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.
8:00 pm - 10:30 pm (Doors: 7:30pm)
£12.00
On stage, the group’s enthralling performances give audiences a sense of how much they love what they do; while on record, the band manages to explore their collective life experiences through songwriting and intricate instrumentation. While bluegrass is the undeniable foundation of the Prowlers music, the band manages to bend and squeeze the traditional form into a sound all their own.
With over 175 shows a year, the quartet has toured over 25 countries, often going to places traditional American music has never been.
The Prowlers nonprofit, Bluegrass Ambassadors, uses traditional American music as an educational foundation to talk about folk music and cultures all over the world.
The Henhouse Prowlers upcoming release, The Departure, features 13 original songs written and arranged by the quartet.
www.henhouseprowlers.com
https://chapelarts.org/events/henhouse-prowlers/
Chard Folk Dance Club
Chard folk dance club meet on alternate Thursdays. New faces and those new to folk dancing always welcome.
£4
7.30 - 9.45 pm
Contact Elaine: 01460 65909 / 07729 103359
e3dons AT hotmail.com
The folk singer and songwriter who drove to Edinburgh Fringe in a milk float from East Anglia is on tour again. This time with Lu Davis and his new book.
Free
No start time given, but it's a evening performance.
Contact Jennifer Tingay: 07469 172568
bar AT poolehillbrewery.com
poolehillbrewery.com
Bring your own instrument or borrow one from us courtesy of the The Reed Lounge.
The course will cover simple technique to ensure the best start to playing the accordion. The weekend will be taught by ear and with music. By the end of the weekend you should be able to play some simple tunes with both hands together, and have an idea of where to progress next.
There will be plenty of time for informal practice and time for individual assistance. The course runs alongside our course for players with Intermediate and above experience (details here). There will be informal evening sessions and a Saturday night tutors’ concert.
Who’s it For?
Those new to the accordion. Jane’s beginners’ accordion group is ideal for those who have little or no experience and would like a basic introduction to get started. We work from ear and from music. Non music readers may be able to learn by ear. If you’re unsure please get in touch. Music is not sent out in advance for Jane’s group.
If you are intermediate level or above we are running a separate workshop for you alongside this one (further information).
https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/piano-accordion-course-2022-beginners/
An intensive weekend for piano accordion players of intermediate level and above. We are delighted to announce that “Accordion star” (The Guardian) Amy Thatcher has agreed to guest-tutor alongside our illustrious course-regulars Paul Hutchinson and Murray Grainger.
A packed programme of workshops will offer participants the opportunity to work with all three tutors, honing technique, repertoire and interpretation of folk tunes and accompaniment. There will be time for informal evening sessions and a Saturday night tutors’ concert.
The Reed Lounge will be providing a small trade stand with boxes to try as well as a range of spares and accessories.
Who’s it For?
This course is for intermediate and advanced players.
For this intermediate and above level course as a minimum requirement, you’ll need to know your way around the right hand and have an understanding of the left hand layout too. You’ll have a fair idea of rhythm, be able to follow at a reasonable pace, and be starting to think about musical style and how to control your sound. You’ll also need to be able to read music.
https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/piano-accordion-weekend-intermediate-advanced-2/
Old Baby Mackerel play high-energy, foot-stomping Bluegrass featuring a dizzying line-up of renowned musicians from some of the UK’s best folk, Americana and festival bands, including Artsreach favourites Flats & Sharps. The rhythmic sounds of fiddle, banjo, mandolin, guitar and double bass are sure to get knees bouncing and elbows swinging to the virtuosic sound of blistering solos and sweet harmonies. This summer let Old Baby Mackerel transport you back to the early 20th century and across the Atlantic to North America, where songs dramatised the small-town fascination with locomotion, the trials of murderous drunks and the veneration of whisky and bootleg liquor.
7:30pm
01258 880920.
£12, £5 u18s
www.artsreach.co.uk
+ plus support Chris Ostler
– a chance to dance event – new date
Established in 2013, The Leylines are a West Country collective with a genre-defying, eclectic sound that ranges from Traditional Folk to full blown festival Rock.
The band was founded by a group of musicians in Weston-super-Mare (via Bristol), wishing to combine their individual musical styles into something that isn’t quite Folk, sort of Punk, 100% heart-pounding revelry.
Chris Ostler
Chris OstlerSolo artist from Exeter, playing original music (with a transatlantic feel) ranging in genres of Rock, Pop, Country and Funk!
• Grand finalist in Mayor of London’s BUSK competition 2018
• Supported artists such as Joan Armatrading, Martin Barre from Jethro Tull, Yes Sir Boss, Three Daft Monkeys, Chris Baron (Spin Doctors) and supporting The Leylines.
• Strong voice with wide vocal range combined with accomplished acoustic guitar playing and original songs with powerful lyrics and melodies.
https://www.chrisostler.co.uk
8:00 pm
Tickets: £17 Full. £16 Concessions.
https://www.thedavidhall.com/event/the-leylines-a-chance-to-dance-event/
An informal evening of music featuring the tutors from our Piano Accordion Weekend – Paul Hutchinson, Murray Grainger, Amy Thatcher and Jane Ward – plus some spots from course participants too. An entertaining celebration of all things accordion!
Paul Hutchinson studied piano and church organ before being persuaded at the age of 17 to take up the accordion and form a ceilidh band. Since then he’s become one of the best-known and in demand players on the folk scene – in the UK and beyond – as one half of duo Belshazzar’s Feast, with trio Hoover the Dog, Pagoda Project (with Karen Wimhurst), and PLF. Paul is a regular tutor and musician at Halsway Manor, and the accordion tutor for EFDSS at Cecil Sharp House.
Murray Grainger is one of Britain’s most influential and innovative accordionists. Whether working with the finest orchestras, pushing the boundaries with his traditional projects or teaching around the UK, Murray is at the forefront of the British accordion scene. Trained in the classical accordion at The Royal Academy of Music, Murray has been a tutor in both classical and folk accordion at Chetham’s School of Music, on Newcastle University’s Folk and Traditional Music course, and as the Director of Education for Young Musicians Stornoway. He is a regular tutor on Halsway Manor’s Accordion Weekend.
Amy Thatcher is a professional accordionist based in the North East of England. Her reputation as one of the UK’s leading folk accordionists, both as a performer and composer, is garnered from working with luminaries such as Kathryn Tickell, Sting and The Royal Northern Sinfonia, The Shee and Monster Ceilidh Band.
Jane Ward has been playing accordion for 50 years. She performed extensively around Europe as lead player in Jenny’s Accordionists, and played in Scottish, German and Polish bands before agreeing to play for a morris side 28 years ago and discovering folk music! Following in the footsteps of Karen Tweed and Paul Hutchinson, Jane Ward took up the baton to lead the irrepressible No.1 Ladies Accordion Orchestra in 2014.
8pm
£12 - Adults
£6 - Concessions
Concessionary priced tickets are available to children and students - of any age - in full-time education.
https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/gig-accordions-at-halsway/
Old Baby Mackerel play high-energy, foot-stomping Bluegrass featuring a dizzying line-up of renowned musicians from some of the UK’s best folk, Americana and festival bands, including Artsreach favourites Flats & Sharps. The rhythmic sounds of fiddle, banjo, mandolin, guitar and double bass are sure to get knees bouncing and elbows swinging to the virtuosic sound of blistering solos and sweet harmonies. This summer let Old Baby Mackerel transport you back to the early 20th century and across the Atlantic to North America, where songs dramatised the small-town fascination with locomotion, the trials of murderous drunks and the veneration of whisky and bootleg liquor.
7:30pm
01258 820458.
£10, £5 u18s
www.artsreach.co.uk
Bridport Broadsides kick the evening off before the brilliant Roving Crows showcase a mix of fiery, Celtic-inspired fiddle, conscious, intelligent lyrics, backed by solid thumping rhythms and driving innovative bass. The audience will be seated but there will be room for dancing.
7.30pm , £18/£8 Bar opens 7pm
Festival Box Office: The Yarn Barton Centre, Fleet Street, Beaminster DT8 3DR
T: 01308 862943 E: info AT beaminsterfestival.com www.beaminsterfestival.com
Rough Assembly supporting Ceilidh's Comets who lead the Ceilidh dancing, with fun for all the family.
More information and tickets: www.beaminsterfestival.com or TicketSource 0333 666 33 66
12pm - 4.30pm , Bring picnics. Free but essential to book.
Festival Box Office: The Yarn Barton Centre, Fleet Street, Beaminster DT8 3DR
T: 01308 862943 E: info AT beaminsterfestival.com www.beaminsterfestival.com
Ben Walker returns to Halsway Manor to lead a mid-week masterclass for intermediate and advanced level guitarists.
Together we will explore ways of arranging traditional folk tunes on the guitar, look at ways to arrange melodies and chords, and then put it all together to form a complete performance.
We’ll cover advanced guitar techniques, alternative tunings, whilst allowing for plenty of time to work at your own pace. There will also be the opportunity for 1-2-1 sessions with Ben who is one of the UK’s foremost acoustic guitarists.
Who’s it For?
Intermediate to advanced acoustic guitarists. It’s not suitable for beginners. Students should be familiar with fingerpicking: using the thumb and fingers to play the strings, rather than a plectrum. They should also be comfortable tuning the guitar, reading tablature and have an interest in learning instrumental arrangements.
https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/ben-walker-guitar-study-week/
Join Simon Mayor, one of the country’s finest mandolin players for this mid-week masterclass.
Simon’s January ‘Mandolin Workshop Weekends’ have been hugely successful and consistently prompt requests for more. This time it’s a smaller group, but a longer, mid-week gathering, suitable for intermediate and advanced players. There’ll still be some ensemble playing, but this will be a chance for students to share their performances and for Simon to offer personal critiques – as always, in an atmosphere of mutual support.
Simon will also cover all right & left hand techniques including position shifting, tremolo, decoration, tone production & more.
Who’s It For?
For Intermediate and Advanced level players – primarily mandolinists, but also mandola players, mandocellists and mandobassists (are there any out there?).
https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/simon-mayor-mandolin-study-week/
This week runs alongside the Simon Mayor Mandolin Week and Ben Walker’s Guitar Study Week.
Singers of all abilities are invited to join Hilary & Janet to enjoy the pleasure of group singing as you discover the potential of your own voice. Explore the wealth of songs within the British folk tradition and take a peek beyond: ballads, sea shanties, lullabies, comic songs and more. You’ll be working largely ‘by ear’ with simple improvised vocal harmony but, for the more experienced, written parts for some songs will be available. As well as singing acappella the group will join Simon Mayor’s mandolinists for some joint pieces.
Hilary James and Simon Mayor are annual visitors to the idyllic Halsway Manor with popular weekends in January. This year we are adding a week long for those wanting a deeper dive into singing.
Hilary’s sister Janet Giraudo will be travelling from the South of France to join us for the week. Janet left for France over thirty years ago but the sisters still sing together, revisiting songs from early teenage forays into folk clubs. Janet will not be able to join us for the January 2023 weekend so this is a good opportunity to work with her.
Ben, Simon, Hilary and Janet will perform an informal concert on the Thursday evening.
Who’s It For?
Anyone with a desire to sing! You don’t have to have any previous experience for this course.
https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/two-sisters-song-week-2022/
Acclaimed Scottish singer-songwriter Adam Beattie 'Uplifting Reveries of Love' (Mojo Magazine) and multi-platinum singer-songwriter Fiona Bevan ‘Startling odysseys’ (The Guardian)
embark on a double headline tour of the UK and Europe this summer! The two artists complement each other beautifully and will also feature some duets and collaborations as part of the live show.
£10.00
8.00 pm
Phone: 07960 731773
https://ticketlab.co.uk/event/id/12008/Adam-Beattie-Fiona-Bevan#/
Kakatsitsi are a group of traditional drummers, dancers and singers from Ghana. Their music rearranges traditional rhythms and chants from a variety of Ghanaian tribes a ‘neo-traditional’ and accessible way.
They have toured the UK 15 times, including high profile performances at WOMAD, Glastonbury and many other festivals and venues. The recent addition of a strong dance element, to complement the already outstanding drumming and singing components, has established Kakatsitsi as one of the leading traditional drumming groups in Africa.
Their performances are both richly entertaining and educational, giving audiences an insight into one of Africa’s richest drumming and dance cultures.
Book the show and the workshop together for only £20!
7.30 pm
£ 14.00
https://www.tauntonbrewhouse.co.uk/events/kakatsitsi-drummers/
https://www.tauntonbrewhouse.co.uk/events/kakatsitsi-drummers-workshop/
Paul Sartin (Faustus, Belshazzar’s Feast) joins forces with Istanbul-born singer Çiğdem Aslan to lead a song workshop weekend exploring traditional song from different cultures.
Paul is well known in the UK as a singer, musician, composer and arranger; he will focus on songs of the British Isles, arranged for mixed voices. These will be taught by ear, so musical literacy is not a requirement. Listening skills, ensemble work, and performance matters will be addressed in Paul’s inimitable manner.
Drawing on her Middle-eastern background, Çiğdem will introduce songs with unfamiliar styles and rhythms (7/8, 9/8 or 10/8). She’ll teach lyrics in Turkish, Kurdish maybe even Greek, and talk about basic scales / maqam and maybe work on vocal improvisation and ornamentation.
Hosted by Meg Rose, expect a fascinating and enjoyable choral journey, with an informal sharing from tutors and participants on the Saturday evening.
Who’s it For?
Singers of all levels of experience are welcome. You do not need to be able to read music.
https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/choral-song-weekend/
'The friendliest folk festival in England' in the beautiful village of Priddy high up in the Mendip Hills
Jiggy, Manran, De Temps Antan, Flats and Sharps, Trials of Cato, Perkelt, Pons Aelius, Solana, The Magpies, Lucy Ward, Copper Viper, The Drystones, The Shackleton Trio, The Rin Tins, Rachel McShane & The Cartographers, Gilmore + Roberts, Jez Lowe, Ryan Young, Hannah Scott, Suthering, Mishra, Finn Collinson Band, Georgia Lewis, The Dilly Boys, Kimber's Men, The Schmoozenbergs, Moonfire, Maxine Venton + Chesney Newman, Bristol Ceilidh Quartet
plus acoustic concerts in the church and a ceilidh, bal and shanty singing in the Village Hall
Tickets and information from www.priddyfolk.org
Lots of FREE attractions - the FRINGE TENT featuring local talent, the CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL on the Green with singing, story-telling, drumming and dancing and the DANCE FESTIVAL featuring a bal, circle and stepping workshops, a stepping competition and dance displays.
plus lots of craft stalls, Beer and Cider Tents and great catering including the school PTA's The Green Cow
The Salt Path is Raynor Winn’s Sunday Times best-selling memoir of walking the South West Coast Path in its entirety, under the weight of personal tragedy and misfortune.
It has won global praise for its 'against all odds' uplifting message, and its frank exploration of the reality of homelessness.
The Salt Path is one couple's story, but such a well-trodden path must hold many more stories of loss, love and the natural world. Perhaps these stories could be found in the form of traditional songs and tunes that have been left behind and saved for us due to the diligence of song collectors such as Cecil Sharp and Sabine Baring-Gould?
This seed of an idea has developed into an exciting collaboration between Raynor Winn and The Gigspanner Big Band, a collective of some of the most high-profile names on the British folk scene.
Together, Raynor and the Gigspanner Big Band will celebrate, in traditional songs and newly written words, this “630 uninterrupted miles of coastline, crossing wild headlands with the calls of oystercatchers, and the smell of salt laden air ever present” ~ Raynor Winn
www.gigspanner.com/saltlines
£25.00
7.30pm
Phone: 01823 283244
https://www.tauntonbrewhouse.co.uk/events/saltlines-2/
A 3.30pm interview/Q & A session reflecting on aspects of Martin's 60 year career, followed by an 8.00pm concert. A unique opportunity to gain insights into a stellar career and the man behind it. Few performers have such a broad experience of folk music around the world as Martin, nor such a down to earth approach. Evening meal available by ordering in advance (01963 23301).
Interview £7, concert £15, combined £20
3.30 interview, 8.00 concert
Contact John Waltham: 01963 362890
jhnwaltham AT yahoo.co.uk
Two of our regular floorsingers, Benn Banks and Laurie Phillips will share the guest spot in July. Both have been very popular with our audience and we look forward to hearing more of their music than they are usually allocated as floorsingers.
Music will begin at 7.30pm. As usual floorsingers are welcome to sing and/or play in the first half - until the beer break at 8.30pm. Simply sign up in the book on the night, or email me in advance.
PUB MEALS
Our landlords Chris and Clare are making plans to begin serving meals, so WATCH THIS SPACE. I will let you know when meals are available to order for the break.
laurieguitars AT gmail.com
A Portrait of the South West Coast Path in Old Songs and New Words: an exciting collaboration between Raynor Winn and The Gigspanner Big Band, a collective of some of the most high-profile names on the British folk scene.
The Salt Path is Raynor Winn’s Sunday Times best-selling memoir of walking the South West Coast Path in its entirety…a walk that was an impulsive response to unexpected circumstances which left her and her husband, Moth, homeless.
It has won global praise for its ‘against all odds’ uplifting message, and its frank exploration of the reality of homelessness.
The Salt Path is one couple’s story, but such a well-trodden path must hold many more stories of loss, love and the natural world. Perhaps these stories could be found in the form of traditional songs and tunes that have been left behind and saved for us due to the diligence of song collectors such as Cecil Sharp (1859 to 1924) co-founder of the English Folk Dance & Song Society.
This seed of an idea has developed into an exciting collaboration between Raynor Winn and The Gigspanner Big Band, a collective of some of the most high-profile names on the British folk scene.
Together, Raynor and the Gigspanner Big Band will celebrate this “630 uninterrupted miles of coastline, crossing wild headlands with the calls of oystercatchers, and the smell of salt laden air ever present” (Raynor Winn ~ Ambassador of the South West Coast Path).
The Gigspanner Big Band are a unique force in British folk music...
Their high-energy, virtuosic performances appeal equally to traditionalists and to those looking for something more experimental, and they have garnered praise from publications as varied as fRoots, The Telegraph and The Wire, where they were described as ‘melodically folk-rooted yet open and innovative beyond the constraints of genre’
Beginning life as a trio – with legendary Steeleye Span fiddle player Peter Knight being joined by percussionist Sacha Trochet and guitarist Roger Flack – the line-up has been expanded to form the Gigspanner Big Band, with acclaimed multi-instrumental duo Edgelarks (Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin – BBC Folk Awards ‘Best Duo‘) and Bellowhead co-founder and melodeon player extraordinaire, John Spiers, joining the fray.
As collaborations go, it doesn’t get much more mouth-watering than this.
Raynor Winn
Raynor Winn is a long-distance walker and writer; her first book The Salt Path was a Sunday Times bestseller in 2018.
The Salt Path was shortlisted for the 2018 Wainwright Prize, and the 2018 Costa Book Awards in the biography category. The judges described it as “An absolutely brilliant story that needs to be told about the human capacity to endure and keep putting one foot in front of another.”
In May 2019 The Salt Path won the inaugural RSL Christopher Bland Prize. In September 2019 it was the number one bestselling book in UK independent bookstores.
Winn also writes about nature, homelessness and wild camping. Her second book Wild Silence was published by Michael Joseph in September 2020, and also became a Sunday Times bestseller.
Bar opens 7:00 P.M.
Starts 8:00 P.M.
Advance £25.00
Unreserved Seating
Tickets available from the Marine (Mondays and Fridays only), Bridport Tourist Information centre, online here, & over the phone on 0333 666 3366
Booking fee may apply
https://www.marinetheatre.com/saltlines/
The Salt Path is Raynor Winn’s Sunday Times best-selling memoir of walking the South West Coast Path in its entirety, under the weight of personal tragedy and misfortune.
It has won global praise for its 'against all odds' uplifting message, and its frank exploration of the reality of homelessness.
The Salt Path is one couple's story, but such a well-trodden path must hold many more stories of loss, love and the natural world. Perhaps these stories could be found in the form of traditional songs and tunes that have been left behind and saved for us due to the diligence of song collectors such as Cecil Sharp and Sabine Baring-Gould?
This seed of an idea has developed into an exciting collaboration between Raynor Winn and The Gigspanner Big Band, a collective of some of the most high-profile names on the British folk scene.
Together, Raynor and the Gigspanner Big Band will celebrate, in traditional songs and newly written words, this “630 uninterrupted miles of coastline, crossing wild headlands with the calls of oystercatchers, and the smell of salt laden air ever present” ~ Raynor Winn
www.gigspanner.com/saltlines
£25.00
8.00pm
Phone: 01308 424901
https://www.marinetheatre.com/saltlines/
Chard folk dance club
We are a friendly club, with more emphasis on fun than getting it right.
£4
7.30 - 9.45 pm
Contact Elaine : 01460 65909 / 07729 103359
e3dons AT hotmail.com
Banding Together summer weekends provide advanced and fluent English concertina players with the opportunity to join with others of similar proficiency to play as a big concertina band. The music is varied and challenging but help with preparation is provided. The result is an electrifying big band sound!
Participants will still be expected to come well prepared and “band ready”, having spent time working on the music. Dots and resource materials are all emailed in advance.
Who’s it For?
Players must be fluent and confident on their instrument and read notation accurately. Preparation is essential. Music, together with audio files and practice guidance, is provided in advance. It is open to any English system concertina player who meets these criteria.
The Team
Banding Together weekends are organised by Junction 25 Concertina Band.
Music for Banding Together is sourced, arranged and led by J25 director Claire Wren.
Partnership Event
For details and booking of this partnership event please contact:
Claire Wren: bandingtogetherwithj25 AT gmail.com
https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/banding-together/
I have always wanted to bring these guys to Nailsea. Top notch musicians, hugely entertaining and a lot of fun. My wish has been granted. Put it in your diary!!
Saltfishforty are a fresh and dynamic duo hailing from the Orkney Islands in the north of Scotland. Douglas Montgomery (fiddle/viola) and Brian Cromarty (songs/guitar/mandola) combine the rich traditional music of Orkney with original compositions. The powerhouse partnership have won a devoted following throughout the UK and beyond.
Award winning Irish Harpist Máire Ní Chathasaigh and her husband, world class guitarist Chris Newman, bring a delectable mix of classic Irish music, traditional folk tunes, and a touch of jazz to this concert in the delightful setting of St Peter's Church, sited right at the top of the famous Gold Hill.
Support from Shaftesbury's own Anne-Louise Richards
£15 ONLY pre purchased or reserved
8.00 pm (doors open 7.45)
Contact Kathy Dunn: 01202 732239
kathy.dunn AT btopenworld.com
www.wessex-acoustic.co.uk
The award winning and highly acclaimed Le Vent du Nord is a leading force in Québec’s progressive francophone Folk movement. The group’s vast repertoire draws from both traditional sources and original compositions, while enhancing its hard-driving soulful music with a broad range of global influences.
Since its inception in August 2002, Le Vent du Nord has enjoyed meteoric success, performing well over 1,800 concerts over 5 continents and racking up several prestigious awards, including a Grand Prix du Disque Charles Cros, two Junos (Canada’s Grammys), a Félix at ADISQ, a Canadian Folk Music Award, and “Artist of the Year” at the North American Folk Alliance Annual Gala.
8:00 pm
£22
https://www.thedavidhall.com/event/le-vent-du-nord/
When I heard Saltfishforty were looking for a booking in the South West I snapped them up. I have seen them twice at Priddy Folk Festival. Totally talented, utterly engaging.
Saltfishforty are a fresh and dynamic duo hailing from the Orkney Islands in the north of Scotland. Douglas Montgomery (fiddle/viola) and Brian Cromarty (songs/guitar/mandola) combine the rich traditional music of Orkney with original compositions.
The powerhouse partnership have won a devoted following throughout the UK and beyond, brilliantly transcending the duo format’s conventional confines. Linchpin figures in the currently flourishing revival of Orkney’s traditional music, they unite these deep-rooted sources with an exhilarating breadth of influence and expertise, catalysed by a creative empathy born from decades of friendship. The result is a sound of equally thrilling raw attack and multi-dimensional richness.
8.00pm
£14
https://www.nailseafolkclub.co.uk
3.00pm - 5.45 pm.
£5 per person.
Bring and share tea. No partner necessary.
For more information: Jan Harris 01202 427523. janharris16 AT hotmail.co.uk.
A fund raiser for the weekly Sunday afternoon support group which is meeting at the Trinity Centre in Nailsea beside the Holy Trinity Church.
It would be great if we sold plenty of tickets. Live band etc . We will also be holding a concert in August/ September.
Tickets: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/nailsea-folk-club
The Salt Path is Raynor Winn’s Sunday Times best-selling memoir of walking the South West Coast Path in its entirety, under the weight of personal tragedy and misfortune.
It has won global praise for its 'against all odds' uplifting message, and its frank exploration of the reality of homelessness.
The Salt Path is one couple's story, but such a well-trodden path must hold many more stories of loss, love and the natural world. Perhaps these stories could be found in the form of traditional songs and tunes that have been left behind and saved for us due to the diligence of song collectors such as Cecil Sharp and Sabine Baring-Gould?
This seed of an idea has developed into an exciting collaboration between Raynor Winn and The Gigspanner Big Band, a collective of some of the most high-profile names on the British folk scene.
Together, Raynor and the Gigspanner Big Band will celebrate, in traditional songs and newly written words, this “630 uninterrupted miles of coastline, crossing wild headlands with the calls of oystercatchers, and the smell of salt laden air ever present” ~ Raynor Winn
www.gigspanner.com/saltlines
7.45 pm
Phone: 01202 280000
https://www.lighthousepoole.co.uk/whats-on/2022/saltlines-the-gigspanner-big-band-and-raynor-winn/
After a decade long hiatus The Imagined Village are back on stage premiering here at the Electric Palace.
This will be a special warm up gig with members of the original line-up joined by Billy Bragg, the much-loved English music celebrity.
Doors 7pm / starts 8pm
£29 adv / £30 door
https://www.electricpalace.org.uk/
After a decade long hiatus The Imagined Village are back on stage premiering here at the Electric Palace. This will be a special warm up gig with members of the original line-up joined by Billy Bragg, the much-loved English music celebrity.
The most ambitious folk fusion band of the 21st century, The Imagined Village set out to match English traditional songs against the sounds of contemporary multi-cultural England, with influences from Asia, the Caribbean and elsewhere.
And they did so with an extraordinary line-up that included folk celebrities Eliza Carthy and Martin Carthy, Simon Emmerson (of Afro-Celt Sound System fame), sitar exponent Sheema Mujherjee, that rousing dhol and tabla percussionist Johnny Kalsi, and drummer Andy Gangadeen.
They recorded three albums, played at major festivals from Glastonbury to Cambridge, headlined at concert halls and appeared on Later…With Jools Holland, performing a stomping, percussive re-working of Cold Haily Rainy Night (the song that won them Best Traditional Track at the 2008 BBC Folk Awards).
Then, after recording Bending The Dark in 2012, they took an unexpectedly lengthy break, from which they have at last thankfully returned.
So why has it taken them so long?
They have all been busy with other projects, of course – though Simon says that Eliza has constantly been pestering him to organise a re-union.
But the real catalyst came during the Covid lockdown, when the band recorded a glorious (and socially-distanced) new version of Sandy Denny’s setting for The Quiet Joys of Brotherhood, which can be heard on the 2021 compilation The Electric Muse Revisited.
It reminded The Imagined Village that they are still a very special band.
This promises to be the folk comeback of the year.
8.00 pm
£29 adv / £30 door
https://www.electricpalace.org.uk/events/event/imagined-village/
with Bridport Folk Dance Club and friends
As part of the Bridport Folk Festival, Bridport Folk Dance Club will be running a drop in open day. So if you want to practice playing for dance, calling, dancing or just love folk dance, come along!! Light refreshments available.
Donation for festival
10.00 am - 4.00 pm
Contact Michael Selley: 01308 863552
mandgselley AT btinternet.com
As part of the Bridport Folk Festival Bridport Folk Dance Club are sponsoring an evening of dance. So get your dancing shoes on and be there! There will be an opportunity to practice your moves in the afternoon at the WI Hall in North Street Bridport DT6 3JQ.
£10.00
7.30 - 10.30 pm
Contact M Selley: 01308 863552
mandgselley AT btinternet.com
On our performers night The David Hall hands over its professional stage and outstanding acoustics to budding artists of all genres.
IMPORTANT: Please pre-book your performance slot or seat. Do not walk-up on the night.
(so we can manage properly in the time of Coronavirus)
If you would like to attend our Acoustic Night as a performer or audience member then please
email Chris Watts folk AT chriswatts.org or call 07715 501157.
Suggested donation: Just £1 for performers and £2 Audience.
Please pay on the door.
Petherton Arts Trust is trying this new evening as a way of encouraging more local performers of all genres to come and perform on a professional stage and to attract more people in the audience.
It’s a great evening full of extraordinary skill, talent and variety – and it doesn’t cost the earth – just £2 audience and £1 performers to cover the cost of heating and lighting the hall.
All types of performance welcome – The David Hall has had music, comedy, poetry, dance…. All have the opportunity to deliver for 10 – 15 minutes with full PA and lighting system.
7:30 pm
https://www.thedavidhall.com/event/acoustic-night-730pm-donations-only/2022-07-23/
John Devine, a fine whistle and pipe player from Hertfordshire, is coming to Tolpuddle with his latest Album "Notions" as featured on the Mike Harding show, a brilliantly original cross genre piece of work using traditional and modern instrumentation, original arrangements and music, featuring the poetry of Seamous O'Rouke. John will be accompanied by his Wife, Caz, on saxaphone, and Son Joe on Guitar and Banjo, all three accomplished musicians having toured extensively in the UK and Ireland, been featured on the Mike Harding show, and on Zoe Ball's radio 2 show and even performed as part of an Irish ensemble at Buckingham Palace for the Queen on the occasion of the Irish President's State visit....
£10.00
7.00 p.m.
Contact Simon Sturt: 07767 344303
s.sturt AT live.co.uk
wegottickets.com/event/542028
An opportunity for young musicians from the South West and beyond to work with leading folk artists, to develop skills, confidence and creativity, and create a new performance piece.
Musician, composer and educator Becki Driscoll is back as our Creative Lead for 2022. For this week she’ll be joined by professional musician-tutors Matt Norman, Hannah Cumming, and Kate Griffin, with Kerrie Seymour also returning as Pastoral Lead.
We’ll be providing an immersive week of music, creativity and fun, in the beautiful and secluded surroundings of Halsway Manor. It will be intensive and challenging, but also supportive and fun! Young musicians will spend the week working together to learn, arrange and rehearse new repertoire, developing musical skills and performance technique, and creating their own interpretations of traditional material. The group will live, work and play together, with opportunities for informal rehearsals and social gatherings to enrich their experience and understanding of the folk arts.
The week will end with performances at Sidmouth Folk Week!
Who’s is it for?
This is a fun but intensive course for young people aged 12-18. Our Summer course is designed as a progression from our Spring Halsway Young Folk: Intro Week. You’ll need to have prior experience as a musician – any instrument is welcome – we’d recommend you need to be of a playing level of about grade 4 and upwards to get the most from the course. We’ll be teaching predominantly by ear, so if you’re used to reading music you’ll need to be prepared to give it a go! It’s not necessary to have prior experience of folk experience; it’s more important that you want to be creative, work collaboratively with others, and have fun creating a performance that everybody can be proud of.
How to Apply
Call us, or send on online booking enquiry. You’ll need to pay a deposit of £60 to secure your place; the balance is due 6 weeks before the course. Places are limited, and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Once we’ve been in touch to confirm your booking, please complete this online Student Information Form to tell us about your musical experience and residential requirements. If you wish to share a room with friends there’s a space to request this on the form.
We do all we can to offer bursary places to young people with exceptional talent or for whom the opportunity would be especially beneficial, but whose financial circumstances would otherwise exclude them from the programme. Email chiefexec AT halswaymanor.org.uk if this is something you would like to discuss.
Full board (accommodation and all meals), tuition and all activities:
£245
Please note that transport to Sidmouth is NOT included; parents will need to collect participants on Saturday morning and accompany them to the Festival for the day.
Places are limited, and will be allocated on a first-come, first -served basis.
https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/halsway-young-folk-intermediate-2022/
With a voice often likened to Carole King and Regina Spektor, a classical piano training, and influences ranging from Björk to Chopin, Me for Queen – the creative alias of Mary Erskine – is rapidly winning acclaim for her beguiling ‘soul-folk’ songcraft, blending traditional folk story-telling with a contemporary edge. Growing up feral in rural Fife/Scotland, years of classical training together with a Blues guitarist for a father make for an interesting mix of Soul and Folk.
Teaming up for a 2nd time with Jim Wallis at Bella Union Studios, her new album, Microclimate, is set for release in the latter half of 2022. The record charts a turbulent period for the singer-songwriter and marks a musical evolution. With a move towards a more ambitious, electronic sound, it is in turns meditative, joyful then vulnerable, underpinned by resilience.
www.facebook.com/meforqueenmusic
www.meforqueen.com
www.soundcloud.com/meforqueen
www.twitter.com/meforqueen
www.instagram.com/meforqueen
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1H7mNprYkefKwq5C0VWS9M
8:00 pm - 10:30 pm (Doors: 7:30pm)
£12.00
https://chapelarts.org/events/me-for-queen-2/
Please complete the Participant Info Form once you have booked your place, thank you! See the website.
Sophie Renshaw and Lucy Russell, members of Trio Mythos, and Paul Hutchinson from Belshazzar’s Feast, join forces to lead a weekend designed for musicians from both classical and folk/trad backgrounds who wish to explore playing and arranging together. We will go on a journey of re-invention, using a range of music as the starting point for fresh new ideas. 17th Century dance music, to include Nicola Matteis and Henry Purcell, English and Scandinavian folk tunes, John Adams and others will inspire us to create our own original compositions or re-work old ones in small groups. An ability to read music will be helpful but is not essential.
Paul an experienced leader of courses at Halsway Manor and Benslow Music says:
“I will demonstrate various methods to breathe new life into even the dullest tune. It is my belief that the notes of a melody should be no more than ‘serving suggestions’. Focusing on rhythm, harmony and time signatures, expect some surprising results.”
Sophie, leading violist, arranger and chamber music player says:
“I love to take tunes from the folk/classical repertoire and invent ways to change them. I hope to share some of the discoveries I have made, and find new ones, together. I come to music primarily through harmony and rhythm and hope to bring more confidence to string players who find it difficult to orientate themselves, harmonically.”
Lucy, Leader of the Fitzwilliam String Quartet and leading Baroque Violinist:
“I find inspiration from the happy marriage between baroque and folk music. So much dance music is interrelated. Gutsy, playful, dynamic, free-spirited – you could be describing either genre! I love nothing more than to bring life to a simple tune, allowing it to evolve through experimenting with any ideas that arise; adding ornaments, new rhythms, extra notes…whatever you fancy. “
Paul, Sophie and Lucy met as a result of lockdown and when they sat down to play, it was as if there were no ‘boundaries’ and the ‘path’ was in fact the same one! Their collective enthusiasm and passion for music, matched by a curiosity to learn from each other, results in a delightfully fizzy freshness of approach which they are keen to share!
Who’s it For?
We’re aiming this course at musicians of a lower-Intermediate level and above (Grade 3 and upwards if you do ABRSM exams). The ability to read music will be an asset. With this team, players of strings and accordions will be exceptionally well-catered for, but players of other instruments (woodwind, brass etc) are very welcome too. Get in touch if you’re unsure.
https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/classical-folk/
Continuing the tradition set by the Guildford Folk Dance Club, and carried on by Shirley Williams, this enjoyable folk holiday has dancing at its heart, but with some changes to the schedule to provide more optional fun elements for those who want. Hosted by Gareth Kiddier, the team brings together caller Jane Thomas, musicians Richard Jones and Chris Jewell, plus their partners, for an enjoyable summer holiday in the beautiful Halsway setting.
Each morning will include two workshops, one for dance, one for another folk activity, which might be dance, song-based, or musical, depending on audience. There will be a 6pm sing before dinner, and dances every evening. The team will ensure fun events throughout, making use of the Manor and its lovely gardens for both indoor and outdoor activities. All activities are optional. There’s free time after lunch each day (packed lunches available if preferred) plus one day completely free, giving you time to explore the area, or to relax at the Manor.
Both the dance workshops and the evening dances will be of a professional standard both in terms of calling and music, and will include dances from across the UK. Novice dancers are welcome, while at the same time there will be sufficient quality and variety to entertain the more experienced dancer too.
Who’s it For?
Anyone wishing to enjoy a summer folk break at Halsway. No previous experience is necessary, though an enthusiasm for folk dance and activities is an advantage!
https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/halsway-folk-holiday/
Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first-served basis.
Once we've been in touch to confirm your booking, please complete the online Student Information Form on the website to tell us about your musical experience and residential requirements. If you wish to share a room with friends there's a space to request this on the form.
Halsway Young Folk – Advanced course aims to challenge and inspire the next generation of professional folk musicians – could this be you?!
Led by Becki Driscoll you’ll work to develop your musical and performance skills. This is the course to do if you have aspirations of being a professional musician or educator, or are planning to continue your musical education at University.
Now in its fifth year, participants on previous years’ courses have created videos of their own new arrangements, and run festival workshops. This year we’ll be challenging our group to create a performance at Halsway from scratch, in only 5 days! You’ll choose the repertoire – from material you bring with you, and also from material created during the week – and rehearse together to create exciting performances that you can be proud of. You’ll be in good hands with lead tutor Becki Driscoll and Archie Churchill-Moss to guide you though the creative process.
Who’s It For?
For ages 16 – 21. You’ll be a competent musician (and maybe a singer too, though this is not essential), keen to work at a higher level. This is the course to do if you have aspirations of being a professional musician or educator, or are planning to continue your musical education at University. Or if you’re simply a good and experienced young folk musician who wants to spend a few days with like-minded people being creative and having fun with music, that’s fine too!
https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/halsway-young-folk-advanced-2022/
Now in its fifth year, our popular Halsway Young Folk – Juniors is a great introduction to folk music and song for ages 7 – 11. Led by an experienced creative team – Becki Driscoll, Ford Collier, Matt Norman plus Pastoral Lead Kerrie Seymour – this short residential will be filled with fun and imaginative folk activities, using local traditions and customs as inspiration. Children will explore music and song, and create and perform a show for family and friends.
Arrive Wednesday at 11:00am. Finishing with a performance on Friday, family and friends welcome.
Who’s it For?
For young musicians aged 7 – 11. Any instrument, and any level of proficiency welcome. The main thing is that you enjoy music, song and dance, and being creative!
https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/halsway-young-folk-juniors-2022/
An intensive weekend of singing with Ali Burns (Scotland), Brendan Taaffe (USA) and John Harrison (USA).
The tutors will bring new compositions each showcasing their own particular style. Friday’s workshop will begin at 5pm with a gentle introduction to the songs. After dinner we’ll have a short sing, leaving time for socialising and getting to know each other. Saturday will have around 6 hours of workshop followed by dinner and more social time. On Sunday we’ll have time to work on all the songs again before closing the weekend at 4pm.
Who’s it For?
The event is open to anyone with a passion for harmony singing. Whether you sing in a choir or down the pub, if you’re not a complete beginner to holding a harmony, you are welcome. Songs will be taught at a pace that suits aural learners but written music will be available too.
The Team
Brendan Taaffe and John Harrison from the US are both well loved and respected contemporary Shape Note composers, steeped in the tradition but reinventing it for today’s singers. Between them they have a vast knowledge and love of the many traditions that make Americana.
Ali Burns is one of the UKs leading songwriters for the community choir sector and brings her own folky style to a contemporary world.
Together they have run several workshops in Scotland and the US, and have a devoted following of regular singers.
Partnership Event
For details and booking of this partnership event please contact Ali Burns:
info AT aliburns.co.uk
07801 244867
aliburns.co.uk/diary/
https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/harmony-singing-weekend/
On our performers night The David Hall hands over its professional stage and outstanding acoustics to budding artists of all genres.
IMPORTANT: Please pre-book your performance slot or seat. Do not walk-up on the night.
(so we can manage properly in the time of Coronavirus)
If you would like to attend our Acoustic Night as a performer or audience member then please
email Chris Watts folk AT chriswatts.org or call 07715 501157.
Suggested donation: Just £1 for performers and £2 Audience.
Please pay on the door.
Petherton Arts Trust is trying this new evening as a way of encouraging more local performers of all genres to come and perform on a professional stage and to attract more people in the audience.
It’s a great evening full of extraordinary skill, talent and variety – and it doesn’t cost the earth – just £2 audience and £1 performers to cover the cost of heating and lighting the hall.
All types of performance welcome – The David Hall has had music, comedy, poetry, dance…. All have the opportunity to deliver for 10 – 15 minutes with full PA and lighting system.
7:30 pm
https://www.thedavidhall.com/event/acoustic-night-730pm-donations-only/2022-07-23/
This will be the NINTH year of our folk music, dance and song summer school – for all ages and abilities – led by a crack team of tutors who have detailed knowledge and extensive experience of a wide spectrum of folk music. We’re confirming tutor availability at the moment and will add details very soon. Expect the usual mix of dance, song, fiddle, accordion, guitar and mixed-instrument, with a programme that’s fluid enough for you to move from group to group should you wish. Throughout the week, we will work towards a full-group ensemble piece, with the whole summer school, a powerful way of bringing everything we do, and all the participants together, in one shared experience, allowing you to learn about how to structure a performance, work together, use all levels of skills (in small and large groups) – and create something that’s amazing and all inclusive!
Who’s it For?
Singers, dancers and musicians of all ages and levels of experience; there’s something for everyone! Please let us know your preferred main group when booking – but be assured, you’ll be able to move between groups should you wish!
Choose from:
Dance
Voice
Guitar
Fiddle
Piano Accordion
Mixed instrument Band
https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/folk-summer-school-5/
Friday night concert, the Sam Sweeny Band
Saturday Ranagri
Sunday Seth Lakeman
Plus more!
https://www.lymefolk.com
We are DELIGHTED to announce our FIFTH ‘Dances of Poldark’ weekend! This weekend is for dancers of all abilities to learn and enjoy some of the elegant and lively 18th Century dances featured in the BBC’s adaptation of Winston Graham’s ‘Poldark’ novels.
Led by dancing-master Stuart Marsden, choreographer of the BBC Poldark series. Further details will follow but as previous courses have sold out fast, do book your place asap to avoid disappointment.
Dancing and music in 18th Century England was at the centre of society and therefore essential to the plot of its novelists. Halsway Manor offers a weekend away to explore the dances and music of this ‘Georgeous’ period written about and captured on camera in BBC’s adaptation of the novels of Winston Graham’s ‘Poldark’.
We promise not recreate the 18th Century ‘baroque stage & court dances’ but do promise to bring the exquisite 18th century country dance steps, rhythms and sounds into our ballroom for all to enjoy – in the lovely setting of Halsway Manor!
This course is for all levels of experience and will be tailored to the abilities of each dancer. Costume of the period is welcome – and encouraged – but not necessary.
Stuart Marsden has worked as choreographer and dancing master for many historical TV dramas, documentaries & theatre productions including Poldark, ‘Pride & Prejudice Having a Ball’ (BBC2) and ‘The Georgians- Behind Closed Doors’ (BBC4). He is a respected researcher, caller and teacher of historical dance.
The house band – known as ‘The Warleggan Band’ – appeared in Series One and Two of ‘Poldark’. Matthew Coatsworth (violin) also plays in Boldwood. Chris Green (guitar) plays in The Playford Liberation Front and GreenMatthews. Richard Heacock (violin) recorded the dance music for ‘Poldark’, and is a regular tutor (with Paul Hutchinson and Karen Wimhurst) on the successful ‘Playing Playford’ courses at Halsway.
https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/dances-of-poldark-weekend-4/
+ support Dom Prag
Following the success of his first tour back after the pandemic, earlier this year, Gaz Brookfield is returning to The David Hall, playing songs from his extensive back catalogue, and from his new album, Idiomatic.
Idiomatic came out in November 2020, and went straight into The Official Download Charts at number 10, and the Official Indie Album Charts at number 20.
Gaz’s brand of upbeat, Folk-ish music is sure to get your face smiling and your foot tapping. In his songs, Gaz tackles all of life’s many facets, whether it’s love, laughter, travel, loss, addiction, health issues, or van trouble. Sometimes happy, sometimes sad, but always delivered with a wry smile, witty lyrics, and tongue firmly planted in cheek.
8:00 pm
Tickets: £15/ £14 Concessions
https://www.thedavidhall.com/event/gaz-brookfield-with-support-dom-prag/
Grant help may be available: The Sarah Morgan Foundation is offering Grants of £500 for the promotion of English / Traditional Song. More info...
A weekend of joyous singing led by Carolyn Robson, Paul Sartin and Lester Simpson. Drawing on modern as well as traditional material, we will be looking at arranging and performance for unaccompanied voices, helping you to get the best out of your voice, and to guide you to a better performance. We will be using songs from a variety of sources and styles, but the main focus would be on harmony singing and celebrating raising lots of voices together, and early Autumn is a lovely time to get outside and sing too!
So come and join us and ‘Let Music Be In All Our Hearts’
Who’s it For?
Singers of all levels of experience and ability are welcome. You won’t be needing to sing on your own during workshops, although those who want to lead songs in the evenings will be very welcome to do so. Bring instruments too for evening sessions
https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/let-music-be-in-all-our-hearts/
Multi-award winner Charlie Dore a genre-defying evening of ‘intriguingly other’ eclectic, Contemporary Folk – bursting with earworms and crunchy lyrics.
Charlie and her long-time collaborator Julian Littman of Steeleye Span will swap guitars, piano, mandolin, harmonium, ukuleles, banjo and stories as they showcase songs from her newest album, ‘Like Animals’ alongside favourites from the past seven albums. Even though this show is in Autumn, the pair also plan to fly in the face of seasonal tradition and share three songs from her popular newest release, the EP ‘The Man Who Built Christmas’ on the basis that a good song isn’t just for Christmas.
Prepare to be entertained.
www.charliedore.com
8.00 pm
Tickets: £16 Full, £15 concessions
https://www.thedavidhall.com/event/charlie-dore-with-julian-littman/
An un-tutored course for experienced singers and players of early instruments. Non-fixed ensembles of recorders and viols form the main part of the week with a variety of small singing groups depending on participants. Evening sessions for all are conducted and include music for instruments and voices. All of these sessions are at 440 pitch. We usually have harpsichords available and arrange chamber groups at 440 and 415 and are also able to welcome baroque oboe, flute, and violin as second instruments. Cornett, cornamuse, sackbut, curtal and crumhorn are also welcome as second instruments and we can usually arrange sessions for these. The repertoire is primarily renaissance and baroque.
Who’s it For?
The association organises two meeting a year (end May and mid-September). Those who wish to join us must be experienced on viol and/or recorder, able to play one to a part, and be good sight readers. We welcome additional harpsichords (the owner will not be expected to play continuo exclusively all week).
The Team
This course is a partnership event, organised by The Voices, Viols and Recorders Association who can be contacted via Halsway Manor or directly through our email vvr-association AT hotmail.com
For more information and to book please contact:
Email: vvr-association AT hotmail.com
https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/voices-viols-recorders-association/
A weekend of workshops, ensemble playing, sessions, a concert and more! Hosted by Vicki Swan, we’re delighted to confirm Johan Lång will be joining us from Sweden, and Kirsty Money from Canada. We’ll also have a maker on-hand to offer advice and assist with small fixes.
Come and explore a diverse range of repertoire, and meet, play and socialise with other players and enthusiasts!
Who’s it For?
The weekend is for players of all abilities except complete beginners to explore a range of repertoire, and to meet, play and socialise with other players!
https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/harpas-at-halsway-nyckelharpa-festival-5/
3.00pm - 5.45 pm.
£5 per person.
Bring and share tea. No partner necessary.
For more information: Jan Harris 01202 427523. janharris16 AT hotmail.co.uk.
A Saturday evening gig from our International line-up of tutors for our Harpas Festival Weekend! See and hear the Nyckelharpa – a traditional Swedish ‘keyed fiddle’ – in the hands of three of Europe’s finest exponents of the instrument – Vicki Swan, Johan Lang and Kirsty Money.
Vicki Swan studied at the Royal College of Music on the double bass. She also plays the various types of bagpipes, flute, recorder, piano and nyckelharpa. On leaving music college Vicki started down the long path of folk music and was only seen on rare glimpses back in classical orchestras. You’ll find Vicki now inhabiting the troll ridden forests on the hunt for new and exciting tunes from the näcken. Vicki plays not only the standard 3-row modern chromatic, but also the 1408 sienaharpa, the 1526 moraharpa, the 1700s kontrabasharpa and the 1800s silverbasharpa. Over the pandemic Vicki has worked tirelessly on a Virtual Music Room to try to help isolated nyckelharpa players remain motivated and focussed on playing and learning. Chances are after all this time alone at home she won’t stop talking at the Halsway weekend….
Johan Lång was born and raised in Uppsala, Sweden, and at the age of 16 he became fascinated by the traditional Swedish instrument called ”nyckelharpa” and the soundscapes it is able to produce. As a ‘Riksspelmanʼ he is an acknowledged practician of traditional Swedish music and has earlier studied at the Royal Collage of Music in Stockholm. Today he’s active as both a musician and a teacher. In Eir, Johan uses the ethereal sound of the nyckelharpa to illustrate different ambiences, be it the wind caressing the top of a mountain or the frigidity of a winter’s morning. https://eirmusicduo.se
Kirsty Money: Coming from Canada, Kirsty is a violinist in Symphony Nova Scotia. Since taking up the nyckelharpa Kirsty has studied intensely and through grants from the Canada Council and Arts Nova Scotia she has been to nyckelharpa workshops and festivals in Sweden, the UK and Germany. Principal mentors include Olov Johansson, Josefina Paulson, Magnus Holmström and David Eriksson.
Kirsty is a member of the String Faculty at the Maritime Conservatory of Music and is an extremely experienced violin and viola teacher. She will be bringing her own flavour of inspirational teaching to Halsway this September.
https://kirstymoney.ca/
8pm–10pm
£12 adult
£6 concession for those in full time education.
https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/gig-harpas-concert/
Peggy Seeger is a totally unique artist who has carved a special place in the UK folk revival. Making a very welcome visit to the Arts Centre on her rescheduled ‘First Farewell Tour’, the charismatic Peggy - singer, songwriter, feminist, icon, Ewan MacColl’s partner and muse - is the undisputed queen of folk and political song. Join Peggy and her son Neill MacColl for a glorious evening of up-close performance by these two world class musicians.
https://bridgwaterartscentre.cloudvenue.co.uk/peggyseegerneillmaccoll
https://www.bridgwaterartscentre.co.uk
Tim Edey is a completely self-taught guitarist and has shared stages holding his own with people like Ry Cooder and Martin Simpson, playing now almost wholly in dropped d tuning (1 x drop d) which he started after listening to and meeting the legendary Irish guitarist, Steve Cooney.
Learn how 1 dropped d tuning will open up your Folk/Celtic playing and also some tricks and basic chords and tunes.
Workshop Fee: £15 per person
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
https://www.thedavidhall.com/event/tim-edey-guitar-workshop/
Tim Edey (BBC Radio Two’s Musician Of The Year 2012 – Radio 2 Folk Awards) multi-instrumentalist and singer, has toured the world and recorded with most of the major names in Celtic/Contemporary roots music including; The Chieftains, Christy Moore, Sharon Shannon, Natalie MacMaster, Altan, Capercaillie, Brendan Power, Michael McGoldrick, Seamus Begley, Dougie Maclean, The Barra MacNeills, JP Cormier, Shaun Davey, Session A9, Lunasa, Vinnie Kilduff, Mary Black, Session A9, Julie Fowlis, Frankie Gavin to name but a few…
Tickets: £16 Full. £15 Concessions
8.00 pm
https://www.thedavidhall.com/event/tim-edey/
Workshops are led by Julia Catovsky, who will teach tunes and harmonies 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 on the door. Cheaper in advance via the website
info AT sherbornefolkband.org
Julia: 07527 508 277
www.sherbornefolkband.org
Our Guitar Study Week is an intensive and enjoyable guitar-school for steel-string acoustic guitarists, led by three fantastic tutors. Tristan Seume and Vera Van Heeringen as tutors this year, together with Dave Malkin who we are delighted to be welcoming to the Manor for the first time. You’ll have the opportunity to spend a day with each of the tutors in workshops aiming to develop your technique, skills and repertoire – and provide for an enjoyable week of guitar playing in the manor.
The week will help you to develop your skills and confidence, with options to explore finger style, flat-picking, alternative and open tunings, arranging tunes and song accompaniment, chord vocabulary, and useful theory too. Whole group, smaller group and one-to-one teaching, to leave you enthused and inspired! There will be down-time too, for you to practise, jam, socialise and spend quality time with your instrument.
The tutor team bring with them a wealth of knowledge and experience embracing a variety of styles. The programme for the week will be tailored to the experience and needs of the group. An indicating outline of what each tutor plans to offer is below:
Dave will focus on developing a solid technical foundation, where traditional music and Western-classical music diverge, thinking of the guitar as an orchestra, celebrating the idiosyncrasies of the instrument, diatonic harmony, clave, tone and interpreting English music for the 21st century, all in standard tuning and with a plectrum.
Tristan specialises in fingerstyle guitar, arranging traditional tunes and accompanying songs predominantly using CGDGCD tuning. This beautiful and versatile modal tuning remains curiously overlooked in favour of more commonly explored DADGAD, open D and open G tunings. Tristan will explore the tuning’s potential from the ground up whilst referencing and relating to other, more familiar tunings. We will work through the fundamentals, beginning with useful, go-to chord shapes and patterns and progress through developing left- and right-hand techniques, incorporating open strings, drones and harmony within the context of traditional repertoire.
Vera is a specialist on flatpicking and cross-picking techniques, playing mostly American guitar and fiddle tunes. With an emphasis on confidence and strength in both lead and backup playing, she’ll be exploring how to put the groove into tunes with rhythmic melodies. Vera will focus on creating smooth and clean solos, bass runs and fills with an emphasis on efficiency of movement, which will enrich both your solo and band playing. (For guitar in standard tuning, this course requires a plectrum).
https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/guitar-week-2/
Join us for an informal concert by our guitar workshop week tutors, Vera Van Herringen, Tristan Seume and Dave Malkin. Course participants are also invited to perform.
Dave Malkin studied the classical guitar at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance with Graham Devine. He is one half of Dipper Malkin, alongside John Dipper and his 14-string viola d’amore. The duos debut album, Tricks Of The Trade was included in The Times’ ‘Top 100 Albums of 2017’. He has performed at some of the UK’s most illustrious venues, including St John’s Smith Square, Royal Festival Hall, Union Chapel and LSO St Luke’s. His screen credits include the hit comedy-drama Fleabag, the BBC’s Black Power: A British Story of Resistance, executive produced by Steve McQueen, Amazon’s recent four-part documentary The Curse of the Chippendales, ITV’s Vanity Fair and Channel 4’s BAFTA nominated Surviving Covid.
Tristan Seume is acclaimed as one of the UK’s leading acoustic guitarists, and has toured all over Europe both as a soloist and a sought-after accompanist. His two solo albums, You Just Know and Middle Child mix handcrafted originals with beautiful interpretations of traditional and contemporary tunes. He performs regularly with BBC Radio 2 Folk Award-winning artist Jackie Oates, and has recorded and played with many other artists on the UK folk scene.
Vera Van Heeringen is an accomplished and highly acclaimed multi-instrumentalist and songwriter. She was part of the brilliantly comedic New Rope String Band for five years and has toured with several Cajun and Old time greats such as Dirk Powell and Sheryl Cormier. In recent years Vera has been performing with her own trio and has just released her third album ‘Won’t be Broken’ which has been described by the press as her best yet. Vera has taught guitar for over 10 years and is known for her inclusive approach which aims to inspire in a laid back and enjoyable way.
8pm–9:30pm
£12
https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/guitar-concert-van-herringen-seume-and-malkin/
Mad Dog Mcrea blend a unique mixture of folk rock, pop, gypsy jazz, bluegrass and ‘shake your ass’ music. From self-penned songs of adventure, drinking, love and life, to traditional songs of gypsies, fairies, legless pirates and black flies – Mad Dog never fail to capture their audience with their infectious songs. In constant demand and having played just about every festival and two-bit, jibe-arsed dive in Christendom, Mad Dog Mcrea are, in every sense of the word, a live, band.
The famous purple happy bus is fired up and ready for action, and there’s room for you – jump aboard!
Tickets: £21. No concessions
8.00 pm
https://www.thedavidhall.com/event/mad-dog-mcrea-a-chance-to-dance-event/
Petherton Arts Trust is encouraging more local performers of all genres to come to The David Hall and perform on a professional stage.
All types of performance welcome – The David Hall has had music, comedy, poetry, dance…. Everyone has the opportunity to deliver for 10 – 15 minutes with full PA and lighting.
If you would like to attend Acoustic Night as a performer or audience member please e-mail Chris Watts at folk AT chriswatts.org or call 07715501157. Payment is on the door.
7:30 pm
https://www.thedavidhall.com/home-page/
The Violin making workshops are extremely popular at Halsway Manor, with many of the participants coming back year after year. The workshop gives maximum continuous time at the workbench supported by Neville Gardner, who has been teaching violin making for the last sixteen years. He is joined by Corrie Schrijver. The group size is necessarily small to ensure that each tutor can give participants plenty of patient and knowledgeable support.
Start 2pm Mon; depart after lunch on Fri.
Who’s it For?
This course is for all levels of ability and beginners are very welcome. As well as the violin family, support can also be given for making a rebec (an ancient ancestor of the violin). The class size is limited so that participants have plenty of support from the two tutors. Before enrolling please contact Neville Gardner – Neville AT nevillejgardner.co.uk – to discuss the suitability of the course for your needs.
The Team
Neville Gardner was a University Lecturer and has been teaching violin making for over twenty years.
Corrie Schrijver graduated from the Welsh School of Violin Making, with Merit in 1980. Since then she has worked at various workshops, making and restoring for professional players.
https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/violin-making-10/
North Devon duo Nick Wyke & Becki Driscoll share a love of traditional English fiddle music and also compose their own tunes. We are delighted to be welcoming Dave Shepherd, an extraordinarily talented musician and teacher, to join them as our guest tutor for 2022.
Workshops include technique, expression and repertoire (using our extensive folk library) and there will be plenty of time to play together and receive some individual help. This is an intensive weekend of workshops for fiddle players of all ages who can play folk dance tunes up to tempo either from the music provided, or by ear. Some music will be supplied in advance. Other tunes will be chosen at the event in response to participants’ requests – a Saturday afternoon ‘Open Space’ session offers a chance for workshops on areas requested by course participants, and for individual tuition.
https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/autumn-fiddle-weekend/
Join us for an evening of fiddle music. North Devon duo Nick Wyke & Becki Driscoll share a love of traditional English fiddle music and also compose their own tunes. We are also delighted to be welcoming Dave Shepherd, an extraordinarily talented musician playing fiddle in his own take on the English and European traditions.
The musical partnership of Nick Wyke & Becki Driscoll has its roots in the traditional music of South West England but explores a contemporary sound that draws on inspiration from across the globe. Their latest album Cold Light bridges the gap between past and present with a mixture of traditional dance tunes, new compositions and self-penned songs. Nick & Becki are expert workshop leaders as well as performers and have a number of projects on offer alongside their duo repertoire.
https://englishfiddle.com/
David Shepherd
Grew up with traditional music and dance in his native Yorkshire where his father was a dancer with the Grenoside Traditional Sword Dance Team (Dave plays the fiddle that once belonged to Walter Fleetwood, Grenoside’s musician for five decades). He took up the fiddle when he was 12 after his family moved to London and played for morris and country dancing. Later Dave discovered the various European fiddle traditions which led him to see English music and dance in a different light. He is best known as the fiddler in Blowzabella and over the years has developed a distinctive style. Several of Dave’s compositions have become standards both here and in Europe.
As well as playing in Blowzabella he has played in a duo with Becky Price, currently plays with Belgian accordion player Simon Gielen, and more recently has begun researching the English dance tradition and formed a duo with diatonic accordionist Anna Pack to present dance workshops and play for dancing.
Dave is currently is researching English traditional dance and music and the results of this show a very different dance and music culture to what is generally perceived to be the case in the present day folk revival. He is now presenting a series of workshops in various parts of the country in which he shares the results of his research, particularly in English fiddle music and dance.
8pm–10pm
£12 adult
£6 students in full time education
https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/gig-fiddle-concert/
Formed in Beirut, the band returned to the UK in 2016 and set to performing tirelessly up and down the country, leading to BBC Radio 2’s Mark Radcliffe hailing them as “one of the real discoveries on the Folk circuit in recent times.” Their debut album, Hide and Hair, gained attention in national publications, receives repeated national airplay on BBC Radio 2 and BBC 6 Music, and won Best Album at the 2019 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.
Following a year of wall-to-wall touring across the UK, Europe, and North America in 2019, the band’s march was halted by the live silence of the global pandemic. Now, they emerge from their chrysalis transformed. As ever, ‘The Trials Continue’ – but this time the multi- talented instrumentalist and singer Polly Bolton joins their ranks.
Plus Support from Craig and Alex Priddice
Tickets: £16 Full. £15 Concessions
8.00 - 11.00 pm
https://www.thedavidhall.com/event/the-trials-of-cato/
Our American Contra Dance weeks are tremendously popular and often sell well out in advance so we really do encourage early booking! Hosted by Meg Winters our Autumn dance week is led by a great all-American team of caller Sue Rosen and musicians Bruce Rosen (piano, guitar) & George Wilson (fiddle). Dance workshops take place each morning with fun optional outings and activities in the afternoons. There is usually a musicians’ workshop Wednesday tea-time, so bring instruments too. Dances every evening, all in the lovely setting of Halsway Manor!
Who’s it For
Dancers of all levels of experience; newcomers to Contra are welcome (though some related dance experience would be useful), with plenty to challenge more experienced dancers too!
https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/autumn-american-contra-dance-week-2/
Indomitable folk musician and ornate songstress, Lizzy Hardingham, is paving her way as a powerhouse performer with “beautifully delivered songs that sing straight to the heart”.
This paragon of vocal vigour and songwriting sorcery has supported the likes of Lady Maisery, Gilmore&Roberts and Bob Fox (to name a few) and is emerging gracefully into the world of headline shows. 2019 saw her storm the UK folk club and festival scene, including Cambridge Folk Festival, while in 2020 she captivated online audiences with “a voice that could fill a stadium and the sensitivity to bring a room to attentive silence”. During 2021 Lizzy worked closely with the English Folk Expo and Michael Hughes, focusing on “firmly nailing her place as one of the rising stars of the folk scene”.
7:45PM
Ticket Prices Standard from £12
https://www.thebrewhouse.net/?event=lizzy-hardingham
This enjoyable partnership event is arranged by Weymouth Scottish Country Dancers. The weekend combines classes with social dancing, seeking to help participants to enhance their skills, knowledge and expertise in traditional Scottish country dance.
Who’s it For?
The weekend is open to all (non club members welcome), but it’s suggested that participants should have at least two years’ experience in Scottish country dancing.
The Team
This partnership event is organised by Weymouth Scottish Country Dancers. Di Rooney will lead the dance instruction this, with musician Ian Robertson.
Partnership Event
For more information and to book please contact Valerie Scriven:
Tel: 01305 265177
Email: valtom123 AT btinternet.com
https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/weymouth-scottish-country-dancers/
Dallahan is one of the most distinct forces in the international folk music scene. Forged in Scotland and Ireland’s traditional music community, but drawing on the traditional music styles of the Balkans and North America, they create an original and seamless musical montage, blending their contemporary influences from jazz, funk, and pop music. Dallahan take their listeners on a journey, traversing styles and countries of the world in a dazzling live show, creating their own unique brand of World-folk delivered with stunning virtuosity. The lineup consists of Jack Badcock on guitar and vocals, Ciaran Ryan on banjo, mandolin and fiddle, Andrew Waite on accordion and Benedict Morris on fiddle.
Tickets: £16 Full/£15 Concessions.
www.dallahanmusic.com
8.00 pm
https://www.thedavidhall.com/event/dallahan/
+ Support: Good Habits)
South-west based duo Jacob & Drinkwater have been called “stand out new folk” by BBC6 Music with their live show described as “intense and spellbinding” by Folk Radio UK. The duo formed in 2014 playing their first gig together at the iconic Glastonbury Festival.
The duo’s dynamic and emotionally charged live show with all its energy, musical chemistry and spontaneity has drawn comparisons with the virtuosic pairing of John Martyn and Danny Thompson. Jacob’s sweeping vocals never fail to captivate, delivering many a spine-tingling moment; the fluidity and precision of his finger-picking underpinned by Drinkwater’s nimbly rhythmic double bass; at times sweetly soaring, haunting, percussive and driving, the layers of depth a perfect counterfoil. The added complement of stirring vocal harmonies nicely rounds off the mix.
Jacob & Drinkwater’s latest album ‘More Notes from the Field’, released October 2021, is an exploration of the theme of friendship and connection through song. Written and developed remotely between the duo’s lockdown homes in Bydgoszcz, Poland and Stroud, Gloucestershire, Tobias & Lukas made their most ambitious recording to date.
Singer-songwriter Tobias ben Jacob first received wider acclaim as part of The Roots Union with BBC Folk Award winners Phillip Henry & Hannah Martin (Edgelarks) including playing live for the BBC at Maida Vale Studios and recording in Nashville, Tennessee. He has toured extensively and had several releases including the 2017 album ‘A Polyphonic Life’ Tobias’ songs have been featured in the documentary film Beating The Bomb and in the feature film Tomorrow.
Lukas Drinkwater is rightly referred to as “one of busiest musicians in the UK.” In demand as a producer, performer and session player in the worlds of folk and jazz he has featured on many acclaimed albums. Recently he’s been touring with ‘AMA UK Artist of the Year’ Emily Barker, Albert Jones, Ange Hardy, and the Peoples String Foundation. He has also worked with Seth Lakeman, 3 Daft Monkeys, Jim Causley, Lack of Afro, Lucy Ward, Tankus The Henge, Sam Kelly, The Little Unsaid and many more.
£14.00
Doors 7.30 Music 8pm
Contact Leonardo MacKenzie: 07780 847867
info AT bournemouthfolkclub.com
https://bournemouthfolkclub.com/
3.00pm - 5.45 pm.
£5 per person.
Bring and share tea. No partner necessary.
For more information: Jan Harris 01202 427523. janharris16 AT hotmail.co.uk.
With more than 25 years of unrivaled musical partnership and gathering numerous nominations, awards and critical acclaim along the way, much beloved British singer-songwriters Chris While and Julie Matthews celebrated a quarter of a century last year as one of the best loved and most prolific female duos to come out of this country. They should have been touring in May 2020 with the fantastic Daphne’s Flight and as the duo in October 2020.
They have played more than 2,600 gigs, appeared on over 100 albums, written hundreds of original songs and reached millions of people around the world. Now, 27 years after their debut, they sound as fresh and vital as ever on their most recent and 11th studio album, Revolution Calls.
Tickets: £16 Full. £15 Concessions
8:00 pm - 11:00 pm
https://www.thedavidhall.com/event/chris-while-and-julie-matthews/
Join England’s first storyteller Laureate, Taffy Thomas MBE and a hand-picked team of guests for a weekend of workshops, performances and presentations to stir the heart and feed the soul.
Storytellers are often guided by the seasons in the tales they choose to tell. To celebrate the Autumn season when our weekend takes place, the Tales in Trust team present a programme of tales, tunes & crafts that celebrate ‘Harvest’. Passing on this wealth of folklore to storytellers and listeners alike, we hope to ensure ‘all is safely gathered in’ for future generations.
This year alongside host Taffy will be guests Dave Tonge (the Norwich Yarnsmith), award-winning musician, singer & dancer Mossy Christian, and our story round MC Richard York (musician & storyteller).
https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/tales-in-trust-2022/
Join us for our annual ceilidh and story rounds with a delicious home cooked evening meal followed by tales and tunes to warm your heart. To celebrate the Autumn season the Tales in Trust team present a programme that celebrates ‘Harvest’. Passing on this wealth of folklore to storytellers and listeners alike, we hope to ensure ‘all is safely gathered in’ for future generations.
This year alongside host Taffy will be guests Dave Tonge (the Norwich Yarnsmith), award-winning musician, singer & dancer Mossy Christian, and our story round MC Richard York (musician & storyteller).
Taffy Thomas MBE, England’s first storyteller laureate Taffy is the patron of The Society for Storytelling. Taffy received The English Folk Dance and Song Society Gold Badge award in December 2010. With Taffy’s head bursting with stories, riddles and folklore, professional storyteller Giles Abbot once commented, “when Taffy goes it will be like a library burning down.”
Mossy Christian: Award winning professional musician, singer, and dancer, Mossy Christian specialises in the musical traditions of Lincolnshire and Yorkshire. Drawing on a rich and diverse repertoire of traditional dance tunes and folk songs, charting the lives of everyday people, in their work and recreation, from the 1700s to the present day. Delighting audiences across the UK, with performances at festivals and folk clubs from Whitby to Sidmouth, Morpeth to Nottingham, his shows are a treat not to be missed. As a respected researcher, Mossy has presented and published multiple papers, on subjects including: ‘The Midwinter Traditions of Lincolnshire’, ‘The Musical Pennock Family of Goathland’, and the folk-song collectors Frank & Ethel Kidson.
Dave Tonge – the Yarnsmith of Norwich – is an author, historian and professional storyteller from Norfolk. Dave has been telling tales for over 20 years, traveling the land and spinning yarns at museums, heritage sites, festivals, fayres and schools all over the UK, including Halsway! His books ‘Tudor Folk Tales’, ‘Norfolk Folk Tales for Children’ and ‘Medieval Folk Tales for Children’ are available from The History Press.
6pm–10pm, 2022
£20 includes a delicious home cooked meal.
Please advise us at the time of booking if you have any special dietary requirements.
https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/gig-the-storytellers-supper/
Partnership Event
To find out more, visit www.efdss.org/youthfolk
The National Youth Folk Ensemble celebrates excellence in youth folk music, bringing together talented 14-18 year old instrumentalists from across England to create and perform inspiring new arrangements of folk music. Sam Partridge, Artistic Director will be joined by a team of leading folk musician-tutors.
The National Youth Folk Ensemble is an English Folk Dance and Song Society programme funded by Arts Council England. To find out more, visit www.efdss.org/youthfolk
Who’s it For?
To start your application for the 2022/23 Ensemble you need to sign-up to attend one of the NYFE Sampler Days which take place at locations across the UK. To find out more, visit www.efdss.org/youthfolk
EFDSS are looking for confident instrumentalists aged 14-18 who are dedicated to developing as folk musicians and excited about collaborating with others who share their passion!
The Team
Sam Partridge is an outstanding multi-instrumentalist and composer most often seen performing on timber flute, whistle and English concertina. Growing up in the High Peak, he galvanised his musical ability through studying classical bassoon at Junior RNCM. After falling in love with folk music through local weekly sessions in Glossop, he chose to study on the Folk and Traditional Music Degree at Newcastle University. While in Newcastle Sam immersed himself in the strong woodwind traditions of Irish, Scottish and Breton traditional music. He spent time at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the University of Limerick and subsequently embraced traditional English music through a Masters degree at Newcastle University.
Sam is a member of Pons Aelius, The Rachel Hamer Band, Jordan Aikin and Bad Phantom, and has recently formed an exciting duo with fiddle player and clog dancer Grace Smith. With broad musical interests, including jazz and composition, he is a highly skilled and committed educator who has experience teaching on the Folkworks programme at Sage Gateshead and at Folkworks Summer Schools; tutoring at Newcastle University; working as a music teacher in a secondary school; and leading other youth and adult folk music learning projects across the north of England. In 2017 he was involved in a teaching and performance project at Xiamen University in China, and he has taught at a number of National Youth Folk Ensemble residential courses.
https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/national-youth-folk-ensemble-4/
It’s all about folk song, and it’s all in good company! Whether you want a damn good sing in the bar, to hear and share new songs, to improve your voice or to create songs of your own, this is the weekend for you.
Bob & Gill Berry host this all singing weekend, with guest leaders Marianne McAleer and JIB (Jim Mageean with Ingrid and Barry Temple).
Singers of all ages (teenagers to pensioners) and abilities are welcome to join the fun, in the comfortable and relaxed surroundings of Halsway Manor. ‘Singin’ in the Bar’ (with everyone having a chance to lead chorus songs or share their favourites – if they want to) when the bar is open, and opportunities to explore songs and individual singing in between, learn how to look after your voice and performance, or have a ramble around the glorious countryside – it’s up to you! You’re welcome to bring accompanying instruments if you wish. The extensive folk library will also be open throughout the weekend should you wish to delve into the collection.
There’s also the option of staying on for the Sunday night: 5pm Leaders’ Concert, followed by supper and a Survivors’ Song Session!
Who’s it For?
This is a friendly weekend is for singers of all ages and abilities to enjoy and explore traditional song in a convivial and supportive atmosphere, with opportunities to learn how to look after and improve your voice and performance.
https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/give-voice-7/
Workshops are led by Julia Catovsky, who will teach tunes and harmonies 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 on the door. Cheaper in advance via the website
info AT sherbornefolkband.org
Julia: 07527 508 277
www.sherbornefolkband.org
An informal performance by the leaders of the Give Voice weekend. This year Bob & Gill Berry host this all singing weekend, with guest leaders Marianne McAleer and JIB (Jim Mageean with Ingrid and Barry Temple).
There’s also the option to stay on for a Sunday evening Survivors’ Session, supper and B&B if you so wish!
Bob & Gill Berry are a duo that sing and play traditional and contemporary folk music and songs from the English tradition. They are particularly interested in their adopted county of Wiltshire and the surrounding counties for their music sources.
JIB is a trio recently formed by Jim Mageean with Ingrid and Barry Temple. Jim Mageean has made his name over many years as an authority on sea songs and songs from the North-East. Also from Newcastle upon Tyne, Barrie and Ingrid sing mostly unaccompanied, though Barrie adds concertina or guitar accompaniment to some of their songs, which are mainly traditional with both serious and humorous content. Barrie’s own songs, which are written in the traditional style, have added further to their reputation in the folk world. With a charming stage manner and their well-matched voices, this relatively new trio is a combination not to be missed.
Marianne McAleer. Marianne was born into the vibrant London-Irish community of Kilburn, where she learned her earliest songs from her Cavan father, Jim McPhillips. Although she sings in a number of styles, Marianne is best known for traditional Irish songs – learned during her frequent trips back to Ireland, where she is a familiar singer at festivals around the country. Marianne is a multi-award winner at both the All Britain and All Ireland Fleadh Cheoil. She is the current champion on this side of the water, in both Lilting and Singing in Irish, and is likely to lilt if the need for a dance arises before the fiddler has reached the crossroads!
5pm–6:30pm (Note unusual time)
£6 or £5 concession for those in full time education book online
Optional addition: Stay on for Sunday supper, session in the bar and B&B on the Sunday Night £45 please call or email to book.
https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/gig-give-voice-leaders-concert/
Petherton Arts Trust is encouraging more local performers of all genres to come to The David Hall and perform on a professional stage.
All types of performance welcome – The David Hall has had music, comedy, poetry, dance…. Everyone has the opportunity to deliver for 10 – 15 minutes with full PA and lighting.
If you would like to attend Acoustic Night as a performer or audience member please e-mail Chris Watts at folk AT chriswatts.org or call 07715501157. Payment is on the door.
7:30 pm
https://www.thedavidhall.com/home-page/
(and other 18th century tunes)
Do you ever buy a tune book hoping to add your repertoire with some lesser known but excellent tunes only to experience disappointment? This was certainly Paul Hutchinson’s experience until three very rare books came into his possession, packed with musical gems…
The discovery has led to a new tunebook and CD, plus this extended workshop opportunity to share Paul’s discovery and delve into the 60 tunes contained in these books: ‘12 Fashionable Country Dances for the Year 1800’, ‘24 Country Dances for the Year 1796’ and ‘Cahusac’s Annual Collection of 24 Favourite Country Dances for the Year 1800’. Paul will share a variety of great tunes – of which ‘The Maniac’ is a re-current favourite.
If you would like to learn some new material for country dances this week long course will be a lovely opportunity to do so. If you’ve been to one of Paul’s earlier ‘Maniac’ Weeks be assured you’ll be looking at different material this time!
Who’s it For?
This course is for players of all instruments and will be aimed at intermediate level and above so you will need to be able to read music.
The Tutor
Paul Hutchinson studied piano and church organ before being persuaded at the age of 17 to take up the accordion and form a ceilidh band. Since then he’s become one of the best-known and in demand players on the folk scene – in the UK and beyond – as one half of duo Belshazzar’s Feast, with trio Hoover the Dog, Pagoda Project (with Karen Wimhurst), and PLF. Paul is a regular tutor and musician at Halsway Manor, and the accordion tutor for EFDSS at Cecil Sharp House.
https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/the-maniac-2022/
Westcountry folk singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Seth Lakeman released stunning new studio album Make Your Mark in November 2021.
Written during his enforced 18 months off the road, the album features 14 powerful, brand-new songs including the first single Higher We Aspire which was playlisted at BBC Radio 2.
Inspiration for the songs on his 11th studio album came from a range of subjects – from the environment to love, death and self-belief.
Recorded at Middle Farm Studios in Devon and produced by Seth himself, the album was released on his own label, Honour Oak Records.
Seth Lakeman was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize in 2005 for ‘Kitty Jay’. It catapulted Lakeman into the forefront of the new British folk movement and his follow up was the gold-selling ‘Freedom Fields’ which was released twice in 2006. Produced by his brother Sean Lakeman it came out on iScream and was then re-released by Relentless (EMI) where it went on to become Seth’s first of 6 UK Top 40 albums.
To celebrate the 15th anniversary in 2021 Seth played a worldwide online concert stream with his band playing the album which includes ‘Lady of the Sea’, ‘King and Country’ and ‘White Hare’, released a Deluxe Edition of the album on CD & Vinyl with bonus tracks and unreleased demos and toured in November playing the album in its entirety.
www.sethlakeman.co.uk
8.00 pm
£26 adv & on door
https://www.electricpalace.org.uk/events/event/seth-lakeman-support/
Calan are a multi-award-winning Welsh Folk band comprising of five virtuoso musicians who formed after they met at a Folk music course in Sweden. They won international acclaim at the world-renowned Inter-Celtic Festival in Lorient, France, where they would eventually become the first Welsh ensemble to win the coveted International Band Trophy. In April 2019, they were voted Best Band at the inaugural Wales Folk Awards.
Calan are: Bethan Rhiannon (accordion, vocals, clog dancing); Patrick Rimes (fiddle, Welsh bagpipes); Angharad Jenkins (fiddle); Sam Humphreys (guitar); and Shelley Musker-Turner (harp).
Tickets: £18 / £17 concessions
8.00 pm
https://www.thedavidhall.com/event/calan/
Lucy and Andrew first met while performing with the award-winning ‘Eliza Carthy and the Wayward Band’ (‘Best Band in Europe’, Songlines). At the end of those tours, they fostered their close bond throughout the coming years to not only remain close friends, but also to encourage each other’s musical passions.
Finding an international audience among artists such like the Unthanks and the Weather Station, 2017 ‘BBC Radio 2 Folk Award’ winner Lucy Farrell is not only awarded as a renowned composer and singer, but also as a viola, fiddle and tenor guitar player.
‘BBC Young Traditional Musician of the Year’ finalist and ‘Up and Coming Act of the Year’ (Na Trads) nominee Andrew Waite is well established as one of the UK’s most accomplished accordion players.
Tickets: £16 Full. £15 Concessions
8.00 pm
https://www.thedavidhall.com/event/lucy-farrell-and-andrew-waite/
Contemporary folk/acoustic duo Gilmore & Roberts combine award- winning songwriting with astounding musicianship and their trademark harmonies to create a powerful wall of sound.
Nominated three times at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, Katriona Gilmore (fiddle, mandolin) and Jamie Roberts (guitar) met while studying at Leeds College of Music and released their debut album in 2008.
Since then, the duo have toured Canada and mainland Europe, played some of the UK’s biggest acoustic festivals, toured with folk rock legends Fairport Convention and won countless accolades for their genre-spanning work. Gilmore & Roberts released their fifth studio album, A Problem Of Our Kind, in October 2018.
Katriona Gilmore grew up in Knebworth, Hertfordshire, learned violin at school and started playing local folk clubs with her guitarist father at the age of 14. Starting her professional career with folk pop sensations Tiny Tin Lady and singer songwriter Rosie Doonan, she was invited to be part of a new lineup of The Albion Band in 2011 and subsequently joined Albion frontman Blair Dunlop on his solo tours. In 2017 Katriona joined established folk-roots band The Willows. Katriona has featured on many acclaimed albums as a session musician and has appeared onstage with such diverse acts as The Troggs, Kim Richey and Matt Berry.
Jamie Roberts was brought up in Barnsley, South Yorkshire in a musical family – his sister Kathryn Roberts is a well-respected singer on the UK folk scene. Jamie joined young English traditionalists Kerfuffle in 2007, formed The Dovetail Trio with Rosie Hood and Matt Quinn in 2014, and joined the critically acclaimed Emily Askew Band in 2016. Alongside his regular projects, he has performed with Nancy Kerr’s Sweet Visitor Band and Blackbeard’s Tea Party amongst others.
£15.00
Doors 7.30 Music 8pm
Contact Leonardo MacKenzie: 07780 847867
info AT bournemouthfolkclub.com
https://bournemouthfolkclub.com/
During lockdown in 2020 the 11 members of Bellowhead first re-connected online to remotely record ‘New York Girls - At Home’. That led to re-uniting in person for a one-off performance which was streamed to mark the anniversary of Hedonism. Thousands of fans watched the concert (one of the biggest online streams of 2020) confirming that Bellowhead are still one of the biggest and most in demand UK folk acts despite not performing for nearly 5 years.
The stream led to pleas from fans for more and now the stars have aligned and they are to reunite for a mammoth UK tour in November 2022 to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of their fourth album Broadside!
Support on all dates will come from Sam Sweeney with his band. Sam is a veteran of the mighty Bellowhead and former artistic director of the National Folk Youth Ensemble. He recently released his second solo album Unearth Repeat.
Box Office & Bars: 6:30pm / Doors: 7:00pm / Show: 7:30pm
Tickets: £25.00 / £32.50 / £39.50 (+ Booking Fees)
Please Note: Under 18's to be accompanied by an adult 18+
https://www.bathforum.co.uk/Publisher/Article.aspx?ID=624329
Ground-breaking, chart-topping, genre-bending, instantly enthralling… it’s little wonder that Talisk rank highly amongst the most in-demand Folk-based groups to emerge from Scotland in the last decade.
Alongside extensive touring, and appearances at leading festivals across multiple continents, Talisk have stacked up major awards for their explosively energetic, artfully woven sound. Mohsen Amini, Graeme Armstrong and Benedict Morris fuse concertina, guitar and fiddle to produce an innovative, multi-layered signature that captivates audiences worldwide. At its core, three seemingly acoustic instruments – in the hands of three master craftsmen; one unmistakable, bold sound and captivating live show.
Tickets: £18 Full. £17 Concessions
www.talisk.co.uk
8.00 pm
https://www.thedavidhall.com/event/talisk/
3.00pm - 5.45 pm.
£5 per person.
Bring and share tea. No partner necessary.
For more information: Jan Harris 01202 427523. janharris16 AT hotmail.co.uk.
Workshops are led by Julia Catovsky, who will teach tunes and harmonies 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 on the door. Cheaper in advance via the website
info AT sherbornefolkband.org
Julia: 07527 508 277
www.sherbornefolkband.org
Petherton Arts Trust is encouraging more local performers of all genres to come to The David Hall and perform on a professional stage.
All types of performance welcome – The David Hall has had music, comedy, poetry, dance…. Everyone has the opportunity to deliver for 10 – 15 minutes with full PA and lighting.
If you would like to attend Acoustic Night as a performer or audience member please e-mail Chris Watts at folk AT chriswatts.org or call 07715501157. Payment is on the door.
7:30 pm
https://www.thedavidhall.com/home-page/
Widely regarded as two of the best players and innovators in traditional Folk amongst a precociously gifted generation, Moore & Moss’ finely-crafted arrangements wield a rare potency. Now, having toured with some of the biggest and brightest acts in the British Folk scene, they reconvene to perform as duo.
Their second record (released 2020) is set to further unite the deep and resolute harmony of Moss’s accordion with the texture and flow of Moore’s viola; with droning, whirring, sparkling layers of electro-acoustic grit provoking a subtle complexity of palette.
Tickets: £16 Full. £15 Concessions
www.tommoorearchiemoss.com
8.00 pm
https://www.thedavidhall.com/event/tom-moore-and-archie-moss/
Those attending Paul & Paul’s sell-out annual May and Christmas tours can look forward to a mix of seasonal songs and tunes, plus classical music, pop, music-hall and traditional folk. All topped off with audience participation and lashings of wry humour.
There is simply no way that two men in faded denim jeans should be this entertaining!’
(Downend Folk Club)
Paul Sartin (oboe, violin and vocals) and Paul Hutchinson (accordion) together entertain audiences across the UK, Australia and the USA with their eclectic and eccentric mix of tunes, songs and chat that sends audiences home with a smile;
www.belshazzarsfeast.com
Tickets: £18 Full. £17 Concessions
8.00 pm
https://www.thedavidhall.com/event/belshazzars-feast/
St Agnes Fountain – Chris Leslie, Chris While, Julie Matthews
Christmas, as they say, starts with St. Agnes Fountain. Carols with a curve.
Since their first get together, to record the eponymous St Agnes Fountain album in 2001, the quartet; David Hughes, Fairport Convention’s Chris Leslie and multi award winning duo Chris While and Julie Matthews, have brought musical invention and laughter to the star-dust atmosphere of the season.
In 2020, David decided to leave the band to concentrate on solo pursuits and whilst his presence will be missed, Chris, Chris and Julie will be keeping the Christmas Aggie spirit alive and touring as a trio celebrating 21 years together with a tour of the new material and reworking those old Aggie classics.
=‘The Aggie’s’ latest album, Night Of A Million Stars was released in time for the December 2021 tour with 9 brand new songs from the band.
Although the albums accompany the putting up of a thousand Christmas trees throughout Britain and around the globe as their reputation reaches further afield, it is, without question, their magical live performances that have endeared them to an ever-growing audience (tickets were again being sold for this year’s tour as the curtain fell last year).
www.stagnesfountain.net
Tickets: £19 Full. £18 Concessions.
8:00 pm - 11:00 pm
https://www.thedavidhall.com/event/st-agnes-fountain-friday/
St Agnes Fountain – Chris Leslie, Chris While, Julie Matthews
Christmas, as they say, starts with St. Agnes Fountain. Carols with a curve.
Since their first get together, to record the eponymous St Agnes Fountain album in 2001, the quartet; David Hughes, Fairport Convention’s Chris Leslie and multi award winning duo Chris While and Julie Matthews, have brought musical invention and laughter to the star-dust atmosphere of the season.
In 2020, David decided to leave the band to concentrate on solo pursuits and whilst his presence will be missed, Chris, Chris and Julie will be keeping the Christmas Aggie spirit alive and touring as a trio celebrating 21 years together with a tour of the new material and reworking those old Aggie classics.
‘The Aggie’s’ latest album, Night Of A Million Stars was released in time for the December 2021 tour with 9 brand new songs from the band.
Although the albums accompany the putting up of a thousand Christmas trees throughout Britain and around the globe as their reputation reaches further afield, it is, without question, their magical live performances that have endeared them to an ever-growing audience (tickets were again being sold for this year’s tour as the curtain fell last year).
www.stagnesfountain.net
Tickets: £19 Full. £18 Concessions.
8:00 pm - 11:00 pm
https://www.thedavidhall.com/event/st-agnes-fountain-saturday/
In an unmissable festive collaboration, two of the English folk scene’s most inventive acts (trio Lady Maisery and duo Jimmy Aldridge & Sid Goldsmith) return to the stage with their acclaimed Christmas show. ‘Awake Arise’ celebrates the riches of varied winter traditions from the British Isles and further afield and reflects on the hope and resilience in folk song that can bring us closer together through the darkest season.
Award-winning folk trio Lady Maisery (Hannah James, Rowan Rheingans and Hazel Askew) have for over a decade produced “some of the most exquisite, thrilling vocal harmony work in the English folk scene” (The Guardian). Whether unearthing a feminist twist hidden in a traditional tale, delivering a poignant anti-war ballad, or showcasing their immense multi-instrumental talents in original compositions that draw on a myriad of musical influences, Lady Maisery are skilful explorers of the power, beauty and vitality of song.
The beguiling musical partnership of Jimmy Aldridge and Sid Goldsmith complete the powerful line-up of the Awake Arise super-group, bringing the outstanding vocals, sensitive instrumentation and powerful social conscience that has won them widespread critical acclaim.
A companion to the live show, their debut album release as a five piece ‘Awake Arise: A Winter Album’ was released December 6th 2019 (Many A Thousand Records).
Featuring traditional songs, folk carols, spoken word and newly written music to galvanise and brighten this darkest season, Awake Arise is a warm gift to the wintertime from five of the most engaging and celebrated performers on the English folk scene. True to the reputations of both acts as out-spoken voices on the folk scene, this collection is also a rallying cry to embrace the power of collective endeavour as a vital support during times of hardship and loneliness. In this most uncertain of winters, Awake Arise is more than just a great night out; these are essential songs which remind us who we are and why we matter to each other.
£16.50
Doors 7.30 Music 8pm
Contact Leonardo MacKenzie: 07780 847867
info AT bournemouthfolkclub.com
https://bournemouthfolkclub.com/
The Stanchester Quire is a community quire who sing in four-part harmony and will be performing a selection of old village carols and songs from the South West of England from the far west of Cornwall back to very near home with some of the unique Odcombe carols. There will be plenty of opportunity for audience participation
Tickets: £8 Adults. £5 Under 12s
www.stanchesterquire.org
7.30 pm
https://www.thedavidhall.com/event/stanchester-quire-christmas-concert/
3.00pm - 5.45 pm.
£5 per person.
Bring and share tea. No partner necessary.
For more information: Jan Harris 01202 427523. janharris16 AT hotmail.co.uk.
+ support
Over the past eight years of playing music together, we’ve grown up through angsty teenage years into angstier adulthood, with only our music to reflect our hurdles and triumphs.
When creating music over the years, it has become integral for us to acknowledge not only a balance between guts and contemplation, but a harmony of punchy pop-punk guitar and hard-hitting drums with the complex but determined layers of banjo, mandolin and tin whistle intertwined. With this we strive to pay homage to our appreciation of Folk music and the significance of punk throughout our upbringings.
Tickets: £19 Full. £18. Concessions
www.blackwatercounty.co.uk
8.00 pm
https://www.thedavidhall.com/event/black-water-county-support-a-chance-to-dance-event/
Petherton Arts Trust is encouraging more local performers of all genres to come to The David Hall and perform on a professional stage.
All types of performance welcome – The David Hall has had music, comedy, poetry, dance…. Everyone has the opportunity to deliver for 10 – 15 minutes with full PA and lighting.
If you would like to attend Acoustic Night as a performer or audience member please e-mail Chris Watts at folk AT chriswatts.org or call 07715501157. Payment is on the door.
7:30 pm
https://www.thedavidhall.com/home-page/