EN Contenido en inglés — los talleres del festival se imparten en inglés y español · Traducción al español pendiente
The grand finale of the Cenizas residency
Mutation, evolution, change, transformation, movement. Inner and outer.
DATES
20–22 November 2026
VENUE
El Colladito · Cercedilla · Madrid
LANGUAGES
English + Spanish
Fénix festival is the culmination of Cenizas, our balfolk residency. A weekend festival focused on education: a deep and immersive learning itinerary about Balfolk dances, designed to refine technique, explore variations, enhance musicality, understand origins, navigate the dance floor, and much more.
A unique opportunity to receive training from over 12 Balfolk teachers from different parts of Europe, who have spent a week working together to improve the dances and their transmission. Two nights of concerts, cultural immersion and a vibrant community await.
Beginners · ★
It’s my first time at Balfolk, or maybe my second. A space to strengthen the basics, to understand a dance from scratch.
Intermediate · ★★
I’m comfortable with some dances, but Breton dances? Gascon dances? There’s so much to learn — and in couple dances I feel stuck in what I know.
Advanced · ★★★
I’ve been dancing through festivals for years, comfortable as leader/follower and interpreting the music — I want to take a step further.
Pick one workshop per block; spots confirmed by registration order before payment. Workshops in English + Spanish.
B = beginners · I = intermediate · A = advanced. Block 2 workshops are a surprise, created during the residency.
Rafaela Calheiros (PT)
A traditional way of transmission: circle work, repetition and shared practice — musical phrasing, weight transfer and posture; the grounded flow of Saut Béarnais versus the sharper precision of Mutxikoak.
Victor Delage (FR)
Beyond the 6-players choreography: learn several bourrée choreographies step by step — including Double Jeu and Cassiopea — adding rules and variations until the dance flows naturally.
Léo Proulx (FR)
How can a musical dialogue occur between musicians and dancers whilst dancing? Playing with melodies, grooves and rhythms — focusing on waltzes and scottisches.
Lou Mather (UK)
Ceilidh dances from North West England: fun, playful, expressive movement — a great introduction to folk dance for any level and a very enjoyable way to meet lots of new people.
Dalia Pranauskaite (LT)
From head to toes: groove and movement initiation through the whole body, inspired by house dance practices — rhythm, direction, texture and connection, rooted in balfolk vocabulary.
Leo Visser (NL)
Couple dance dynamics through ideas inspired by Aikido: transforming and reusing energy, shared centre of gravity, moving smoothly between turning and travelling steps without losing flow.
The festival is open to a maximum of 50 participants (plus the 40 participants of Cenizas). The admission fee for the weekend is 160€, including participation in all activities, food and accommodation in rooms of 6–8 people. Bring a sleeping bag too (nights can be very cold), a towel, and your most comfortable dance clothes.
Filling the application form does NOT reserve your spot: you also need to buy your ticket. The ticket includes a mandatory cancellation insurance from Entradium.
I haven’t danced before, is this a festival for me? Yes! We have a specific itinerary so you can take your first steps in Balfolk. Come join us!
Albergue El Colladito, Camino de los Campamentos 1, 28470 Cercedilla, Madrid — 5 minutes uphill from Cercedilla’s Cercanías station. cercedilla.elcolladito.com
María: +34 652 483 969 · Francesco: +34 617 123 144 · folquemadrid@gmail.com
A week of shared work by 12+ teachers from all over Europe — Fénix condenses its outcomes. →
