This week's episode of Classic Folks includes track by: Lonnie Donegan @caradillonsings.bsky.social @jimmoray.bsky.social Trio @lindaronstadtmusic.bsky.social & Emmylou Harris and many more! www.efdss.org/listen

Listen: Classic Folk

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 o...

efdss.org

Our next exhibition, open from Tuesday 15 September to Monday 11 January, will be 'Hill Drawings' by Melvyn Robinson (1933-2025) The paintings incorporate a drawing style inspired by hill figures such as the Cerne Abbas Giant and the Uffington White Horse. www.efdss.org/whats-on/159...

The Summer issue of EDS magazine is out now, exclusively for EFDSS Members. Articles by: Linett Kamala @linettkamala.bsky.social Andy Turner @audinarymusic.bsky.social Jo Freya @jofreya.bsky.social and much more! If you aren't already a Member, join us now: www.efdss.org/support-us/j...

If you haven't managed to catch Rooted and Rising yet, there's still time to see this captivating collaboration at your favourite folk festival this summer... 🎪

Delighted to share that I've been awarded an Alan James Bursary by @efdss.bsky.social to support research on the Middle East & North Africa in English traditional song. Honoured to be among these artists. Looking forward to it a lot! Musical results further along so stay tuned. Thank you, EFDSS!

English Folk Dance and Song Society@efdss.bsky.social · 6d ago

Massive congratulations to the recipients of the 2026 EFDSS Alan James Bursaries! Residency and Research funds will support: Joseph Hardy & Emily Askew Liz Hanks @lizhankscello.bsky.social Aellin (Siân Magill) Alex Lyon Kate Arnold @dulcimerkate.bsky.social Find out more: bit.ly/4w2oXgr

Massive congratulations to the recipients of the 2026 EFDSS Alan James Bursaries! Residency and Research funds will support: Joseph Hardy & Emily Askew Liz Hanks @lizhankscello.bsky.social Aellin (Siân Magill) Alex Lyon Kate Arnold @dulcimerkate.bsky.social Find out more: bit.ly/4w2oXgr

Alan James Bursaries awarded for 2026

The Alan James Creative Bursary:Residency and Research Programmes, aim to support artists exploring new creative ideas inspired by and sourced from traditional folk music relating to England. Now in i...

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We are looking forward to a busy @sidmouthfolkfest.bsky.social – and hope to see you there! EFDSS Presents... a series of concerts showcasing the talents of established and emerging folk stars hosted by Katy Spicer. Screening of A Basket Full of Eggs Rooted and Rising www.efdss.org/about-us/wha...

EFDSS at Sidmouth 2026

We are looking forward to a busy Sidmouth Folk Festival – and hope to see you there!

efdss.org

The Ffern Folk Foundation's mission is to illuminate British Folk and support its practitioners. The central pillar of the Foundation is annual grants of between £5,000 and £20,000, which will fund multiple folk practitioners. Deadline: Monday 17 August, 6pm Apply now: ffern.co/folk-foundat...

Learn Folk Song and Singing online with Jennifer Reid @jenniferballads.bsky.social Monday Folk Singers (Online) - Autumn Term 21 September to 30 November You will learn songs from our tutor’s extensive repertoire as well as harmonies that you can sing with others. Book now: bit.ly/4pEAvoe

Due to the current amber weather warning, the library will be closed today to ensure the wellbeing of our staff and visitors. As a heritage building without air conditioning or other cooling infrastructure, temperatures inside the library reached very high levels during the recent heatwaves.

This week's episode of Classic Folk includes track by: @jonwilksmusic.bsky.social @johnprine.bsky.social @martynjosephwales.bsky.social Sinead O'Connor @tinmanicon.bsky.social Martin Simpson Johnny Collins and many more! www.efdss.org/listen

Listen: Classic Folk

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 o...

efdss.org

The new Prime Minister is writing a "10-year plan" for the UK. The arts & culture MUST be part of it. We've signed @campaignforthearts.org's petition urging @andyburnham.bsky.social to revitalise the arts – to revitalise the whole nation 🌱 Join us: www.campaignforthearts.org/petitions/10-year-plan/

Prime Minister – put the arts in your 10-year plan for the UK | Campaign for the Arts

Sign our petition urging the UK Government to build a country where the arts are available from childhood, accessible to all and thriving everywhere.

campaignforthearts.org

Learn to play the Banjo at Cecil Sharp House Ed Hicks is one of the leading banjo players in the UK and a passionate advocate for people learning folk and traditional music. Book for the September term: bit.ly/4gNkEBE Photo by Rosie Reed Gold

We're Hiring! Freelance Pastoral Staff Member (London Youth Folk Ensemble) Provide pastoral care for the London Youth Folk Ensemble members while they are taking part in Sunday workshops and performances. Fee: £82.40 per rehearsal The hourly rate for any other meetings £20.60. bit.ly/3KtWdeh

Learn to play the Melodeon at @cecilsharphouse.bsky.social The melodeon (or diatonic button accordion) is particularly popular in folk music. The rhythmic effects of the push-pull action are especially well suited to the lively rhythms of dance. bit.ly/4foJJAy Photos by Rosie Reed Gold

Learn to play the Fiddle at Cecil Sharp House Taught by Ross Grant this course aims to introduce traditional fiddle tunes and accompaniments. The classes have a laid back and friendly approach, and allow a variety of abilities to co-exist happily. bit.ly/3TKXNwP Photo by Rosie Reed Gold

Advance Notice The Library will be closed in the week commencing Monday 3 August for work on the sound room. It will reopen on Tuesday 11 August. The Sound Room will soon house new, upgraded digitisation equipment which we will use to preserve vulnerable formats for the future.

This week's Classic Folk features: @katerusby.bsky.social @stevetilston.bsky.social Trio @loreenamckennitt.bsky.social @judycollins.bsky.social and many, many more www.efdss.org/listen

Listen: Classic Folk

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 o...

efdss.org

Learn Folk Song at @cecilsharphouse.bsky.social Starting in September, join our Sunday morning Song class. Taught by Hazel Askew of The Askew Sisters and Lady Maisery. This class will accommodate a variety of levels. No prior knowledge of folk song is required. bit.ly/4puVE4w

We are proud to be a partner of the Royal College of Music Museum's exhibition Shared Airs: Our Thriving Folk Musics EFDSS, and the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library in particular, have been involved as curatorial consultants in the exhibition Read more: bit.ly/4fflVPd

There’s just one week to go until we close the Social Folk Dance Caller Census and we’ve been blown away by the response so far! If you’ve not yet filled in the survey there’s still time before the deadline - Monday 20 July. docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F... Photo by Roswitha Chesher

Lisa Nandy secured at least £12.5 million for a Music in Libraries initiative. 'Public libraries around England will become "music lending spaces" offering free studio space & performance opportunities, under new government plans to boost the UK music industry.' bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c74y2yjd24ko

Ed Sheeran inspires government-backed 'music in libraries' scheme

The pop star will help design a programme to put rehearsal spaces and studios into local libraries.

bbc.co.uk

This week's Classic Folk includes an interview with John Marshall Potter, director of the @folkeast.bsky.social festival about starting afresh in their new site and a look forward to some of the artists who will be performing at the festival next month. www.efdss.org/listen

Listen: Classic Folk

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 o...

efdss.org

Ceilidh the musical: coming to UK theatres this year. Alan Cumming (involved in its UK premiere): “It's a gorgeous, heartfelt story wrapped up in an unadulterated night of joy, dancing, music & pure Highland magic!” whatsonstage.com/news/ceilidh-musical-to-have-london-run-and-embark-on-tour_1726800/

Ceilidh musical to have London run and embark on tour

The show was a big hit during its initial Baltimore run

whatsonstage.com

Got your tickets for @folkbytheoak.bsky.social yet? Amongst all the folkie delights on offer, you will be able to hear the London Youth Folk Ensemble perform as well as our newly commissioned show Rooted and Rising. Catch both on 19 July, Hatfield Park. Find out more and book: www.folkbytheoak.com

Matthew Bannister: “People are missing the rituals that connect them to the seasons, and that’s really what folklore practices do... whether dancing around a maypole on May Day... pagan solstice symbolism, or winter fire rituals. happiful.com/how-the-folk-revival-is-connecting-us-with-what-matters

How the folk revival is connecting us with what matters

Join Katie Scott as she goes on the immersive musical experience Singing with Nightingales

happiful.com

Last night’s Rooted and Rising premiere blew us away❤️‍🔥🪾 Here’s a glimpse of this incredible show, which you can catch at folk festivals this summer and on tour in the future 👀 Folk by the Oak 19 Jul The Sidmouth Folk Festival 4 Aug Broadstairs Folk Week 9 Aug Shrewsbury Folk Festival 30 Aug

Tonight - the last English Country Dancing class of the summer! It is quite hot (don't know if you've noticed), so the class will be more gentle than usual and have more breaks to help you stay hydrated. Book now: bit.ly/4vAkphF

📣 Call for Papers For the next Vaughan Williams Memorial Library Conference: Folk Arts as Intangible Cultural Heritage Conference In collaboration with Esbjörn Wettermark and Access Folk (University of Sheffield) Find out more: bit.ly/4pk4EZZ

Call for Papers: Folk Arts as Intangible Cultural Heritage Conference

Folk Arts as Intangible Cultural Heritage in England Conference In collaboration with Esbjörn Wettermark and Access Folk (University of Sheffield)Saturday 24 October, Cecil Sharp House, London This on...

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This week's episode of Classic Folk is looking forward to @sidmouthfolkfest.bsky.social with: @bryonyandalice.bsky.social @windbornesingers.bsky.social Miranda Sykes & @jimcausley.bsky.social @johnspiers.co.uk & Boden @bonfireradicals.bsky.social @nancyannfolk.bsky.social www.efdss.org/listen

Listen: Classic Folk

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 o...

efdss.org