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.
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Music practice 2-3 pm; any portable acoustic instrument & all levels welcome. Music can be sent in advance.
Dancing 3-5 pm, with tea break.
Dances to learn for fun, mainly from 15th-17th centuries; both live and recorded music.
No partner needed, nor previous experience. Comfortable clothes and light flexible footwear recommended.
£6 per session; no need to book but do contact us before your first time in case of changes.
Ann Hinchliffe 01935 472771
thedancingmaster AT outlook.com
Artists include: Gigspanner Big Band, Fay Hield Band, Ninebarrow and friends, Merry Hell
https://www.lymefolk.com
Dancing 7.30-9.30 p.m. to mix of live and recorded music.
Dances to learn for fun, mainly from 17th to early 19th centuries. No partner needed nor previous experience. Loose comfortable clothes and light flexible shoes recommended.
£6 on the door including cuppa.
Ann Hinchliffe 01935 472771
thedancingmaster AT outlook.com
+ Antoine & Owena
Concert
Assuming the Legion is open for business, and the government is allowing concerts to happen again, we will be starting the Wessex Acoustic Autumn programme on 4th September with wonderful singer and guitarist Paul Downes, supported by Salisbury's Antoine and Owena, who are fast making a name for themselves.
£10 pre-booked, £12 unbooked
8.15pm (Legion open from 19.00 Concert doors 7.45pm)
Contact Kathy Dunn: 01202732239
kathy.dunn AT btopenworld.com
www.wessex-acoustic.co.uk
Ceilidh / folk dance
A fun dance on Bridport's Hat Festival day! Prizes for the best/silliest/most creative hat. No partner needed, all welcome whatever experience level. All dances will be talked and walked through and called for as long as needed. Bring & Share supper and your own alcohol - the Woodman Inn is just opposite.
£9 in advance, £10 on the door.
7.30 - 11 pm
Contact Monty: 01308 423442
monty3dayslate AT yahoo.co.uk
www.bridportceilidhs.wordpress.com
Music practice 2-3 pm; any portable acoustic instrument & all levels welcome. Music can be sent in advance.
Dancing 3-5 pm, with tea break.
Dances to learn for fun, mainly from 17th-early 19th centuries; both live and recorded music.
No partner needed, nor previous experience. Comfortable clothes and light flexible footwear recommended.
£6 per session; no need to book but do contact us before your first time in case of changes.
Ann Hinchliffe 01935 472771
thedancingmaster AT outlook.com
In September 2020 we are hoping to return the Folk Harvest to Wareham after an absence of thirty years, embracing many new and exciting ideas. Bearing in mind the current situation with Covid-19 the festival may not go ahead and we have consequently down-scaled our plans for this year. However we are keeping our fingers crossed that all will be well and we can come together to celebrate in the beautiful Saxon town of Wareham in Dorset.
There will be both ticketed & free events, workshops, sessions & much more.
www.warehamfolkharvest.co.uk
+ Andy Stone
Coronavirus permitting, the delightful trio of Chris Sherburn, Denny Bartley, and Emily Sanders will be entertaining us with their own mix of Celtic based music. Chris and Denny are 2/3 of Last Night's Fun who will be familiar to many.
Opening support is from local singer-songwriter Andy Stone.
£12 pre-booked, £14 unbooked
8.15pm (Legion open from 19.00 Concert doors 7.45pm)
Contact Kathy Dunn: 01202732239
kathy.dunn AT btopenworld.com
www.wessex-acoustic.co.uk
Oboist, singer musical director and choir leader, Paul is a founding member of Belshazzar's Feast, Faustus, Bellowhead and Director of the Andover Museum Loft Singers.
£12 Booking essential.
10am - 4pm
Contact Meg Rose : 07877 206124
meg.rose AT btinternet.com
Music practice 2-3 pm; any portable acoustic instrument & all levels welcome. Music can be sent in advance.
Dancing 3-5 pm, with tea break.
Dances to learn for fun, mainly from 15th-17th centuries; both live and recorded music.
No partner needed, nor previous experience. Comfortable clothes and light flexible footwear recommended.
£6 per session; no need to book but do contact us before your first time in case of changes.
Ann Hinchliffe 01935 472771
thedancingmaster AT outlook.com
Last at the Corn Exchange in 2017 with Daniel Kimbro, Martin Harley makes a welcome return with an intimate solo acoustic show. Through his road worn song writing style he explores hopes and fears for fast changing times. Slide guitar, as always is at the root of Martins sound, mirroring his whisky soaked northern breeze vocals.
8pm (doors & bar 7.30pm)
£15 / £13 members and concessions
https://www.dorchesterarts.org.uk/2019/11/05/fri-20-mar-martin-harley/
Dancing 7.30-9.30 p.m. to mix of live and recorded music.
Dances to learn for fun, mainly from 17th to early 19th centuries. No partner needed nor previous experience. Loose comfortable clothes and light flexible shoes recommended.
£6 on the door including cuppa.
Ann Hinchliffe 01935 472771
thedancingmaster AT outlook.com
Great to welcome a great combination of festival band and caller, English Contra Dance Band with ChipFolkFest's Mike Courthold, for our one dance each year dedicated to (mainly) American styles. Don't be put off by that, all are welcome whatever the level of experience and no partner is needed - you will be guaranteed plenty of dancing! Bring & Share supper and your own alcohol - the Woodman Inn is just opposite.
£9 in advance, £10 on the door. 16s and under £4
7.30 - 11 pm
Contact Monty: 01308 423442
monty3dayslate AT yahoo.co.uk
www.bridportceilidhs.wordpress.com
Coronavirus permitting, we are delighted to welcome back the amazing Gerry Colvin and his band. Gerry was the opening act for our very first club night back in October 2002 as Colvin Quarmby.
£12 pre-booked, £14 unbooked
8.15pm (Legion open from 19.00 Concert doors 7.45pm)
Contact Kathy Dunn: 01202732239
kathy.dunn AT btopenworld.com
www.wessex-acoustic.co.uk
Music practice 2-3 pm; any portable acoustic instrument & all levels welcome. Music can be sent in advance.
Dancing 3-5 pm, with tea break.
Dances to learn for fun, mainly from 17th-early 19th centuries; both live and recorded music.
No partner needed, nor previous experience. Comfortable clothes and light flexible footwear recommended.
£6 per session; no need to book but do contact us before your first time in case of changes.
Ann Hinchliffe 01935 472771
thedancingmaster AT outlook.com
Music practice 2-3 pm; any portable acoustic instrument & all levels welcome. Music can be sent in advance.
Dancing 3-5 pm, with tea break.
Dances to learn for fun, mainly from 15th-17th centuries; both live and recorded music.
No partner needed, nor previous experience. Comfortable clothes and light flexible footwear recommended.
£6 per session; no need to book but do contact us before your first time in case of changes.
Ann Hinchliffe 01935 472771
thedancingmaster AT outlook.com
Coronavirus permitting, we are delighted to welcome back an old friend of the club, Jez Lowe. One of the finest songwriters to emerge from the shattered industry of the North East, with all the history of the coal mining industry and factory life featuring largely in his songs.
Opening support is by upbeat duo Brigands' Brew
£12 pre-booked, £14 unbooked
8.15pm (Legion open from 19.00 Concert doors 7.45pm)
Contact Kathy Dunn: 01202732239
kathy.dunn AT btopenworld.com
www.wessex-acoustic.co.uk
Folk legend Martin Carthy and his daughter Eliza Carthy, join forces to perform songs old and new. Martin is a legendary ballad singer and guitarist who influenced a generations of artists, including Bob Dylan and Paul Simon, while Eliza has been twice-nominated for the Mercury Music Prize and a multiple-award winner at the BBC Radio Two Folk awards.
£20.00 advance / £23.00 on the door | Starts at 8:00 P.M.
https://www.marinetheatre.com
This pioneering Scottish folk trio has always experimented with sound and form; the results have always been complex and thrilling.
Already acknowledged as phenomenal live performers (‘the UK’s best live band’ – the Guardian), Lau arrived at a new creative peak with 2019’s Midnight and Closedown (Reveal Records). That album was produced by John Parish (PJ Harvey, This Is The Kit), who said: ‘Lau are in touch with their roots but not bound by them’.
£18.50 advance
https://www.marinetheatre.com
Dancing 7.30-9.30 p.m. to mix of live and recorded music.
Dances to learn for fun, mainly from 17th to early 19th centuries. No partner needed nor previous experience. Loose comfortable clothes and light flexible shoes recommended.
£6 on the door including cuppa.
Ann Hinchliffe 01935 472771
thedancingmaster AT outlook.com
Coronavirus permitting, we are delighted to welcome back the highly entertaining pair of singer-songwriter Anthony John Clarke, along with his pal Peggy (Dave Pegg), multi-instrumentalist and singer.
Expect brilliant songs expertly performed, plus a lot of stories and humour sprinkled along the way.
Support is from the versatile Welsh singer-songwriter Linda Watkins
£12 pre-booked, £14 unbooked
8.15pm (Legion open from 19.00 Concert doors 7.45pm)
Contact Kathy Dunn: 01202732239
kathy.dunn AT btopenworld.com
www.wessex-acoustic.co.uk
Ceilidh / folk dance
Always good to have the characterful O.P.P. back, with Helen doing the honours. No armaments will be in evidence! Expect a fun evening, all are welcome regardless of experience, no partner needed. All dances will be walked and talked through and called for as long as needed. Bring & Share supper and your own alcohol - the Woodman in is just opposite.
£9 in advance, £10 on the door. 16s and under £4
7.30 - 11 pm
Contact Monty: 01308 423442
monty3dayslate AT yahoo.co.uk
www.bridportceilidhs.wordpress.com
Music practice 2-3 pm; any portable acoustic instrument & all levels welcome. Music can be sent in advance.
Dancing 3-5 pm, with tea break.
Dances to learn for fun, mainly from 17th-early 19th centuries; both live and recorded music.
No partner needed, nor previous experience. Comfortable clothes and light flexible footwear recommended.
£6 per session; no need to book but do contact us before your first time in case of changes.
Ann Hinchliffe 01935 472771
thedancingmaster AT outlook.com
A return to the club of one of our patrons, Chris Leslie, with a selection of his own songs and tunes, featuring a range of instruments.
Chris is supported by Simon Loake, with his upbeat folk-rock and more. Simon has been a session musician with many big names over the years and is a widely admired guitarist.
£12 pre-booked, £14 unbooked
8.15pm (Legion open from 19.00 Concert doors 7.45pm)
Contact Kathy Dunn: 01202732239
kathy.dunn AT btopenworld.com
www.wessex-acoustic.co.uk
Music practice 2-3 pm; any portable acoustic instrument & all levels welcome. Music can be sent in advance.
Dancing 3-5 pm, with tea break.
Dances to learn for fun, mainly from 15th-17th centuries; both live and recorded music.
No partner needed, nor previous experience. Comfortable clothes and light flexible footwear recommended.
£6 per session; no need to book but do contact us before your first time in case of changes.
Ann Hinchliffe 01935 472771
thedancingmaster AT outlook.com
+ Anne-Louise Richards
This concert has been rearranged after being cancelled earlier in the year.
We welcome Richard Digance to the club as a wonderful entertainer, singing many of his own songs and making us roar with laughter.
Supporting Richard is our own favourite local songstress, Anne-Louise Richards
£12 pre-booked, £14 unbooked
8.15pm (Legion open from 19.00 Concert doors 7.45pm)
Contact Kathy Dunn: 01202 732239
kathy.dunn AT btopenworld.com
www.wessex-acoustic.co.uk
Following a storming gig in summer 2018, we’re delighted to welcome back Welsh folk supergroup Calan with their trademark brand of high-energy routines, verve and raw excitement. Expect stunning playing, beautiful songs and soaring harmonies…with added virtuoso step dancing! A special evening for firm fans and those new to the magic alike: come along and help us raise the roof.
8pm (doors & bar 7.30pm)
£16 / £14 members and concessions
https://www.dorchesterarts.org.uk/2019/11/05/thur-9-apr-calan/
Jim Moray is amongst England’s finest interpreters of traditional song.
His relentlessly innovative recordings can truly be said to have changed the sound of folk music since the early 2000s, and he has won fans and admirers far outside of the folk scene without ever betraying his traditional roots.
A five-time BBC Folk Award winner, his songs have been featured in a season finale of Grey’s Anatomy, he has appeared on-screen singing a specially composed song for Dr Who spin-off Class as aliens attack the earth, and he has presented documentaries on traditional music for BBC Radio 3.
www.jimmoray.co.uk
www.facebook.com/jimmoray/
twitter.com/jimmoray
8:00 pm - 10:30 pm (Doors: 7:30pm)
Door Price: £15.00
Advance: £14.00
https://chapelarts.org/events/jim-moray-with-tom-moore/
Ceilidh
Another combination of favourites, Doug & Sarah with Jane - our pre-Christmas treat!
All are welcome regardless of experience and no partner is needed - you will be up and dancing! Bring & Share supper and your own alcohol - the Woodman Inn is just opposite.
£9 in advance, £10 on the door. 16s and under £4
7.30 - 11 pm
Contact Monty: 01308 423442
monty3dayslate AT yahoo.co.uk
www.bridportceilidhs.wordpress.com
Dancing 7.30-9.30 p.m. to mix of live and recorded music.
Dances to learn for fun, mainly from 17th to early 19th centuries. No partner needed nor previous experience. Loose comfortable clothes and light flexible shoes recommended.
£6 on the door including cuppa.
Ann Hinchliffe 01935 472771
thedancingmaster AT outlook.com
A 2 night (3 days) folk dance workshop break on a full board basis,including Sunday lunch, with a programme of activities including a trip out to Exmoor’s secret Snowdrop Valley.
Peter and Moira Gutteridge hail from Worcestershire and have been regular resident musicians at our Folk Dance weekends for many years, bringing a variety of instruments, mainly fiddle, guitar and bass, but also flute, keyboard and harp.
Ray Goodswen is from Somerset and is also our regular caller and has a love of and is a teacher of traditional dance.
from £280.00 per person
Contact Antony Brunt: 01643 821425
hotel AT yarnmarkethotel.co.uk
www.yarnmarkethotel.co.uk
For the first, time Ireland’s Heidi Talbot and Scotland’s Adam Holmes are joining forces to tour, write and record an album of original material, together.
Between them they have been nominated for multiple BBC Folk Awards, SAY awards, Irish music awards and played for First Ministers and US Presidents.
This new collaboration will see the pair work under the name “Arcade”, with plans to record and release a new album of songs in 2019, produced by Louis Abbott (Admiral Fallow).
8.00 pm
£22
https://www.thedavidhall.com/event/arcade-feat-heidi-talbot-adam-holmes/?mc_cid=2200ec15b4&mc_eid=7f19f38593
Postponed from March 2020 due to the corona virus.
More details later, but put the date in your diary.
Saturday 8th May 2021 AT 8:00 pm £19
In 1995, Christine Collister, Melanie Harrold, Julie Matthews, Helen Watson and Chris While – acclaimed and appreciated for their individual talents as Folk, Blues, Rock and Soul singers – found themselves at the Cambridge Festival. They decided to sing some songs together….. Magic happened and Daphne’s Flight took off. A widely-acclaimed eponymous studio album and UK tour followed, with a prestigious date at London’s Union Chapel – all of which marked a turning point in the role of women within the English Folk movement.
Five of the finest singer-songwriters of their generation, Daphne’s Flight is a unique and magical blend of individual styles that captivates audiences with complex harmony arrangements, unbridled energy and the infectious joy of performing together.
8.00 pm
Tickets: £19 Full. £18 Concessions.
https://www.thedavidhall.com/event/daphnes-flight/?mc_cid=2200ec15b4&mc_eid=7f19f38593
The 2020 Folk Fest was cancelled, but we'll be back next year.
Put the date in your diaries.
As previous winners of Best Live Act at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, there’s no denying The Demon Barbers’ ability to put on a first-class performance.
Over the years they’ve thrilled countless audiences with their live music and dance shows, be it stirring up a frenzy at Glastonbury Festival and Edinburgh Fringe or selling out theatres around the UK!
8.00 pm
Tickets: £19 Full. £18 Concessions.
https://www.thedavidhall.com/event/the-demon-barbers-xl/?mc_cid=2200ec15b4&mc_eid=7f19f38593