KentFolk News

June 2005

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A fairly new venue : The Old Wine Warehouse, Charlotte Court, Ramsgate. Folk nights with excellent local players on a Saturday, with Jazz on the Friday. See below and the KentFolk calendar for more details.

I knew The Barge in Gillingham was a good venue, but I had not realised how good - we paid a visit on the same night we saw Ian Cutler in the Brook Theater, caught Ben Paley and Tab Hunter. Two virtuoso fiddlers on one night, with some excellent guitar from Tab ! But The Barge is seriously excellent; on ambience, beer, and the sheer regular quality of the music must be the premier folk venue in Kent. We were tempted into one Cajun dance; took lots of photos, will try and get them up soon.

June starts with "Fiddlers Various", with 7 top quality/virtuoso fiddlers and all British uillean pipe champion, in the excellent Littlebourne Thatched Barn, see below :


KentFolk Events 2005

KentFolk is hosting quite a bit of music this year :

The St. Patrick's Night special - Thu. 17th March, with Camine, in the Red Lion Hotel sold out well in advance, and in spite of sold out notices more than 300 people tried to book. This was an excellent evening, with a rib-sticking Irish stew - I have photos and a recording, and will do a photo report as soon as I have a moment.

The next event was Spring Cajun Dance with Wild Turkey, on Saturday 7th May, (the week-end after Rochester Sweeps festival 2005), in the Littlebourne Thatched Barn.
One chair was left unsold - but everyone was dancing, so no problem there, an excellent evening.
I will try and get the photos up soon.

The most ambitious is a long weekend, the first weekend in June, when there will be a

"Fiddlers Various" showcase,

with 7 fiddlers : Ben Paley, Saskia Tomkins, Ian Cutler, Laura Targett, Chris Wood, Ramona Egle and Yves Langlois, in the Littlebourne Thatched Barn on Sunday 5th June, £10.

As accompanists we have both Steáfán Hannigan (all British uillean pipe champion and virtuoso bodhran player, plus a multitude of other instruments, including bouzouki,whistles and flute) and Chris Taylor (plays regularly at Leeds Castle, guitar, accordion, harmonica, bouzouki).

There will be a bar provided by the King William IV (Littlebourne), with a good range of beers, and there will be a limited number of tables for people to bring their own food. Seats will be numbered, so the earlier you book the better the seat you will get.

Both Ben Paley and Saskia Tomkins will be holding fiddle workshops during the day on the Sunday, £17 each.

There will also be pub gigs :
Fiddler Saskia Tomkins will be in the King William IV in Littlebourne on Friday 3rd June; Saskia is a most excellent player.
Monkey Puzzle with Laura Targett on fiddle, Lucy Randall on Bodhran, and Pete Gazey on Guitar will be in the Red Lion in Wingham on Monday 6th June; this will be a "Curry and Ceilidh" night, for £10.

If you do not know Chris Wood's playing, see below the quote from fRoots regarding his latest album "The Lark Descending".

Then there is an Autumn Barn Dance, in the Littlebourne Thatched Barn, on the 24th September, with the Longstone/Camine fusion that was such a success 2 years ago.

A brilliant weekend, thanks to the players, and my thanks to also to all those who have said how much they enjoyed it - hundreds of photos, GBytes of good quality sound, 4 hours of video - photo report in preparation ...

I can now say thet KentFolk is also doing a double fiddle event as Canterbury Festival umbrella events :
U16a: 2pm Sunday 16th October 2005: "Fiddling Around the World" - an illustrated afternoon talk, and
U16b: 8pm Sunday 16th October 2005: "Fiddling Around the World" - an evening concert.

Fiddle virtuoso Chris Haigh is deeply knowledgeable about fiddle styles from all round the world : on his web-site http://www.fiddlingaround.co.uk/, he lists :
Ireland, Scotland, Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, Klezmer, Mid East and The Med, India, China, Mexico, Cajun, Old Time, Bluegrass, Western Swing, and Jazz.

He will be giving an afternoon talk about these styles of playing, and their ornamentation and cultural background, demonstrate some with his fiddle, as well as demonstrating some of the ethnic fiddles he has brought back.

He will also be showing images and sound clips of a number of these styles that he has accummulated from his travels around the world.
Venue: Kingston Barn, The Street, Kingston, Nr. Canterbury, Kent. CT4 6JQ

See the

[Tickets]

pages for links to more information and to buy tickets for all these events. and also the Festival box office for the Canterbury Festival events.

Please do support these events if you want anything like this to happen again.


Chris Wood - The Lark Descending

The new CD by Chris Wood (The Lark Descending ) seems to us to be one of the best out of the English folk scene in living memory. There has been much animated discussion on our message board about his recent live appearance on Late Junction playing tracks from it. I think its appeal goes way beyond people who think they like English folk, even to those who think they don't - especially because some of the modern songs on it are awe inspiring.
The album's going to be a milestone ... Sensational! Ian Anderson - Editor fRoots

Released on June 15th and available online at www.EnglishAcousticCollective.org.uk
The gold that we are searching for... is in our own backyard!

Chris_Wood, The Lark Descending.

"Fiddlers Various" Showcase is a chance to hear Chris Wood in person and to buy his latest CD (guitar as well as fiddle); at a recent gig in Faversham we discussed some of the pieces that he might do at "Fiddlers Various" - some of his ideas are fascinating - beau


Adrian `O

Adrian `O - our very own Story Teller and Landscape Photographer - has taken camera (and Sue !) on a round the world exploration - I have seen some of his previous photographs, and can not wait to see what he brings back.
But we are getting the stories as he goes - here are the set to date :
Follow the Adrian `O's travels link to find out more .... I am updating as they come in (usually over the week-end).

Manston are doing flights to Shannon - out on the Friday evening, back on the Sunday night, so ideal for a weekend. Clare is a great county for music - why not give it a try ?

If you can take a week off, go for the Willy Clancy Summer School in Miltown Malbay, County Clare, Ireland .... (other flights for shorter times away are sold out).


Gypsy / Romany music

British tradition Gypsy / Romany music.

Gypsy / Romany music has for hundreds of years been a part of local music in Kent. I have been digging to see what I can find, and have found worryingly little.
Eastern tradition Gypsy music is found more frequently, Saskia Tomkins, who will be at "Fiddlers Various" on 5th June, can fiddle in this tradition.

The Orchard family down to the West Country are a most significant heritage.

Rod Stradling of Musical Traditions Internet Magazine says : "Tom is the grandfather - a singer and occasional box player. His wife, Amy Birch, is a wonderful singer. Tommy is the father - he's a box player and step-dancer."

Jean Orchard, says :
I was just looking at the website pages that you gave me and saw the line up of the Topic CD and it reminded me to let you know that Amy Birch on that CD is my mum and I am singing 'Over Yonders Hill' on our new CD!
(to be released August - beau)

The Orchard family were in London at the Musical Traditions : Keith Summers Fest. : MAY 20TH - 22ND 2005
Sat. At the King & Queen, 1 Foley Street London W1W 6DL

A brilliant day, many excellent players and singers, with a strong contingent from Ireland. The Orchards were all I had hoped for an more, with Amy in fine voice singing old ballads, and Jean has indeed a lovely voice, singing some excellent somgs. Fine accordion and mellodeon playing from Tom and Tommy (as well as fascinating step dancing), but young Ashley was to me an excellent sign that there is much more fascinating music to come from this family.

KentFolk has a day-long recording in mp3, and part of the day and all of the evening as a .wav file - fills a DVD. This will be edited, and parts, with the musicians approval, may be available. Photos to come.

Sunday evening from 7.30, Rosie Stewart and The Orchard Family performed at The Old Rose & Crown, Hoe Street

So if you know of players/singers in the Gypsy / Romany tradition, particularly any fiddlers, or know someone that might know, please do contact me. It would be great to hear this music if we still can.
cheers, beau_at_kentfolk_dot_com , Tel: 01227 721 736, Mob: 07875 170 593.
I will add updates as I learn more.


Bridge Folk & Roots Festival.

June 17th & 18th of this years sees the second Bridge Folk & Roots festival, Bridge near Canterbury, Kent. The festival is organised by Andy Renshaw and following on from last years great success - he’s at it again... Kicking off the festival with an international flavour, the Friday evening has top Cajun stompers Wild Turkey in the village hall (£5). Saturday sees a day of free music, dance and events, starting with Morris sides from 11am (Oyster Morris & Offcumduns) and Celtic sessions in and around the Red Lion pub (from 1pm), afternoon world music sound system and culmination in the free evening concert when the Red Lion plays host to international stars, Chris Wood and Andy Cutting, plus Camine, Happy Trails and much more. Chris Wood and Andy Cutting play a fiery mix of European dance music and song on fiddles, Melodeons, Guitar, vocals and are a major hit at festivals around the world. Happy Trails play old and new American folk music. Always a popular attraction are the old tractors and traction engines making a welcome return this year, plus BBQ's, bouncy castle, etc. All this makes the Bridge Folk and Roots festival 2005 a great event, with lots to see and great music to be heard.

More info for that at www.bridgefest.co.uk


From: andy renshaw
Subject: Bridge festival

Hi there, Bridge festival e-newsletter here and a quick last minute bulletin to give you a run down of events.

FRIDAY

Cajun dance with Wild Turkey
Bridge Village Hall. £5.00. Doors 8pm.

SATURDAY

Music & Events all day.

Morris Dancing from Oyster Morris and Offcumduns - 11am & 2.30pm Music / Celtic Session from 1pm in Red Lion
Bridge Community Drumming 2pm Stage in the Red Lion garden
Another Planet Global D'J's from 3pm Stage in the Red Lion garden

FREE CONCERT from 7pm Featuring:

Chris Wood & Andy Cutting - Amazing Fiddle and Melodeon Duo & world class music.
Camine - Fiery Celtic tunes and songs from your very own Egle sisters. Happy Trails - Old & New time American Harmony singing.


Hope to see you there.
www.bridgefest.co.uk


Old Wine Warehouse, Ramsgate

From: Eric Booth
Subject: Folk Night in Ramsgate

hello, I wish to inform you of a folk night that has been going for the last three months every Saturday at the Old Wine Warehouse Charlotte Court, Ramsgate.The line up varies from week to week.
Here are the musicians for the next month:
Sat 4th June James Armstrong (guitar/melodian/vocals) and
Geraldine Aldridge (whistle/bodhran/vocals)
Sat 11th June Dimitris Michaelidis (mandola/bouzouki)
18th June Ray Moore (guitar/vocals)
25th June Jim O'Shea (flute/whistle/guitar/ vocals) and Dimitris Michaelidis (mandola/bouzouki.)

There is no admission charge as yet and the session starts at 8.15 p.m. Meals are available, the phone number for the bar/restaurant is 01843 583000. I book the musicians and can be contacted on 01843 865456. There is also a jazz night every Friday with various musicians, if you want I can give you details also. Thanks in advance Eric Booth

A new venue, some good musicians, please do support it - beau


Celtic and other Sessions

If you have been looking for the Wednesday Celtic session at the George Inn, Stone St. this has now terminated again - the session is back in the Anchor Inn in Wingham, until further notice.

However there are also now sessions in a number of pubs on different days of the week.

A most important new session is an excellent French/European Session, that has some very traditional instruments, including pipes, "reed-capped shawm", and hurdy-gurdy, all in an excellent pub with good beer.
See the photo-report on the new section: [Current Gig Photos], where there are also some sound-clips.
This session is on :

2nd Monday of the month:
at The Rose, The Green, Wickhambreaux, CT3 1RQ : a French/European Session at 8.30pm.

Tuesday:
There is a new Swing Jazz session in the Dove at Dargate every Tuesday : Dargate Django Djam as a working title! - Yes excellent - very enjoyable - beau

On the last Tuesday of the month there is a mixed session/folk evening in the Kings Head, Hythe.

Wednesday:
Celtic session at the Anchor Inn, Wingham, on the A257 near Canterbury. New musicians very welcome.
1st Wednesday, Watershed (English), Simple Simons, Canterbury.
last Wednesday of the month: Larry and friends, Simple Simons, Canterbury.

Thurday:
This mixed session has now moved back to the Bear, in Faversham; On June 9th you should also be able to hear some Basque music on a button accordion, from a visiting Basque musician !
White Hart Folk Club, Hythe - This has now been subsumed into "Folk at The Drum" :
Folk At The Drum, North Stanford just off Stone Street which is just North of the Hythe exit from the M20.

Sunday: On the 1st Sunday and 3rd Sunday there is a Celtic session in the Compasses, Sole Street, Crundale. CT4 7ES

The last Sunday Celtic session at Deal has no home at the moment.


Cajun

Get yourself on the new Cajun email list : Cajun In Kent
kent_cajun_at_hotmail.com
-- if you would like to be reminded about Cajun events in Kent, do email Satu at the above address.
(replace _at_ by _at_ symbol)

From: Kent Cajun Subject: Forthcoming Cajun Events: June - July 2005 Hi there, Plenty going on during the summer, so dust off your dance shoes and come on along! The Dance Workshop dates for 2005-2006 have now also been confirmed along with new venue for Rochester workshops. For details, see http://www.kentcajun.org.uk/danceworkshops.html Friday 3rd June 2005 WHITSTABILLIES at the Wrotham Arms (9 Ramsgate Road, Broadstairs, CT10 1QQ). 9pm start Saturday 4th June 2005 CAJUN DANCE NIGHT with Wild Turkey! 8.00pm to 11.00pm (including an introductory workshop from 8.00pm to 8.30pm) at St Peters Church Hall, Cromwell Road, Whitstable. The venue has no bar, so please bring food, drink and utensils. For tickets (£6.50) and more information call 01227 779178 Monday 6th June 2005 WILD TURKEY at The Barge (63 Layfield Road, Gillingham, Kent, ME7 2QY). 9pm start. Friday 17th June 2005 Bridge Folk and Roots Festival presents: CAJUN DANCE with Wild Turkey at the Bridge Village Hall (28 High Street, Bridge, Canterbury, Kent, CT4 5JZ). Doors open at 8pm, tickets £5 from the door or in advance from John at the The Red Lion (75 High Street, Bridge, Canterbury, Kent, CT4 5LB, Tel: 01227-830281). See http://www.bridgefest.co.uk/index.htm for more info. Thursday 14th July 2005 Folk at the Brook presents: CAJUN DANCE NIGHT with Wild Turkey at The Brook Theatre (Old Town Hall, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4SE). 8pm start, tickets £6 from The Box Office tel: 01634 338338 or by email boxoffice_at_medway_dot_gov_dot_uk For more information and a downloadable Brook Theatre brochure see the Brook Theatre Website at http://www.medway.gov.uk/index/leisure/theatres/2130-2.html Saturday 16th July 2005 WHITSTABILLIES at the Wrotham Arms (9 Ramsgate Road, Broadstairs, CT10 1QQ). 9pm start Friday 22nd July WILD TURKEY at the Prince of Wales (9 High Street, Strood, ME2 4AB) at 9pm. Hope to see you on a dancefloor somewhere! Satu http://www.kentcajun.org.uk - Promoting Cajun and Zydeco music and dancing in Kent! Cajun Dances

The Cajun dance Spring Cajun Dance with Wild Turkey, on Saturday 7th May, in the Littlebourne Thatched Barn was a most enjoyable evening, with only one chair left unsold, but then everyone was dancing till the end, so more would not have mattered. I hope to do a photo report soon.

See Satu's email above, also :

On Sunday 12th. June the Cajun Barn have The Savoy Michot Cajun Band from Louisiana, 6.30-10.00 pm.

On Thursday 6th. October the Cajun Barn have The Ray Abshire Cajun Band from Louisiana, 7.30-11.00 pm.

Cajun Dance Workshops

These workshops are led by Kay Anderson, with Wild Turkey (Yves and Chris from Cajunologie) providing the live music.

2:30pm - 4:30pm at St. Peters Church Hall, Cromwell Road, Whitstable, Kent. CT5 1NA; £3.50, ring 01227 779 178 :
15th May 2005

Also 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm, now at Davis Estate Community Centre, Barberry Avenue, Chatham, ME5 9TE, (was at Star Hill Function Rooms, Star Hill, Rochester); £3.50, ring Ann on 01634 405 840.

- Summer Break -
25th September 2005
27th November 2005
22th January 2006
26th March 2006.


Folk


From: Orpington Folk Club
Subject: Orpington Folk Club

Hi Beau, please note the New venue.

Orpington Folk Club
the 'Change of Horses'
Farnborough High Street
Orpington
Kent

01689 852949

Brian Bruce
Has joined the organisers he can be contacted on: 0020 8856 5711
Many thanks.



Breton Music and Dance

There is a recently started French and European Session in the Rose in Wickhambreaux, on the second Monday of the month (see below). This is a top quality session in an excellent local pub.

There are regular French and Breton music and dance sessions on the 3rd Sunday of every month at 1.00pm at Hollingbourne Village Hall.

From: Steve Barrett
Subject: Les Batons

Hi
Just to let you know that there is a French Music Session at the Rose,Wickhambreaux, Kent (not far from Canterbury), on Monday 15th November at about 8.30pm.

If you are interested please try and come along - if enough are there it will become a regular session.
If you want to know more please email Martin Sutcliffe at
"tincliffe_at_yahoo.com"
See you soon
Steve
(01303 253717)

See the photo-report on the new section: [Current Gig Photos], where there are also some sound-clips.

To hear this sort of music under decent recording conditions:
Drohne - Hurdy-Gurdy, Bagpipes, Woodwind - Phil Martin
(was broadcast on BBC Radio 3: Live Studio Session on Andy Kershaw Show - Broadcast 20th March 2005, 10:15 to midnight and also streamed on the web.)
get their new album "Hurdy-Gurdy Mandrohne", distributed by Cube Roots.


Blues

From: Bottleneck Blues blues_at_bottleneckblues_dot_co_dot_uk
Subject: Slim's last two gigs & The Bottleneck 10th June

[IMAGE] Watermelon Slim, Little Toby Walker & The Martin Harley Band
Firstly thank you all for the great support you've given Slim this tour.....he has been genuinely moved by the reception you've given him & hasn't damaged my house too much....bless him!
and an excellent gig at Rochester it was indeed - beau
We have just two gigs left during this tour & they are :----
Tonight ~ Friday 27th May _at_The Memorial Hall, Lavant, Hants. 01243 789786

This gig also features the wonderful guitarist Michael Pickett a very fine Canadian musician & friend of Slim's who's over for a short tour.
Tomorrow ~ Saturday 28th May _at_ South Hill Park Arts Centre, Bracknell, Berks.

01344 484123

And as I often say....nothing exemplifies the phrase "The King is dead...long live the King" than this funny old music business.
No sooner do I pack Slim off back to The States & Little Toby Walker arrives for his 4th Euro tour to include a week in Holland.
His first UK gig is at The Bottleneck on Friday 10th June _at_Zaffa's, Week Street, Maidstone.

This gig includes the excellent Martin Harley Band. They have a lovely sound, a little Harry Manx, some Davy Graham & a touch of the East.....beautiful slide guitar & vocals with bass, drums & even Balalaika (bet I've not spelt that right!!).
Sorry to bang on about this all the time but we had about 20 no-shows again _at_ Slim's last gig at The Roffen...it was truly a magical evening so you missed something you'd have remembered for the rest of your lives....but the point is I put a lot of my own money (overdraft!) into these gigs....I have a stunning programme coming up to include ERROL LINTON, DELTA MOON, KEITH B. BROWN with ADRIAN BYRON BURNS, EUGENE "HIDEAWAY" BRIDGES with BEN ANDREWS & THE WEST WESTON BIG BAND (our Christmas bash).....I cannot continue to offer music of this quality if I'm down £200 every gig.

Please don't book a table if you think you can't make it....please let me know if you're not coming as I can then at least offer guests your seats before the show starts....it's not much to ask.
OK that's it 'till the next one...Cheerio & thanks from "Beau Shambles" (Slim)...don't worry he gets his own back!
And it's goodbye from him "Ye Crusty Olde Goat"....John.
www.bottleneckblues.co.uk
www.littletobywalker.com
www.martinharley.com
www.watermelonslim.com
You can still listen to Slim's BBC interview on www.bbc.co.uk type OUTLOOK in the search box, click on WED & bingo you'll be transported back in time to last Wed when Slim amazed Bush House!!


Jazz

From: Richard Brookes
Subject: FW: Chill out to a summer's evening of Jazz on the North Downs
Knockholt Carnival 2006
www.knockholtcarnival.org.uk

KC/2005/01
Date: 8th May 2005

Chill out to a summer's evening of Jazz on the North Downs

As one of its key events leading up to the Knockholt Carnival 2006 the Carnival Committee today announced an evening for all the family at the Knockholt `Jazz Picnic' in the village recreation ground on Saturday 30th July 2005.

An evening of New Orleans, Dixieland and traditional jazz will be performed by Phil Mason's New Orleans All-Stars, the internationally renowned jazz band which performs at major music festivals and is regarded as one of the biggest traditional jazz attractions at home and on the international scene.

The Knockholt Jazz Picnic promises to be a great night out for all the family who are encouraged to bring their own food and drink and relax to the mellow sounds of jazz on in this picturesque Kent Village.
This is one of several events organised prior to the Knockholt Carnival 2006 from which all profits raised will be donated to the Kent Air Ambulance Trust.


Event:
Knockholt `Jazz Picnic' featuring Phil Mason's New Orleans All-Stars.
Date:
Saturday 30th July 2005 (Gates open at5.30pm - band performs at 7.00pm)
Venue:
Knockholt Village Recreation Ground, Kent

Ticket Prices:
ADULTS (£7.50): CHILDREN UNDER 12 (Free - max two per adult): 12 TO 17 YEAR OLDS (£5.00). These are discounted prices are for tickets purchased before Saturday 30th July.

For further information or to reserve tickets for the Knockholt Carnival `Jazz Picnic' call 01959 534600 / 533884 or email:
jazzpicnic_at_knockholtcarnival_dot_co_dot_uk_dot_ Also available from Knockholt Village Stores.

Media enquiries call Richard Brookes on on 01959 533639/07753 615684 or email: homevale_at_globalnet.co.uk

1. Knockholt recreation ground is situated 4 miles North of Sevenoaks, Kent, 8 miles south of Bromley and 4 miles from J4 of the M25. For a map of where to find Knockholt visit
www.knockholtcarnival.org.uk

2. Jazz picnicers advised to bring their own food, drink and picnic equipment.


The rig band

From: Ian
Subject: Rig Gig - Folkestone harbour Sat 4th June

Hi Beau,

Just a few lines to let you know of our gig on Sat 4th June at The Mariner pub and restaurant 16 The Stade, Folkestone, Kent, CT19 6AB Tel (01303) 254546

This has become a popular venue with us and a pleasant place for an evening out. Last time we played there we received a very favourable welcome and hopefully we can recreate the same atmosphere and good spirit again this time. The Mariner is the last pub along the harbourside beside the fishing boats and before you reach the sandy bay. Probably a 9pm start, and we'll have some new numbers such as Little Feat's 'Dixie Chicken' to begin and The Band's 'Up On Cripple Creek'. Others are in 'process' and we shall wait and see.

Hope to see you, if not on this occasion, then soon.

Ian
www.therigband.com


Sussex Folk

From: Vic & Tina Smith tinvic_at_globalnet_dot_co_dot_uk
Subject: Eight Items of Folk Music News from Sussex

1] FOLK AT THE ROYAL OAK, LEWES EAST SUSSEX.
Thursdays at 8.00 pm
Contact tinvic_at_globalnet_dot_co_dot_uk or 01273 478124
Website www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~tinvic

Programme for the remainder of this season:-
June 2nd * £5.00 * JEZ LOWE
The outstanding singer/songwriter makes his first appearance at the Royal Oak, offering us a selection from his warm and distinctive repertoire. June 9th * £4.00 * GINA LE FAUX
One of the most distinctive and appealing performers on the scene. Great singing and guitar playing and outstanding fiddle playing.
June 16th * £5.00 * DAN MILNER & BOB CONROY
Top American visitors bring us Traditional Songs of Ireland, Irish-America, New York City & the Golden Age of Sail.
June 23rd * £4.00 * THE OTHER BAND
The talented and very popular combination of Iris Bishop, Marilyn Bennett and Gary Holder.
June 30th * £4.00 * ELIZABETH STEWART
Elizabeth is a member of the famed traditional singing family from Aberdeenshire. Songs, ballads and sparkling dance tunes on piano. July 7th * £6.00 * MARTIN CARTHY
The leading performer on the folk scene for decades, Martin maintains his ability to provide spell-binding performances.
July 14th*£4.00 * TRIO THRELFALL
The unparalleled combination of the lovely singing sisters, Jane & Amanda Threlfall in the company of multi-instrumentalist, Roger Edwards. July 21st * £5.00 * LES CHAUFFEURS À PIEDS
We are delighted to be able to bring you this outstanding quartet from Quebec. Fine call & response songs and hard foot-driven dance tunes. July 28th * free admission * GRAND END OF SEASON OPEN NIGHT

+++Please note that the July 14th date with Trio Threlfall has been inadvertantly missed from our advert in THE FOLK DIARY but we will definitely be in action that night+++

We are closed during August but we will be back in the autumn with SEPTEMBER - "ALL AMERICAN MONTH" with five weeks of top names:- 1st BRUCE MOLSKY
8th JEFF WARNER
15th RILEY BAUGUS
22nd NEW DEAL STRING BAND
29th KATE LISSAUER
After that we are looking forward to hearing: -
Michael Marra, Sheila Stewart, Rattle On The Stovepipe (Dave Arthur, Pete Cooper, Chris Moreton). Oliver Mulligan & Brendan McClinchey, Jon Boden & John Spiers, Sara Grey & Kieron Means

Our website is at www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~tinvic

Those of you with listings/ gig guides etc. are asked kindly to include these dates amongst them.
***********
2] SUSSEX FOLK GUIDE WEBSITE - UPDATED
The Sussex Folk Guide Website has been redesigned in a way that it makes it easier to switch between the various categories of listings (theatre, cinema, art, etc.) provided by Virtual Brighton.
It has also been updated with listings of many folk song and dance events in and around Sussex between now and the end of May. There are over 100 folk song and dance events listed on the site including Summer festivals. You can find it at
whatson.brighton.co.uk/folk
**********
3] THE FOLK DIARY
Most of the listings on the Sussex Folk Guide website are taken from the paper magazine, THE FOLK DIARY Issue no 213 covers the months of June and July
and this is now available. It is packed with adverts for various folk festivals, folk music record companies, specialist shops, instrument makers and other services as well as pages of reviews of new folk
music albums. To obtain copies of this free magazine as it is published, please send SAE's to Vic Smith at the address below. It is also the address to send album review copies to. The copy date for the August/September issue is
June 30th. Potential advertisers are also asked to contact Vic for a statement of our advertising rates.
**********
4] THE FOLK DIARY ON LINE
THE FOLK DIARY is now available on-line. The magazine started out as the BRIGHTON FOLK DIARY more than thirty years ago before becoming the SUSSEX FOLK DIARY and eventually adopting its present title as its editorial area it covers grew. Throughout its long history the free magazine has been edited by JIM MARSHALL & VIC SMITH. The magazine is available on line. For some years now, all the listings which THE FOLK DIARY gives has been given in date order on THE SUSSEX FOLK GUIDE WEBSITE but now, the entire magazine is available on-line; go to the website for the FOLK AT THE ROYAL OAK, LEWES www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~tinvic and then click on the "Folk Diary" symbol.
You will need Adobe ACROBAT READER to read the pages and, frankly, unless you are on broadband, the page will take too long to download. The size of each page is given by each page link and the content of each page is indicated. One advantage of having THE FOLK DIARY on-line is that the information it contains can be accessed earlier. The issue now on-line is issue 213 - covering the months of June and July 2005 - Issue no 214 (August/September 2005) will be on-line before it is sent to the printers so it will be the first place to look for the guide to what is happening throughout the area. The web counter shows that it is a service that is already being widely used but we would appreciate any comments you have on this and the way it has been done.
**********
5] SOME IDEAS FOR YOUR CLUB OR FESTIVAL - MULTI-MEDIA SHOWS.
There has been a great increase in interest during this year in the multi-media shows with music that we have been involved in devising and presenting. This year we have presented many more of these this year than in previous years. These were sometimes developed for our own folk club at the Royal Oak, but we have been asked to take these to other clubs as well as folk festivals and the big world beyond the folk scene - literary festivals, woman's institutes and the like. Already these presentations have been booked for eight of this season's festivals, including Sidmouth, Whitby, Fylde and Tenterden mostly more than one at each festival. We have never previously sought bookings for these shows before now, but we feel now that we ought at least to say what is
available:-
A) SHIRLEY COLLINS PRESENTS "AMERICA OVER THE WATER"
Shirley introduces her very successful book published in 2004 about her song-collecting trip through the southern states of the USA with Alan Lomax in 1959 with readings from the book and musical and visual illustrations of the trip. Shirley shares the presentation with the actor, Pip Barnes. B) SHIRLEY COLLINS PRESENTS "A MOST SUNSHINY DAY"
Shirley shares her great love of English traditional music and song and in particular her love of the authentic music and song of Sussex. Her talk is illustrated with songs, music and a multi-media presentation. C) BOB LEWIS PRESENTS "SONGS WE USED TO SING"
Bob is noted one of England's finest traditional singers and has had a busy year at festivals in England and the USA. However, he also has a great love of some of the songs that he feels that the song collectors ignored - "Cockles & Mussels", "Billy Boy", "The Old Rustic Bridge" and so on. His participatory workshop with images and words on the screen has provided some great singing occasions.
D) JOHNNY DOUGHTY
A long radio interview by Vic Smith from June 1984 with the much missed great singing Rye fisherman is presented with illustrations and Johnny singing many fine songs interspersed with his life story
E) GORDON HALL
Gordon was one of England's finest and most distinctive singers. This is a long radio interview with Vic Smith from March 1991 and has Gordon telling his life stories which he intersperses with many of his fine songs. A slide show has been devised to illustrate the presentation.
F) BOB COPPER
A very lively interview with Bob Copper conducted as long ago as November 1970, after he had finished writing "A Song For Every Season" but before it was published. A slide show has been devised to illustrate the presentation.
Anyone interested in more details of these shows or of booking one for their own event should contact Tina at 01273 478124 or email her at tina_at_twistle_dot_freeserve_dot_co_dot_uk
********
6] INSTRUMENTAL & VOCAL WORKSHOPS IN LEWES
The Saturday daytime instrumental workshops in Lewes organised by Valmai Goodyear - valmaigoodyear_at_aol_dot_com (01273) 476757 - continue to attract increasing support. Their highly successful programme continues with :-
SHIRLEY COLLINS: Singing master classes, 4th. & 5th June
ALISTAIR ANDERSON: English concertina, 2nd. July
BEN PALEY: Fiddle, 9th. July
CRAIG MORGAN ROBSON: Vocal harmony, 8th. October &
CRAIG MORGAN ROBSON: Ballad forum, 9th. October
WILL DUKE: Tunes of Scan Tester, 19th. November
PETE COE: Northern dance music, all instruments, 3rd December SUE COE: Appalachian clog dancing, 3rd December (2-5 pm)
**********
7] JALI SHERRIFO KONTEH
We have recorded a second album of this wonderful kora player and singer, this time a studio album that we will be working on
to release during 2005. We are currently arranging a second British tour for Sherrifo this autumn and the dates will be posted on his website as they are arranged. More details as they are finalised in this newsletter and on his website at
www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~tinvic/sherrifo.htm
Anyone interested in booking Sherrifo for concert, school workshop, club or festival (all of which worked very well last September and October) is asked to contact Vic on tinvic_at_globalnet_dot_co_dot_uk or by phone on (01273) 478124. **********
8] JERRY EPSTEIN AT COPPERSONGS 17th September 2005
Whilst the Royal Oak in Lewes are having their big American month in September, there will be another leading American, Jerry Epstein, making an appearance for a one-off revival of the Coppersongs Folk Club at the Central Club in Peacehaven. Jerry is a very fine performer and has been a long-term friend of the Coppers having arranged their first visit to the USA in 1994. More details from John Copper at john_at_jcopper_dot_fsbusiness_dot_co_dot_uk
+++++++++++++++++++++++
...And if you are ever looking for a good barn dance band, look no further than THE SUSSEX PISTOLS - though you should get in quickly - available dates for 2005 are being snapped up quickly. Contact Tina on 01273 478124 or email her at tina_at_twistle_dot_freeserve_dot_co_dot_uk
The band's website is at
www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~tinvic/pistols.htm

VIC & TINA SMITH

Vic Smith
26 Ferrers Road
LEWES
East Sussex
BN7 1PZ
England

Tel & Fax:- 01273 478124
Email:-
tinvic_at_globalnet_dot_co_dot_uk
folk_at_brighton_dot_co_dot_uk

ROYAL OAK WEBSITE:-
www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~tinvic

SUSSEX FOLK GUIDE WEBSITE:-
whatson.brighton.co.uk/folk

SUSSEX PISTOLS BARN DANCE BAND WEBSITE:-
www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~tinvic/pistols.htm


Events

From: WeJus4_at_aol_dot_com
Subject: re: live music listings for Canterbury Kent

Hi Beau,
I am soon to begin Live music promotions in Canterbury under the name 'PETSOUND PROMOTIONS' and am confident in saying that I will be delivering the very best in new live music to the city on a regular basis.

I have at the moment a very impressive list of acts to come down and play in the coming months and will be kicking it all off with a special warm up night on Saturday 25th June at KIAD Uni Bar, New Dover Rd, Canterbury with special guests 'THE PADDINGTONS' - recently supported 'THE LIBERTINES' on tour and still celebrating recent chart success (top 20) with their single 'panic attack'.
Ticket prices for the event are as follows; £5advance/£6 on the door/£3 after 11:30pm
Running times for the night are 8pm-2am with 'THE PADDINGTONS' onsateg at 10pm
Support comes from a local band, and the 'GET FUNK'D!!!' Dj's will be rounding the night off until the early hours.

Future events will be held in various venues around the city dependant on the size of the band in question
Any further details/enquiries to petsound_at_gmail_dot_com

Many thanks
Justin


From: Frances Moran
Subject: Gulbenkian NuRoots

Batanai Marimba
(Zimbabwe/SAfrica)

African NuRoots Dancemusic
Saturday 11 June 7.45pm
Gulbenkian Theatre Canterbury

Final Event of the Gener8 Festival

High Voltage Arts Mix 4 The New Generation

Fronted by the enduring exuberance and charisma of Zimbabwean lead singer/marimbaman Wedzerai Zvirevo, and featuring a groundbreaking pan-African line-up mixing the rippling, buzzing acoustics of traditional Southern African marimbas and percussion with alto sax, mbiras, bass and soaring vocal harmonies, Batanai Marimba celebrate both the past and the future of African NuRoots dancemusic.

Batanai also travel into more contemporary territory, to showcase passionate new songs that explore displacement and cultural change, celebrate freedom through unity, and have an unstoppable momentum.
Watch out for featured tracks from their latest album release Matumba Matumba! (KoniCD003) where the music is:

"trancey and uplifting with the rhythms of the kalimba and marimba beating at its heart...with lyrics dealing with poverty, learning from the past, the mendacity of politicians.." (Jamie Renton fRoots Nov 03)
Batanai Marimba are driven by a pulsating mix of deep Shona and Zulu NuRoots sounds riding on fat, loping traditional marimba beats that have become this flamboyant band's trademark.

Tickets £12 Concs £10 Box Office 01227 769075 www.kent.ac.uk/gulbenkian/
Press /Media enquiries
Tel 0114 274 9080
Mob 07753 129888

Reviews :

Bath International Music Festival
"The high-energy rhythms, outrageous costumes and flamboyant style of Batanai Marimba's percussion orchestra, proved irresistible. Their four huge xylophones and mass of drums filled the stage and their relentless beat and sheer enthusiasm enticed the audience to join them in frenzied shouting, chanting and hand clapping...'

Rosie Upton www.thisisbath.com 2001
"A blistering fusion of South African melody and Zimbabwean rhythms driven by a stunning massed marimba section. Enthusiasm and energy barely contained by the stage."

Carol Alevroyianni OrangeWOW Festival 2001
`Rivetingly visual, gloriously musical, and entirely danceable.'
Pete Holden MODAL Convention Showcase 2002
`And as for the latest line-up of Batanai Marimba, we were well impressed! That ability to explore the melodic range of the marimbas over a powerful rhythmic engine, is now joined by new confidence in the vocal harmonies; add the beautiful delicate performing style of Mimi, contrasted with Wedze's exuberant and charismatic presence, and Batanai must be one of the very best African bands performing in Britain today. Can't wait for the new CD!'

David Ambrose: St Donats Arts Centre April 2003
`Their music is trancey and uplifting with the rhythms of the kalimba and marimba beating at its heart, with spirituality and tradition high on the agenda.....but however good the group's albums get, they're never going to be able to completely capture the energy of a Batanai live performance...they hit the Freestage in a whirl of bright colours, clattering percussion and blasting horns...'

Jamie Renton (fRoots) London Barbican July 2003
Matumba Matumba `...best yet from Batanai Marimba..good songs, a full sound and some wild ensemble playing'
fRoots March 2004

Discography: distribution www.sternsmusic.com
Matumba Matumba! (KoniCD003) 2003
Mudzimu Mudzimu (KoniCD002) 2002
Moto Moto! (Fire Fire!) (KoniCD001) 2001
Oxfam Africa compilation (WMN RGNET 1073) 2001
Breaking the Silence(HIV awareness) compilation(20289979) 2001 Kashiri Kamambo (WMMCD001) 2000
Tambarara: Heartbeat of Zimbabwe (KoniK7004) 1999

Press /Media enquiries
Tel 0114 274 9080
Mob 07753 129888
email info_at_konimusic_dot_co_dot_uk


From: Michael Clark

Hi
I'm putting on Darden Smith, fantastic singer/songwriter from Austin, Texas, at the Ship Theatre, Hollybush Lane, Sevenoaks, Kent on the 20th of July. Tickets are available from bookings_at_trueroots_dot_hypermart_dot_net_dot_ Info and postal bookings 01732 832452. There's also an excellent website.www.dardensmith.com. Tickets are£8 and £6 conc.
It would be great if you would list this as its my first go at promoting and he's a great artist.

Thanks and Best wishes

Michael Clark

0207 452 3375


From: Perry Scott
Subject: Greenpeace concert this summer

Hi Beau,
Do you know of any bands that would be interested in appearing at this summer's Northbound concert/mini-festival ? We are looking to start the event around midday-ish on the Saturday with some proper folk music, then slowly blend it with more Crosby,Stills and Nash type music going into the early evening and then back to a quiet folk session mid/late evening around a huge bonfire, inviting anyone that wants to join in (ie. the other bands and members of the public). Then, on the Sunday, we start again around midday and continue until about 8pm.

If you can pass this on to anyone you think might be interested, and let them have my mobile number and ask them to get in touch...

www.northbound.moonfruit.com
Hope you and some of your crowd can come along ;)

Cheers
Scott P.