What’s it about? Not only is Dent Folk Festival located against one of the UK’s most beautiful backdrops, the Yorkshire Dales National Park, it also plays host to some of the key names on the UK Folk scene.

Lauded by the likes of Mike Harding and Martin Simpson, the menu at Dent offers up a delectable selection of music, comedy, street theatre, dance, puppetry and storytelling. With something for the whole family, 2008 will be showcasing music evenings in the beer tent, fiddle workshops in the tipi, concerts in the main marquee and street theatre throughout the afternoons.

Book now if you love: Bearded fellows, fiddle players, real ale and laid back lounging.
Don’t miss: The Legendary Dent Folk Festival Ceilidh with The Macaroon Ceilidh Band
Want to go? For more information visit www.dentfolkfestival.co.uk

Going to Dent?  Been before?  Why not tell us about your experiences by hitting Add A Comment...

Bill Lloyd said on 01st July ... "I have been to all of the Dent Folk Festivals, and this one was for me the best yet. I was busier than usual with festival jobs, but that had one advantage - it helped to keep me sober, so I probably remember more about the festival than usual !

Part of my job was running the open sessions in the big bell tent - and this first thing to say is that this tent was the best yet. Circular, like the yurt, but much bigger, with 100 seats, better ventilated (surprisingly important!) and more comfortable because of it. The sessions were good - very varied, and with some serious highs and almost no low points.

The workshops were well attended, and the kids crafts sessions produced a fine array of fish mobiles and dream-catchers.

Because of running the sessions, I missed the main evening concerts, but the afternoons were splendid. It can seem unjust to single out one player among so much talent, but Tim Edey was outstanding in my opinion - he is a virtuoso player of the guitar and melodeon, and because his guitar was not staying well in tune, and he had the truly excellent Ed Boyd to help out on guitar, he played lots of melodeon tunes, which was inspiring. He had that rare ability to play the most complex technical passages with what looked like a careless flourish, so the technique was transparent, and it was the music that took the breath a way. Transitions, modulations, cross rhythms, false endings, twiddles and turns, long long notes, drones and squeaks, and a lovely sideways and quick wit all added excitement, variety and spice to a great show. And underneath it all, he is in the very highest class as a dance musician, and that for me is the true test - the music is irresistable to dance to, with a particular lift that makes it impossible to stay seated....

Nobody stayed seated for the Macaroon Ceilidh Band, who played for the late Saturday night dance, and a tremendous fun time was had by all. Another half-hour of dancing time would have been appreciated, and we felt it was too soon to stop at 1.00 am, but it was a memorable night - a perfect balance of symmetrical order and complete chaos....

Thanks to all, especially Alec, the superb sound crew, and the tireless stewards.

Bill Lloyd
Banjo, Ballads, Bagpipes
"
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