Welcome to this year’s Youth Festival with Shooting Roots and Stream of Sound!
Sidmouth’s packed Youth Festival programme for ages 12-17 offers a chance to make friends, learn new skills, perform, play and just hang out on the beach. Run by young people, for young people, workshops are based at the central All Saints Church Old School Rooms, and end with amazing showcase performances from newly formed bands, dance sides, choirs and theatre groups at the Manor and seafront. As the sun sets, don’t miss our famous Betsy’s Bash sessions up on the Bulverton hill. Play banging tunes, sing songs, and enjoy some silly games – a favourite early doors haunt for young festival goers.
Over 30 years ago, Shooting Roots was born at Sidmouth Folk Festival! This summer, we’re returning stronger than ever, bringing you a full programme of workshops that you know and love! Whether you’re new to Shooting Roots or a returning participant, come join us for our Welcome Session on Saturday to meet the tutors, play games, and discover the week’s theme!
Stream of Sound
Take a handful of excellent musicians, add a sprinkling of sparkling arrangements and a pinch of nerdery, and you cook up the spine-tingling harmonies of Stream of Sound. We look forward to our youth workshops at Sidmouth all year, so come along if you know you love to sing, if you think you might want to try, or if you just fancy some uproarious nonsense in good company!
Youth Workshops
No experience is needed, and no pressure to join in the end-of-week performances – but it’s a lot of fun if you do! Based at All Saints Church Old School Rooms unless noted otherwise.
Shooting Roots Welcome Session!
Join us for a session full of fun, games and merriment. Also to find out the theme for our workshops this year! Sat 4:00 – 5:00pm
Ceilidh Calling Bootcamp
Come and learn to call from Annie Bolt, Shooting Roots’ resident caller in our ceilidh calling bootcamp! Learn everything from calling the basic figures to writing your own dances, and you’ll be a fully-fledged caller in no time. Sat & Sun 2:00 – 4:00pm The Bulverton
Performance Opportunity: Mon 7:30pm – 10:30pm Blackmore Gardens Marquee Ceilidh
Craft Day
Newbies and old hands alike can get stuck in on the Sunday, learning exciting traditional craft skills and making something to take home. Sun 10:00 – 5:00pm
Stream of Sound’s Harmonious Throng
Come raise your voice aloud with ours as we share song, laughter and camaraderie this summer. Singing together in these turbulent times is a radical act, powerful and beautiful, and this year our joyous whirlwind of harmonies will include songs of struggle & social justice to reflect that. Join us, old friends and new! For ages 12 – 21. Mon – Thu 11:30 – 12:45pm
Storytelling
Try your hand at the traditional art of storytelling, with Shooting Roots’ unique twist. Mon – Wed 2:30 – 3:30pm Thu 1:30 – 2:15pm (Rehearsal). Performance Opportunity: Fri 9:30- 11:00am Twyford House Storyround
Funky World Band
Bring along your instruments and create a great big funky band, suitable for all abilities, leading to a showcase on Thursday. Mon – Wed 1:00 – 2:15pm Thu 12:30 – 1:15pm (Rehearsal). Performance Opportunity: Thu 4:30 – 5:30pm Manor Pavilion Shooting Roots and Stream of Sound Showcase. (Rehearsal 2:45 – 4:00pm Manor Pavilion)
Dance
Team Dance are excited to bring back rapper dancing to our workshops this year, as well as other styles, including some modern mash-ups! Mon – Wed 5:00 – 6:00pm Fri 12:30 – 1:30pm (Rehearsal). Performance Opportunity: Fri 12:30 – 1:30pm Esplanade Shooting Roots Dance Out. We also have an exciting opportunity to dance in the final procession on Friday night!
Theatre
Make new friends, gain confidence and unleash creativity through theatre workshops filled with laughter and collaboration. Mon – Wed 3:45 – 4:45pm. Performance Opportunity: Thu 4:30 – 5:30pm Manor Pavilion Shooting Roots and Stream of Sound Showcase. (Rehearsal 2:45 – 4:00pm Manor Pavilion
Betsy’s Bash
Bring instruments, dances, games and songs and join in the fun at Betsy’s Lounge. For ages 12 – 25. Sun & Tue 7:00 – 8:00pm
faqs
can i dip in and out of the workshops?
We’d say you’d would get the most out of coming to all days of their chosen workshop/s, especially if they want to perform, but workshops are are flexible to suit whoever turns up on the day.
do i need any experience?
No experience is needed in any of the workshops. For the Shooting Roots Band we usually say you need to be able to play your instrument, but we can always teach percussion if someone turns up without.
do i have to perform at the end of the week?
If performance isn’t your thing there’s no pressure. It’s entirely optional, in a relaxed and encouraging atmosphere.
what if i don’t know anyone?
You soon will! Making new friends is all part of the Youth Festival vibe.
new callers showcase
Your chance to call as part of the Shooting Roots celebration ceilidh. An opportunity for any ceilidh callers not previously booked at Sidmouth. Applications are not quite open for 2025 but watch this space!
who are shooting roots?
Shooting Roots is an organisation run by and for young people, offering creative and participatory folk workshops at festivals and other events. In a nutshell it’s all about generating opportunities for young people to perform, develop friendships and access the folk arts.