Special Events
Alongside our regular programme of sessions across the weekend, we also run a number of special events. For more information on these, please see below!
Baby and Child Friendly Session
When: Saturday @ 10:00 - 15:30; Sunday @ 10:00 - 13:30 - Where: St Catherine's Scout Hut, 38 Holtwood Road, Sheffield, S4 7BA [Click for Map]
We’re really glad to announce that Chloe and Jake Middleton-Metcalfe have organised a Baby & Child friendly session for us again this year for instrumentalists, singers and dancers. Come prepared! Please BYOB and food. Some toys provided but more welcome. Tolerant adult musicians without children also welcome. Let us know if you’re coming using the Facebook event [Here]
Saturday
Feldenkrais for Musicians/Singers
When: Saturday @ 11:00 - 12:00 - Where: The Perch
Join international singer, teacher and Feldenkrais practitioner Marilla Homes for an hour of joyous exploration of movement, sound and voice. An excellent way to warm up for the weekend with tips on how to sing and play with more ease and more fun.
Mandolin Workshop with gina le faux
When: Saturday @ 11:00 - 12:00 - Where: The Forest
Join acclaimed musician, songwriter, performer, entertainer and Luthier, Gina Le Faux for a Mandolin workshop at the Forest; followed by a dedicated Mandolin session to put your learning into action! Stick around at the Forest after the workshop for a Mandolin session with Matt Nelson from 12:00 to 14:45!
Playford
When: Saturday @ 12:00 - 14:45 - Where: Shakespeare’s Bards Bar
A special Sheffield Sessions Festival edition of ‘Playford in the Pub’. Tunes and dances from 1651 onwards. An opportunity to play and dance to tunes with musicians visiting us from all around the UK, the scratch Playford orchestra is always epic. Playford is the eccentric great grandma of modern ceilidh and contra, and has some of the best tunes in the history of English folk music. Musicians, dancers, callers and beginners at all of these things are welcome. All the dances are taught, and some sheet music is provided for those who like to read it (playing by ear is also fine). Dance positions are not gendered in our calling, and you can dance in any position you like.
Euro Bal
When: 15:00 - 17:45 - Where: Shakespeare’s Bards Bar
A mixed dance & tune session. Come along with an instrument and/or your best dancing shoes for an afternoon bal at Shakespeares.
Electric/electronica tunes session
When: Saturday @ 15:00 - 17:45 - Where: The Forest
Hosted by Lee, Sel and, Ben. Come and play a wide range of trad and non-trad tunes with us. Traditional instruments welcome too! Please bring cables if you are bringing something electric that needs connecting to the PA.
Treebeard concert
When: Saturday @ 20:00 - 00:00 - Where: The Perch
Catch local band Treebeard at our fantastic partner venue The Perch on Saturday night! For more information, please see the band’s Facebook Event
Sunday
SONGWRITING workshop - How to make your songs sound Trad
When: Sunday @ 11:00 - 12:00 - Where: The Perch
Join Paul and Liz Davenport, EFDSS Gold Badge holders, renowned singers and ex-organisers of Sheffield Folk Sessions Festival for a Songwriting workshop with a focus on making your songs sound more like traditional songs. Stick around after the workshop for a Song session hosted by them both in the same venue!
Traditional Ulster Scots Fiddle technique with gina le faux
When: Sunday @ 11:00 - 12:00 - Where: The Forest
Join Gina Le Faux for her second workshop of the festival, focusing on traditional Ulster Scots Fiddle technique.
Suprise concert
When: Sunday @ 15:00 - 17:45 - Where: Shakespeare’s Bards Bar
Join us for a staple event of Sessions Festival, hosted this year by James Fagan. Artists at this event are chosen by our Committee during the festival, so take a break and come see a selection of some of the best performers of the festival!
Old fashioned ceilidh
When: Sunday @ 18:00 - 20:00 - Where: Shakespeare’s Bards Bar
Come and join in with the Old Fashioned Ceilidh, with Sarah and Doug. Bring a tune, a song, a story, a poem, a dance you'd like to call, or just bring yourselves and join in with it all!