Listings November 2017

Edited by Mick Tems

THE FOLKWALES LISTINGS is an absolutely crucial service: it’s an up-to-date All-Wales Diary of Roots/Folk Events, which covers the borders with England, too – folkophiles will find it essential! The Diary below is as immediate as our latest information allows, but please phone or email to confirm details before travelling to an event. Many professional music places, theatres, agents and publicists do tell us, but last-minute alterations do happen. If you see an incorrect listing, please let us know by posting at the bottom of the page below.

Online links:

CELTIC HEARTBEAT: Frank Hennessy, BBC Radio Wales, Sundays, 7pm – 9pm

TRAC: MUSIC TRADITIONS WALES: All-Wales folk development organisation

CASBAR FOLK: South Wales folk/roots listings

CWLWM CELTAIDD – Wales’ Celtic festival, the Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl

GOWER FOLK FESTIVAL: June festival, stunning artists, stunning scenery

TREDEGAR HOUSE FOLK FESTIVAL: May festival which celebrates international music & dance

GŴYL IFAN: Cardiff dance festival celebrating the longest day

FOLKLIFE QUARTERLY:  online & printed listings & articles

ACOUSTIC ROUTES: Dapper FM, Penywaun & the Upper Cynon Valley. Every Monday night with Dave Chamberlain, 8pm – 10pm

THE RECORD JOURNAL: Promoting Folk Music In North Wales

DATE	LOCATION	WHAT’S HAPPENING – WHO’S ORGANISING – CONTACTS GLOSSARY: (E) England; (NW)  North Wales.
WED 1	Pontyclun	James Keelaghan: Llantrisant Folk Club, Pontyclun Institute Athletic Club, Castan Road/Palalwyf Avenue CF72 9EH, 8.30pm. Members £5, guests £8 – James has collected Juno awards for his great Canadian songwriting; accompanist Hugh MacMillan is indisposed and will not be making the tour
WED 1	Cardiff / Caerdydd	Aidan Sheehan – Cardiff Harmonica Club: Whitchurch Rugby Sports & Social Club, Samuel’s Crescent, Velindre Road, Whitchurch, Cardiff, CF14 2TH, 7pm-9pm – more details  from aidanharpsheehan@gmail.com
THU 2	Roch, Pembs	James Keelaghan: Cuffern Manor Acoustic Music Nights, Roch, 7.30pm
THU 2	Newport / Casnewydd	Pilgrim’s Way: The Lyceum Folk & Acoustic Club, Crindau Constitutional Club 45 Malpas Road Newport NP20 5PJ, 8.30pm
THU 2	Wrexham / Wrecsam	The Trials Of Cato: Wrexham Folk & Acoustic Club, Nag’s Head, Mount Street, 8.15pm
FRI 3	Cardiff / Caerdydd	Triskellion: Pentreffestnoz, St Fagans Village Hall, Crofft-Y-Genau Road, St Fagans, Cardiff CF5 6DU, 7.30pm
FRI 3	Swansea / Abertawe	Do Not Go Gentle Festival – Attila The Stockbroker, Captain Cat & The Sailors, Poets On A Hill, The Balkaneers, Mudskippers & more: Venues in Swansea city centre – Unit Nineteen, 19 Little Wind Street SA1 1EE; Cinema & Co, 17 Castle Street SA1 1JF; The Last Resort, 207 High Street SA1 1PE (ends Sunday Oct 4)
FRI 3	Bangor, Gwynedd	Saz’iso – The Joys and Sorrows of Southern Albanian Song: Pontio, Theatr Bryn Terfel, Bangor University, Deiniol Road LL57 2TQ, 8pm. Tickets: £14/£13
SAT 4	Cardiff / Caerdydd	Emily Barker: Clwb Ifor Bach, 11 Womanby Street CF10 1BR, 7pm – “Heartfelt songwriting… bridging the gap between folk, country and Fleetwood Mac” (The Times)
SAT 4	Berriew, Powys	World music workshop with Flatworld: Berriew Community Centre SY21 8BA, 11am – 4.30pm – the Malvern ceilidh band demonstrate local music from out there; bookings essential
SUN 5
MON 6
TUE 7
WED 8	Llandeilo	Doug MacLeod: Llandeilo Acoustic, The Angel Hotel, Rhosmaen Street, Llandeilo
WED 8	Brecon/ Aberhonddu	The Washboard Resonators: Brecon Fringe Festival 2017, The Muse, Glamorgan Street LD3 7DW, 8.30pm
WED 8	Cardiff / Caerdydd	Aidan Sheehan – Cardiff Harmonica Club: Whitchurch Rugby Sports & Social Club, Samuel’s Crescent, Velindre Road, Whitchurch, Cardiff, CF14 2TH, 7pm-9pm – more details  from aidanharpsheehan@gmail.com
THU 9	Cardigan / Aberteifi	Chris Wood, Twelfth Day: Theatr Mwldan, Bath House Road SA43 1JY, 7.30pm
THU 9	Bristol (E)	Said The Maiden: The Tunnels, arches 31 & 32, Bristol & Exeter Mews, Lower Station Approach Road, Temple Meads, Bristol BS1 6QF, doors open 7.30pm
FRI 10	Abergavenny / Y Fenni	The Devil’s Violin – Stolen: Borough Theatre, Cross Street, 7.30pm
	Preseli, Pembs / Sir Benfro	Ceri Rhys Matthews – Yscolan Tune School: Canolfan Pentre Ifan, Felindre Farchog, Crymych SA41 3XE –  A weekend of learning tunes from local Welsh traditions. The emphasis will be on melody and will cover airs as well as the broad range of dance-tune types from jigs, hornpipes & reels; to other forms including triple time tunes such as hop jigs, slip jigs & 3/2 polkas, reels & hornpipes. At the end of the weekend, Ceri & Julie Murphy will give a concert. Cost: £175, including accommodation & meals, cooked by Julie. (Until Sunday, November 12)
FRI 10	Cardiff / Caerdydd	Rusty Shackle: Acapela Studio, Heol y Pentre, Pentyrch, 8pm
FRI 10	Tenby / Y Dinbych, Pembs	Tenby Blues Festival: Diabel Cissoko, Veronica Sbergia & Max De Bernardi, Harry Manx, Bella Collins & Gareth Evans, Old Strafford, Adam Sweet, Thomas Ford, The Bay Rum Hounds, Big Joe Bone, Christopher Rees, David Herbert, Jodie Marie, Jonathan Nicholas & more: De Valence Pavilion, Frog Street, & other venues (until October 12)
FRI 10	Vale of Glamorgan / Y Fro Morgannwg	Ceilidh with Thingumijigs: Tythe Barn, St Donats Arts Centre, UWC Atlantic College, St Donats, 7.30pm. £8.50 / £6.50 / £2.50 child
FRI 10	Llandudno	Hwyl Fawr – Bodhrán Winter School: The Albany Guest House, 5 Craig Y Don Parade, Llandudno LL30 1BG.  Phone: 01492 878908 – three-day bodhrán course, tutored by experts Alan Drwm (AKA Alan Collinson of the WeeBagBand, James Christian (Elfin Bow) & Gary Edward Jones. Limited places; cost £200 (including accommodation & meals), 150 (non-resident & meals). Saturday night: The WeeBagBand.  (Until Sunday.)
FRI 10	Bristol (E)	Megson: St George’s Bristol, Great George Street, Bristol BS1 5RR, 8pm. £14 (£5 students and under-18s, limited availability)
SAT 11	Swansea / Abertawe	Omar Sosa & Seckou Keita: Taliesyn Arts Centre, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PZ, 7.30pm – the GRAMMY-nominated Cuban pianist and composer and the Senegalese kora master present their collaboration and new CD Transparent Waters
SAT 11	Cardiff / Caerdydd	Gordon Giltrap: Acapela Studio, Heol y Pentre, Pentyrch, 8pm
SUN 12	Swansea / Abertawe	Old Strafford: The Brunswick Arms, Bute Street, 8.30pm
SUN 12	Chester (E)	The Devil’s Violin – Stolen: Storyhouse, Hunter Street, Chester CH1 2AR
MON 13
TUE 14	Cardiff / Caerdydd	John Watterson, special guests Mark Goodall & Rudolf Rocker – The Lost Will & Testament Of Jake Thackray: Sherman Theatre, Senghennydd Road, Cathays CF24 4YE, 7.30pm. Ticket Office: 029 2064 6900 – John & friends celebrate 44 years since the theatre opened, and the mighty Georges Brassens appeared with Jake (who was very influenced by Brassens) supporting
TUE 14	Chester (E)	Michael Harvey, Lynne Denman, Stacey Blythe – Dreaming The Night Field: Chester Literature Festival, Storyhouse, Hunter Street CH1 2AR, 7.30pm
WED 15	Pontyclun	Moirai: Llantrisant Folk Club, Pontyclun Institute Athletic Club, Castan Road/Palalwyf Avenue CF72 9EH, 8.30pm. Members £5, guests £8 – the delightful trio of Jo Freya (saxophone), Sarah Matthews (violin/viola) and Melanie Biggs (melodeon) showcase their second CD, Here And Now
WED 15	Abergavenny / Y Fenni	Martin Simpson: Borough Theatre, Cross Street, 7.30pm
WED 15	Pontardawe	The Devil’s Violin – Stolen: Pontardawe Arts Centre, Herbert Street, 7.30pm
WED 15	Cardiff / Caerdydd	Aidan Sheehan – Cardiff Harmonica Club: Whitchurch Rugby Sports & Social Club, Samuel’s Crescent, Velindre Road, Whitchurch, Cardiff, CF14 2TH, 7pm-9pm – more details  from aidanharpsheehan@gmail.com
WED 15	Cardiff / Caerdydd	Sally Barker & Vicki Genfan: Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Harbour Drive, Cardiff Bay CF10 4PA, 7.30pm. £12 plus booking fee – Sally and Vicki team up for the Small Mountain Tour
WED 15	Chester (E)	Michael Harvey, Lynne Denman, Stacey Blythe – Dreaming The Night Field: Story walk – meet at Bishop Lloyd’s Palace, Watergate Row CH1 2LE. 1.30pm – 3.30pm
THU 16	Cardiff / Caerdydd	Oysterband : Tramshed, Clare Road CF11 6QP. Doors open 7.30pm.  40th celebration tour; unreserved seating. E-ticket: £17.50 (no fee for self-print tickets)
THU 16	Newport/ Casnewydd	Steve Tilston: Newport Folk Club, the Fugitives Athletic Club, High Cross, Newport, 8.30pm
THU 16	Cardiff / Caerdydd	Michael Harvey, Lynne Denman, Stacey Blythe – Dreaming The Night Field: Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Castle Grounds, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3ER, 7.30pm. Tel: 029 2039 1391
FRI 17	Cardigan / Aberteifi	Lau: Theatr Mwldan, Bath House Road SA43 1JY, 7.30pm
FRI 17	Glais, Swansea Valley	Guto Dafis & Danny Kilbride: The Valley Folk Club, Glais Rugby Club, 609 Birchgrove Road, Glais, 8pm
FRI 17	Vale of Glamorgan / Y Fro Morgannwg	The Stray Birds: Tythe Barn, St Donats Arts Centre, UWC Atlantic College, St Donats Castle CF61 1WF. 7.30pm, £14 – not to be confused with the US rock band, The Stray Birds are a Pennsylvania folk trio playing banjo, fiddle & double-bass with appealing self-written harmony lines
FRI 17	Llanwrda	Kantref: Llandovery Folk Dancing, Llanwrda Hall SA19 8AD, 7.30pm
FRI 17	Bristol (E)	Andreas Tophøj & Rune Barslund: The Canteen, 80 Stokes Croft, Bristol BS1 3QY, 9.30pm
FRI 17	Bristol (E)	Grace Petrie, Gavin Osborn supporting: Downend Folk Club, Frenchay Village Hall, Beckspool Road, Frenchay, Bristol BS16 1NU, 7.30pm
SAT 18	Cardiff / Cardiff	Jigfoot, Ian Nichols calling: RUFF Ceilidhs, Recreation Hall, Sports & Social Club, Heath Hospital, 8pm
SAT 18	Port Talbot	Joe Brown: Princess Royal Theatre, Civic Centre, Port Talbot SA13 1PJ, 7.30pm
SAT 18	Vale of Glamorgan / Y Fro Morgannwg	Sounds Of Simon: Tythe Barn, St Donats Arts Centre, UWC Atlantic College, £12
SAT 18	Swansea / Abertawe	Rocky Road: The Kinsale, Mumbles, 9pm
SUN 19	Cardiff / Caerdydd	Billy Bragg: Tramshed, Clare Road CF11 6QP. Doors open 7.30pm, £22 – The Barking Bard visits Cardiff on his Bridges Not Walls UK and European tour
SUN 19	Swansea / Abertawe	Old Strafford: The Brunswick Arms, Bute Street
MON 20	Cardiff / Caerdydd	Van Morrison: St David’s Hall, The Hayes, 7.30pm – Van the man in an eclectic mix of Irish folk and rock music
TUE 21	Cardiff / Caerdydd	Lau: Tramshed, Clare Road CF11 6QP. Doors open 7pm
TUE 21	Cardiff / Caerdydd	Frigg: Roots Unearthed, L3 Lounge, St David’s Hall, The Hayes, 8pm – Tremendous four-fiddle Finnish band
TUE 21	Cardiff / Caerdydd	Bethan Mascarenhas: Storytelling at Milgis, Milgis Yurt, 213 City Road, Roath, 8pm
WED 22	Ystradgynlais	Talisk: The Welfare, Brecon Road
WED 22	Cardiff / Caerdydd	Afro Celt Sound System, The Dhol Foundation supporting: Tramshed, Clare Road CF11 6QP. Doors open 7pm, £25 adv, £28.50
WED 22	Cardiff / Caerdydd	Tom Russell: St David’s Hall, The Hayes
WED 22	Cardiff / Caerdydd	Aidan Sheehan – Cardiff Harmonica Club: Whitchurch Rugby Sports & Social Club, Samuel’s Crescent, Velindre Road, Whitchurch, Cardiff, CF14 2TH, 7pm-9pm – more details  from aidanharpsheehan@gmail.com
THU 23	Port Talbot	Andy Fairweather Low & The Low Riders: Princess Royal Theatre, Civic Centre, Port Talbot SA13 1PJ, 7.30pm
THU 23	Bristol (E)	Tom Russell: Thekla, The Grove, East Mud Dock, Bristol BS1 4RB
FRI 24	Pontardawe	Velosi: Pontardawe Arts Centre, Herbert Street, 7.30pm – Carpathian tradition infused with classical and rock
FRI 24	Swansea / Abertawe	Pete Riley, Lowri Evans & Lee Mason, Andy Collins. Steve Balsamo: The Hyst, 218 Hight Street SA1 1PE. Doors open 6.30pm, £10 – An evening of Songwriters In The Road
FRI 24	Glais, Swansea Valley	Caradog Jones, Geraint Roberts & Andy Tamlin-Jones: The Valley Folk Club, Glais Rugby Club, 609 Birchgrove Road, Glais, 8pm
SAT 25	Gaenysgor, Flintshire	Jimmy Aldridge & Sid Goldsmith: Gwaenysgor Village Hall, 7pm. Tickets: £11.21
SUN 26	Cardiff . Caerdydd	Steeleye Span: Acapela Studio, Heol y Pentre, Pentyrch SOLD OUT
SUN 26	Chester (E)	Jimmy Aldridge & Sid Goldsmith: The Raven Folk Club, The Bear & Billet, Lower Bridge Street, 8pm
MON 27
TUE 28	Abergavenny / Y Fenni	Steeleye Span: Borough Threatre, Cross Street, 7.30pm SOLD OUT
WED 29	Cardigan / Aberteifi	Talisk: Theatr Mwldan, Bath House Road SA43 1JY, 7.30pm
WED 29	Cardiff / Caerdydd	Alaw album launch concert: Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Harbour Drive, Cardiff Bay, CF10 4PA, 7.30pm. Tickets: £10/£8.  Tel: 029 2087 7959 – Oli, Jamie and Dylan showcase Alaw’s second CD, Dead Man’s Dance
WED 29	Pontyclun	Showcase with Aidan Sheehan’s Harmonica Workshop: Llantrisant Folk Club, Pontyclun Institute Athletic Club, Castan Road/Palalwyf Avenue CF72 9EH, 8.30pm. Admission £3
THU 30	Aberystwyth	Steeleye Span: Arts Centre, Aberystwyth University, Penglais Campus, Aberyswyth SY23 3DE. Doors: 8pm. Tickets: £20. Box Office: 01970 623232
THU 30	Abergavenny / Y Fenni	Alaw: Art Shop & Chapel, Cross Street, Abergavenny, 7.30pm. 01873 736430 / 852690
THU 30	Roch, Pembs	Ninebarrow: Cuffern Manor Acoustic Music Nights, Roch, 7.30pm

If you see a listing which is inaccurate, or you have information about a gig for this month which is not listed, please use the Comment box below to let the Editor, Mick Tems, know about it.