pre-festival specials
The Bootleg Beatles
main festival programme so far…
Kate Rusby ● Spooky Men’s Chorale ● John Jones, Ray Cooper & Al Scott ● Blowzabella ● The Young’uns ● Lindisfarne ● Steve Knightley & Friends ● Gigspanner Big Band ●
Ashley Hutchings & Blair Dunlop ● Black Umfolosi ● Bryony Griffith & Alice Jones ● Cerys Hafana Trio ● Jack Rutter ● Jali Bakary Konteh with Sarah Deere-Jones ● Jim Causley ● John Kirkpatrick & Cohen Braithewaite-Kilcoyne ● Kathryn Tickell & The Darkening ● Mad Dog Mcrae ● Malin Lewis Trio ● Mikey Kenney ● The Furrow Collective ● The Wilderness Yet ● Will Pound & Jenn Butterworth ●
Special shows
Peter’s Field– an epic musical chronicle, commemorating one of the most defining moments in British working class history, the Peterloo Massacre.
Sailor Swift (the artist formerly known as Pete Morton) – The friendly ghost of a sailor haunts an old pub, meeting and talking with people through the centuries, the famous and infamous, observing the changing world with a smile and a quick wit, singing popular songs from times gone by. It’s full of laughter, sing-alongs, history, poetry, philosophy, and life-affirming fun!
The Innocent – A Tale of Injustice in Words and Music. Discover the moving story of Thomas Helliker, the Trowbridge Martyr (1784–1803), whose life was tragically cut short on his 19th birthday. A unforgettable show of courage, injustice, and resilience.
storytelling & spoken word
Ean Richardson – workshop series. The 5 Ws (Who, What, When, Where and Why) of storytelling
The Curse of the Most Beautiful. Stories of women from around the world who had the misfortune to be labelled ‘the Most Beautiful woman in the world’ and how, for the woman at least, this always ends in a tragedy.
Trudgepig Folk Theatre present The Wickerwork Man, a mumming play version of The Wicker Man.
Ceilidhs & Callers include…
The Bismarcks ● Blowzabella ● Ceilidh 360 ● Jigfoot ● Kettlehawk ● Simon Care All Stars Band ● Stepcote Hill ● Token Women
Callers include: Annie Bolt ● Barry Goodman ● Fee Lock ● Nick Walden ● Sheena Masson
Michael Catovsky – callers workshops & showcase
workshops & talks so far with…
John Kirkpatrick with the Festival Concert Band ● Nick & Mary Barber leading the Sidmouth Big Band ● Janice Burns & Jon Doran’s Festival Choir ● Matt Sullivan exploring Rhumba Guitar ● Jannette Stewart with Well-Known Tunes at a Steady Pace ● Ilse Pedler’s Poetry for All and Spoken Word Open Mic ● Introduction to Calling with Michael Catovsky ● John Dipper – Fiddle ● Squeezebox From Scratch – Melodeon ● Seb Stone – Carols ● Creative Making and Mindful Mornings at The Bulverton
Barry Goodman: A Folk Polymath? ● Barry & Gill Goodman: Down the Canal. The story of Britain’s canals over the last 250 years, from the building of the first commercial canal to the revival of the waterways for leisure. Including songs are from “Where the Working Boats Went” show by Life and Times. ● The Bagpipe Society: Open illustrated talk about the Society, pipes and piping, with a chance to Have A Go ● James Frost: Beelzebub in the mummers play ● James Frost: The Hobby Horse ● Martin Graebe: Down the Pub with ● Matt Quinn: In the Roud live podcast recording. ● Mike Bettison: Folk Collectors in Teesdale, County Durham. ● Trudgepig Folk Theatre present The Wickerwork Man, a mumming play version of The Wicker Man.
a packed social dance programme including …
Linda Game Band (contra) ● Stomping Ground (contra) ● Contrary Faeries (contra) ● Lewis Wood & Helen Gentle (Bal) ● Oscina (Bal) ● Pagoda Project (Paul Hutchinson, Karen Wimhurst, Hannah Cumming)
Callers including Geoff Cubitt (Contra and Squares) ● Mark Elvins (mixed) ● Anne Hinchcliffe (Historical Dance) ● Sam Tetley-Smith (Contra) ● Kevin & Carol Monaghan (Irish Set) ● Kerry Fletched (Euro)
display dance and workshops with …
Black Swan ● Chelmsford Morris ● Clausentum ● Flag & Bone ● Kittiwake ● Lancashire Wallopers ● Mary Rose & Royal George
● Moulton ● Old Speckled Hen ● Orion Longsword ● Ouse Washes ● The Outside Capering Crew ● Silver Flame
children’s festival
a fantastic free programme of artists and activities over 7 days including…
Live theatre ● Crafting ● Puppetry ● Ceilidh band workshops ● Singing workshops ● Live music ● Storytelling ● Forest school ● Early years activities ● Makaton ● Yoga ● Dance
Stompers Ceilidh Band ● The Minims ● Sidmouth Mini Singers (with Jackie Oates) ● SongSwell Choir (with Bryony Griffith) ● Craft Carousel ● Mini Morris ● Tiny Morris ● The Sidmouth Postman ● Sensory Storytime ● Yoga ● Lantern Making ● Forest School ● Teddies Hospital ● Young Performers Stage ● Happy Bubbles Devon ● Mornings at the Maypole ● Family Song & Tune Session ● Children’s Festival Showcase
youth festival
For ages 12-17 and run by Shooting Roots & Stream of Sound, our Youth programme offers a chance to make friends, learn new skills, perform, play and just hang out on the beach. Workshops and events include:
Welcome Session ● Ceilidh calling bootcamp ● Craft Day ● Stream of Sound’s Harmonious Throng ● Story Telling ● Funky World Band ● Dance ● Theatre ● Betsy’s Bash
mcs
Coming soon!