Artists & Sessions

The two Friday welcome dances both offer a selection of styles. (Please note that registration is at the Sports Hall, first floor, this year on Friday, moving to Bader on Saturday). Barrie Bullimore and Keeping Thyme will be well-known to most dancers, but who is the band “Narrow Escape”? Are we referring to something worrying? No, it merely refers to the band members’ other hobbies, canal boating.

Narrow Escape 

The band is a delightful mix of experienced musicians in the dance scene, with David Bradley on accordion, Mike Green on mandolin and mandola and Liz Ellison completing the trio on recorder and concertina. This talented line up makes for flexibility in playing for American and English dance styles. The band plays for dance clubs, barn dances, festivals and weekend events. Festival appearances include Sidmouth, Eastbourne, and Bromyard. Barn Dance appearances include playing in Birmingham Cathedral.

The Band was formed in 2007 and chose its name to reflect a common interest in canal boats. All the players are also in other bands and ensembles which they regard as important to keep a fresh approach to their music, and all are narrow boat enthusiasts. Formed in 2007, the band is often joined by an honorary member, Rosie the dog.

Barrie Bullimore

Barrie is a top-notch caller whose diary is filled to the hilt with demands for engagements. He can turn his hand to virtually any style of dancing, and brings it all to life with a cheerful approach and consummate skill. His organising talents are also evident when he puts on weekends of dance. This year at Lichfield he brings us mixed programmes on the Friday night and Saturday early evening, plus American workshops on Sunday. Let him tempt you out to try the new hall, St Joseph's, on Saturday, with a mixed bag of dances for your enjoyment.

Keeping Thyme

This versatile band needs little introduction – such a respected and well-known heritage it enjoys! It consists of Julia and Shane Day, on violin and accordion respectively, together with Tina Brown on bass. You will find them performing regularly for Saturday dances, residential dance weekends and repeatedly performing at all of the major dance festivals. Based in the South Midlands, they enjoy playing elegant Playford, lively squares, zesty contras and anything else demanded of them (well, almost).

Robert Moir

It is a long time since Robert Moir last called at Lichfield, and we are delighted to welcome back such a dancing master. A Scot by birth, Robert is noted for his clear, precise teaching and his unfailing graciousness. In the early 70s Robert discovered English Folk in Newcastle upon Tyne and by now is booked round the world, including Holland, Belgium, Portugal, Spain, the US and throughout the UK. His wide repertoire features both historical reconstructions and modern compositions in the genre.

Those seeking more of a mental challenge on Saturday may elect “Moir’s Mazes”. The 21st century dancing master, Robert Moir, will select a varied programme of interesting dances for those who enjoy the combination of mental stimulation with great music and exciting movement. His list is likely to include dances by Colin Wallace, Pat Shaw, Colin Hume and other comtemporary composers as well as earlier dancing masters. Underlying the choice will be the principle that the dances will be enjoyable to dance, not just mind-boggling, even if the choreography is unusual.

Saturday

The morning starts with three dance workshops. We commend you to sample International dances with expert leader Maggie. You will also be agreeably surprised by the acoustic dampening we’ve achieved in the Gym – as good as Bader Hall!

Maggie Kaye

An SIFD listed teacher (Society for International Folk Dancing). Maggie is on its national committee and she organises most of the West Midlands Branch events as well as being the MC at workshops and evening dances in London, locally and at the Swansea SIFD summer school.

Maggie first encountered International folk dances at the University of Birmingham whilst studying for her PGCE teaching certificate, and she taught some International dances in her first school jobs. Being a musician and a teacher it was perhaps natural that she was asked to take on the running of her local group. She lays emphasis on being relaxed and not too demanding (unless coaching for a demonstration): “As most people come primarily for enjoyment I try to convey the different styles and footwork of the various countries”

As a musician she will be best known to most Festival-goers as fiddler with Cat's Whiskers. In terms of Internaltional music she leads the Heart of England Band, and has taught International music workshops at Swansea and folk camp weekends, amongst others.

David Bradley and Gordon Taylor

Playing for Maggie, and leading the other music workshops are David and Gordon. David is putting in overtime at the Festival this year, dashing between these workshops and his Narrow Escape engagements, but we know he will remain unruffled, confident in the detailed preparation and his mastery of the accordion. David has been part of many bands, including Mixolydians, Devil Among the Tailors and The Happy Pair.

 Appalachian Storm

Appalachian Storm specialises in Appalachian and Celtic traditional and contemporary dance tunes. The band's unique sound is anchored by the driving rhythms of guitarist David Hayes, and enhanced by passionate fiddlers Kris Wallace and David White, with solid acoustic bass from Terrell Jones. Variety is provided by the mandolin (David Hayes and Kris) and banjo played by David White – who plays with an oomph that inspires people to move, stemming from his background in several folk line-ups. They are only here on Saturday, so don't miss them!are here just for the day, so you’ll want to catch them at some point.

Mike Courthold,

Mike Courthold is steeped in folk, and has been calling for many years, as well as co-ordinating the social dance programme for the wonderful Chippenham folk festival. This is, amazingly, his first visit to Lichfield, and we can expect varied and lively programmes at all his sessions. 

Diane Silver. 

This isn't Diane's first visit to the UK, (although a first for Lichfield), and here's what folk say about her: “A penchant for hot, modern contras with a few fun squares provides a sizzling evening”, “Clear, kind teaching, great positive energy” ,“An easy-going, friendly calling style and remarkable skill in breaking down moves”. What more could we add?

Gene Murrow

Gene Murrow returns to the festival by popular demand! He will be familiar to Lichfield regulars from 2005 and is a man of many talents -English country dancer and dance leader, teacher of dance and early music workshops in the US and Europe, musician, and General Manager of the Early Music Foundation of New York.

Gene discovered English country dancing in the summer of 1965 at Pinewoods, as an 18-year-old oboist subbing for his teacher at "Chamber Music Week." He got hooked then on both dancing and playing for dance. Gene started calling dances much later in the mid '80's.

Gene's involvement with Pinewoods has been continuous for over thirty-five years, chairing music and dance weeks for CDSS and as a member of its Governing Board. He also founded the Sunset Morris Men.

Gene plays concertina, accordion, crumhorn, pipe, tabor, and just about anything else that comes to hand. His degree in music is from Columbia University and he once performed at the White House for President Reagan. He plays in MGM, whose CDs, "Measured Obsession," "Old Friends" and "New Friends" are extremely popular in the UK as well as the States. Another of Gene's achievements is as producer of a continuing series of CDs of English country dances for the Boston Center, currently up to Volume 12.

Gene’s teaching, whilst meticulous, is accessible to all who love Playford-style dancing. Playford-style dancing. His 3 workshops are:-

“Magical Musical Moments” – dances that exploit the extraordinary variety of meter, tempo, rhythm, melody, and structure in English country dance music.

“Progressive Progressions” – dances that incorporate unusual and surprising progressions. No “ones cast twos lead up” here!

“Robin Goodfellow and His Friends” – the fabled trickster lent his name to “Mad Robin,” whose signature figure has been adopted in other English country and American contra dances. We’ll enjoy sampling them.

 On Saturday Gene will bring us an evening of English country dancing which is typical of a New York programme. This will focus on the simple flow of beautiful moves to the music, without too much complexity to interrupt the enjoyment of the dance.

Masquerade

Masquerade was formed in 2003 when Daphne Baker, pianist, invited Graham Knibbs, violinist, and Stephen Thomas to join together for English country dance sessions. Graham is a versatile fiddler, equally at home in classical concert performances of a session in the pub. Stephen, on double bass, adds gravitas. They quickly became booked up for festivals such as Broadstairs, Whitby and Sidmouth, and have also played abroad in Belgium, as well as being popular for Playford Balls.

David and Kathryn Wright

The Wrights are famous for the way they share the stage and each complements the other. All the major dance weekends and festivals have booked them to perform, and most dancers will know them in addition for their dance compositions. This year they present tributes to Ken Alexander and Fried de Metz Herman, in recognition of their great contributions to the dance world. In addition, they launch the new Fallibroome Collection in style.

Frances Richardson

Frances is not only Dance Director for this Festival, but in her spare time she is booked around the country for Saturday dances, weekends of dance and festivals, including Chippenham, Southam and Sidmouth, Here she will be presenting some of the wonderful dances from the screen productions of Jane Austen's works. Newcomers will be welcome at the workshop, and the level will be suited to those who attend.

Frances's own costume was created by none other than “Mistress Shaw” who will be at the Festival to display some of her wares, sell accessories and offer advice.

 

3D

           Once again the Dewhurst family in the form of 3D provide the infectious music., with Julie and Chris on accordions and Nick on a variety of instruments of which he is now master. They are well-known on the folk dance scene for their lively and imaginative style, which they bring to dances both old and new. 3D is very popular for Scottish dances in the Midlands, as well as English and American. Youngest 3D band member, Nick Dewhurst is currently studying music at the Birmingham Conservatoire, so joins the band whenever he can. The talented family will also lead the Sunday Come All Ye Frances Richardson 

The Festival Band

This year combines all the festival band musicians who are able to gather at the final afternoon session, under the leadership of some of the strongest band leaders, this time the Dewhursts.  All who wish to join in must ask them first,

The Folk Shop and costume display                            

Mistress Shaw will be displaying her wonderful costumes again in Room 10 during the Festival, and will have a variety of accessories for sale, such as gloves, fans, hair ornaments, gentleman's hose and shoe buckles, plus advice on costumes,

Derek and Ann Appleing have run their Folk Shop for the past 30 years, as way of saying thank you for the enjoyment they have had during their 40 years in folk activities. They started as one of several EFDSS sales points and worked as such for many years but all were eventually declared non-viable by EFDSS and the links were cut. Despite this set back, Derek & Ann have continued as an independent supplier for the last dozen or so years, providing an uninterrupted sales service to the folk community. Now, as the only remaining Folk Shop, we are proud once again, to welcome them to Lichfield Folk Festival for their ‘umpteenth visit, in the hope that you will spend some time this week end in browsing and buying. The Shop will be sited, together with the Office, in Room 10 at King Edward School, next to Bader Hall. Please note that the Shop stocks over 1000 lines in books and dance CD’s, has over 100 suppliers and imports from 3 countries. They supply to ‘Folkies’ all over the country, including EFDSS, by email, telephone and post. From the oldest to the most recent of publications, the vast majority are available from their comprehensive stock. However, if you can’t find what you are looking for on the shelves, it may be in stock at their base, so please enquire. Happy browsing and please remember to tell Derek & Ann how much you appreciate their efforts. We don’t know what we would do without them and hope that we never have to.