What’s On at the Folk Club

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November 21, 2018:  Cosmotheka

The Cosmotheka was a rather seedy, rather dirty and rather run-down music hall in a less-than-salubrious area of Marylebone, Loetween 1857 and 1869. From 1972 to 1999, Birmingham-born brothers Dave and Al Sealey were Cosmotheka – performing the songs of the Halls, they were considered by many to be the finest interpreters of the genre, and appeared at venues across the country and around the world. There were numerous radio series and television appearances, and their many fans included Roy Hudd, Bob Monkhouse and Chas & Dave.

Since the tragic death of Al in 1999, Dave has returned to the stage in many collaborations, and particularly a solo career, including one-man shows of the work of two iconic performers, Stanley Holloway and Max Miller. Now the next generation is taking part – and Dave’s son, Dan Sealey, will be joining his father to recreate “a lot of the old songs, with a new twist”. Dan, having grown up with the songs, has his own take on the material. An accomplished musician, as bass player with the rock group Ocean Colour Scene, he is no stranger to the big stage. Dan’s guitar skills and dry wit introduce a compelling new dimension to the collaboration. Watch a video of Dave and Dan, accompanied by Adam Barry, at last year’s Bromyard Folk Festival (£8 admission, £5 members)

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November 28, 2018: Alternative evening

This is where you can do something that you don’t usually do at the folk club – but it’s not compulsory! Plenty of warning to practice what you don’t preach…  (Brought forward a week from December 5 – admission £3)

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December 12, 2018: Christmas Party No. 1 

It’s going to be a pot luck party; everyone bring a SMALL plate of food – don’t go mad! (Admission £3)

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December 19, 2018: Christmas Party No. 2 with Belshazzar’s Feast 

A big welcome back for  this magnificent duo!  The best tribute comes from from Mike Harding, who reviewed Sidmouth Festival for The Mike Harding Show: “My personal find of the festival – Paul Hutchinson and Paul Sartin play like no-one else you’ve ever heard. Their music is breathtaking and wickedly inventive and the between-tunes interchange as intelligent and hilarious as the music. But don’t let me give you the impression they’re a lightweight comedy act: they finish the set with a haunting piece of oboe and accordion magic which has the audience spellbound.” Watch a video of the two Pauls performing the appropriate festive carol ‘King Herod And The Cock’. (£9 admission, £6 members – supported by an Arts Council Night Out Grant)

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December 26, 2018: No club (boo-hoo!)

Llantrisant Folk Club takes a Boxing Day/ Sain Steffan breather…

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January 2, 2019: New Year survivors’ night

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January 9, 2019: The Rumblestrutters (Wales)

John Toft (vocals, mandolin, banjo), Jonathan Nicholas and Liam Ward bring the Prohibition era to the party! The Swansea-based acoustic three-piece vividly evoke the blues, jazz and jug-band music of the 1920s – and their debut album, Prohibition Blues, has been greeted with international radio play and critical acclaim. The album has confirmed the trio’s reputation, with stellar performances at top festivals across the land.

Equally adept at classic material and original compositions, The Rumblestrutters’ performances have to be seen to be believed. Luscious harmonies and virtuosity combine in songs of bootleg liquor, late night parties, and even the odd hubbly-bubbly pipe.  Started when Jon found an ink jug at the back of an old cupboard, the trio features the virtuoso guitar-playing and voice of Jonathan and Liam Ward on vocals, harmonica and jug. Songs of bootleg liquor, all-night parties and bacchanalia abound, tapped from a rich musical source. The Rumblestrutters bring you the authentic sounds of 1920s and ’30s America!

(£8 admission, £5 members)

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January 16, 2019: Club Swap Night – Newport Folk Club

Showcasing Newport Folk Club’s floor musicians and singers with a one-hour spot. (£3 admission)

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January 30, 2019: Keith Donnelly

Keith Donnelly – stand-up comic, fall-down comedian, surreal snigger-songwriter, guitar-hero, performance-artist, (tall) story-teller, philosopher, scriptwriter, (none can) compere, man-of-mystery, inner-childminder, actor, stuntman, metaphysical poet, human ping-pong ball, life and soul of the (kids) party, world-class athlete, leading socialite, raconteur, business tycoon, wit, author, half-wit, secret (sh!) agent, (Vauxhall) astral-traveller, shaman, Geordie cultural attache, word-juggler, snake-charmer, underline-dancer, unexpected clairvoyant, dream-weaver, daydream believer, psycho-linguist, shark-wrangler, smile sculptor, (compulsive) lying-tamer, Great British eccentric, (alleged) international jewel thief, hot-dog skier, alien abductee, zen grand-master, champion tiddly-winker, sand-dancer, friend to the pantomime horse, erstwhile slice of bacon and all-round good egg. Here’s a video of Keith at Southwell Folk Festival, with the audience just loving it…

(£8 admission, £5 members)

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February 6, 2019: Club Swap Night – Barry Folk Club

Showcasing Barry Folk Club’s floor musicians and singers with a one-hour spot. (£3 admission)

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Febuary 13, 2019: Club Swap Night – Lyceum Folk Club

Showcasing The Lyceum Folk & Acoustic Club’s floor musicians and singers with a one-hour spot. (£3 admission)

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February 20, 2019: Solasta

Solasta are an outstanding new folk trio who are fast building a name for themselves with their inventive arrangements, unique sound and exhilarating live performances. Comprised of award-winning Scottish fiddler Elisabeth Flett, Welsh cellist Hannah Thomas and English guitarist Jamie Leeming, their dynamic interpretations of Celtic-based material are rooted firmly in tradition, whilst incorporating elements from diverse musical worlds including classical, jazz and early music.  Sheena Wellington, Patron of the Traditional Music Association of Scotland​​, enthusiastically reviewed their show: “Solasta gave one of the most exhilarating and enchanting performances we have ever had….breathtakingly good, consummate young musicians with true flair and imagination.”

The trio recorded their debut EP in April 2016 and released their first full-length album in 2018. Watch a video of Solasta playing at the prestigious Celtic Connections Festival in Glasgow.

(£8 admission, £5 members)

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February 27, 2019: Showcase with Mike Johnson (Wales)

Cardiff songwriter Mike Johnson records material about important events in the city’s life; from a folk club organiser to a Cardiff leisure centre and Coal Exchange events manager, Mike’s troubadour presence charts Cardiff’s history. (£3 admission)

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March 13, 2019: Judy Cook (USA)

Judy is an author, a folk singer and an entertainer who lives in Maryland. She has  has been on the road since the early 1990s, making her own the songs and ballads of traditional Americana and the British Isles. She has family roots in Virginia, born into a family who loved music, which led to a personal discovery of the rich and varied treasure of folk music. She has four albums; Her first CD of unaccompanied traditional songs and ballads, If You Sing Songs… , was released in 1998, followed two years later by Far From the Lowlands. Tenting Tonight: Songs of the Civil War was released in 2007, and Lincoln’s America in 2009.

July was the third of four children, and she grew up with singing from both parents and a love for music: “We sang at the table, we sang washing dishes, we sang riding in the car, they sang lullabies to us.” Singing went beyond the immediate family: Judy’s father sang squares for neighbourhood dances and played songs on the piano by ear, and Judy’s mother made sure singing was a big part of the scout troops she led; extended family gatherings often featured evening sings. Judy’s  joy of singing date from her earliest years.

(£8 admission, £5 members)

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April 3, 2019: Pat’s birthday bash with The Fishguard Folk Singers 

The Fishguard Folk Singers come all the way from Pembrokeshire to bring you songs of the sea, seasonal songs and tunes, fund-raising to benefit the continuation of the Fishguard Folk Festival, in conjunction with other worthy causes. If you want to organise a fundraiser of your choice, the Singers will turn up and perform for you; all they ask for is a donation to the festival funds!(£8 admission, £5 members)

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April 17, 2019: Mairearad Green & Anna Massie (Scotland)

This is a must-see and a must-hear! Two of Scotland’s most revered multi-instrumentalists, Mairearad (accordion and bagpipes) and Anna (guitar, banjo, fiddle) are a truly captivating duo, providing a highly-energetic performance with an instantly warm and friendly stage presence. Having played alongside each other for over ten years, they revel in an intuitive approach to each other’s musical ideas and interpretations, and an “almost telepathic communication” on stage (Hi-Arts), effortlessly showcasing the fruits of duo partnership to the highest level, creating “music more than the sum of just two parts” (The Scotsman).

Now based in Glasgow, Mairearad and Anna both grew up in the Scottish Highlands amidst very similar musical backgrounds – most notably, mandolin-playing Dads – and so share an innate understanding of Scottish culture and music. As a duo, they have enjoyed many successes, including five stars in The Scotsman and high praise from KT Tunstall, becoming a much-loved live act. Their three albums (2009’s eponymous debut, ‘Doubling’ in 2013 and ‘Best Day’ in 2015) have met wide acclaim. Mairearad and Anna was recorded live, just the two musicians – the live double act – whilst Doubling features many layered tracks, building a more complex sound, though still just from the two musicians. At the heart of Doubling remains the live duo sets, intricately arranged and executed with symbiotic sympathy, enhancing their “must-see” reputation. Watch a video of Polkas!

(£8 admission, £5 members)

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May 8, 2019: John Doyle (Ireland)

Name many of the most notable recordings and/or performers in Irish music, and it’s a fair bet that the Irish guitar wizard John Doyle had something to do with them – Liz Carroll; Eileen Ivers; Karan Casey; Solas (which John co-founded); Michael Black; Mary Black; the trio of McCusker, McGoldrick and Doyle; and now Usher’s Island (Andy Irvine, Dónal Lunny, Mike McGoldrick, Paddy Glackin and John Doyle), not to mention the hugely popular Transatlantic Sessions. This list is a veritable Who’s Who of the greatest names in Irish music, and these are just a very few of the stellar artists for whom John’s signature guitar sound, singing or songwriting is essential.

Impossibly in demand in the studio and on the road, immensely talented and blessed with an acute ear, a wicked sense of rhythm and seemingly endless stream of magic in his playing, composing, performing and producing, John is solidly establishing himself as one of the most versatile, creative and prolific voices in folk and traditional Irish music. He is resident in the United States, and these are just a few of the American press tributes: “Doyle on guitar has risen to a level occupied by him alone. No one in Irish traditional music is a better guitarist than him right now” (The Wall Street Journal); “A complete rhythm section all on his own” (Chicago Tribune); “More talent than anybody deserves to have all to themselves” (Philadelphia News).  Watch a video  of ‘Clear The Way’, his take on the Irish Brigade in the Civil War.

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May 22, 2019: The Hut People

(£8 admission, £5 members)

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June 12, 2019: Eirwen Malin – Sorting The Sock Drawer

A highly entertaining and fun storytelling Showcase evening, written and performed by local storyteller Eirwen Malin, in aid of  the Cure Parkinson’s Trust and/or Parkinson’s UK. Admission: £5 on the door for members and non-members alike.

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July 3, 2019: Martin Curtis (New Zealand)

(£8 admission, £5 members)

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September 4, 2019: Josie Duncan & Pablo Lafuente (Scotland/Spain)

2017 BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award Winners Josie and Pablo are a vocal/guitar duo like no other. Calling the Isle of Lewis and Glasgow/Spain home, their music focuses on many strands of Scotland’s web of traditions where centuries-old ballads meet Gaelic Puirt A Beul, songs from the mines and cotton mills, as well as some original writing. Josie’s crystal-clear voice, with its slight island twang, is equally at home in any of these domains. Accompanied by Pablo’s dynamic, sensitive guitar playing, they illuminate the lyrics. Their music, at times sparse and haunting, at others driving and all-consuming, leaves audiences stunned.

They are both accomplished musicians in their own right. Josie is a recent graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, where she studied with some of the masters of the Scottish and Gaelic traditions. She has toured extensively, performing at festivals and venues in Europe, Canada and America. Her other projects include a collaboration with innovative Gaelictronica band Inyal, and Blasta, a showcase of singers of the Isle of Lewis, commissioned by this year’s Festival Interceltique de Lorient. Pablo’s experiences are no less varied; he has put down cultural roots in Scotland, exploring the tradition to its deepest core. Since completing his studies of guitar and fiddle at the National Centre for Excellence in Traditional Music, he has been in high demand, playing, recording and touring internationally with artists including: The Outside Track, Barluath, Sketch and Spanish Gaita extraordinaire Anxo Lorenzo. Since joining forces in 2016, Josie and Pablo have taken the scene by storm, quickly becoming one of Scotland’s most in-demand live acts at festivals and venues across the country. They were nominated for Folk Band Of The Year at the MG Alba Scots Trad Music Awards.

(£8 admission, £5 members)

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September 18, 2019: Colum Sands (Ireland)

(£8 admission, £5 members)

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October 2, 2019: Showcase with Bruce Watson (Australia)

Bruce is a hilarious humorist, writer and performer with the power to move audiences to tears. His performances are joyful and thoroughly engaging, with witty lyrics and energetic presentation. He is a masterful song craftsman, be they evocative and heart-wrenching, or side-splittingly funny.

(£3 admission)

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October 30, 2019: Andrew McKay & Carole Etherton (Wales)

Andrew and Carole present their Halloween Special, featuring seasonal songs, sketches, costumed characters and shadow puppets….a little bit of theatre!

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November 6, 2019: Dan McKinnon (Canada)

(£8 admission, £5 members)

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DON’T FORGET: All other Wednesdays are Song And Music Nights, starting at 8.30pm

For past guests, click here

For booking Information & general enquiries…

 

Pat Smith			Mick Tems
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