Our Roots

Come from the spirit of humanity, roots we all share -
we revel in the different natures of our expression.
This year Doris will be offering her wide range of rhythms, songs dances and ceremonies in the Spirit of Celebration, focusing on sharing our joy through the essence of music and play.

The Rhythm Section

Will pass through North, West and Southern Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, Indonesia and Asia. You will be able to find the level you feel happiest at in the workshops with beginners, intermediate and advanced catered for.

Some workshops will be more in depth than others and will ask for a commitment to work hard to improve and deliver a fine performance at the end. Teachers of these classes will be asked to push the students. There will be classes for complete beginners where the emphasis will be on learning to get the feel for drumming and to get to know the drum. Nearly all classes will be given the opportunity to show their skills in Sunday's finale.

Drums can be hired from Ghana Goods if arranged in advance, deposit required.
0117 955 8668

Weaving our dances

With the rhythms and the Spirit giving sacred space to the devas of movement. The passion of Arabic dance, the dynamic joyousness of Senegalese and Ghanaian dance, the deep release and discovery of Animal Spirit dancing,
playful creativity in a contemporary Brazilian fashion, a shake down and a shake up, the unexpected and graceful power of Capoeira -
we dance ourselves.

Morning Singing

lunchtime singing, evening singing,
fireside singing,
lullabies and gospels,
breathing and techniques for better voices, freeing up the improvisation,
whispering the names of God
and singing our prayers to the winds.
The soul-warming power of Shona and Mandinka songs to blow the cobwebs away -
Doris delights in any opportunity
to break into mass singing epidemics.

Ceremonies

to respect the forces hidden and seen
that enable us to bring this event to you.
We never know exactly what the ceremonies
will entail but each year the ingredients are revealed just before the event and mixed into
a surprise for all.

Feeling Good

Sauna
Massages
Yoga
Tai Chi
Cosy spaces
Sharings and carings
Feel good

Youth

IIn a marquee of your own
an area
co-ordinated skilfully
opportunities to create,
discuss,
delight
in new learnings,
meet kindred spirits on your journey
share cultures and wisdoms
feel the power of the stars and the deep night.
Play football
keyboards
kazimba
dance, rap, juggle
and have a wicked time.

Children

Play all day
be happy
safe and sound
things to do
things to make
friends to find
games to play -
parents be aware but relaxed.

Creche available.

Food

Delicious West African
Varied English and continental
Children's menu Organic juices
Café style and evening sessions.

Services

Portaloos
tended carefully.
Hot showers.

What should you bring?

Everything you'll need to be happy and comfortable -
but bear in mind that you won't be camping
next to your car (health and safety).
Warm clothes for the evening,
something special to dress up in, white clothes for Mondays closing ceremony
drums, instruments, games
suntan lotion,
awareness of rubbish creation and disposal
and your sweet selves.

Fire policy

We want you to have as few fires as possible.
Sundays` fires will be enormous and there will be communal fires throughout the event.
People tend to burn fires unnecessarily
and waste wood and
Doris doesn't think that's the way forward.
We recognise that some groups will make
their own but we ask that
you don't be greedy with the wood -
clear up the fire spot afterwards
leaving no metal or glass
for the sheep that will follow you
to find.

Noise levels

We are on a lovely 20 acre site but we have neighbours and we respect their right to peaceful nights -
so we have a curfew.

We have no sound systems on site.

Remember, we are essentially
an educational event with a difference ...
Not a festival, more a way of life.