Oxfolk
Oxfolk is a long-running ceilidh series that is currently based in Kennington Village Hall, just outside the Oxford ring road and a few minutes from the A34. Dances run from October to May on the second Saturday of the month, although the April dance is usually run in conjunction with Folk Weekend: Oxford, so doesn't follow the normal pattern.
Sat 9 May, doors open 7:30pm, dance 8-11pm
The Rainbow Folk inc caller Lisa Heywood, at Kennington Village Centre, OX1 5PG
The Rainbow Folk is a vibrant queer-led folk band specialising in fun, friendly and inclusive ceilidhs. They combine inclusive, beginner-friendly dance instructions with infectious enthusiasm and an incredible live band to get everybody dancing!
Caller, Lisa Heywood (they/them), grew up going to ceilidhs and folk dance events and has probably been dancing since before they could walk! They’re passionate about bringing the joy of ceilidhs and folk dancing to complete beginners, and love adapting dances or writing new ones to make sure as many people as possible can get involved.
Fabulous band leader Natalie Brookes (she/her) studied composing at York St John and writes many of the band’s tunes. Her debut album “Cormorant” was one of Folk London’s best albums of 2023 and she’s also published a book of original tunes called “The Tyranny of Jigs”.. She has also appeared at Oxfolk with ceilidh band Take the Biscuit.
Fancy Dress Welcome Rainbow themed attire is welcome (but not essential).
There is a licensed bar with ale, cider, wine and soft drinks.
Tickets are selling really well for this dance, and we often sell-out in advance! Tickets are priced:
- Standard £13 in advance or £14 on the door (otd), available from https://buytickets.at/
oxfolkceilidhs/ - Concession (eg unwaged, low income, students, pensioners) - £8.50 in advance (£9 otd)
We don't ask for proof of concession: if you can't afford to pay the standard price, you are eligible for a concession, no questions asked - 5-16s £3 in advance or otd
- Under 5s free
- Carer free - if you have a disability and need a personal assistant so that you can enjoy an evening at Oxfolk, we’re happy to provide you with an extra ticket for them, free of charge.
If buying online isn't your thing please contact us directly and we can find another way to accept payment for your tickets.
Very excitingly, we have two brilliant dances in February!
Fri 13 Feb, 7:30 Chaotic Good & caller Charlotte Rich-Griffin, with Dancing Spires Rapper at Common Ground, Oxford
This is a contra dance, as well as a fundraiser for this year's Oxford Folk Festival. If you like ceilidh dancing and groovy, fast-paced tunes then you will love dancing contra! Contra dancing is the North American equivalent of ceilidh. It’s quick, sociable and highly addictive. After a really successful dance at OFF 2025, we are delighted to see Chaotic Good and Charlotte Rich-Griffin return.
Caller Charlotte will be leading us through dances which are fun and easy to learn as you go. New dancers are welcome - no experience needed. Non-gendered calls will be used.
Music is from the fiddle and guitar duo Chaotic Good. Expect excellent, high-energy contra music from musicians who've played everywhere from folk clubs to festivals for the last decade. They are Adam Rich-Griffin (The Night Before, Contrasaurus) on guitar, and Nicky McConkey (The Night Before, Minor Contravention) playing fiddle.
Oxford's own rainbow-coloured Dancing Spires Rapper will perform during the interval.
Tickets are: Supporter £12, standard £8, pay a bit less £5, under 5s and carers free and are available from buytickets.at/oxfolkceilidhs
Common Ground is on Little Clarendon Street on the edge of Jericho, Oxford, within easy reach of public transport links.
Sat 14 Feb, 8pm Melobo & caller Jane Bird, with Silver Flame Rapper at Kennington Village Centre
Wantage band Melobo is known for its distinctive and mellifluous blend of melodeon and oboe. The popular band has made a name for itself playing at local events and national ceilidh series such as BunkFest, Unicorn Ceilidhs, Red Fox Ceilidhs and Pavilion Dance South West in Bournemouth. Drawing on musical influences from the baroque to rock, their tunes are irresistibly danceable. The band was put together to explore what happens when classical and folk music are blended, which creates the band’s unique sound. This trio is Graham Hubbard (melodeon and fiddle), Charlotte Pascoe (oboe, recorder and Scottish smallpipes) and Howard Hill (bass and guitar).
Jane Bird, who is usually seen making cups of tea for the band and drawing the raffle, is delighted to have been persuaded to call some fun dances. She takes care to choose dances that everyone can enjoy.
Interval entertainment comes from Silver Flame Rapper, the fast spinning, boot shuffling, gin guzzling, all girl rapper team, who come from all corners of England to dazzle us with their dances.
Advanced tickets are: standard £13, concession £8.50, 5-16s £3, under 5s and carers free and are available from buytickets.at/oxfolkceilidhs