KentFolk News May 2009

A major new venue for Folk/Acoustic Evenings on Sundays starting 8pm (BBQ from 6 pm) - the Unicorn Pub, now run by Martin, one-time Oyster Morris :
Bekesbourne Hill, Bekesbourne, Canterbury, CT4 5ED. 01227 830210 www.pubunicorn.com/

Expect top quality musicians :
Sunday 24th May : Following an earlier first-set from visiting fiddler Yves Langlois, and Chris Taylor (Dindon Sauvage), there was some high-class guitar from Peter Gazey and Alexi Amanes, then joined by Yves and Chris (putting paid to their second set, but the Cajun dancers just kept dancing). When Phil Martin arrived, Alexi joined him as second stage indoors, and Chris Saddler took his place with the others.
The evening developed with citern, Cretan lyre, hurdy-gurdie, Jews Harp, Breton pipes ...., with the French dancers well pleased - not quite sure what to do with the Tarantella from the Pyrenees - if you want to hear the rhythm, read Tarantella by Hilaire Belloc.

Oh if you find you have ended up by the Bekesbourne station, take the bridge over the tracks, and the path will take you to the pub, otherwise there is parking behind the pub.
And if you are looking for a quality guitar or other instrument, Alexi's dad is your man, he makes instruments that have the professional musicians considering giving up instruments of 25 years standing.

Also a new open-stage on Sundays in the Two Sawyers in Canterbury, 8pm : 58 Ivy Lane, Canterbury, CT1 1TU. 01227 765419

ROCHESTER SWEEPS FESTIVAL

This weekend sees Rochester Sweeps Festival 2-4 May with Kate Rusby, Strawbs, Wheeler Street, Toothless Mary, Two Man Gentlemen Band from the USA, Sur Les Docks from France, Hot Rats and many more..

Lots of Morris Dancers and Gordon Newton and Motley Morris will be on This Morning TV on Friday, dancing outside the studios and featuring in the programme.
Most events are free - check the line up at www.medway.gov.uk/index/leisure/events/sweepsfestival/57134.htm
Concert marquee in the Castle Gardens and Ceilidhs in the Corn Exchange.

Doug Hudson

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At Sunday's Celtic Session the Bull would not turn off the football monitors - even the one right over the heads of the session players - the needs of the Rochester High St regulars and the Sweeps visitors are going to have to be addressed - Beau.

On the same Sunday evening in the Belgian Cafe in Ramsgate a really good evening from Broadstairs lad - now international multi-instrumentalist - Tim Edey (guitar, accordion) with Isobel Crowe (excellent vocals, fiddle and guitar) and Dimitris Michaelidis (virtuoso bouzouki, mandolin). With the usual hybrid hybrid Celtic Greek flavour, the evening ended with a Celtic session , joined by Bob, Shelagh, Dave, Judy, Rosie and Will :

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Isobel and Tim trying to play the same accordion !

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Some of the Kentish Celtic Session with Isobel Crowe and Tim Edey.

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Bob Leitch in session with Tim Edey.

News from Dave Ferra - he has a gig in The Parrot (was Simple Simons) on the 7the May, so they have changed their mind 5 times now by my count, about having music. Keep fingers crossed that the music keeps happening.

Multi-level directories of News :
Do keep sending me items for both the calendar and this news section -
Please see the info at the bottom of the news pages for guidance as to good formats to send me news items for these pages, and for event listings for the calendars.
cheers, Beau.