We pride ourselves on having a strong dance programme at the Priddy Folk Festival, including Morris and display dance sides, ceilidhs and workshops. And the best thing is that the vast majority of the Dance Festival is absolutely free and open to all!
See below for details of our fabulous dance sides who performed in 2024.
We also hosted two ceilidhs (one ticketed and one free) – read on for details.
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Tower Ravens
Tower Ravens are London’s premier rapper sword dance team. Named after the feathered guardians of the Tower of London, they are accompanied by a brazen Beefeater. Displaying acrobatic prowess and nerves of steel, they’re held together by a love of sword dancing and liquid refreshment.
“But what is rapper dancing?” we hear you say. Rapper sword dancing is a form of traditional dance which comes from the north east of England. The “swords” (inch wide strips of metal with a handle at each end) are used to make intricate locks and patterns whilst the dancers perform precise and neat stepping combined with fast and exciting movements.
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Rag Morris
Rag Morris is a vibrant and enthusiastic morris side based in Bristol. They dance with sticks, hankies, bare hands (and occasionally plastic chickens), accompanied by accordions, melodeons, fiddles, whistles and drums – and, of course, their trusty steed Rags the Horse. Their dances are mainly from Cotswold traditions, with just a dash of the Welsh Borders, and you can easily spot them in their eclectic multicoloured tatterjackets and bells. They are open to anyone over the age of 16, regardless of gender, experience or abilities, and they’re delighted to be back at Priddy this year!
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Outside Capering Crew
The Outside Capering Crew presents morris dance for the 21st century: sometimes flashy, sometimes comic, and always with exhilarating music. Their eclectic repertoire includes broom dances (tricky spins, throws and kick-ups) and brain-bending “bacca pipes” jigs – England’s answer to the Scottish sword dance, but more edgy. It’s all served up with a dash of showmanship (and a very silly horse. Or maybe a cow).
Comprising of 5 energetic, handsome dancers and two gorgeous, elegant musicians, the Crew take pride in putting on a show that’s entertaining for the general public and morris aficionados alike. All members of the team have been winners of the John Gasson Jig Competition at Sidmouth. They have performed in America, Dubai, Sark and mainland Europe, and at major UK folk festivals.
Find out more: Website
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Kittiwake Border Morris
Kittiwake Border Morris are a heady mix of energy, youth, guys, sticks and joy! Swooping into formation in 2022, they perform dances from the Welsh border as well as their own made in Bristol, accompanied by a fantastic band of talented musicians. They are proudly LGBTQ+ inclusive welcoming members of every gender and identity. Come and watch a mesmerising show full of yips, yells and bells!
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City Clickers
City Clickers Clog and Step Dance group from Bristol is among the country’s finest exponents of clog and step dancing. They perform clog dances from Northern England, Wales and Scotland. Their performances are guaranteed to enthral as the hypnotic percussive rhythms of their clogs and step-shoes meld with melodic accordion and fiddle accompaniment. A treat to watch. They also run a day of clog and step workshops most years in October which are an important part of the step dance calendar.
Find out more: Facebook
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Catseye
Catseye Morris is based in South East Cornwall. They started in 2004 as a border side but then dropped the tatters and border from their title in order to celebrate all Morris influences, taking inspiration from Border, Cotswold, Molly and Cornish dance. They are a creative side that sets them apart from others with a unique style, striving for accuracy and theatrics in all their dances.
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Bounds of Selwood
The Bounds of Selwood are a Cotswold morris side from Frome and surrounding areas. The all-female side began dancing together in 2023, brought together by squire Gwen Burns and helped along by the knowledge and expertise of members of the 90-year old all-male side, The Bathampton Morris Men. The Bounds have had a joyful first year of dancing, celebrating the turning of the seasons at wassails, pubs, stone circles, markets, art galleries, weddings and festivals.
Find out more: Instagram
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Belle D’Vain North West Morris
Belle D’Vain were formed in 1989 by the wives and girlfriends of Pebworth Morris. Fed up with standing around, they decided to begin a Northwest side with help from Chinewrde. Their name comes from a once widely grown local plum called Belle D’Louvain – they also take our kit colours from the plum. They are based at The Fleece in Bretforton Worcestershire.
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Aurora
Ceilidhs
As well as dance workshops and displays, we have two ceilidhs to delight your dancing feet:
Saturday, 19.00 to 22.00 Village Hall (Wristbands only)
Our legendary Saturday night ceilidh is led by Granny’s Attic with Alison Rowley as caller – expect lively tunes and a lot of fun!
Tower Ravens, London’s premier sword dance team, will be our interval act (at around 20.45) when you take a breather and watch the experts get sweaty too.
Sunday, 14.00 to 16.00 Eastwater (Free)
Yatton Ceilidh Club is back in Priddy with the Lochrian Ceilidh Band. What better way to spend a Sunday afternoon than at a family ceilidh with fellow dancers to encourage you?
Yatton Ceilidh Club are a group of enthusiasts who meet in the North Somerset village of Yatton on Tuesday evenings under the tutelage of Alison Black. Expect fun, some great dancing and energetic music – no previous experience required! Kittiwake Border Morris will be providing the interval display at 15.00.
We’re also hosting a lively Fringe Festival with a strong focus on local folk musicians from around Somerset and the West Country.