Family
Photo copyright Jessie Simmons
Family Programme
A special programme of events designed for all the family to enjoy together and have fun! All welcome!
EFDSS is delighted to present a vibrant Family Friendly programme of monthly and annual events at Cecil Sharp House - including dances, afternoon festivals, workshops and performances - organised with a range of partners including the Friends of Cecil Sharp House, EFDSS's associate artists and other arts organisations.
The Family Friendly programme draws on a range of folk art forms from the British Isles - dance, song, music, visual arts, storytelling, drama - complemented by traditional and folk art forms from other parts of the world, as well as contemporary, urban and classical arts.
Who the events are for:
These events are for children of all ages and their parents, carers and families. Absolutely no previous knowledge of traditional English/British forms is needed!
Our family events
Family Barn Dances
Join in with our lively barn or 'ceilidh' social dancing from the British Isles, with music from a live band and instructions for all dances from a friendly caller! Delivered in partnership with the Friends of Cecil Sharp House.
Dances are specially selected to suit family groups of all ages, so everyone can take part. To ensure everyone has fun, children under 5 may need guiding or carrying through some of the moves, and groups should include a minimum of one adult for every four children.
'I’ve just returned from the Family Barn Dance at Cecil Sharp House, and wanted to say how much I enjoyed it. The caller was excellent, and made even the smallest dancer feel welcome and included. It was particularly gratifying to see how the adults looked out for all the children and not just their own. I hope to come again next month. Oh, and my grandchildren enjoyed it too!' - Participant
On Sundays once a month from 3-5pm. There is no family dance during April. May's dance takes place as part of May in a Day!
Tickets on the door, only £5 adults, £3 children.
May in a Day!
Celebrate the spring with our fun-filled afternoon of all things May and Maypoles, for children and adults of all ages! Including a barn dance, Maypole and morris dancing, live music, May stories and characters, visual arts and crafts, music workshops and more!
The next May in a Day! will take place at Cecil Sharp House 12 May 2012.
Apple Day
An afternoon celebration of all things appley! Featuring a special apple-themed one-hour concert, The Fruit of Paradise, followed by ceilidh dancing where you can dance your socks off in celebration of Lord Lambert, Pigs Snout, Norfolk Beefin’, Barnack Beauty, Sunset and all the other local apple varieties we have growing in our orchards. Plus song workshops, arts and crafts, apple tasting and more! For children and adults of all ages.
The Fruit of Paradise takes the audience on an intriguing ‘apple journey’, through time and across continents, telling the tale of the origins and spread of the apple, from the wild forests of Kazakhstan to the orchards and supermarkets of today. Traditional and new songs and tunes from composer Karen Wimhurst, singer Emily Portman, musicians Paul Hutchinson and John Hymas, with writing from poet James Crowden. There’s an opportunity for everyone to join in with some of the traditional apple tree ‘wassailing’ and other songs. Commissioned by Common Ground to celebrate 21 years of the calendar custom Apple Day. Suitable for everyone 8 years plus. (Alternative activities will be available for under-8s)
The next Apple Day will take place at Cecil Sharp House on 15 October 2011, presented by EFDSS with support from Islington Folk Club.
More details about Apple Day 2011
Tickets: £6 / £4 (child and concs). Family ticket, (4 people, at least 1 child): £18 (£14 concs). Under-2s free.
Tickets available on the door or from EFDSS
An EFDSS volunteer has written a review of last year's Apple Day event: Apple Day 2010 [pdf]
