical groups and youth ensembles this festival season. Find out more: bit.ly/483ElQi

Here's this week's episode of Classic Folk featuring tracks by: Kirsty Merryn @lindsaystraw.com Lankum Gemma Khawaja Ewan McLennan The Musical Priest Rattle on the Stovepipe The Expatriate Game Last Orders Ewan MacColl Waterson:Carthy Fotheringay & many more! www.efdss.org/listen

‘The Catterwauling Scrapes of Thrashing Fidlers’: Explorations in the history of English Vernacular Fiddle Players, 1600-1900 Online talk by Vic Gammon, with Sheila Gammon (Reader) and Bridget Enever (Fiddler) Tue 14 Apr, 7:30pm OnZoom Book now: bit.ly/4d7I5no

Last week's Folk Education Development Day: Adapting Folk Dance with Older People was great fun as well as highly informative. Look out for a report on the event on our website in due course, and see what aspects you can introduce to your own dancing projects.

We've spotted a copy of Zakia Sewell's new release in the library, and it looks like a fascinating read. Zakia was part of our inaugural Black British Folk Takeover last autumn, and we can't wait to welcome her back to @cecilsharphouse.bsky.social soon. More on Finding Albion: bit.ly/4dT31yy

how it started* / how it's going * ok it's actually the eighth edition but it's the oldest one in the @efdss.bsky.social library

@klofmag.com Really pleased to see this release from EFDSS Creative Bursary awardee, the British-Asian singer-songwriter & progressive folk artist Satnam Galsian. Her songs are deeply rooted in her personal experiences, drawing on her own journey of identity, belonging, & empowerment. bit.ly/4bN8nc1

'Britain is in a “folk frenzy”, according to Sewell, gesturing to a post-pandemic resurgence in folk culture evidenced by a new slate of pagan festivals as well as the growing popularity of folk music, dancing, films – and magazines like Weird Walk' bit.ly/3PuW50F

Elye Cuthbertson, one of our National Youth Folk Ensemble alum, is invited back to the Royal Albert Hall to lead another of his Folk for Kids sessions. Enjoy singing a folk song, different folk rhythms through body percussion, dancing a traditional dance! www.royalalberthall.com/tickets/even...

Join us for a special night of music created and performed by these rising stars and help us celebrate the 10th anniversary of the National Youth Folk Ensemble! Cecil Sharp House Thur 2 Apr, 7:30pm bit.ly/40kHLtX Image shows members of the Ensemble going up in the folk music scene and up in a lift.

This week's episode of Classic Folk includes tracks by: Danny Pedler & Greg Russell Bruce Cockburn Sean Cooney, @elizacarthy.bsky.social Sam Carter, @jenniferballads.bsky.social Afro Celt Sound System The Queensland Tiger Fairport Convention @debracowan.com and many more! www.efdss.org/listen

Have fun dancing at the morris class Tuesdays 6:30pm at Cecil Sharp House. This week's water break chat will be "Morris and Soundscapes". 24 March is the last class of term, starting again on 14 April. www.efdss.org/learning/adu... Image: Pilgrim Morris with Taborer George Guildford Summerpole

Out with @eynshammorris.bsky.social yesterday at the Pallant House Gallery when they were reunited with a painting by William Nicholson of "Feather" Russell currently on loan from the @efdss.bsky.social...

Thank you so much to everyone in #chichester including #pallantgallery and @efdss.bsky.social for your hospitality and enthusiasm, it was amazing. A big thanks also to Barry @pixelsonapage @themorrisfed.bsky.social for the photos. #art #morrisdancing #folktradition #folkdance #artgallery

In 2024, the UK joined other countries in supporting the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. Communities across the UK are being invited to submit their traditions, customs & cultural practices as part of the Living Heritage Inventory: bit.ly/4cRMhrc

Lesser played traditional songs and unaccompanied favourites: this week's Classic Folk is here! efdss.org/listen

Get all the family together this Mother's Day for our Family Barn Dance Accompanied by live music and a 'dance caller' teaching you the simple and fun moves, these regular events inspire budding dancers to take their first steps. Sunday 15 March - 3pm Book tickets now: bit.ly/4rj9ki3

Join us for a special night of music created and performed by these rising stars and help us celebrate the 10th anniversary of the National Youth Folk Ensemble! Jo Freya will be awarded her prestigious EFDSS Gold Badge by Michael Morpurgo. Thursday 2 April, 7:30pm Book now: bit.ly/40kHLtX

Our friends at Music for Youth are recruiting for a new Programme Manager for Frequencies, their national programme supporting young music creators. Applications close: 30 March 2026 Job description & application: mfy.org.uk/about/vacanc...