Kirkburton Rapier Dancers regularly perform 6 longsword dances, these being named Numbers 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 & 7. Number 8 dance is currently being devised. All the dances are based on both new and traditional figures. Very occasionally we may perform the technically demanding Number 4 dance!

Performing No. 2 Dance and Song - Holmfirth Festival of Folk, 2011

There are seven performers during each dance, six holding swords to form a circle, and the seventh being the Captain, who sings the verses of the song, when neccessary and directs the performance from outside the ring. The only times that the circle is broken is at the beginning of the dance and at the end once the interwoven lock has been formed.

Performing No. 5 Dance - Holmfirth Festival of Folk, 2011

During the dance each figure is generally repeated six times, led off by each dancer in turn. In between some figures there is a chorus when all dancers dance into the middle. The figures may vary from year to year, or even between performances and as new ones are devised they may be substituted into the dance. The same can be said for the music. The only requirement of tunes is that they are in jig time.

Performing No. 3 Dance at a windy Upton-upon-Severn Folk Festival, 2011 - Courtesy of A. Dyson