Kangaroo Valley Folk Festival 2013

Maypole with Molly was formed early in 2009 to fill a need for more kids’ activities at the National Folk Festival in Canberra. Emphasis is on fun audience participation rather than performance, and parents are invited to join their kids in dance and making music. Sessions feature live piano accordion music, and percussion instruments are available for kids who are not prepared to dance or are waiting for a turn.

Accordionist Erika Cleaver is an experienced Early Childhood Teacher and enjoys sharing music and dance with kids. She has also been an accompanist in several folk dance groups in Canberra. Erika’s husband Philip designed the adjustable maypole to suit the varying needs of participants and venues, and assists with Dancing for Kids sessions. Young teachers and musicians often join the team to provide energy and vitality, developing their own expertise whilst helping kids learn some of the more advanced patterns.

Space dimensions range from 3.3 to 4 metres high and a minimum diameter of 8 metres.

Although ideally suited to spring or autumn, we do accept bookings during summer if there is suitable shade either for the maypole dances, or very close to the maypole for dances other than maypole. We strongly encourage participants to bring their own water bottle.

Maypole with Molly has provided sessions at the National Folk Festival, Canberra schools, Moruya Markets, VivalaGong, Eco Fair-Randwick, Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Gardens and festivals at Cobargo, Illawarra, Kangaroo Valley, Major’s Creek, Numeralla, Port Fairy, Shellharbour Multicultural, St Albans, Cygnet, Tamar Valley and Bundanoon. Previously known as Miss Molly’s Maypole and Maypole Dancing for Kids.