Daisy Black and Andrew Swaine share their enthusiasm for Playford’s music and dance with new and experienced dancers via Playford in the Pub - September edition They offer advice for how to encourage new dancers to join your Dance Club. Read the advice: bit.ly/4wLAcL7 Photos by Andrew Swaine

The Julia Rausing Sky Arts Bursaries call for Dance Projects is now open. Applications are welcome from those working across all dance styles, forms and approaches. Looking for ambitious dance makers with originality and vision. Apply now juliarausingskyartsbursaries.com

Our next exhibition, open from Tuesday 15 September to Monday 11 January, will be 'Hill Drawings' by Melvyn Robinson (1933-2025) The paintings incorporate a drawing style inspired by hill figures such as the Cerne Abbas Giant and the Uffington White Horse. www.efdss.org/whats-on/159...

The Summer issue of EDS magazine is out now, exclusively for EFDSS Members. Articles by: Linett Kamala @linettkamala.bsky.social Andy Turner @audinarymusic.bsky.social Jo Freya @jofreya.bsky.social and much more! If you aren't already a Member, join us now: www.efdss.org/support-us/j...

If you haven't managed to catch Rooted and Rising yet, there's still time to see this captivating collaboration at your favourite folk festival this summer... 🎪

The Ffern Folk Foundation's mission is to illuminate British Folk and support its practitioners. The central pillar of the Foundation is annual grants of between £5,000 and £20,000, which will fund multiple folk practitioners. Deadline: Monday 17 August, 6pm Apply now: ffern.co/folk-foundat...

Learn Folk Song and Singing online with Jennifer Reid @jenniferballads.bsky.social Monday Folk Singers (Online) - Autumn Term 21 September to 30 November You will learn songs from our tutor’s extensive repertoire as well as harmonies that you can sing with others. Book now: bit.ly/4pEAvoe

Due to the current amber weather warning, the library will be closed today to ensure the wellbeing of our staff and visitors. As a heritage building without air conditioning or other cooling infrastructure, temperatures inside the library reached very high levels during the recent heatwaves.

Learn to play the Banjo at Cecil Sharp House Ed Hicks is one of the leading banjo players in the UK and a passionate advocate for people learning folk and traditional music. Book for the September term: bit.ly/4gNkEBE Photo by Rosie Reed Gold

We're Hiring! Freelance Pastoral Staff Member (London Youth Folk Ensemble) Provide pastoral care for the London Youth Folk Ensemble members while they are taking part in Sunday workshops and performances. Fee: £82.40 per rehearsal The hourly rate for any other meetings £20.60. bit.ly/3KtWdeh

Learn to play the Melodeon at @cecilsharphouse.bsky.social The melodeon (or diatonic button accordion) is particularly popular in folk music. The rhythmic effects of the push-pull action are especially well suited to the lively rhythms of dance. bit.ly/4foJJAy Photos by Rosie Reed Gold

Learn to play the Fiddle at Cecil Sharp House Taught by Ross Grant this course aims to introduce traditional fiddle tunes and accompaniments. The classes have a laid back and friendly approach, and allow a variety of abilities to co-exist happily. bit.ly/3TKXNwP Photo by Rosie Reed Gold

Advance Notice The Library will be closed in the week commencing Monday 3 August for work on the sound room. It will reopen on Tuesday 11 August. The Sound Room will soon house new, upgraded digitisation equipment which we will use to preserve vulnerable formats for the future.

Learn Folk Song at @cecilsharphouse.bsky.social Starting in September, join our Sunday morning Song class. Taught by Hazel Askew of The Askew Sisters and Lady Maisery. This class will accommodate a variety of levels. No prior knowledge of folk song is required. bit.ly/4puVE4w

We are proud to be a partner of the Royal College of Music Museum's exhibition Shared Airs: Our Thriving Folk Musics EFDSS, and the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library in particular, have been involved as curatorial consultants in the exhibition Read more: bit.ly/4fflVPd

There’s just one week to go until we close the Social Folk Dance Caller Census and we’ve been blown away by the response so far! If you’ve not yet filled in the survey there’s still time before the deadline - Monday 20 July. docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F... Photo by Roswitha Chesher

Got your tickets for @folkbytheoak.bsky.social yet? Amongst all the folkie delights on offer, you will be able to hear the London Youth Folk Ensemble perform as well as our newly commissioned show Rooted and Rising. Catch both on 19 July, Hatfield Park. Find out more and book: www.folkbytheoak.com

Tonight - the last English Country Dancing class of the summer! It is quite hot (don't know if you've noticed), so the class will be more gentle than usual and have more breaks to help you stay hydrated. Book now: bit.ly/4vAkphF

George Sansome and Sophie Crawford, of Queer Folk, were awarded one of our Creative Bursaries and have released an album based on the research into queer folk songs in the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library our funding supported. Listen and Buy: queerfolkuk.bandcamp.com/album/queer-...

A brand new Songwriter Incubator Programme from Mary Yelling, supported by @artscouncilengland.bsky.social A six-month artist development programme aimed at songwriters aged 30+ Apply now www.maryyelling.com

Calling all Dance Callers! If you're over 18 and call for social folk dancing of any kind, we want to hear from you. What brought you into calling, what events you call for, and what helped on your journey. Complete the census now: bit.ly/4tW6zV8 Image: Hardeep Sahota by Roswitha Chesher

Listen out on R3 this Sunday (7pm) for 'King of the Beggars - the Music of Billy Waters'. Paterson Joseph explores the life of Black regency Londoner Billy Waters, who was the fascinating subject for @angelcakepie2.bsky.social's Jump Billy! gig @cecilsharphouse.bsky.social - featured in the piece.

Due to the extreme heat, the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library will be closed for the rest of this week. Opening again, as usual, from Tuesday 30 June. We apologise for any inconvenience this causes.

We've signed #TheArtsAndMindsCampaign letter to the Secretaries of State for Education and for Culture, Media and Sport to ask them to ensure all children can enjoy access to arts subjects throughout their school life. Will you do the same? actionnetwork.org/forms/puttin...

Have fun dancing at the morris class Tuesdays 6:30pm at Cecil Sharp House, 19 May is the last before Autumn. This week's breaktime chat will be "Morris Meetings". www.efdss.org/learning/adu... Image: Pilgrim Morris Summerpole, 2026 Holy Trinity

This event organised by our friends at Tonalis looks so much fun! The Ancient Ritual Songs of Season and Ceremony Sing along at the Arkell Community Centre, Nailsworth, Gloucestershire. www.naturalvoice.net/event/the-an...

Following the great English Country Dance session led by Mike Ruff last week with the Maypole, we are continuing the theme this week. All the dances will have May in their title. www.efdss.org/learning/adu... May Day Dance (from the Dancing Master) EFDSS Archive

Jeff Warner plays concertina, banjo, guitar and several “pocket” instruments, including bones and spoons, connecting 21st-century audiences with the everyday lives – and artistry – of 19th-century Americans. Wed 13 May | 7.30pm Trad Night @cecilsharphouse.bsky.social bit.ly/4cssoF5

Have fun dancing at the morris class Tuesdays 6:30pm at Cecil Sharp House. This week's breaktime chat will be "Hey for May". www.efdss.org/learning/adu... Image: Taylor's Morris and Guildford Bush at the Castle - Guildford Summerpole 2026 (EFDSS Membership Officer Liberty as the Bush)

Have fun dancing at the morris class Tuesdays 6:30pm at Cecil Sharp House. This week's breaktime chat will be "More Summerpole, Maypole and Morris" (we think it's Andy's favourite) www.efdss.org/learning/adu...