Here is a complete listing from the Somerset and Dorset Folk Diary. To receive regular updates to this listing, along with other news items, please subscribe.
Regular events, such as music sessions and dance clubs are listed separately here.
Please note that all the email addresses on this page have been altered to try to limit the effect of spam programs. The @ symbol has been replaced with " AT ". Also note that the web addresses on the page may not act as hyperlinks. You will have to cut and paste them into the address bar of your web browser.
7.30 pm
Contact Nigel Canter
nigel.canter AT talk21.com
A programme of music, readings and images celebrating the village bands of old, with a seasonal twist and a chance to sing a couple of the old carols.
Hosted by Harptrees History Society.
Ploughman's supper and bar.
7.30pm.
Tickets £8.50. 01761 221758 or 01761 221941.
Performing the very best, and often unfamiliar, sacred, secular and consort music, Cantamus present a programme for the advent season drawn from nearly 500 years of music. From Palestrina’s Matin responsory ‘I look from afar’, two rarely heard pieces in Spanish by Zespedes and Cereols, beautiful arrangements of the Coventry Carol, Cherry Tree Carol and The Seven Joys of Mary, Quem Vidistis Pastores by Dering, and Bach’s majestic Wachet Auf, to later works including carols by Richard Lloyd, John Rutter and John Tavener. There is also a new arrangement of Righteous Joseph by Cantamus musical director Malcolm Knowles. Expect a joyous celebration of the festive season. Touring Dorset with Artsreach, the counties touring arts charity.
www.artsreach.co.uk | www.cantamus-dorset.org
7:30pm
Tickets: 01258 881235. £10, £5 u18s
A rare chance to see Hannah, Jon and Alex perform a double headline concert together. For many years the three performed as Coracle and will revisit some old favourites as a trio as well.
Join us for a cosy evening concert of folk song and music from the Westcountry and beyond.
B.Y.O.B - other light refreshments will be available.
For more info or reservations please contact:
01460 54559
alexcummingmusic AT gmail.com
7:30pm
£5 on the door
All welcome!
We are looking forward to a lively evening.
There will be no food but squash will be provided, BYO if you wish.
To help those trying to find the school in the dark it is about 300 yards south of the Piddle Inn with a hump back bridge into the car park.
£6 under 16 free
Start 7.15 for 7.30
Finish 9.30
Contact Sally Condon 01300 348250
riverpiddle2 AT btinternet.com
With a double bass made out of scrap metal, heart-wrenching vocals accompanied by a musical saw, and foot-stomping fiddle mixed with infectious funk-rock rhythms, The Churchfitters are a folk group like no other! Packed with a mouthwatering selection of favourites from their regular repertoire, interlaced with traditional and original festive songs and Christmas carols, see in Christmas with a bang and a paper hat-full of surprises, novelties and jokes in this festive feast of a Christmas Cracker! Touring Dorset with Artsreach, the counties touring arts charity.
www.artsreach.co.uk | www.churchfitters.com
7:30pm
Tickets: 01300 321394. £10, £6 u18s
Around 40 singers and 10 musicians – come and experience our vibrant and joyous sound.
Celebrate Christmas with the Ridgeway Singers and Band’s mix of carols that were sung in Dorset in the past and newly composed pieces in the same tradition. West Gallery music is lively and joyous. Mulled wine and mince pies available.
Tickets £8, Under 18 £6: phone 01305 262159
The Quire will be performing their Christmas Concert of carols and readings collected from the South West of England.
£8
7:30 pm
Phone: 01935 822287
stanchesterquire1 AT gmail.com
Monthly Folk Dance
£4
7.30 - 9.30pm
Contact Ama: 01749672911
pandabolton AT hotmail.co.uk
On tour with a Christmas-themed show that mixes traditional Folk music, seasonal material, their usual touch of Classical and Jazz with a bit of Pop and Music Hall, all topped off with lashings of wry humour. Together, Paul Sartin (of Bellowhead and Faustus) and Paul Hutchinson (of Hoover The Dog) wow audiences across the UK with their eclectic and eccentric mix of tunes and ‘between songs chat’ that always sends audiences home with smiles on their faces.
www.belshazzarsfeast.com
Tickets: £15 Full. £14 Concessions.
http://www.thedavidhall.org.uk/catalogue/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=14&products_id=958
Somersets best-loved blue grass band are back at the Arts Centre.
Honest all-acoustic music featuring fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin and double bass. Some classics, some covers, and many self-penned, there is something for everyone.
7.30 pm
For ticket info see: http://www.thunderbridgebluegrass.uk
Direct Event Link
http://www.w-a-a.co.uk/e.php?e=879
Christmas Special
Fabulous four-part harmonies and multi-instrumental accompaniment
Starting at 7.30pm in the skittle alley, the first part of the evening will be open to “floorsingers”. Sign up in the book on arrival.
At about 8.30pm Jacqui will be providing a bar supper for the interval, only for pre-ordered meals. To pre-order supper contact 01460 281919 or thecrown_inn AT btconnect.com
Laurie Burn laurieguitars AT gmail.com 01460 281033
With a double bass made out of scrap metal, heart-wrenching vocals accompanied by a musical saw, and foot-stomping fiddle mixed with infectious funk-rock rhythms, The Churchfitters are a folk group like no other! Packed with a mouthwatering selection of favourites from their regular repertoire, interlaced with traditional and original festive songs and Christmas carols, see in Christmas with a bang and a paper hat-full of surprises, novelties and jokes in this festive feast of a Christmas Cracker! Touring Dorset with Artsreach, the counties touring arts charity.
www.artsreach.co.uk | www.churchfitters.com
7:30pm
Tickets: 01258 861621. £10, £6 u18s, £25 fam
Join the Mellstock Band to celebrate a traditional West Country Christmas! We’ve an afternoon workshop for musicians and singers to explore West Gallery Carols, followed by a chance to see the Mellstock Band’s latest Christmas concert ‘Leaves of Life’ at 8pm. You can also book for dinner!
West Gallery Carols Workshop: Sat 15 Dec / 2pm
A workshop for musicians & singers.
In most parts of England, from the mid 1700s onwards, groups of singers and instrumentalists played and sang in the gallery of their village church and went round the parish at Christmas to sing carols. Mixing powerful voices, strings and wind instruments, with vigorous rhythms, soaring counterpoint and strange harmonies, this is the sound of the pre-Victorian rural Christmas!
Musicians & singers are invited to join Dave Townsend & The Mellstock Band in an energetic and fun workshop to explore the carols and songs from the old West Gallery bands. Don’t worry if you can’t read music or have never sung in a choir – we’ll go through all the parts and think about the best style for singing this vibrant tradition. Bring melody and bass instruments as well, so that we can re-create the sound of the church bands.These are songs for everyone, wherever convivial and warm-hearted music is appreciated.
The Mellstock Band: The Leaves of Life: Sat 15 Dec / 8pm
A West Country Christmas Concert
Christmas Music from English Tradition – Carols and Revels from Farmstead, Manor, Alehouse and Street with tales and poems by Thomas Hardy, William Barnes, John Clare, Charles Dickens and others. A costume performance with early & modern instruments.
In The Leaves of Life The Mellstock Band celebrates the customs of Wintertime in rural England, exploring beliefs and superstitions, and drawing on seasonal ballads and folk carols as well as West Gallery carols and village dance music. The symbolism of trees combines with tales of shepherds and their sheep, winter-time feasting and strange visitations, presented with merry and majestic tunes, songs of love and laughter, carols and original harmonies.
2pm–10pm
Workshop, dinner and Concert: £40
Dinner & Concert: £25
Workshop only: £15
Concert only: £12
Advance booking is strongly recommended, and is essential for meals.
https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/mellstock-band-a-west-country-christmas/
Get into the Christmas spirit with this popular Weymouth based choir. Singing festive songs from as far as Latvia and Spain plus traditional carols delivered with a Quangle twist. Catch up on the next wonderful winter adventure of the Owl and the Pussyca!
£6 Earlybird or £7 On The Door, Accompanied Children Free
3.00 - 4.00 followed by refreshments
Contact Juliet Harwood: 01305 814940
julietharwood AT hotmail.com
www.quanglewanglechoir.co.uk
With a career spanning over 25 years in music, Kate Rusby is one of the finest interpreters of traditional folk songs and one of our most emotive original songwriters - melding old and new so you can barely see the join. A Mercury Prize nominee, Folk Singer of the Year, Best Live Act, Best Album and Best Original Song winner at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.
After fifteen years of enchanting audiences up and down the land, Kate’s Christmas tour – captured on her 2013 Live At Christmas concert DVD – has for many, become as much a part of the festivities as Christmas pudding itself! Warm and inviting, spicy and sparkly she and her marvellous band – joined as ever by a sublime brass quintet – embody the sounds and joyous spirit of the best Christmases ever!
https://www.bathforum.co.uk/Articles/524660/SHOW_INFO/Kate_Rusby.aspx
Doors open 7.30 pm, Music starts at 8pm
Fully licensed bar
Ticket £10 on the door
or £ 8 in advance from
www.stompindave.com
or pre-order on 01935 83784
Venue: Evershot Village Hall,
With their roots in the South Dorset Ridgeway and inspired by the rich sources of locally collected folk songs and West Gallery carols, the Ridgeway Singers and Band led by Tim Laycock and Phil Humphries have once again tuned their fiddles and voices to present a joyous celebration of Christmas past and present, including works from the Puddletown, Durweston and Hinton St Mary manuscripts together with newly composed carols in the Dorset tradition. Touring Dorset with Artsreach, the counties touring arts charity.
www.artsreach.co.uk | www.ridgewaysingersandband.wordpress.com
4:00pm
Tickets: 01305 264060. £8, £5 u18s, £22 fam
With a double bass made out of scrap metal, heart-wrenching vocals accompanied by a musical saw, and foot-stomping fiddle mixed with infectious funk-rock rhythms, The Churchfitters are a folk group like no other! Packed with a mouthwatering selection of favourites from their regular repertoire, interlaced with traditional and original festive songs and Christmas carols, see in Christmas with a bang and a paper hat-full of surprises, novelties and jokes in this festive feast of a Christmas Cracker! Touring Dorset with Artsreach, the counties touring arts charity.
www.artsreach.co.uk | www.churchfitters.com
7:30pm
Tickets: 01305 853783. £10, £7.50 u18s, £30 fam
Listen to some of Dorset's most traditional Christmas music in the beautiful acoustics of the Georgian courtroom.
Founded in 1989 by Rollo Woods, the Purbeck Village Quire perform music & songs from the mid-18th to mid-19th century that would have been sung & played in the Churches of Dorset before most churches had organs.
Their Christmas Concert this year features the carols sung by the quarry workers from Worth Matravers along with other music from the Purbeck area.
As well as the music, their programme will also tell you something of the history of West gallery Music and something of life in rural Dorset 200 years ago.
Free with museum pass or £5.00
1.00 - 2.00 pm
Contact Harriet Still: 01305261849
harriet.still AT shirehalldorset.org
www.shirehalldorset.org
Cara Dillon, possessed of one of the most celebrated folk voices to have come out of Ireland, will be touring her Christmas show “Upon A Winter’s Night” for a third year running this December (2018). The overwhelming success of previous tours cementing this magical and memorable festive experience as a firm tradition for many years to come.
7:00 pm
£25
All seated
http://www.cheeseandgrain.com/event/cara-dillon-upon-a-winters-night/
North Devon's only Christmas Harpist will perform a Seasonal gig with plenty of Celtic stuff. Lots of fun and singalong with well known, less well known and unlikely Yule music!
12.30 - 2.30 pm
Free
Contact Simon Ellis: 07722 552 449
ssymonpaul AT gmail.com
Acclaimed musicians Chris Green and Sophie Matthews (with special guest Jude Rees) present a festive romp through 600 years of Christmas music, songs and carols.
Beginning in the Middle Ages and ending in the 20th century, ‘A Brief History of Christmas’ is a whistle-stop tour of the origins of our midwinter festivities. Featuring long-forgotten songs and tales as well as some familiar and well-loved carols, ‘A Brief History of Christmas‘ is a show guaranteed to delight the hearts of young and old.
The show takes in 600 years of music – featuring music and songs played on archaic instruments such as cittern, shawm and rauschpfeife, as well as more familiar instruments such as guitar, flute, oboe and accordion. and all helped along by GreenMatthews‘ trademark wit and humour.
‘A Brief History of Christmas‘ is the perfect show for anyone looking to recapture the simple Yuletide delights of fellowship, laughter and good cheer.
£12.50
7:30pm
Contact Museum of Somerset: 01823 255088
museumofsomerset AT swheritage.org.uk
https://swheritage.org.uk/events/a-brief-history-of-christmas/
The Quire will be performing their Christmas Concert of carols and readings collected from the South West of England.
Retiring collection
7:30 pm
Contact Alison Suter: 01935 864408
leosca4 AT gmail.com
Chard Folk Dance Club
We have been dancing for almost 50 years.
We meet on alternate Thursdays.
£2.50 members £3.50 guests. New members and guests always welcome.
For more details contact Elaine 01460 65909
Winter Solstice Session. Come and celebrate the season with songs and music, all welcome.
8pm
Contact Linda Chiplen: 07530926496
lindachiplen AT yahoo.co.uk
8.00 p.m.
Contact Nigel Canter
nigel.canter AT talk21.com
Barn Dance with interval entertainment. Tickets on the door. No Bar - so bring your own drinks & nibbles!
£5 adults 32.50 children
7.30 - 10.30 pm
Contact Steve Earwicker: 01929 480 737
arish.mel AT btinternet.com
www.earwicker.org/arish_mel.htm
Multi-instrumentalist Simon Swarbrick will be accompanying Ken & Lucy Watkins and Angela Heron Watkins for a night of quality acoustic music. From contemporary and traditional folk, to country, blues and jazz standards, the band promises a wide range of songs and tunes, 3-part vocal harmonies and instrumental arrangements, delivered with humour and relaxed informality. Booking essential.
Pay what you think the performance was worth at the end. Bar.
8.00pm (7.30pm doors)
Contact Watkins & Swarbrick: Box Office 01305 837299
songsfromthehalls234 AT gmail.com
https://soundcloud.com/watkinswarbrickband
”We thought it would be great to reunite the band for Christmas so we’ re delighted to present a surprise gig for the Bridport Midwinter Solstice Festival on Friday 21st December.
Come and see the band playing for the first time as a four piece featuring the show-stopping performance from legendary Irish percussionist Cormac Byrne together with Miranda’s haunting vocals”.
Certain to sell out, so book soon.
This is a fully seated event.
8.00 pm
£21 adv / £23 door
https://www.electricpalace.org.uk/events/event/show-of-hands-christmas-special/?dm_i=3VJ5,HDSA,276ZRZ,1V7GF,1
If you enjoy listening to acoustic music in a relaxed atmosphere, come along to the Arts Centre bar and have a listen.
If you enjoy playing acoustic music to like-minded people - come along and join in. It doesnt matter what instrument you play - we have guitarists, violinists, flautists, pianists, accordion players, percussionists... and more besides that!
It doesnt matter how good you are - all abilities are welcomed... we all started somewhere!
Theres no charge, but donations are welcomed.
The bar is open throughout the evening for you to moisten your vocal cords!
7.30 pm
Find our page on this website in the About Us section and feel free to join our Facebook group: http://bit.ly/musicClub
http://www.w-a-a.co.uk/e.php?e=884
6pm–11pm
Dinner & dancing: £15
Dancing only (8pm approx): £5
A dinner-dance, folk style! Enjoy a delicious home-cooked supper followed by light-hearted country dancing. All welcome, including those new to country dance. Ivan Aitken (caller) leads the dancing with musicians Gareth Kiddier & Linda Game – better known as The English Contra Dance Band.
https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/country-christmas-dinner-folk-dance/
Come and enjoy the Christmas celebrations at Halsway Manor in the company of Ivan Aitken, your MC and Caller, supported by Gareth Kiddier (piano) and Linda Game (fiddle), better known as The English Contra Dance Band! Ivan has a very relaxed style of calling all types of dance including contra and squares and the entire period of English dance from then until now. Between the dances there will be opportunities to sing, to enjoy winter walks, to take part in music workshops (all instruments!), and to relax and catch-up with friends old and new. All this, and the wonderful Halsway atmosphere, great food and a roaring log fire.
https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/christmas-house-party-3/
Session with step dancing
Boxing day afternoon session, hosted by SomerStep
All musicians and step dancers (and anyone else!) welcome.
Play, dance or listen!
3.00 - 6.00 pm
Contact Steve Cunio: 07811 680534
http://www.themildmayarms.co.uk
Join us for an enjoyable folk dancing Hogmanay break with a great team at the helm.
With optional walks and playing sessions; pack your walking boots and instruments along with your dancing shoes.
Enjoy the Manor is its festive finery and dance-in the New Year with great music and good company!
https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/new-year-house-party-2/
Bring in 2019 in style with music and dance at The David Hall.
Tickets: £17 includes a light supper. No concessions.
Early booking essential by Friday 14 December. No tickets available on the night.
http://www.thedavidhall.org.uk/catalogue/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=14&products_id=959
The Tithe Barn Trust’s traditional fundraising family barn dance with the flutes and fiddles of Fougere Rouge. Always great fun. Bring and share American supper. Bar.
£12 (£30 family)
8.00 pm
There will be some barn dancing (musicians and callers welcome).
There might be the odd song or two!
There will be a glass of bubbly at midnight.
Please bring some food to share and your own booze.
8.30 'till late
contact Steve Cunio
steve AT cunio.co.uk
Indoor camping is available for the hardy. We'll even cook you breakfast! But please let us know if you want to stay overnight so we can have enough food!
Join us for a fun ending to the year !
Our usual, cheerful New Year's Eve Barn Dance, with a "Bring and Share Food Supper".
Tickets available in advance from Peter or Ama
£8 (12 and under £5)
8.30 pm - 12.15 am
Contact Peter or Ama: 01749 672911
DFDC AT hotmail.co.uk
The Historical Dance Society invite you to a Twelfth Night Revel. All welcome, with or without dance experience; please enquire also if you’d like to attend part-time.
A joyful weekend of dancing, music, masquing and sociable merriment in the style of Twelfth Night at an Elizabethan country house. Dances from Italy, France and England will be taught by Anne Daye (for dancers with some experience) and Ann Hinchliffe (for newcomers). The choice of dances will be linked to Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, to the visit of a distinguished Italian visitor to the English court and to the theme of the masque.
www.historicaldance.org.uk
For more information and to book please contact Ann Hinchcliffe:
01935 472771
thedancingmaster AT outlook.com
https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/historical-dance-society/
Now regular 1st Fridays
Good band and caller tba - this site will be updated
7.30 for 7.45
£6.00 (first visit free!) accompanied under 16s free, non-dancers £1.00
No bar but BYO if you wish.
Jenny and Ian Edlin - 01258 861184
jenny_harrison_1123 AT yahoo.co.uk
A great start to the year with the ever popular Jigs teamed with festival caller Mike. Shake off the post Christmas/New Year blues and get dancing!
The usual bring and share supper and you own beer (The Woodman Inn is just opposite).
£8 in advance, £9 on the door, under 17's £4. (can be bought on line, see website)
7.30 - 11.00 pm
Contact Monty Crook: 01308 423 442
monty3dayslate AT yahoo.co.uk
www.bridportceilidhs.wordpress.com
French – Breton – Euro Dances
Workshop at 7pm followed by Bal at 8pm
£6 adults, £4 for 12-18s, under 12s free Dorset
2019 dates for Dorchester Dances
Friday Jan 11th, May 10th, Sept 13th, Nov 8th
See our facebook page - fb: EuroBal Wessex email us to add your name to our
mailing list: eurobalwessex AT gmail.com
A night of Old Time with this young duo on tour from the States
www.thelocalhoneys.com
http://www.nailseafolkclub.co.uk/
Ninebarrow are a multi-award-winning Folk duo who are impressing audiences across the country with their innovative and captivating take on the Folk tradition. Described by Mark Radcliffe as sounding like ‘two halves of one voice’, by Seth Lakeman as ‘a fantastic duo’ and by Kate Rusby as ‘absolutely amazing’, Jon Whitley and Jay LaBouchardiere combine breath-taking vocal harmonies and melodies, delivering songs that are inspired and rooted in the landscape and history of the British Isles.
8pm
Tickets: £14 Full. £13 Concessions
http://www.thedavidhall.org.uk/catalogue/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15&products_id=987
Christmas Concert
6pm
Share food, stories, customs, songs and more at this special New Year time of fire, food, rituals and renewal. The evening offers a chance to discover fascinating facts and stories linked to the folklore calendar in the informal setting of a delicious supper.
Part of the evening will be spent outside (weather permitting), so please bring warm clothing. Places are free, (though donations towards the cost of the food would be hugely appreciated), however places are limited so must be booked in advance. If you are interested in attending or to book a place please email creative AT halswaymanor.org.uk
6pm–9pm
Places are free but limited so MUST be booked in advance.
Donations on the evening - towards cost of food - would be hugely appreciated.
https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/midwinter-fires-a-seasonal-feast-and-celebration/
It’s with a heavy heart we wave goodbye to the Old Swan Band who have previously filled this weekend … but we’re delighted to welcome Token Women for a fun and funky folk weekend of tunes and dances to leave you sockless!
Who’s it For?
Musicians – all ages, all instruments, all abilities except total beginners – who want to have fun exploring playing music for dancing in small and larger ensembles.
https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/token-women-workshop-weekend/
Barn Dance
Music in the old village style. Dances for all ages and abilities. Light refreshments and BYO.
£5 adults, children free
7:30 - 10:00 pm
Contact Janet Rees: 07880 335012
janetlynrees AT hotmail.co.uk
www.maidenoak.co.uk
A concert to celebrate the life and work of the poet, Cicely Fox Smith through her writings and poems, and the shanties she collected.
7.30pm
£5
Bar Available
For tickets contact:
David wareham.whalers AT gmail.com
Mobile: 07923020946
Note it's a NEW Venue
All welcome! You don't have to bring a partner. We have a caller so the inexperienced needn't worry. We are looking forward to a lively evening.
There will be no food but squash will be provided, BYO if you wish.
To help those trying to find the Memorial Hall in the dark it is about 100 yards north of the Piddle Inn. Parking is on the road side.
£6 under 16s free
Start 7.15 for 7.30
Finish 9.30
Contact Sally Condon 01300 348250
riverpiddle2 AT btinternet.com
A concert with Gerry Colvin will leave you exhausted with laughing so much. He is a master songwriter and wordsmith, and the songs will tug at your hearts, but his between song chat will have you in tears of laughter.
Supported by an opening set from Havant's Brigands' Brew.
£12 pre-booked, £14 unbooked
8.15 pm (Legion open from 7.00 Concert doors 7.45)
Contact Kathy Dunn: 01202 732239
kathy.dunn AT btopenworld.com
www.wessex-acoustic.co.uk
Enjoy an evening of music and dancing with Token Women!
With an unbeatable line-up of Jo Freya, Alice Kinlock*, Heather Horsley, Jo May, Linda Game and Fi Fraser, Token Women are an unrivalled ceilidh band who also play concerts – as well or a mix of both. Driving fiddles, saxes, clarinets, keyboard, percussion, tuba, euphonium and trombone combine with a pan European repertoire for a really varied mix of sound. Listening to them is like being inside someone’s wild, joyous music party! What better way to get your year off to a riotous musical start?
*Nb we’re not sure yet whether Alice will be able to make the gig or not, we’ll let you know!
8pm–10pm
£10 - Adults
£4 - Concessions
Concessionary priced tickets are available to children and students - of any age - in full-time education.
https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/token-women/
Workshops will be led by Hannah Cummings, who is an inspiring and
experienced workshop leader, who will help you build confidence to learn and
play new tunes by ear. The workshops are suitable for all levels and all
acoustic instruments. Notation and audio supplied. Everyone is welcome!
1:30 - 4:30 pm
Admission: £10 in advance / £12 on the door/
£25 for 3 workshops when paid in advance via the website.
info AT sherbornefolkband.org
Julia: 07527 508 277
www.sherbornefolkband.org
Scuttle Shake is a women's four-piece acoustic band playing an eclectic set of folk-tinged Americana with guitar, banjo, uke and drums.
Shiraz are singing duo featuring Shirley and Sharon singing beautiful harmonies.
Half of Murphy's are Noeleen who plays guitar, whistle, and bodhran but is best known for her vocal abilities, drawing on her Irish heritage to sing songs learnt as a child at the knee of her accordion playing father, and Alex who accompanies her on guitar, tenor guitar, some backing vocals and occasionally the mandolin, having returned to his folk roots after a brief fling with rock music in his youth!
8pm
Contact Pip Evans or Nick Robson: 07598328479
mail AT draxfolk.org.uk
www.draxfolk.org.uk
Back to the 1780's!
Bringing new life to forgotten music
Almost 300 years ago, some musicians from around Antwerp, Brussels, Gent and Leuven decided to write down their favourite music. As time passed, however, the paper turned yellow, the ink began to fade, and the music itself was left to gather dust along with the faded manuscripts …
That is, until now! With their finely textured arrangements WÖR injects new energy into 18th-century tunes from the Flanders region of Belgium. Their innovative arrangements and superb musicianship shine an inventive spotlight on these long forgotten tunes. Playing saxophone, fiddle, accordion, guitar and bagpipes, these five young Belgian musicians will rock your socks off and stir your soul.
www.wearewor.com
Call: 01823 481909 / 01823 481111
Details: Licensed Bar available
Price: £10/£6 child
https://takeart.org/event/wör
Session with a bit of step dancing added!
All welcome to play, dance, sing or watch
8.00 pm start
http://www.somerstep.org
info AT somerstep.org
This weekend runs alongside the Hilary James Song Weekend (possibly joined by Janet Giraudo – tbc!)
Simon Mayor is beyond doubt this country’s finest mandolin player, moving effortlessly between classical, traditional folk, jazz & blues. His dazzling technical skills grace all the music he plays. He’s also a fine guitarist & fiddle player, with a delicious sense of humour & great teaching ability.
Who’s It For?
Mandolinists, mandola players, mandocellists and mandobassists (are there any out there?) are all invited to this group experience involving some ensemble playing (with easy parts to follow)
www.mandolin.co.uk
https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/simon-mayor-mandolin-weekend/
This weekend runs alongside the Simon Mayor Mandolin Weekend
Hilary James and Simon Mayor’s annual visit to the idyllic Halsway Manor has – for the third year – the added attraction of Hilary’s sister Janet Giraudo who will be travelling from the South of France to join us for the weekend. Janet left for France over thirty years ago but the sisters have recently started to sing together again, revisiting songs from early teenage forays into folk clubs.
Who’s It For?
Anyone with a desire to sing! You don’t have to have any previous experience for this course.
You can hear the Two Sisters at www.twosisters.eu
https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/hilary-james-song-weekend/
A "Flying Folk" event
Jemima Farey introduces
Luke Daniels and his multi-instrumental folk show.
With a passion for Irish and Scottish music, Luke plays guitar, wooden flute, piano, button accordion, and sings of course. He also features his "Electophon", which is an updated version of a Victorian polyphon disc player.
It will be a fascinating evening.
Jemima will also be singing and playing an opening supporting set.
£10
8.00 pm
Jez has been touring continually this year with Canada and USA in the Autumn and UK with his Christmas Show, Thor’d out, with the Bad Pennies and Benny Graham. In addition, he contributes to the BBC Radio 2 Ballads series and receives rave reviews wherever he appears.
8.00 pm
Tickets are £12.00 and are available from www.ticketsource.co.uk/nailsea-folk-club.
Simon’s hilarious banter and mandolin wizardry (he’s one of the world’s leading virtuosos, not to mention his fine guitar and fiddle playing) meets Hilary’s “wonderfully honey-dripping voice” and unusual basses! Also we will be delighted to have back, Hilary’s singing sister Janet Giraudo will be joining them to add her own lilting soprano to exquisite harmonies.
8pm–10pm
£10 - Adults
£4 - Concessions
Concessionary priced tickets are available to children and students - of any age - in full-time education.
https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/simon-mayor-hilary-james-and-janet-giraudo/
As a long-serving troubadour of the Folk and Acoustic music scene, master songwriter and storyteller Steve Knightley has spent much of his life on the road, collecting songs, stories, anecdotes and observations – with the odd disaster along the way……
Steve once again takes to England’s highways and byways to present Roadworks – a show which builds on the success of his sell-out 2018 solo tour, Songs and Stories. This is a stripped-back, one-man show that’s infused with wit, warmth and alchemy, beautifully illustrated by his trenchant songs of history, love and conscience.
8pm
Tickets: £19. No concessions.
http://www.thedavidhall.org.uk/catalogue/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15&products_id=988
Music on the levels Free afternoon tea concert
West Country-based David Mitchell and Graham Vincent are in great demand throughout the UK and abroad, playing a lively and varied mix of traditional tunes and songs, arranged by them for Fiddle and Classical Guitar.
Website: https://mitchellandvincent.com
There is no need to book; just turn up in time to be seated by 3.30 pm. Doors open at 3.00 pm.
Contact Ann Philcox on 01278 691438 akphilcox AT btinternet.com for more information.
Free entry. Retiring collection. Modest charge for tea.
3.30 - 5.30 pm
Onthelevels AT outlook.com
www.musiconthelevels.com
Back to the 1780's!
Bringing new life to forgotten music
Almost 300 years ago, some musicians from around Antwerp, Brussels, Gent and Leuven decided to write down their favourite music. As time passed, however, the paper turned yellow, the ink began to fade, and the music itself was left to gather dust along with the faded manuscripts …
That is, until now! With their finely textured arrangements WÖR injects new energy into 18th-century tunes from the Flanders region of Belgium. Their innovative arrangements and superb musicianship shine an inventive spotlight on these long forgotten tunes. Playing saxophone, fiddle, accordion, guitar and bagpipes, these five young Belgian musicians will rock your socks off and stir your soul.
www.wearewor.com
Call: 01458 251836
Price: £8.50/£6 child/student
https://takeart.org/event/wör
A popular winter break of folk dancing, music and fun for all abilities, led by a friendly and experienced team who’ll make sure you have an enjoyable stay!
https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/winter-warmer-2/
A 2 night residential folk dance workshop with a trip out to Exmoor's hidden Snowdrop Valley. All meals included.
from £270.00 per person
Contact Antony Brunt: 01643821425
hotel AT yarnmarkethotel.co.uk
www.yarnmarkethotel.co.uk
Recorders AT plymouth are back for their annual visit to Halsway, offering an opportunity to explore the huge diversity of recorder orchestra repertoire. The recorder orchestra will be led by a professional conductor to enable players to develop their playing to a better standard, in a supportive environment with convivial company!
Who’s it For?
Players must be confident ensemble players, able to play both C and F instruments and ideally including bass; in a recorder orchestra there are many more basses, greats and contras, than small instruments. This course is not suitable for beginners or for descant-only players.
This partnership event is organised by www.recordersatplymouth.org.uk
For more information and to book please contact Jan Epps:
Tel - 01752 481193
Email - jan.epps57 AT gmail.com
https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/recorder-orchestra-weekend/
Now regular 1st Fridays
Good band and caller tba - this site will be updated
7.30 for 7.45
£6.00 (first visit free!) accompanied under 16s free, non-dancers £1.00
No bar but BYO if you wish.
Jenny and Ian Edlin - 01258 861184
jenny_harrison_1123 AT yahoo.co.uk
A new Alistair Gillies duo, Skillicorne, with a welcome return of Nick Walden (at the time of posting this, both recently seen performing at various dances at Sidmouth Folk Festival).
Bring and Share supper and your own beer,
£8 in advance, £9 on the door, under 17's £4. (can be bought on line, see website)
7.30pm - 11.00pm
Contact Monty Crook: 01308 423 442
monty3dayslate AT yahoo.co.uk
www.bridportceilidhs.wordpress.com
He’s been described as “the father of a virtual Folk dynasty”, being dad of Seth, Sean and Sam and father-in-law of Cara Dillon and Kathryn Roberts. The boys began playing in a family band with Geoff and their fiddler mum.
Following the release of his 2017 debut solo album, After All These Years, at the age of 69 Geoff has firmly established himself as a performer on the Folk and Acoustic circuit.
8pm
Tickets: £14 Full. £13 Concessions.
http://www.thedavidhall.org.uk/catalogue/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15&products_id=989
Catch Faustus, the pioneering, “bloke folk” triumvirate of Benji Kirkpatrick, Paul Sartin & Saul Rose as they return to Halsway Manor for a live gig as part of their week-long ‘From Page to Performance’ course; the evening will open with performances by participants, before the mighty Faustus take to the stage!
8pm–10pm
£10 - Adults
£4 - Concessions
Concessionary priced tickets are available to children and students - of any age - in full-time education.
https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/faustus-3/
Guaranteed to be one of Halsway’s noisiest weekends, this Hurdy-Gurdy takeover is a brilliant opportunity to get together with some of the best of Europe’s players in an intensive learning weekend of masterclasses, workshops, sessions and a Saturday night concert/dance. This course runs alongside the Bagpipes Weekend, in a frenzy of reeds, drones and buzzing things! Early booking advised.
https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/hurdy-gurdy-weekend-2/
Our Bagpipe Weekend runs alongside the Hurdy Gurdy Weekend, in a frenzy of reeds, drones and buzzing things!
This year we’re delighted to welcome Olle Geris to teach Intermediate / Advanced level players (G pipes only), and Dave Faulkner, who will lead a course for beginners.
We are very grateful to The Bagpipe Society for their support of the event this year!
https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/bagpipe-weekend-2/
Kimmeridge Keilidh - Barn Dance
All welcome to our regular dances in Kimmeridge. Interval spot as well to give you a breather! No bar, so bring your own drinks & nibbles.
£5 adults £2.50 children - tickets on the door
7.30 - 10.30 pm
Contact Steve Earwicker: 01929 480 737
arish.mel AT btinternet.com
www.earwicker.org/arish_mel.htm
+ Simon Loake support
A concert featuring the amazing singer-songwriter John Richards.
John Richards began writing and performing in his early teens. Over the years he has quietly become one of the most covered writers on the UK folk scene and has been a well respected musician and songwriter from those early days.
Songs such as 'Did you like the Battle Sir?' (written with Bev Pegg), 'Honour & Praise', 'The Deserter', 'Shine On', 'Roaring Water Bay' (written with Dave Jones), 'The Unknown Soldier', 'The Moth', 'Foundryman’s Daughter', 'The Smuggler’s Song' (written with Rudyard Kipling ☺), and 'If You Can Walk You Can Dance' have been covered by some of UK Folk music’s finest professional artists.
John has quietly become one of the most covered writers on the UK folk scene with (in loose order of adoption) Robin Dransfield, Downes and Beer, The Arizona Smoke Review, Paul Downes, Fairport Convention, Simon Nicol, , Bill Caddick, Damien Barber, Phil Beer, Show of Hands, Michael Black, Johnny Collins, Bram Taylor, The Bounty Hounds, Keith Kendrick and Sylvia Needham , Thrupenny Bits and most recently Mike Silver and George Papavgeris, as well as many local club residents and singers all singing his songs.
So if you have been to see these artists, there is every chance you will have heard a John Richards song or two.
Supporting John we have Simon Loake, who has been to the club before in the guise of a member of the Linda Watkins band. Multi-instrumentalist Simon played his first paid gig over 50 years ago, as lead guitarist with The Strangers. Since then, as a session musician and live performer, he has played rock, traditional jazz, funk and disco music, as guitarist in a successful blues band, and in folk circles with his younger brother Andrew, supporting the likes of Fairport Convention, Ralph McTell, Steeleye Span and Richard Thompson.
£10 pre-booked, £12 unbooked
8.15 pm (Legion open from 7.00 Concert doors 7.45)
Contact Kathy Dunn: 01202 732239
kathy.dunn AT btopenworld.com
www.wessex-acoustic.co.uk
An evening of music (and dancing) from the tutors of our 2018 Hurdy Gurdy & Bagpipe Weekend: details to be announced shortly.
8pm–10pm
£10 - Adults
£4 - Concessions
Concessionary priced tickets are available to children and students - of any age - in full-time education.
https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/hurdy-gurdy-bagpipes-3/
An exciting new exploratory course for intermediate to advanced singers with innovative trio and 2017 Halsway Manor Artists in Residence Lady Maisery.
With traditional and contemporary folk song as our starting point, this creative mid-week course is a chance to delve deeply into the songs we sing, work on how to make our music more meaningful and discover what might move us forward in our personal musical journeys.
https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/lady-maisery-creative-singing-week/
The evening's performance may feature an opening set by participants of the Lady Maisery Creative Singing Week.
Lady Maisery – Rowan Rheingans, Hannah James, and Hazel Askew – give an intimate and informal ‘unplugged’ evening concert as part of their Creative Singing Week at Halsway Manor. Expect contributions from course participants, alongside music from the trio themselves.
8pm–10pm
All tickets £15
https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/lady-maisery-4/
The Madding Crowd research and perform the church and secular music of the English village bands and choirs in the period 1660 to 1861.
Who’s it For?
The Madding Crowd and friends, all lovers of West Gallery music.
The Madding Crowd is one of the largest and longest established of the revival groups specialising in West Gallery music, meeting each week, just as the old gallery bands and choirs did. The group was founded in 1975 to lead a village evensong, and we have given carol concerts every year since 1977, summer concerts since 1979, harvest concerts since 1989, and have led the singing at many church services, baptisms, weddings and harvest festivals. We have broadcast on radio and television several times, including the Songs of Praise programme shown in 1990, and in “Going the Rounds” on BBC Radio 4 in December 2003. We also provided music for a television programme about Isaac Watts, shown on the PAX channel in North America. In the 1990s we created an early 19th century village wedding and celebration for English Heritage Special Events at various locations in the South of England.
If you’d like to find out more, head to their website www.maddingcrowd.org
For more details please contact Heather:
heather AT maddingcrowd.org
https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/madding-crowd-2/
This excellent and acclaimed trio are coming to Nailsea as part of a high profile national tour. Expect a treasure trove of gorgeous tunes, razor sharp grooves and sublime playing.
Michael McGoldrick (flute, whistles and uillean pipes) has won countless All Ireland Championships and for many years has played in the legendary Capercaille band. John McCusker (fiddle) is one of Scotland most accomplished and versatile musicians, having played in countless line ups including the Battlefield Band. John Doyle is a powerful and versatile guitarist from Dublin regarded as being in a class of his own, with his use of awesome and inspirational rhythms.
8pm
£14
http://www.nailseafolkclub.co.uk/
Note it's a NEW Venue
All welcome! You don't have to bring a partner. We have a caller so the inexperienced needn't worry. We are looking forward to a lively evening.
There will be no food but squash will be provided, BYO if you wish.
To help those trying to find the Memorial Hall in the dark it is about 100 yards north of the Piddle Inn. Parking is on the road side.
£6 under 16s free
Start 7.15 for 7.30
Finish 9.30
Contact Sally Condon 01300 348250
riverpiddle2 AT btinternet.com
Workshops will be led by Hannah Cummings, who is an inspiring and
experienced workshop leader, who will help you build confidence to learn and
play new tunes by ear. The workshops are suitable for all levels and all
acoustic instruments. Notation and audio supplied. Everyone is welcome!
1:30 - 4:30 pm
Admission: £10 in advance / £12 on the door/
£25 for 3 workshops when paid in advance via the website.
info AT sherbornefolkband.org
Julia: 07527 508 277
www.sherbornefolkband.org
We’re delighted to be welcoming Piva back to Halsway for a fourth course exploring the Real Roots! of folk music, both the music and the instruments. Discover the world of late 16th century popular traditional music as heard in both court and country. The focus of the course will be playing 4 or 5 part harmony in small groups but it doesn’t matter if you are new to this music or an experienced renaissance specialist; sessions will be adapted to suit all levels.
https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/real-roots-with-piva-2019/
Formed in 2002 Piva have firmly established themselves as a leading early music ensemble. Playing throughout the UK and across Europe, the group has gained a reputation for their lively performances and entertaining shows.
Bagpipes, hurdy gurdies, recorders, viol, curtals, rauschpfeifen, crumhorns, shawms, violin – members of Piva are multi-instrumentalists bringing together the sounds and atmosphere of renaissance Europe.
8pm–9:30pm
£10 - Adults
£4 - Concessions
Concessionary priced tickets are available to children and students - of any age - in full-time education.
https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/piva-the-renaissance-collective/
For those with some experience, another exciting exploration at the leading edge of English Country Dance revival. Dance 17th & 18th century English Country Dances, many newly researched and reconstructed, with confidence, style and delight.
Led by expert caller Andrew Shaw with musicians Paul Hutchinson and John Hymas.
www.lemmingsreprieve.org.uk
To book or for further course information contact Denise Bearon:
Email - tickets AT lemmingsreprieve.org.uk
Tel - 01695 422971
https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/kyndred-spirits-2/
Two decades, four continents and around a thousand shows since their first performance, MABON release their seventh recording, TWENTY, in October 2018. Recorded live on the road, it features the band's newest music alongside a career-spanning, ‘greatest hits’ roll-call of reworked tracks from their back catalogue. TWENTY highlights why this band have built their reputation on their exhilarating live performances and deftly worked recordings.
MABON’s distinctive, multi-award-winning music explores the styles of the Celtic traditions and works them anew. The music is self-styled, singular and toe-tappingly good – an irresistible blend of World Music and Celtic Roots, presented with good humour, energy, joy and passion.
8pm
Tickets: £16 Full. £15 Concessions.
http://www.thedavidhall.org.uk/catalogue/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15&products_id=997
Featuring dance tunes from the popular and extensive Playford collection (1651-1728) this is a course for competent instrumentalists who want to take their playing to the next level. With expert guidance from Karen Wimhurst, Richard Heacock & Paul Hutchinson, you’ll explore harmony, rhythm, articulation, accompaniment, improvisation and arrangement, all the things you need for a stylish performance.
https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/playing-playford-3/
Subject to demand, a short course to learn how to make reeds for the Northumbrian (or Scottish) smallpipes – then, if you wish, stay on for our Northumbrian smallpipes weekend! The course is led by renowned piper and maker Andy May. You’ll be in the workshop by day, but there will be time in the evenings to relax and enjoy informal playing sessions in the bar, so bring your instruments and try your new reeds!
https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/reed-making-for-northumbrian-smallpipes-2/
A session with dancing.
Everyone welcome to play, sing, dance, watch, listen...
It's not a performance, it really is a session.
8.00 pm start
Now regular 1st Fridays
Good band and caller tba - this site will be updated
7.30 for 7.45
£6.00 (first visit free!) accompanied under 16s free, non-dancers £1.00
No bar but BYO if you wish.
Jenny and Ian Edlin - 01258 861184
jenny_harrison_1123 AT yahoo.co.uk
A concert featuring the delightful duo Wildwood Jack, who are husband and wife Adam Piggott and Jayne Freeman.
Wildwood Jack are a unique acoustic guitar and ukulele duo from Kent in the UK. Their melodic songs blend the acoustic guitar and ukulele with outstanding fingerstyle playing drawing influences from folk, country and world music.
Supporting Wildwood Jack we welcome back Ed Mortimer with his rich voice. Ed is regularly performing his Take Thackray show, featuring the songs of Jake Thackray.
£8 pre-booked, £10 unbooked
8.15 pm (Legion open from 7.00 Concert doors 7.45)
Contact Kathy Dunn: 01202 732239
kathy.dunn AT btopenworld.com
www.wessex-acoustic.co.uk
We loved having the Oxford Nags in Jan 2018; this line-up, including the popuLar Gareth Kiddier - social dance director at Sidmouth Folk Festival - really got the hall buzzing. Jane is always a pleasure to dance to and called several great dance evenings at Sidmouth's 2018 Folk Festival.
Bring & Share supper and your own beer.
£8 in advance, £9 on the door, under 17's £4. (can be bought on line, see website)
7.30pm - 11.00pm
Contact Monty Crook: 01308 423 442
monty3dayslate AT yahoo.co.uk
www.bridportceilidhs.wordpress.com
Kimmeridge Keilidh - Barn Dance
All welcome to our regular dances in Kimmeridge. Interval spot as well to give you a breather! No bar, so bring your own drinks & nibbles.
£5 adults £2.50 children - tickets on the door
7.30 - 10.30 pm
Contact Steve Earwicker: 01929 480 737
arish.mel AT btinternet.com
www.earwicker.org/arish_mel.htm
Note it's a NEW Venue
All welcome! You don't have to bring a partner. We have a caller so the inexperienced needn't worry. We are looking forward to a lively evening.
There will be no food but squash will be provided, BYO if you wish.
To help those trying to find the Memorial Hall in the dark it is about 100 yards north of the Piddle Inn. Parking is on the road side.
£6 under 16s free
Start 7.15 for 7.30
Finish 9.30
Contact Sally Condon 01300 348250
riverpiddle2 AT btinternet.com
+ support Jack Cookson)
Kitty Macfarlane is a Somerset-based singer and songwriter.
Her lyrics combine honest snapshots of everyday humanity with the bigger questions that have connected minds and voices for centuries, driven by her own fingerpicked guitar. As well as the release of her debut EP, Tide & Time - featuring Sam Kelly (co-producer), Jamie Francis, Lukas Drinkwater, Maya McCourt and Ciaran Algar, and gaining her first national airplay on the BBC Radio 2 Folk Show with Mark Radcliffe, and Tom Robinson's show on BBC 6Music - 2016 saw Kitty complete an extensive national support tour with award-winning duo, Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman.
Plymouth-based vocalist, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Jack Cookson, combines dry and visceral word-play with intricate finger-style guitar arrangements, to create emotionally-charged yet honest and memorable songs.
8pm
Tickets: £14 Full. £13 Concessions
http://www.thedavidhall.org.uk/catalogue/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15&products_id=1002
www.kittymacfarlane.com www.jackcookson.com
Workshops will be led by Hannah Cummings, who is an inspiring and
experienced workshop leader, who will help you build confidence to learn and
play new tunes by ear. The workshops are suitable for all levels and all
acoustic instruments. Notation and audio supplied. Everyone is welcome!
1:30 - 4:30 pm
Admission: £10 in advance / £12 on the door/
£25 for 3 workshops when paid in advance via the website.
info AT sherbornefolkband.org
Julia: 07527 508 277
www.sherbornefolkband.org
+ support Antoine & Owena
‘Crows’ were a popular feature of the folk scene from 1978 to 1988. With the sad death of Ralph Jordan, in 2013, previously unreleased radio recordings were discovered. A ‘new’ album (‘Time To Rise’ Wildgoose Records), was released in 2016, and enthusiastically reviewed.
Two of the original line-up remains in the revived band, Mick Ryan and Dave Bordewey.
Dave Bordewey adds his astonishing high harmony lines to the vocal mix, plays fiddle and mando-cello, along with the inimitable Paul Downes on guitar, banjo, mando-cello and harmonies. Crows are now joined by Pete Harris giving a unique blend of power warmth and harmonies renewing the powerful vocal blend with Mick Ryan.
All four are well known and highly respected performers in their own right.
For the new ‘Crows’, it is very clearly ‘Time To Rise’!
Supporting Crows is a local duo fast making a name for themselves, Antoine and Owena.
£12 pre-booked, £14 unbooked
8.15 pm (Legion open from 7.00 Concert doors 7.45)
Contact Kathy Dunn: 01202 732239
kathy.dunn AT btopenworld.com
www.wessex-acoustic.co.uk
Now regular 1st Fridays
Good band and caller tba - this site will be updated
7.30 for 7.45
£6.00 (first visit free!) accompanied under 16s free, non-dancers £1.00
No bar but BYO if you wish.
Jenny and Ian Edlin - 01258 861184
jenny_harrison_1123 AT yahoo.co.uk
Workshops will be led by Hannah Cummings, who is an inspiring and
experienced workshop leader, who will help you build confidence to learn and
play new tunes by ear. The workshops are suitable for all levels and all
acoustic instruments. Notation and audio supplied. Everyone is welcome!
1:30 - 4:30 pm
Admission: £10 in advance / £12 on the door/
£25 for 3 workshops when paid in advance via the website.
info AT sherbornefolkband.org
Julia: 07527 508 277
www.sherbornefolkband.org
A chance to learn some beautiful and lesser-known English Folk songs from the South West, together with harmonies and arrangement ideas.
3:30 - 4.30 pm
Tickets: £7. No concessions
http://www.thedavidhall.org.uk/catalogue/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15&products_id=1009
Jackie Oates is synonymous with the reinvigoration of English Folk. Her mellifluous voice, plaintive fiddle and tantalizing approach to Traditional songs gained her several BBC Folk Awards in a career that’s seen her perform as a member of the nascent Unthanks, collaborate with Alasdair Roberts and Belinda O’Hooley and release six acclaimed solo albums. An inventive and enthralling artist - who else can say they’ve been immortalised as a Lush cosmetic, featured on Lauren Laverne’s 6 Music show and appeared in Midsomer Murders……?
7:30pm
Tickets: £16 Full. £15 Concessions.
http://www.thedavidhall.org.uk/catalogue/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15&products_id=1010
Kimmeridge Keilidh - Barn Dance
All welcome to our regular dances in Kimmeridge. Interval spot as well to give you a breather! No bar, so bring your own drinks & nibbles.
£5 adults £2.50 children - tickets on the door
7.30 - 10.30 pm
Contact Steve Earwicker: 01929 480 737
arish.mel AT btinternet.com
www.earwicker.org/arish_mel.htm
The flutes of Brian Finnegan and Sarah Allen, the guitar of Ed Boyd and the bodhran of John Joe Kelly weave and spin traditionally rooted tunes into the breath-taking sound of the ground-breaking band Flook. This group possesses a rare blend of fiery technical brilliance, delicate ensemble interaction and a bold, adventurous musical imagination. There is no shortage of virtuosity amongst the members of Flook, but the unique impact of this Anglo-Irish band stems from the wholly intuitive, almost symbiotic, exchange between the various flutes, frets and skins.
8pm
Tickets: £17 Full. £16 Concessions.
www.flook.co.uk
http://www.thedavidhall.org.uk/catalogue/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15&products_id=985
In the wake of his departure from Steeleye Span, multi-award-winning fiddle player, Peter Knight, has turned his full attention to his trio, Gigspanner - and in the process, established their reputation as one of the most genuinely ground-breaking forces on the British Folk scene.
8pm
Tickets: £18 Full. £17 Concessions.
http://www.thedavidhall.org.uk/catalogue/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15&products_id=1013
French – Breton – Euro Dances
Workshop at 7pm followed by Bal at 8pm
£6 adults, £4 for 12-18s, under 12s free Dorset
2019 dates for Dorchester Dances
Friday Jan 11th, May 10th, Sept 13th, Nov 8th
See our facebook page - fb: EuroBal Wessex email us to add your name to our
mailing list: eurobalwessex AT gmail.com
+ support Eric Sedge
Richard Digance is a BAFTA-nominated TV Entertainer of The Year and Gold Award recipient from The British Academy of Composers. His 4,200 live shows, 62 British tours, 17 books, 3 stage plays, 32 albums and nearly 4 million YouTube visits say it all. He composed the audio book music for Bill Bryson’s best-seller, The Road To Little Dribbling, and his guitar instrumentals are used on numerous TV productions. He supported Robin Williams at The London Palladium, and also Steve Martin in the USA. He is one of a just a handful of Folk singers listed in The Virgin Anthology of Songwriters.
www.richarddigance.com www.ericsedgemusic.com
8pm
Tickets: £16 Full. £15 Concessions.
http://www.thedavidhall.org.uk/catalogue/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15&products_id=1015
Workshops will be led by Hannah Cummings, who is an inspiring and
experienced workshop leader, who will help you build confidence to learn and
play new tunes by ear. The workshops are suitable for all levels and all
acoustic instruments. Notation and audio supplied. Everyone is welcome!
1:30 - 4:30 pm
Admission: £10 in advance / £12 on the door/
£25 for 3 workshops when paid in advance via the website.
info AT sherbornefolkband.org
Julia: 07527 508 277
www.sherbornefolkband.org
A ‘Chance to Dance’ Event
The past few years have seen Blackbeard’s Tea Party play at festivals as diverse as Glastonbury, Cambridge Folk Festival, Fairport’s Cropredy Convention and many more. 2018 saw them release their new EP, Leviathan!, bringing with it a bigger, bolder sound and a revamped live show.
Now Blackbeard’s Tea Party return to The David Hall with their brand of gutsy Folk-Rock. A mix of Traditional and self-penned songs and tunes are given a heavy Rock edge with playful arrangements and driving dance rhythms. This is all mixed up in an engaging, high-octane stage show that leaves audiences cheering for more.
7:30pm
Tickets: £18 Full. £17 Concessions.
http://www.thedavidhall.org.uk/catalogue/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15&products_id=1016
Steve Turner is a pioneer of highly sophisticated English concertina song accompaniments - he is a multi-instrumentalist, playing mandolin and banjo and also accompanying himself on the cittern.
After 13 years away from the Folk scene, Steve made a welcome return in 2004, producing his fifth album, the highly acclaimed Whirligig of Time, featuring UK luminaries Martin Carthy, Nancy Kerr and Miranda Sykes.
Since then, he has released two further albums, Rim of the Wheel and Spirit of the Game, and his latest, much-anticipated eighth album, Late Cut, featuring Eliza Carthy, Martin Simpson and Sam Carter, is due out early December 2018
8pm
Tickets: £14 Full. £13 Concessions.
http://www.thedavidhall.org.uk/catalogue/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15&products_id=1017
Les Barker writes strange poems and comes from Manchester, but he's now Welsh. He was an accountant before he became a professional idiot. He's written more than 85 books, which sell in large numbers at his gigs because people don't quite believe what they've just heard. His poems have spawned a number of Folk heroes: Jason and the Arguments, Cosmo the Fairly Accurate Knife Thrower, Captain Indecisive and Spot of the Antarctic, to name but two!
Once seen, never forgotten! Don’t miss this.
8pm
Tickets: £14 Full. £13 Concessions.
http://www.thedavidhall.org.uk/catalogue/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15&products_id=1021
French – Breton – Euro Dances
Workshop at 7pm followed by Bal at 8pm
£6 adults, £4 for 12-18s, under 12s free Dorset
2019 dates for Dorchester Dances
Friday Jan 11th, May 10th, Sept 13th, Nov 8th
See our facebook page - fb: EuroBal Wessex email us to add your name to our
mailing list: eurobalwessex AT gmail.com
French – Breton – Euro Dances
Workshop at 7pm followed by Bal at 8pm
£6 adults, £4 for 12-18s, under 12s free Dorset
2019 dates for Dorchester Dances
Friday Jan 11th, May 10th, Sept 13th, Nov 8th
See our facebook page - fb: EuroBal Wessex email us to add your name to our
mailing list: eurobalwessex AT gmail.com