May 8 – 10, 2026
Welcome to a lovely and elegant weekend of English Country Dance and Music featuring Bare Necessities & Friends.(Jacqueline Schwab, Earl Gaddis, Cecile Leroy, & Daniel Beerbohm) and dance calling by Joanna Reiner Wilkinson. More information about the festival will be posted here when available. Questions? Call (608) 924-4000 or email the Program Manager, Kelli Emerson, at programs@folklorevillage.org.
Schedule
The festival begins with a dance on Friday night. Saturday features a full day of workshops, catered meals, and an evening concert and dance. The festival concludes with morning workshops and lunch. See the full schedule below.
Registration
Saturday is sold out! We can take a few more part-time registrations for Friday night and Sunday. To be added to a waitlist for full-time registration or Saturday’s events, please contact Kelli Emerson at programs@folklorevillage.org.
You can also register over the phone by calling (608) 924-4000.
Full-Time Adult Registration:
Before noon Central Time on April 24: $330
After noon Central Time on April 24: $380
Part-Time Adult Registration
Friday evening dance
Saturday all day (breakfast – evening party)
Saturday breakfast
Saturday AM workshops
Saturday lunch
Saturday PM workshops
Saturday supper & evening ball
Saturday evening ball (no supper)
Sunday breakfast
Sunday AM workshops
Sunday lunch
Before noon Central Time on April 24
$35
$225
$16
$65
$22
$65
$65
$35
$16
$60
$16
After noon Central Time on April 24
$42
$270
$20
$78
$26
$78
$78
$42
$20
$72
$20
Youth and Teen rates also available. Contact Kelli at programs@folklorevillage.org for more information.
Scholarships
It takes a village to put on our festivals. If you sign up to help us out by washing tableware (plates, silverware, and cups) after meals, you can attend the festival for only $120. Dishwashers spend approximately 30 – 60 minutes in the kitchen per meal. Please contact Program Manager Kelli Emerson at 608-924-4000 or programs@folklorevillage.org to inquire about dishwashing scholarships.
Artistic Staff
Bare Necessities & Friends
“The Bares” are highly respected as dance musicians and well loved for their ability to support and inspire the dancers. Known and loved for its creative interpretations of English Country Dance tunes, Bare Necessities has been playing together since 1980. As a group they have redefined the sound of English Country Dance music with an improvisatory and playful style that reflects their classical background and extensive experience playing for all kinds of dancing. Their music spans the centuries from 16th century early music to recently composed pieces, with a delightful variety of moods and meters that lends itself to their exploratory style and interweaving of harmonies and countermelodies.
Jacqueline Schwab (piano) and Earl Gaddis (violin) of Bare Necessities will be joined this weekend by Daniel Beerbohm (clarinet, flute, and whistles) and Cecile Leroy (cello).
Daniel Beerbohm (NJ) plays clarinet, flute, and whistles and spices his English and contra dance playing from a rich background of swing, klezmer, and classical. He performs extensively with Trio Picante, Hold the Mustard, A Joyful Noise, and Reunion at dance and music events along the east coast and occasionally westward since 1980. More recently he has also joined with members of Bare Necessities for dance weekends in Michigan, northern California, and Cleveland, OH.
Cecile Leroy (Boston) started life as a classical cellist and has been playing for English and contra dances for the better part of a decade. Besides joining members of Bare Necessities at their home dance in Massachusetts, Cecile also plays for contra and English with her eclectic, groovy trad band Chimney Swift. Drawing from a whole host of inspirations, she brings lightness, depth, and heart to the sound of every group she joins.
Joanna Reiner Wilkinson has taught English dance for over two decades. In addition to being one of the leaders of the Philadelphia-based Germantown Country Dancers, her calling has taken her from Amherst to Ann Arbor, from NEFFA to Hey Days, from St. Croix to Vancouver, and other points abroad, including many sessions for the Country Dance & Song Society (CDSS) and CDS Boston Centre at Pinewoods Camp. While known for her clear calling and instruction, Joanna loves teaching workshops for ECD callers, and workshops that explore ECD technique, new dances, and how people learn and remember dance choreography.
Meals
Sharing meals together is an essential part of many Folklore Village events, and Folklore Village festivals feature catered meals prepared fresh in-house by the fabulous RedBarn Catering. Vegetarian and gluten free options will be available at every meal for those who register as vegetarian or gluten free. If you have additional dietary restrictions please let us know via the festival registration form. RedBarn Catering will do their best to accommodate various needs but cannot guarantee all dietary needs will be met. If you have questions or concerns please contact Folklore Village at (608) 924-4000 ahead of the festival.
Accommodations
Bunkhouse (Very rustic): $20 per person per night
Stay on-site within walking distance (about 3 blocks) of Farwell Hall (main activities building). The bunkhouses are heated, with cots provided, and camp-style toilets and handpump nearby. Showers are located in Farwell Hall. Bring your own bedding, pillow, towel, flashlight, etc. Men and woman are housed in separate buildings. Heated and air conditioned!
Tenting: $10 per tent, per night
Many sites are available No campfires allowed. Showers and bathrooms are located in Farwell Hall (main activity building). You can register for tent camping via the festival registration form.
RV Camping with Electrical Hook-up: $15 per RV, per night
*Extremely limited; reserve early!*
To register for an RV spot with electrical hook-up please email programs@folklorevillage.org.
Rosebud Retreat New! $50 per night during festivals
Tucked among fruit trees and tallgrass prairie at Folklore Village, the Rosebud Retreat is a lovingly restored 1966 Manorette camper. Quiet nights, vintage details, and Driftless charm make this a one-of-a-kind stay, just steps from our historic Wakefield Schoolhouse and Farwell Hall.
Other Lodging:
Folklore Village is glad to partner with AmericInn Dodgeville. Use this link for discounted rates!
Other hotels may offer a discount if you mention you are coming to a Folklore Village event.
Deer Valley Lodge (608)924-1600
Best Western (608)935-7739
Pine Ridge Motel (608)935-3386
Quality Inn (608)987-4747
