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THE MUSIC DIARY…

Welcome to our wonderful Folk Club, which is staging live shows every Wednesday in the Pontyclun Institute Athletic Club at 8.30pm. 

Our Zoomaround sessions start on the first Tuesday of the month (8.15pm for 8.30pm) – https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89787380016 Meeting ID: 897 8738 0016 – no password. We hope to see you there!

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September 28, 2022: Hungrytown (USA)

After more than 15 years of world-wide touring and three album releases, Rebecca Hall and Ken Anderson – otherwise known as Hungrytown — have earned a reputation for the quality and authenticity of their song-writing.  Lyricist Rebecca is credited with compositions “that sound as timeless as any traditional songs” (Northern Sky, UK) while producer /multi-instrumentalist /husband Ken is lauded for his “remarkable affinity for instrumental embellishment” (No Depression) and for crafting Hungrytown’s “gorgeous vocal harmonies” (Folk and Roots, UK).

Hungrytown’s introduction to folk music came when a close friend, who died young, entrusted to them her collection of 1960s folk albums and her guitar, which has since been featured on all of their albums. Inspired by the grit and true-to-life experiences she heard in these traditional ballads, Rebecca was inspired to write the lyrics that later became her first songs, aided by Ken’s flair for musical arrangement. Soon afterwards, Rebecca released two solo albums, Sings! (1999) and Sunday Afternoon (2002), both produced by Ken. In the winter of 2003, the duo quit their desk jobs, moved to the green hills of Vermont and decided to pursue a full-time career as touring musicians. They released their first CD, Hungrytown, in 2008; Any Forgotten Thing in 2011; and Further West in 2015. The couple continue to spend more than half of each year on the road in North America, Europe and New Zealand. 

Please watch this video of Hungrytown performing ‘Hard Way To Learn’ in the BBC Wiltshire studio.

(£8 admission, £5 members)

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October 12, 2022: The Laners 

A Capella with attitude! The Laners started 30 years ago in a pub called The Lane Arms in Willenhall, West Midlands (mid-way from Wolverhampton to Walsall). The Lane Arms has sadly long since closed, but the group is forging ahead, entertaining audiences in pubs and clubs and at festivals. The current members are Clive Brooks, Pete Grassby and Dave Tarry – now the only original member. Most of their material comprises English traditional folk songs, but they also sing some shanties and an increasing number of the many fabulous contemporary songs that are coming into the tradition. Almost all of their songs have big choruses, so audience participation is mandatory; just sitting and listening is not an option!

(£8 admission, £5 members)

 

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October 19, 2022 – Macmillan Cancer Support Fundraising night 

Organised by Julie Croad – an S&M (Song and Music) night, with added giving!

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October 26, 2022: Showcase with Bunny Eye Ceilidh Band (Wales) 

This Cardiff and South Wales-based trio have been busking around the streets, and they’re starting to get noticed with their accordion, fiddle, whistle and clawhammer banjo – they are playing for the famous and prestigious Ruff Ceilidhs next March, and Pat heard them in Pontypridd, gave them a quid and booked them!

(£3 admission)

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November 2, 2022: Ryan Young & David Foley (Scotland)

Ryan Young brings new and exciting ideas to traditional Scottish music, receiving international praise for his spell-binding interpretations on the fiddle. Focussing on traditional Scottish music, Ryan brings new life to very old, often forgotten tunes by playing them in his own unique way. His fiddle playing is brimming with fresh melodic ideas, an uplifting rhythmic drive and a great depth of dynamics and precision. His sound is very distinctive and takes you on an emotional and adventurous journey in any performance. He studied and graduated with a first class honours degree in Scottish Music from The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and has now also completed his Master’s in Music. Ryan has been nominated twice for the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award; he won the Celtic Connections Danny Kyle Award and was as a finalist in BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician (2015 and 2016). 

Ryan is accompanied by David Foley; please watch a video of Ryan and David playing The Leith Folk Club, Edinburgh. 

(£8 admission, £5 members)

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November 9, 2022: Showcase with Huw Williams – Stripped Back Broadway (Wales)

Songs from the shows and the golden age of Broadway, stripped back to one man and one guitar – featuring items from Oklahoma, Cabaret, The Music Man, Guys and Dolls and more…Learn the history and origins of musical theatre through enchanting stories, great songs and foot-tapping melodies. Musical theatre’s historic numbers performed unvarnished in an intimate setting!

(£3 admission)

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November 16, 2022: Janie Meneely, Rob Van Sante & John Conolly

Grimsby Folk Club co-founder John Conolly, American Janie Meneely and Dutch-born Rob Van Sante bring maritime folk music from both sides of the Atlantic and their own instant-classic originals. These are songwriters whose material is often mistaken for old folk songs – John, who plays guitar and squeezebox, is an internationally-known songsmith who honed his writing around the once-bustling port of Grimsby. He wrote ‘Fiddler’s Green’ in 1964, and the well-known and well-loved chorus has been sung in pubs from Brittany to Bermuda, from Washington to Warsaw and from Berlin to Baltimore. Singer-songwriter Janie brings her nautical perspective to the world of folk music and storytelling, celebrating the maritime history and traditions in the Chesapeake Bay region, where she was born and raised. Guitarist Rob, when not touring with Janie in the wake of their duo CD Partners, draws deep from the well of traditional music with spellbinding songs that he’s collected in travelling across the world; he also tours with Alan Reid, founder of the Battlefield Band of Scotland.

John, Rob and Janie have toured successfully in the USA and UK, and they’re looking forward to bringing their salty and stirring music to Llantrisant Folk Club.

(£8 entry, £5 members)

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November 30, 2022:  Showcase with Stone Mountain Ramblers (Wales)

Tony, Lee, Martin and Ian are based In Cwmbran and have just formed themselves into an acoustic quartet. They are looking to get involved with the folk scene and will be working on developing a varied repertoire with a focus on developing vocal harmonies.

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December  14: Christmas Party #1 with Chiefly Ourselves

Bring a SMALL plate of something to share and fabulous Christmas raffle.

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December 21, 2022: Christmas Party #2: The Magical Christmas Tree with Emily Sanders, Chris Parkinson and Pete Morton

(£8 admission, £5 members)

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January 11, 2023: David Boulton

David is a singer and songwriter from Stoke On Trent. In the dim and distant days, he used to perform with his friend  Jeff Parton in the entertaining and well-loved duo His Worship And The Pig. David says: “Since we retired, I have been surprised by the level of interest still shown in the music we made and performed for over 20 years. People enquire about CDs or specific tracks and are playing them as part of their repertoire. Some, have even been recorded by other performers or used for various celebrations and a few for some touching remembrances and memorials.

“All this made me think that there is still a reason to keep these songs alive and available. I’m also hoping that people who haven’t heard the songs might also be interested…  I hope to trigger some fond memories of those times too.”

(£8 admission, £5 members)

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March 15, 2023: Megan Henwood & Findlay Napier (England/Scotland)

(£8 entry, £5 members)

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March 29, 2023: Mike & Dylan James (Brittany)

(£8 entry, £5 members)

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April 12, 2023: Tania Opland & Mike Freeman (Alaska/UK)

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October 11, 2023:  Colum Sands (Ireland)

 

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August 7, 2024: Les Barker

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For past guests, click here

For booking Information & general enquiries…

Pat Smith			Mick Tems
Telephone	01443 226892		Telephone	01443 201634
Mobile	07989 209824		Mobile	07531 812400
Email (click)	Pat Smith		Email (click)	Mick Tems