Young people have always been a priority at Sidmouth FolkWeek.
And there’s much to do, for all ages – from the Children’s Festival to evening roots parties at The Bulverton (with special 18-25-year-old ticket deals).
Young performers are also a key feature of the festival. The English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS) are back to curate another series of Folk Rising Plus concerts at the Bedford Hotel with Jimmy Aldridge & Sid Goldsmith, Rosie Hood, The Savage Prunes, Elly Lucas, Benammi Swift, Emily Mae Winters, Rosie & Rowan. They also bring us a new series of Open Mic/Showcases at Betsy’s Lounge and Showcases for their Bursary recipients Germa Adan, Kitty Macfarlane and Kirsty Merryn.
Youth Workshops at Sidmouth:
Shooting Roots – for everyone aged 12-18 – is the folk arts project run by and for young people. Their mission is solely to make sure young folks have an awesome time at Sidmouth and to help them gain new skills, make new friends and, if up for it, to get on stage to show it all off.
Look out for:
New Faces
Meet the tutors and find out what it’s all about. We’ll be playing games, getting to know each other and doing a few “tasters” in music, song, dance and theatre. If you’re new to Sidmouth Folk Week, or to Shooting Roots, this is a perfect place to start your festival.
Give-it-a-Go
If you’ve never picked up an instrument before or fancy a dance but worried you’ve got two left feet, come and try these mini-workshops for total beginners.
Betsy’s Bash
The young people of Sidmouth Folk Week take over Betsy’s Lounge with tunes, songs, dances and general raucous merriment. Bring your instrument, bring your mates – these are no ordinary sessions...
Dance, theatre and Funky World Band, the bread and butter of a Shooting Roots festival. Skills, tips and tricks a-plenty and the chance to build a show from scratch then take it to the streets and stages of Sidmouth.
Theatre
Use your imagination, your words and your body to tell fantastic stories. Expect devising, storytelling, games and larks and a great workshop for meeting new people and making new friends.
There is also Bookbinding, the brand-new Shooting Roots Theme session, and the Betsy’s Lounge Open Mic.
If some of that sounds like it might be for you, then come and get involved!
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