Waite Collective Balfolk - Doug Eunson & Sarah Matthews

Name: Waite Collective Balfolk - Doug Eunson & Sarah Matthews
Start: 2026-05-17T13:30:00+01:00
End: 2026-05-17T13:30:00+01:00
Location: Higher Kinnerton Village Hall

About

Waite Collective Balfolk - Day of Balfolk - Featuring Doug Eunson & Sarah Matthews

Come and join us for music, dance, and community – we can’t wait to dance with you!

Sunday 17 May 2026, 1.30-10pm
Higher Kinnerton Village Hall, Bennett's Lane, Higher Kinnerton, Chester, CH4 9AR
Workshop: Mazurka Variations
Bal music: Doug Eunson & Sarah Matthews, The Waite Collective. Also, an evening session for dancing led by Helen Armstrong & Helen de Lemos.

Tickets - Our ticket prices are designed to make events accessible while supporting the musicians and teachers who make them possible.
• Advance Supporter Ticket: £24 – Contribute a little more to help us offer affordable entry to our sessions and events while ensuring musicians and teachers are paid fairly.
• Advance Standard Ticket: £22
• Advance Discount/Low Income Ticket: £20 – For those who need a lower price, we aim to make our events accessible while ensuring fair pay for artists. No proof of eligibility required.
• Young Adult Ticket (Ages 16-24): £10
• Under 16s (accompanied by an adult): Free
• On the Door: £24 (subject to availability)
Limited availability, so booking in advance is the best way to secure your spot and help us plan for cake. Please note that ticket sales will close online at the start of the event, but we may have tickets available at the door – first come, first served.

Doug Eunson & Sarah Matthews – Doug Eunson (voice, melodeon) and Sarah Matthews (voice, fiddle, viola) use their natural, expressive musicality to craft their arrangements with style and intuitive elegance. Their performances feature English and European dance music in flowing, dynamic tune sets, with intricate interplay between fiddle, viola, and melodeon that brings each dance to life. Perfect for balfolk, their music is both lively and nuanced, offering dancers rhythm, energy, and subtle musical surprises.

Helen Armstrong & Helen de Lemos – The two talented Helens will lead musicians for dancing in the evening. Bring your Les Panards Dansant books (if you have one) and come ready to make some music!

The Waite Collective – A family affair! Mother Mal and daughters Rebecca and Katrina have been singing together for over 20 years. Their joyful songs, full of catchy tunes and heartfelt energy, are sure to get your feet moving as you join in on the dance floor.

Workshop - Mazurka Variations. Curious about mixing up your mazurka steps, exploring musical patterns, and connecting more deeply with your dance partner? This workshop is for you! We’ll focus on the essential elements of Balfolk: communication, leading and following, and listening to the music. Whether you’re looking for subtle enhancements or bold new moves, this workshop will give your mazurka a fresh groove and deepen your connection to both the music and your dance partner. All levels welcome and no prior dance experience is required!

Balfolk is a joyful, inclusive tradition of live folk music and social dancing from across Europe. It's an event for people of all ages and experience levels, where the focus is on having fun and connecting with others. The dances are easy to learn, and friendly dancers are always ready to show you the steps. You don’t need to bring a partner as you’ll have plenty of chances to dance with different people throughout the event. Balfolk is about community, inclusivity, and shared enjoyment. Come dance, laugh, and be part of something special!

Event Information:
• Free on-site parking.
• Step-free access and accessible facilities.
• Comfortable shoes recommended (smooth soles work best!). Please avoid high heels to help protect the floor.
• Dogs: Assistance dogs only (venue policy).
• Please note that children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
• Tea and coffee available.
• Bring your own drinks.

Event Schedule
1:00 PM – Doors Open
1:30 PM – The Waite Collective
2:00 PM – Doug Eunson and Sarah Matthews
3:00 PM – Break
3:30 PM – Doug Eunson and Sarah Matthews
4:30 PM – Break
5:00 PM – Workshop – Mazurka Variations
6:00 PM – Food (Please bring a dish to share)
7:30 PM – Session for dancing led by Helen Armstrong & Helen de Lemos. Bring your instruments or continue dancing.
10:00 PM – Clear-Up (we would be grateful if you would leave quickly, unless you are helping.)

Evening food to share - We’d love for everyone to contribute a dish to share at the event! Please keep in mind that the food should be easy to eat and ideally doesn’t require refrigeration, as fridge space is limited. When bringing your dish, please clearly label what it is and note any common allergens (e.g. nuts, dairy, gluten, meat, etc.) to ensure everyone can enjoy safely. Thanks for helping make the event delicious and inclusive!

Bring your instruments - Musicians will have the opportunity to join in during the evening. Bring your Les Panards Dansant books (if you have one) and come ready to make some music!

Camper vans - We’ve confirmed with Higher Kinnerton Village Hall that a limited number of camper vans can stay overnight in the hall car park. The cost is £10 per vehicle, per night.
Please note:
• This parking is managed by the hall; we are collecting payments on their behalf and will pass them on.
• Spaces must be booked and paid for in advance so the hall can issue their invoice.
• Daytime parking spaces cannot be guaranteed. We recommend arriving early to secure a space, or moving into the car park later in the day as spaces become available.
How to book:
• Please make sure you have purchased your event ticket first.
• Email us to request a space, including your name and vehicle registration number.
• We will reply with payment details.

Camping - If you would prefer to camp, there are several campsites nearby.

Shared travel - Please make your own arrangements directly and ensure you’re happy with your plans before travelling. If you’re interested in car sharing, we suggest posting on the Facebook event page to offer or request a lift. It helps to include:
• Where you’re travelling from
• Approximate departure time
• Whether you’re offering or looking for a lift, and how many spaces
• You might also want to mention if you’re open to sharing fuel or taxi costs (for example, to and from Chester train station).
If you’re not on Facebook, you’re welcome to email us your request and we can post it on your behalf - just send the message exactly as you’d like it to appear.

We look forward to seeing you there! For more information or to join our mailing list, email us at:
waitecollective@gmail.com
Buy tickets and check out upcoming events at our website:
https://www.thewaitecollective.co.uk/waite-collective-events