Inter Varsity Folk Dance Festival

Inter Varsity Folk Dance Festival

Folk Festival Organisers Announce Full Line-Up

Event organisers are finalising details for Exeter’s turn to host the UK’s longest running folk festival this spring – the first time it has been in the region in five years. IVFDF (The Inter Varsity Folk Dance Festival) will bring to the city an exceptional series of concerts, ceilidhs and barn dances from a selection of the UK’s top folk artists.

The event, taking place over the weekend of Friday 27th February to Sunday 1st March, will be centred on the Great Hall at the University of Exeter. Whilst IVFDF has its traditional roots in the student scene, this year’s event – organised in conjunction with students from the University of Exeter’s Folk Society – is open to all with a wide range of festival-goers expected.

Organisers have hailed 2009’s line-up as one of the best in the event’s 59 year history with concerts from the acclaimed mercury music prize nominated Kate Rusby, as well as the Demon Barber Roadshow who provide an energetic spectacle – often referred to as the English equivalent of Riverdance – interspersing passionate song-writing and traditional music with their clog, morris and rapper dancers on stage. A more traditional concert will be provided from two rising stars of the folk scene: Jackie Oates and Jim Causley, both hailing from the Exeter area.

Dancers will not be disappointed either, with two English ceilidhs led by leading bands Stomp and the Committee Band – each accompanied by the country’s most celebrated callers: Gordon Potts & Nick Walden. Scottish and contra dances will also take place on the Saturday night, together with a range of over 40 workshops over the weekend covering everything from salsa to border morris; storytelling to singing; and fiddle to African drumming!

IVFDF is also well known for it’s energetic and friendly atmosphere, not forgetting the energetic late night sessions, the morris tour featuring colourful costumes and displays from teams originating from all over the UK, and the infamous survivors ceilidh on the Sunday afternoon to round off the weekend.

Richard Mason, lead organiser, said “With Exeter’s festival hosting an exceptional line-up this year, and all-inclusive season tickets available from just £13, its no wonder tickets are selling fast.” He continued “Every year, in whichever city the festival is being held, festival-goers always commend the friendly, energetic and fun nature of the festival. Fans of folk music and dance – indeed followers of all styles of music and dance will not be disappointed this February. Novice or dance expert; wannabe musician or fantastic fiddler; interested in the folk scene or wanting to hear more, there is something for anyone remotely interested in having fun!”

Further information and tickets are available on the events website: www.exeter.ac.uk/ivfdf2009 Bookings can also be made by telephone through the University’s Students’ Guild Box Office on 01392 263518.

Event Outline:

IVFDF (The Inter Varsity Folk Dance Festival) UK’s longest running folk
festival offering an exceptional series of concerts, ceilidhs and barn
dances from a selection of the UK’s top folk artists. The festival is aimed
squarely at students (although anyone who feels they can keep up is welcome)
and run by a different university each year. IVFDF is a non-stop weekend
based (fairly broadly) around traditional forms of music and dance.

Friday 27th February to Sunday 1st March,
University of Exeter

KATE RUSBY
DEMON BARBERS ROADSHOW
STOMP
THE COMMITTEE BAND

JACKIE OATES & JIM CAUSLEY
BRIAN STONE’S FIDDLEGANG
CHRIS DEWHURST SCOTTISH

GORDON POTTS – RHODRI DAVIES – PIGS MIGHT FLY
WORKSHOPS – MORRIS TOUR – LATE NIGHT SESSIONS

…and many more workshops to be confirmed.

All-inclusive weekend tickets available from just £13, including FREE
on-site indoor camping.

Lots more information and tickets available on the event website:-

www.exeter.ac.uk/ivfdf2009

Bookings can also be made by telephone through
the University’s Students’ Guild Box Office on 01392 263518

IVFDF is greatful of funding through the National Lottery ‘Awards for All’
scheme.