Join the EFDSS for the inaugural V&A Summer Camp – a free, two-day celebration of design across the V&A – workshops, talks, performances and participatory events from the very best of UK design talent.
EFDSS-curated Communal Campfire Tent
John Madejski Garden
Located in the heart of the garden is the Communal Campfire Tent, brought to you by the English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS). With seating by Peter Marigold, and a specially designed Bombay Sapphire bar offering delicious summer cocktails (Friday only), the communal tent is the place to hang out, have a drink and take in the programme of live folk performances, storytelling and sing-a-longs.
Friday 30 July
Tim van Eyken – actor (Song Man in War Horse), singer, musician, dancer and past winner of the BBC Young Folk Award- brings together a company of spell binding performers: EFDSS Story Teller in Residence Debs Newbold, accordionist/singer/dancer Hannah James and fiddler/percussionist Sam Sweeney (of Bellowhead) to present an evening of magic and mystery.
Additional support is from rising star ‘You Are Wolf’, recently seen in Folk Rising, a beat poet weaving together traditional folk, spoken word and spooky leftfield pop. This evening promises bawdy stories and ghostly tales (both sung and told), to awe-inspiring folk balladry and round the campfire sing-alongs to delight and entertain. For those who want to participate in a rhythmic, high energy, and fun activity there will be a clog dancing workshop and demo from Camden Clog (maximum 20 adults).
Saturday 31 July
A chance for children (and their parents) to sample a whole host of traditional British folk fun. Master the rhythmic steps of the morris dance, or join the mummer’s costume-making workshop with former EFDSS Artist In Residence Mat Cowan. Take part in the family ceilidh with Cut a Shine or dance around the Summer Camp maypole. The day will culminate in a mummer’s parade through the museum to the garden for a maypole dancing performance.