Barnbuskers likes to check out new venues for our barn dances and ceilidh events before the day we are performing, if we can. It sorts out things like electricity points for the electronic equipment, where the band will be sited (if there isn’t a stage), where the electronic equipment can be unloaded, parking for band members etc. Sometimes the venue is just too far away for a pre-visit to be practical but we do like one if we can. The Free ceilidh event on Bank Holiday Weekend Monday 4th May 2026 in Watchet’s East Quay Courtyard is wonderfully local to Barnbuskers in West Somerset so we took the opportunity of checking it out. As a result, we had a lovely bicycle ride, a great meeting with a key member of the Onion Collective and, to round it up, some excellent fish and chips on the Esplanade. (Photo is Barnbuskers Band leader Judy enjoying a well earned lunch … who says Barnbuskers doesn’t know how to push the boat out lol!)
We were certainly glad we had the meeting because we learned so much about the incredibly fascinating East Quay Cultural Venue, it’s ethos and it’s many activities. Our thanks to Isabelle Fraser for a great welcome. Located very much in the heart of West Somerset Watchet’s historical harbour, Watchet’s fascinating story can be explored on the many story boards besides the marina.
And story telling is very much part of East Quays Cultural Centre ethos. The current story of East Quay masks began recently on Saturday 21st March 2026 with the event ‘Feral Beings’- Mask Making Workshops with Artists Jenni Dutton and Catherine Heard. Check out the link to see examples of the type of masks they created and might be wearing on the dance floor on Bank Holiday Monday. The masks are great fun … but behind them lies a much deeper philosophical story about community, our connections to each other and something called the Understory. Still better, you can discover how to make your own mask on Bank Holiday Monday!
May Day Mask Making Event at East Quay:
- Date: Monday 4 May 2026
- Time: 13:00 – 15:00
- Details: A family-friendly event where you can make a mask of your favourite “being” for the May Day blessing and procession.
Here’s the full free afternoon event schedule:
EVENT SCHEDULE:
1-3pm: Craft and family friendly activities
- Make animals from willow
- Find out how sheep’s wool is spun
- See how trees are turned into bowls and spoons
- Have your face painted as an animal or plant
- Listen to stories about magical beings and nature (1.30pm and 2.30pm)
- Make a mask of your favourite ‘being’
2pm: Maypole dancing
3pm: May Day blessing to celebrate the changing seasons
and, as if that wasn’t enough for a smashing Bank Holiday afternoon,
3.15pm: Country dancing with Barnbuskers Ceilidh Barn Dance Band.
There will be right-hand-stars, do-si-dos and swinging your partners!
A caller to explain the dances, suitable for all ages, beginner-friendly, and great fun! No need to bring a partner, find one when you get here. The traditional toe-tapping music has been putting smiles on peoples faces for hundreds of years. Whoops and laughter are not obligatory but we think you might! Best of all, it’s completely free!
Dancing can make you hungry and thirsty! No worries! The Excellent East Quay Cafe will be open to provide it’s scrumptious fare.
It’s going to be very much a family friendly afternoon at Watchet’s East Quay and, in keeping with the family theme, Barnbuskers will be joined by band leader Judy’s son, Ryan (guitar) and daughter, Laura (double bass). Both Laura and Ryan are multi-instrumentalists and seen here (below) playing with mum for a ceilidh at Wiveliscombe near Taunton.
One of Barnbuskers favourite dance callers, Bridget (on the left below), will be explaining all the dances with a walk through before the music starts and then will continue calling the moves as long as needed. With Bridget’s selection of country dances, fun is guaranteed for all generations! Wind instrument player, Robin, will be supporting the lively tunes with band leader Judy on the fiddle.
So, if you are expecting to be in West Somerset on Bank Holiday Monday 4th May 2026, we hope you can come and enjoy all the traditional craft making, traditional dancing, traditional music and everything else that the fabulous East Quay Cultural Centre in Watchet, West Somerset has to offer. Need more information? Follow the link about Joining in with the dancing on May Day Weekend Monday. Looking forward to seeing you there!
(By the way!)
If all this talk of Country Dancing has piqued your interest, Barnbuskers band leader and dance caller Judy also has local Ceilidh Classes in Watchet and Minehead on Wednesdays and Thursdays where you can spend an hour Country Dancing. Judy does the walk through before each dance, in the true traditional way, and then continues calling the steps after the recorded Barnbuskers music starts, for as long as needed. Come once, come twice, there’s no obligation to continue but once people get hooked, they tend to keep coming and joining in. It’s great gentle exercise and a nice community meeting regularly. Whether you are local to West Somerset or visiting on holiday, all are welcome!
Barnbuskers 