29th June 2024
The best FREE dance festival in the UK
Timberline Steve
Line Dancing is not just to Country music! Modern line dancing uses any dance music with lots of pop, Latin and Irish styles. Watch Timberline Steve and Jeanette with their local line dancers to find out, and learn an easy dance with them!
Weekly classes held in Matlock.
01629 636386
Black Pig Border Morris
Known and loved by Bakewell, this will be Black Pig’s 17th time to the Day of Dance.Named after the ship of the infamous pirated Captain Pugwash.Black Pig meets in Eastwood, on the Nottingham, Derbyshire border. Make sure you get there early – they always attract a big crowd!
Rock and Roll with Hopfrogs
Turn the clock back to those rock and roll years and let Heather Clements pass on her skills and enthusiasm for a lively session. It will be hard not to join her with those old favourites we all know and love.
Romana Jilo
Romano Jilo is a Romani dance group based in Sheffield. The dance group performers are children and young people from the local Czech and Slovak Roma communities. The dance group is open to all communities and aims to promote community cohesion. bsage@btinternet.com
Peak Performance
School of Dance
Peak Performance School of Dance, based in Bakewell, was founded 24 years ago and is led by principal Jill Ferguson. A wide range of dance styles are taught including drama. The dancers will be performing a contemporary piece.
Horo Sheffield
Lead by Greg Boyd, this Sheffield based group perform dances from all over the world, but specializing in Eastern European styles, and dancing without partners. Their beautiful authentic costumes and evocative music make for an eye catching performance.
07810 181273
Indian Beats
Classical and Indian Folk
This multi-generational group of dancers, based in Macclesfield and London have performed at many festivals in the UK and India.Their dancing style is a mix of Indian classical dance forms (Bharatnatyam and Kathak) and Bollywood moves, with a flavour of Indian folk dance thrown in, all seamlessly integrated into harmony. Their performances always delight audiences with the sheer variety of dances and the obvious passion they bring to the dance floor.
07415 689395
Opanka International
Folk Dancing
Opanka are an Eastern European dance group and have been established for over 40 years performing dances from Romania, Serbia, Croatia and Macedonia. The Opanka dance group practices every Sunday in Fallowfield Manchester.
Lizzie Dripping (Traditional)
This women’s dance team from Sheffield dances in the North West style including step dances, tap routines, team dances and traditional dances from Scotland, the Isle of Man and Wales.They dance either in soft shoes or character tap shoes. Their dances are complemented by unusual and interesting music performed by a small core of dedicated and experienced musicians.
Mambos d’Afro
Headed up by Leny O Cassule. Mambos d'Afro is a Nottingham dance school, which focuses on teaching African dances such as Kizomba, Semba, Afrohouse and Afrobeasts. It also hosts an annual dance festival held in February. Leny will be bringing a selection of these styles to the day – a fantastic opportunity to see and join in with dance styles not normally seen on the streets of Bakewell!
www.facebook.com/mambosdafro Instagram:@mambosdafro
Argentinian Tango with
Tango in the Peaks
Lucas and Melanie are two tango dancers who met on the dance floor in New Zealand, but don’t worry they have their roots in Argentina, where Lucas was born and Melanie has spent much time. They will be bringing their passion for this dance to Bakewell and showing us what a beautiful, smooth, raw and emotional dance it is. This is a fantastic opportunity to see the real traditional Argentinian Tango in the flesh. A treat, not to be missed.They will also be running a workshop – yet another treat!
Zumba Gold with All in Dance
Anna started her Zumba classes in lock down and on zoom – not the best time to start a new business. But despite all the challenges that faced her she now has a great following and runs regular Zumba sessions in Matlock and Darley Dale. Come and give it a go; you might be surprised how much fun it is.
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Growing Old (Dis)Gracefully
This dance company is based in Liverpool, made up of adults aged between 45 and 80. Some have been involved in dance for longer than they care to remember, some have never danced.
They love dancing and share a passion for the camaraderie that comes from developing and performing their dances.
Derby Tappers
Pauline Reader runs a community adult tap group covering a wide range of ages & abilities who meet weekly in Derby to develop tap dancing skills for fitness and fun and the occasional performances. Classes are held in the Allestree and Mickleover areas of Derby on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings.
07561446334 or pauline_dances@hotmail.co.uk
Silver Swans
Lara Ross, the founder of Peak Ballet will be bringing her Silver Swans to Bakewell for the first time. The Royal Academy for Dance developed dance classes for older learners, known as Silver Swans. Lara also offers ballet classes to children and adults in Matlock, Belper and Wirksworth.
Ringheye Morris
Based in Mobberley, this is a mixed north-west morris team who can be seen at fetes, carnivals, festivals and, more often pubs, around Knutsford in Cheshire. Their traditional dances come from the towns and villages of Lancashire and Cheshire and the style is lively! www.ringheye.org.uk
Chip off the Old
This ladies Morris dance side is based in Derby. They have been together since 1978 performing traditional Cotswold Morris dances. They use sticks and hankies from the villages of Adderbury, Brackley, Ducklington, Fieldtown, Lichfield and Ilmington. During the year they perform at pubs, festivals, well dressings, village events, schools and days of dance, often with other Morris teams.
Milltown Cloggies
Milltown Cloggies were formed in 1990 and originated from the small Lancashire village of Mossley. They drew dancers from several towns around, all of which in the past had been thriving cotton Mill towns, hence the name Milltown Cloggies. They are a group of ladies who love to dance traditional clog Morris in the North West style. A great band, play lively music and exciting tunes that complement their style.
Well Heeled Appalachian Dancers
Our hosts for the day, Well Heeled will perform the energetic Appalachian style, which is based on traditional British step dancing with influences from Negro and Cherokee Indian dances.
This Bakewell group have been running for 23 years and meet weekly at the Working Men's Club.
www.facebook.com/Well-Heeled 01629 815469
Belly Dance Flames
Headed up by Salise Pearson this Matlock based group have been performing since 2005. The Flames dance style is based on Egyptian Belly Dancing combined with elements of Turkish, Lebanese and various other dance styles! The Flames combine traditional belly dance with other more international dance trends allows them to add elements of diversity and humour into the performance which audiences love. www.thebellydanceflames.co.uk
Feel it and Dance
They will be bringing another treat to the streets of Bakewell, with a specially choreographed show dance. Brace yourself for an explosion of energy, colour and quite a bit of Bollywood.
For 8 years now Jose and his dancers have delighted audiences with their lively style and slick performances. Join them on the dance floor when Jose will finish with some fun and easy to pick up Zumba routines. Jose runs regular Zumba, salsa and bachata classes in Wirksworth, Matlock and Darley Dale.
M & J Dance Centre
Ballroom and Latin
Michael Hough brings his dancers together from Bakewell and all over the High Peak to show us how to rumba, samba, cha cha and a little bit of quick step. They love dancing for us at Bakewell, so why not join in, and you too, could be on ‘ Strictly Come Dancing’. Weekly classes held in Bakewell, and other parts of the High Peak.
01298 23171
Claire Dobinson
School of Dance
Claire offers classes in ballet, contemporary, tap, modern and acrobatic dance, for ages 2½ to adult, from beginner to professional level. All styles are suitable for boys and girls, and ballet and modern classes are additionally offered at adult level. Altogether we hold over 35 different classes per week, including Pilates. Claire is based in a beautiful dance studio in Darley Dale, near Matlock. www.clairedobinsonschoolofdancing.co.uk
The Rueda Academy
The effervescent, Eṣref Ulaṣ will be calling and leading Rueda De Casino (Salsa in a circle) this year, always a popular one to join in with. Eşref is a very well-known and sought after teacher, DJ (a.k.a DJ Muzu) and UK Event Promoter, and is renowned for his legendry and unbeatable energy! He welcomes other Rueda De Casino Groups and invites everyone to have a go! Expect a lot of fun and laughter!! Eṣref teaches Rueda in Sheffield and Wakefield.
Belrobics Jennie
Belrobics combines the fitness moves of belly dance with inspiring choreography and uplifting music. Suitable for all fitness levels. Come and join the shimmy! Jennie runs classes in Balborough and Dronfield, and comes with years of experience in many different styles of dance.
Flamenco in Sheffield
Barbara Thornes, originally from Madrid is a highly experienced dance teacher and choreographer. Along with her students, she will be bringing her passion for this dance form to Bakewell for the first time. Why not join Barbara and pick up some simple Flamenco moves. She has a number of classes in Sheffield, Leeds and online classes.
Wirksworth Step and Clog
Wirksworth Step and Clog perform the traditional English clog dance, which has a lively, percussive style. This friendly group meet on a Tuesday in Wirksworth and are taught by Toby Bennett. All levels welcome, including absolute beginners.
Salsa with Jennie
Jennie Crunkhorn is founder of Steps Dance Fitness, based in Dronfield.She never went to dance classes as a child, but discovered Salsa in her 20’s and has not looked back since. Jennies passion for this dance can be seen by the permanent smile on her face, whenever she’s dancing.Salsa and Latin Step classes are held weekly in Dronfield.
Winster Morris
Winster Morris is one of the oldest Morris dance teams in the UK. The centrepiece of their dance year being Wakes Day in Winster, when they dance all round the village throughout the day. They welcome both men and women and dance as a mixed team.
Fitness Fusion
with Katy Robinson
This dance style is taken straight from the Broadway shows and inspired by popular musicals like ‘Mamma Mia’, Chorus Line and Chicago. See them strut their stuff with their feather boas, canes and hats! This is pure fun and high energy.
www.katyrobinsonfitnessfusion.co.uk 0114 2706757
French Dance (Traditional)
Lead by experienced Derbyshire based dancers Mike and Heidi. Learn a few simple, but beautiful French dances.
You will be surprised how quickly you can pick them up.
Be mesmerised by the lovely tunes, which with any luck will be provided for by live musicians.
Chesterfield Caledonian
Dance Class
They offer a warm welcome to anyone wishing to learn Scottish Country Dancing. We are a friendly group of Scottish dancers who meet weekly from September – June. We meet at the Methodist Church Hall, Chesterfield. Many of us also belong to and attend the class in Dronfield, Derbyshire. This class meets at the Peel Centre, every Monday evening (Sept – June). As well as their general class, this group also runs 4/6 week beginner classes.
Ripley Green Garters
This North West Morris dance team and started back in in 1982! They have had several trips abroad, but mainly can be seen now dancing more locally in Derbyshire. Look out for them with their clogs, bells, garlands, sticks and colourful green costumes.
Sheffield Steel Rapper
This young female dance team, will impress you with their acrobatic style and clean precise footwork. They are accompanied by some very fine musicians too. We look forward to welcoming them on their first trip to Bakewell.
Makeney Morris
Makeney Morris (Cotswold Morris) from Belper, is a mixed Morris dancing side who perform in the Cotswolds tradition. The side is made up of both experienced and new dancers who want to uphold tradition but also bring a more contemporary feel to the performance of Morris dancing. With an average age of under 30, Makeney Morris prides itself on energetic performances that capture the audience’s attention. From flowing hanky Morris Dancing to surging stick dances there is something for everyone to enjoy.