A BARNSTORMING night of dancing solely for women is being staged for the first time by an Oxford folk group.

Oxfolk’s inaugural ladies’ night will take place at Kennington village hall on Saturday, April 11.

The group, which has been running for more than 20 years, has staged regular ceilidhs at the venue since October and is hoping a whole new audience will catch the knees-up bug next month.

Spokesman Jane Bird said: “Oxfolk has been staging a series of regular barn-dancing events, but now and again we like to do something special.

“We’ve got a cracking set of acts and we thought we would make it a ladies’ night.

“It’s the first time we have put on this type of night and we have deliberately got in a band who are pleasing on the eye.

“It’s all a bit of fun really.

“The main band are a smashing young group from Essex called Mawkin.

“They usually do concerts and they have taken time out of their touring schedule to play for us, so we are a bit honoured.

“We’ve got caller Peter Rees on hand to explain the dances and we’ve got a smashing entertainment slot from a morris side from Hammersmith who have a list of TV appearances as long as your arm.”

Mrs Bird added: “It’s going to be a great event. It is something you can bowl up to and take as you find. The caller is on hand to explain the dances so you don’t need to know them backwards.

“The atmosphere is great and it doesn’t matter if it’s your first time or you’re an expert.”

Doors open at 7.30pm for an 8pm start.

Ticket prices are £9 for adults, £6 for concessions and under fives get in free. A family ticket for two adults and two children costs £25, and students get six tickets for the price of five if they arrive before 8.45pm.

For more details, call 07866 804220 or 07515 410211.

tairs@oxfordmail.co.uk