Calling everyone who’s ever wanted to try ceilidh dancing but never had the opportunity before!
We’re holding five inclusive ceilidhs at accessible locations in Devon this summer and autumn, when we’ll be experimenting with new folk dance ideas and building an inclusive ceilidh community.
The ceilidhs will have lots of adaptable dance options and gender-neutral dance calls. People can come solo, with a partner, or in a group. No dance experience is needed, and all abilities, agilities, ages and identities are welcome. A friendly atmosphere is guaranteed!
We’ve also formed a professional band for the project – Billie Bottle, Hannah Cumming, Jason Rice, Jo Miekle, Jon Dyer and Maz McNamara.
Jon said: “We’ll make the ceilidhs inclusive so that everyone can take part – whether they haven’t felt able to folk dance because they use a wheelchair or have a visual impairment, want to dance with someone of the same gender, or have felt excluded simply because they don’t know what to expect. These dances are for everyone!”
The first ceilidh is at Okehampton’s Charter Hall on Friday 4 July. We’ll then be at Broadclyst Village Hall in east Devon on Friday 25 July and Filleigh Village Hall near Barnstaple on Friday 12 September. All the dances are from 7pm to 9.30pm. We’ll also be holding an inclusive ceilidh at Sidmouth Folk Festival in August – look out for further details soon – and the fifth dance will be in October, venue and date to be announced nearer the time.
More inclusive ceilidhs are planned in the longer term. Jon said: “After these five dances, we’ll have a template for what works best for future events.”
Admission is £10/£6 and booking is recommended. You can book now for the Okehampton ceilidh via our Eventbrite page. The following four ceilidhs can be booked through our What’s On calendar. Enablers/carers get free entry, and our friendly staff and Wren volunteers will be on hand to offer help throughout the evening. Refreshments will be available.
You can check out our FAQs for more detailed information about how we’ll make this event accessible for you.
If you have any questions, please call us at the Wren office on 01837 53754 or email us at [email protected]
The Wren Music Inclusive Ceilidh Project is supported by public funding by Arts Council England.
