Join Helen and Lewis for a cosy evening of balfolk dancing.
Doors at 19:30
19:30 The evening will start with a dance workshop, suitable for beginners. We will cover the scotttish, mazurka, bourree and perhaps some other dances too. Advanced dancers also more than welcome!
20:30-22:30 The bal (dance) will start! Expect all manner of European balfolk dances such as scottish, mazurka, bourree, waltz, slangpolska, cercle circassienne, accompanied by live music from Helen Gentile and Lewis Wood.
About the band:
Helen Gentile & Lewis Wood (Threepenny Bit and Granny’s Attic respectively), perform an evocative set of tunes from the balfolk canon on clarinet and fiddle. The duo combines the talent of two musicians who are firmly embedded into the folk music community in England.
Their material comprises traditional, contemporary and original European folk dance music, with loose, ever-evolving arrangements creating space for improvisation and showcasing the interplay between the instruments.
In 2024, Gentile and Wood released their first studio album, Violet Sky, produced by Tarren’s Alex Garden. Described by Songlines as ‘folk dance at its finest’, it was also nominated for Album of the Year by Bright Young Folk. Whether playing for dance or in concert, the duo are sure to leave dancers and listeners spellbound.
“Absolutely superb” - James Fagan
“The clarinet and fiddle interweave seamlessly and the playing is faultless” - Songlines
“Totally enchanting” - FATEA
Links:
Album video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-ra05SysWY&t=3s
Live video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRf6whI4ifE
Bandcamp: gentileandwood.bandcamp.com
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@gentile_wood
Facebook: www.facebook.com/gentileandwood
Early Bird Tickets are available until 17th October ay 7pm!
