Welcome to Warwick University Folk Society!

Probably the most addictive, active and friendly society

on (and off!) campus…

Warwick University Folk Society (Formerly Warwick University Ceilidh Society) was formed in 2001, and won Best New Society Award for 2001-2002. An eclectic group, we aim to cater from beginners to enthusiasts, with involvement in both the music, song and dance aspects of the Folk scene.

We provide something a little different from the usual trek to the pub, the union or a student nightclub. Our nights out usually involve perhaps a little more dancing than usual and best of all, live music and friendly people!

We are energetic (for the most part!), addictive and above all probably the most friendly society on campus, so if you fancy a good time why not come along and have a go.

We're always on the lookout for new events to add to our list, to give more opportunities for our members, so if you have something we don't know about, email us!

Our Main Events:

Mondays:

Band Practice, 7pm - 8:30(ish)pm, Arts Centre Conference Room.

Anyone is welcome to attend our band practice, and practice your music playing skill on any instrument you like. You can play by ear, or you can read from the sheet music. Band practices are always fun, but there's a serious side too: we practice so we can play for for our own ceilidhs (twice a term)!

Even Term Weeks - Ceilidh Club, 8:30pm - 10:30pm, Lib 1

Twice termly ceilidhing not enough for you? We understand! Come and brush up on your basic ceilidh skills, learn some new ones, and have a laugh!

Odd Term Weeks - Pub Session: 8:30(ish)pm to late, The Duck

Once we've exhausted our enthusiasm for music without beer, we go off to the duck for music with beer (and occasional singing!). Come to the pub. Bring friends, and music, and singing. Fun will be had by all.

Thursdays:

Peeping Tom Ceilidh, 8pm - 11pm, First thursday of the month, meet at 7pm at Rootes Reception to board the minibus (or public bus if we can't get one) that we usually hire to get there. Return about 1130pm to campus, stopping also at Hearsall common, for those who live in Earlsdon. £4 + transport (normally £1).

Peeping Tom are Coventry's premiere Folk-Rock ceilidh band, their ceilidhs are held at the Massey Ferguson Social Club at the far end of Broad Lane in Coventry. They're always good fun, and it's a great way to meet local folky people. (Note: Aardvark are also Coventry's premiere Folk-Rock ceilidh band, and we love them too!)

Fridays:

Rapper Practice, 6pm - 8pm, westwood music centre (TBC)

The art of the Rapper Sword Dance is as mysterious as it is fun, with five people dancing in a circle. The dances are fast, danced to double step jigs as the team tangle and twist the swords in every increasing convolutions without getting tangled up (most of the time). This year we attended the national competition (DERT), and saw some amazing dance standards! A dance form that is precise, controlled, energetic, and entertaining, it is gaining increasing popularity, and there are sides all around the country. The traditional scene for the Rapper team is in the pub, so we run occasional Rapper crawls to promote ourselves and show off our skills. The Rapper team occasionally takes the centre spot in our Ceilidhs. See the facebook group or youtube pages for some videos.

Alcester Contra Ceilidhs, 8pm - 11pm, Greig Hall, Alcester.

A contra ceilidh dance is an American style of ceilidh with flowing figures and fast paced music. They are a little more technical than an english ceilidh, but really good fun. Callers and bands are often imported from accross the pond, and are really good fun. Dances are held on various fridays throughout the year, and we normally run a minibus to get there (leaving 7:15pm from rootes reception). However, the contras are VERY popular, so we have to book the tickets in advance! See: http://www.alcestercontras.btik.com/p_Home.ikml

Sundays:

Warwick Folk Ceilidhs, Cryfield Pavilion, .

Warwick Folk has it's very own ceilidh series, we run six ceilidhs every year with our own band and a variety of local callers, twice during each academic term. Our Ceilidhs could be described as an English Barn Dance: It's fast, it's fun, it's energetic, and it's really, really good for you. No partner is required, just turn up and join in. Members of the society get preferential treatment on the ticket price, so make sure you've signed up. Tickets £3 members, £4 non members, and £5 for members of the public. We are often asked if staff and members of the public are allowed to attend: as if we would restrict access to a Ceilidh! We have dancing and beer: attendance is actively encouraged!

Upcoming Ceilidh Dates:

Sunday 16th October: Aardvark Ceilidh Band with caller John Brown.

Sunday 4th December: Warwick Folk

Sunday 30th January: Warwick Folk (Caller TBC)

Sunday 6th March: Warwick Folk (Caller TBC)

Sunday 15th May: Warwick Folk (Caller TBC)

Sunday 26th June: Warwick Folk (Caller TBC)

Resources:

Warwick Folk Wiki: http://www.warwickfolk.co.uk/wiki : The central repository for our folky information.

Warwick Folk Youtube Page: http://www.youtube.com/user/warwickfolk

Warwick Folk Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=2963820264&ref=ts

This Terms Programme (not entirely complete... see weekly email for up to date information):

Google Calendar: