Well Dressed: exploring the curious folklore of the Peak District and beyond through performance, art and film.
Well Dressed takes its name from the long-held Peak District tradition of well dressing, in which wells, springs and other water sources are decorated with designs created from flower petals. It has been speculated well dressing began as a pagan custom of offering thanks to gods for a reliable water supply.
Join us for a day of musical performances, talks, film screenings, workshops, stalls, DJs and… Morris dancing!
We are delighted to welcome Stone Club on their first journey into the depths of Derbyshire for an evening celebrating stone circles, megaliths and ancient sites. Musical archival wizards, Folklore Tapes, are creating a bespoke musical performance related to the myths and mysteries of the Peaks. Jennifer Reid, fresh from Shane Meadows’ BBC series ‘The Gallows Pole’, will perform her broadside ballads, along with an intimate clog dancing workshop. Weird Derbyshire delves into the world of Derbyshire customs and folklore with his illustrated talk, alongside a photographic exhibition. R.Loomes will be weaving her way through the dales from Sheffield to provide a gloomy and haunting soundtrack to the evening’s festivities. Studio Skai has developed a paper hill making workshop, creating paper mountains, hills and dales that tell the story of personal growth and narrative; telling a story without words. Joe (Studio Skai) will also regale us with the folk tales and stories that have inspired his artistic practice. Derbyshire artists Alex Johnson, aka Beers On The Corner, and Dee Johnson will be in conversation discussing sacred sites and connection to the land from their individual and differing perspectives. We’ll have dancing throughout the afternoon from Wirksworth’s T’Owd Man Morris and to round out the evening there’ll be a weird and wonderful DJ set from the mysterious hedgerow-dwelling Ghilli Girl.
All of this and… screenprinting, stalls, film screenings and a specially curated illustrated walk to the Nine Ladies Stone Circle.
Limited spaces for workshops, details for signing up soon.
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We really hope that you find this website useful in helping you find and plan your day out. Whilst we try our absolute hardest to ensure all of the information is correct and up to date, we highly recommend you call ahead of any planned visit to check opening times and prices etc. We don't want to disappoint anyone! Remember to tag us in on your day out with the hashtag #ThingsDDO!
