Rapper Events
DERT
DERT - the Dancing England Rapper Tournament - is the main rapper competition in the UK. It runs approximately annually. The venue varies from year to year, as does the organising committee, usually based around a rapper team. This year rapper will come home to Newcastle upon Tyne. The following links provide more information:
- DERT 2009 - Newcastle upon Tyne
- DERT 2008 - Liverpool
- DERT 2007 - Nottingham
- DERT 2006 - York
- DERT 2005 - Preston
- DERT 2004 - Bath
- DERT 2003 - Glasgow
- DERT 2002 - Sheffield
- DERT 2001 - Masham
- Report on DERT 2000 - London - from “Shave the Donkey”
- DERT 1999 - Newcastle upon Tyne
Sword Spectacular
The Sword Spectacular is an occasional event covering all forms of linked sword dancing, including the rapper and longsword dances, as well as linked sword dances from Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, the Czech Republic, and the Basque Country. It was first held in Scarborough in 1996, and has since been held in Whitby in 1998, 2000 and 2004. The most recent was in York in 2008.
- Sword Spectacular 2008
- Sword Spectacular 2004 (Yorkshire Folk Arts site)
- World Millennium Sword Spectacular
- Sword Spectacular 1998
Folk Festivals
Rapper teams are found performing at Folk Festivals in the UK throughout the summer, and also more occasionally at Folk Festivals in the USA. Festivals where you are almost certain to see one or more rapper teams include:
- Morpeth Northumbrian Gathering - 17th to 19th April 2009
- Shepley Spring Festival - 15th to 17th May 2009
- Beverley and East Riding Folk Festival - 19th to 21st June 2009
- Sidmouth Folk Week - 31st July to 7th August 2009
- Broadstairs Folk Week - 7th to 14th August 2009
- Whitby Folk Week - 22nd to 28th August 2009
- Sowerby Bridge Rushbearing Festival - 5th and 6th September 2009
- Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival - 15th to 17th January 2010
