Rapper Events
DERT
DERT - the Dancing England Rapper Tournament - is the main rapper competition in the UK. It runs annually and the venue varies from year to year, as does the organising committee, usually based around a rapper team. This year's competition has just finished, and the next will be held in Oxford in March or April 2011. The following links provide more information:
- DERT 2010 - Derby
- 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
DART
This year will see the inaugural Dancing America Rapper Tournament, a rapper competition based on DERT to be held in Boston in October. This event has been discussed for the last few years, and is keenly anticipated following the successful participation by American rapper sides in recent DERT competitions.
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:
- Shepley Spring Festival - 21st to 23rd May 2010
- Beverley and East Riding Folk Festival - 18th to 20th June 2010
- Warwick Folk Festival - 23rd to 25th July 2010
- Sidmouth Folk Week - 30th July to 6th August 2010
- Broadstairs Folk Week - 6th to 13th August 2010
- Whitby Folk Week - 21st to 27th August 2010
- Sowerby Bridge Rushbearing Festival - 4th and 5th September 2010
- Bromyard Folk Festival - 10th to 12th September 2010
- Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival - January 2011
- Morpeth Northumbrian Gathering - April 2011