Sheffield show on how folk music and dance helped mental health battle

A rocking chair and a banjo set the scene for a young woman’s uplifting tale of how finding folk music and song changed her life.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Sheffield’s Enable US festival hosts 45-minute dance/theatre show Finding Folk at the University Drama Studio, Shearwood Road, Broomhall on August 5 at 7.30pm.

Phoebe Ophelia shares personal stories of how she escaped her mental health problems through folk dance, music and song.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The performance will be followed by a post-show discussion with Phoebe and a mental health professional with a focus on general mental health and some of the issues explored in the show.

Phoebe Ophelia demonstrates the art of flat footingPhoebe Ophelia demonstrates the art of flat footing
Phoebe Ophelia demonstrates the art of flat footing

Ticket-holders can also attend a free flat footing dance workshop with performer Phoebe Ophelia at 4pm.

Flat footing is the traditional percussive folk dance from the Appalachian mountain region of North America. Phoebe began flat foot dancing five years ago and annually travels to North Carolina to learn more about the American folk dance scene.

In the workshop Phoebe will cover the basic steps and show how to combine steps for solo free styling. All levels welcome – wear either hard leather-soled shoes (preferably no taps) or shoes without grip.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Enable US festival is usually two weeks of new professional performances at the Drama Studio each spring and autumn.

The idea is for audiences to be inspired by engaging new shows and special workshops from innovative companies across the UK and beyond.

This show is only the second live performance the festival has hosted since restrictions have eased.

Related topics: