Information for dance sides
We love dance sides and are the largest festival of dance sides in the UK. We have one person dedicated to helping you, so we can make your time with us as easy and as much fun as possible. Scroll down for answers to the questions we often get asked or email dance@swanagefolkfestival.com with any dance related queries.
Here’s how we try to run things:
- Application to dance. We will email out all the dance sides that we have details for and invite you to complete an application form. We send out the first reqests in December and try to complete the application process by March. If you want to apply right now, click here.
- Confirming we’ve got your application: As soon as we receive your application we will email you and confirm it. If you don’t get a confirmation, feel free to email us and ask.
- Publishing your information: As we receive the applications we will put your side’s information and photo onto our website, on the dance page. This year’s are all available here. The same information goes into the printed programme.
- Collating details. Between April and July we will ask you to send us a copy of your public liability insurance (if you don’t have any you can’t dance with us, sorry). We will also ask if you how many dancers wristbands you want, if you’ll want to join in with the Festival Church service and keep in touch with other festival information. Dancers wristbands allow your side to gain free access to any workshops, half price entry to evening concerts (if there’s space) and reduced price ceilidh tickets. You need to pre-order your dancer’s wristbands.
- The dance programme: We complete the dance programme in July and August, using as many of your preferences as possible. The dance programme shows when and where every side is dancing through the weekend. We will email a copy to every side and publish it on the website (top of this page). It will be available at the info tent during the weekend and is given away with the festival programme.
- During the weekend: We ask that one of you books in at the info tent when you arrive. That’s when we will give you the wristbands you requested and your collecting tin. After your last dance, please check out and return your collecting tin.
- After the festival. We will email you and let you know how much you collected and invite you back for the next year.
To allow us to do this we keep email details of the person who coordinates each side and use that information to update you about the festival. We don’t have details of your dancers, so rely on you to keep them informed.
Frequently asked questions
Where do we check in?
On arrival, please check in at the Info Tent on Sandpit Field (///underway.silent.originate. DeMoulham Road, Swanage). The info tent will be open from 14:00 on Friday and the 9-11 on Saturday and Sunday.
When you check in we will give you the wristbands you’ve ordered, tell you about your position in the procession, issue you a collecting tin and give you any other updates.
Where can we stay?
The Swanage Folk Festival is in the middle of town (well, we take over the town actually), so we don’t have camping on site.
There’s a vast range of B&B’s, guesthouses, hotels and campsites in Swanage. Here’s a couple of our favourites (tell them we sent you), or click here for more ideas
- Guest House – Swanage Haven. 01929 423088
- Hotel – The Grand Hotel. 01929 423353
- Camping – Herston Campsite. 01929 422932
- Camping – Tom’s field. 01929 42711
How do we get wristbands?
Before the festival each side needs to tell us how many performer’s wristbands they’ll need. On arrival, when the side checks at the information tent they will be given their wristbands. Each dancer needs to wear it all weekend to get their discounts. We can’t give the wristbands out in advance or to individuals.
The wristband allows you into all of the workshops for free, gives you reduced price entry for the ceilidh and half price entry to main stage concerts (once full price tickets have all gone in).
What about collections?
We ask all Dance sides to take a collecting tin from the Information tent (and return it at the end of the weekend). The money that sides collect is a vital part of covering the costs of the festival. As Swanage Folk Festival is a not for profit organisation, any surplus raised is donated to local good causes.
Each tin is sealed and numbered as it’s allocated to a dance side, we will announce the amounts colllected later in the year and sides collecting the most will be featured in social media.
Do we have to join in the procession?
Most sides love the procession, it’s a real spectacle and thousands of people watch it. So, we’d love you to join in but it’s your choice. You choose on your application form.
How does the Church service work?
The Festival church service is a wonderful ceremony, set in the picturesque mediaeval/ 19th century St Mary’s Church. Some sides dance in the church (prearranged) and more dance afterwards in the pretty grounds.
We’d love you to join in but it’s your choice. We’ll ask you sometime in June or July.
All side are welcome in kit and with your instruments to join in the service from 10.30
How do I join in the workshops?
The workshop programme is available here. No need to pre-book, arrive a few minutes early to ensure you have a place and are ready to start on time. Workshop entry for dancers is free if you’re wearing your wristband.
Where can I park my car?
Go to one of the long stay car parks, the Main Beach car park is the largest and close to most of the Festival action. The postode for it is BH19 1AP. More info about travelling to Swanage is available here
Where's the dance programme?
The dance programme showing where your side is dancing, when and with whom, will be sent to you before the festival. You can also get a copy of it by clicking the button higher up this page, or from the info tent during the festival. We weill attempt to keep it up to date, but the printed version won’t reflect changes in the last week.
Where are the dance spots?
The dance programme names a number of dance spots round the town. The festival map shows where they all are. Clicking here will take you to the Festival map, there’s an interactive google map on the page; scrolling further down there’s a printable map copy of the map in the programme.
Important point: When you are dancing along side the beach, please keep clear of any drop down kerbs in the area, these are needed for wheelchair access.
Who covers fees due to the PRS?
Swanage Folk Festival CIC pays the PRS for the music performances in our venues (Main stage and the Con Club), our licence does not cover music performed in the streets. If you are a dance side the Morris Federation notes:
“Our activities do not conform to the typical model used by PPL PRS Ltd. So we negotiated a covering licence for our activities in 2002. Our licence number is 197270, registered to the Joint Morris Organisations, and it is renewed at the end of each year. All member teams are covered by this licence for live music in public.”The federation goes on to say that their licence covers the performing of Music for Morris Dance and related membership activities, but not bands playing at the same event even if it is part of the event.
My question isn't listed.
If we didn’t answer your question, you could ask our AI assistant. He’s learning but is quite good. Otherwise please email dance@swanagefolkfestival.com or during the festival visit the information tent on Sandpit field.