Events

Balfolk is a style of music & social dances from across Europe. It’s very welcoming and easy to start. Come along to our events & you’ll pick it up in no time!

Coming Up:

Bal with Trio Vesterveg — Sunday 4 October 2026, The Castle

Timings

17:00: Doors
17:30-19:00: Dance Workshop
19:00-20:00: Break
20:00: Concert

Trio Vesterfeg

A product of student exchanges between Newcastle-Upon-Tyne and Norway, they were brought together into an unlikely musical partnership across the North Sea.

Their music seamlessly blends original arrangements with age-old traditional melodies and modern compositions resulting in an unique and diverse sound unlike any other.

Drawing upon repertoire and musical heritage from across the breadth of the British Isles and Scandinavia, Vesterveg experiments with the shared history and fusion of the members’ traditions.

Ingrid’s (NO) powerful Melodeon and Lisa’s (NO) hypnotic Fiddle meets Bob’s (UK) lyrical Low Whistle and Pipes, creating a dynamic medley that feels at home in their traditions but with a fresh set of eyes and ears.  

Dance Workshop

Join Vesterveg for an introductory workshop learning the basics of two traditional Norwegian folk dances!

Popular all across Norway and Scandinavia, Vestlandsspringar is a couples dance from the West coast of Norway focusing on fast ‘running’ steps and flowing improvisational moves.

Unknown even within Norway itself, Fjotlandsspringar is a rare couples dances from near Norway’s Southern coast with a distinctive dance step and a small set of atypical moves due to it’s reconstruction from very few sources. This is a chance opportunity to learn one of Norway’s most distinctive and lesser known dances!

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Grand Bal with Rowan Rheingans — Wednesday 28 October 2026, Heath Street Baptist Church

We are thrilled to present a beautiful evening of dance music from the renowned fiddle player Rowan Rheingans! Plus support from the amazing fiddle team Duo Also!

Timings

19:30 — doors open
20:00 — Duo Also
20:45 — interval
21:00 — Rowan Rheingans
22:30 — finish

Rowan Rheingans

Rowan Rheingans is an award-winning fiddle player, banjoist and singer best known for her work with acclaimed folk band Lady Maisery and prog folk duo The Rheingans Sisters with whom she has won two BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and is six-times nominee. But perhaps her greatest love of all is to play for dancing! Approaching the bal format as a collaboration between musician and dancers, Rowan will be influenced by you who move on the dance floor, drawing on her deep knowledge of Swedish and French grooves while inviting in contemporary influences. 

Duo Also

Duo Also brings together fiddle players Aliyah Kassam (al) and Sophie Collier (so), creating intimate yet vibrant music for the dance floor. Drawing inspiration from all over the world, they weave rhythmic drive into flowing, intertwined melodies, inviting dancers to listen closer, connect, and be transported.

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Grand Bal with Naragonia — Saturday 5th December 2026, Heath Street Baptist Church

We are delighted to welcome back Naragonia! Two of the defining Balfolk musicians of this generation, all the way from Belgium!

Timings

19:20 — doors open
19:30 — beginners dance workshop taught by Isaac
20:15 — Naragonia first set
21:15 — break
21:30 — Naragonia second set
22:30 — concert finish

Naragonia

Naragonia, after 21 years of touring Europe, has become an established name within the European folk scene. Since their inception in 2003, Toon and Pascale have released 10 warmly received albums and contributed to countless other recordings and projects.

Throughout this period, they have continuously sought to develop a unique sound and interplay. With their music, Pascale and Toon have inspired numerous musicians and groups. Many of Naragonia’s tunes have since become standards within the folk world.

Over the years, they have collaborated with many remarkable musicians and productions, including Andy Cutting, Gregory Jolivet, Gilles Chabenat, Philippe Laloy, Guy Swinnen, Theater Tal en Thee, Begijn le bleu, Paulo Lameiro, Fernhill… They have also performed live multiple times for Belgian radio. However, Naragonia remains humbly committed to the simple pursuit of beauty.

In 2022, Naragonia was nominated in the categories of “Best Live Band” and “Best Album.” In 2023, they were nominated again in the category of “Best Live Band,” and in 2024, they won the award for “Best Live Band” at the Flanders Folk Awards.

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Bal Étoile

Our regular balfolk twice a month. Come for a dance, a drink and a catch-up, old hands and new faces all very welcome. Feel free to bring instruments and play. We usually have a session starting at 7:30 pm followed by a short dance class around 8:00 pm, then a mixture of recorded music and more session.

We’re usually at Jamboree (6 Saint Chad’s Place, near Kings Cross) on the second Wednesday of the months, and the Gipsy Queen in Kentish Town on the last Wednesday of the month. Sometimes we change dates so see the list below for confirmed dates.

We’re always excited to have new dancers and musicians, and the introductory dance lesson will help you get started.

Entry is usually free but please do buy drinks (don’t have to be alcoholic!) to support the venues so they’ll have us back!

Upcoming Dates:

Jamboree	The Gipsy Queen
9th September 2026	30th September 2026
14th October 2026	28th October 2026: Grand Bal at Heath Street Baptist Church instead
11th November 2026	25th November 2026
9th December 2026	TBC

Our events are also listed on folkdance.page where you can add them to your google calendar. You can also join our mailing list here!

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Past Events:

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Classes

We aren’t running any classes at the moment. If you run any you’d like publicised on here please get in touch! If you’d be interested in teaching either a standalone workshop or regular lessons we’d love to get some running, so let us know if we can help.

Social Media

We are on Instagram and Facebook. Have a look to see what we’re all about!