Queer Folk was founded by Sophie Crawford and George Sansome and now encompasses a network of many more musicians, dancers, songwriters, music fans, and likeminded LGBTQIA+ people. The duo work to highlight LGBTQIA+ history and narratives buried in the archives, as well as amplify LGBTQIA+ artists today.
Through residencies at the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library, at the Glasshouse International Centre for Music, and with Britten Pears Arts, Sophie and George found a wealth of queer folk songs and material ripe to be queered. They often get together to perform these songs, give talks, and lead workshops on queer folk music.
Since finding this wealth of LGBTQIA+ folk music in the archives, they now perform these songs together accompanied by guitar, bouzouki, and accordion.
They run regular Queer Ceilidh Dance Parties at Cecil Sharp House in London, after starting the Queer Ceilidh Dance Party so they could have an evening blending drag with ceilidh dancing! It’s a space with gender free calling, spearheaded by the amazing caller Lisa Heywood, which means everyone can dance with everyone!
Queer Ceilidh
George told us: *It’s a friendly, open space where you can come to dance and then enjoy drag performances in the interval. Wear what you like, get sweaty, and have a dance!”
They have some events coming up in February if you want to check them out. (details below) and George reassures us they have more plans for the rest of the year so keep your eye out on their website.
February Live Events
