southwestfolk

Hello People,

Welcome to the September edition of the Acoustic Calendar for Wessex.

If you are a newcomer to the mailing list, this is how it works. I issue the Calendar for each month at the end of the previous month, each one accompanied by an alphabetical list of the venues, giving contact details and full addresses including postcodes (for the benefit of sat-nav users). These attachments are issued in both PDF and Word doc format. Please feel free to forward them to anyone you think may be interested – or get them to email me and I’ll put them on the mailing list. It’s all free.

In addition to the Calendars I also send out frequent updates.

In order to keep up with changes in the acoustic world I have to rely largely on people telling me about them – so I’d be more than grateful for any feedback. But please don’t ask me to publicise gigs and concerts. I only list folk clubs, singarounds, acoustic sessions and open mic – in other words, events where anyone who turns up (or books) stands a good chance of being allowed to play/sing. Although I’m happy to give a mention to guest artists appearing in venues that also normally include floor spots, the key factor is ‘musical participation’. Concerts, gigs, ceilidhs and barn dances are not on the agenda.

I’d strongly recommend that you contact any venue you are not familiar with before turning up, particularly if it involves a long journey, as often changes are made to the schedules, which I am not immediately aware of.

Check out this month’s news below.

Then go and enjoy yourselves,

Tony

*
NEW ADDITION
Axminster: Axminster Inn, Silver St EX13 5AH (01297 34947)
Every Wednesday, 8.30. Open mic/acoustic session. “Relatively quiet, but enjoyable!”

NEW VENUES
Bristol: The Candle Club, Southbank Club, Dean Lane, Bedminster BS3 1DB (0117 966 5552)
Every Monday, 8.30pm till 11pm. Open mic hosted by Alex Furr. House Guitar available. Free drink for performers. Nice sounding PA system set-up. Monthly showcase of best performers.

Bristol: Electric Presence, Hamilton House, 80 Stokes Croft BS1 3QY (01179 249599, sarahjoyofjoys@gmail.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false)
Monthly on various dates, 8pm till midnight. Open mic followed by guest band at midnight. Hosted by Sarah Joy. £3 admission charge. As the name implies, there's a nice PA system in situ for you to plug in your instruments and microphones supplied, but sound levels are still nicely restrained. Contact for dates.

Bristol: The Ship Inn, 7-9 Lower Park Row, West End BS1 5BJ (01179294390)
Solos and Duos (0776 633 1996): Every Wednesday, 8.30pm. Open mic, hosted by Ben Bell. Two mics supplied, one big and one small, guitar amp. Vocals go through the house system.

Burtle (nr. Bridgwater): Tom Mogg Inn, Station Road TA7 8NU (01278 722399)
Normally third Saturday of the month, evening. Acoustic session run by The Mendip Association of Folk and Entertaining Arts. “Anyone can come along. Musicians bring your instruments, singers your voices, and stand by for a great evening in a great pub which has plenty of room, good food, great beer and a large car park!”
NB: The September session will be on Saturday 26th so as not to clash with the MAFEA launch weekend.

Long Ashton (nr. Bristol): Bird in Hand, 17 Weston Road BS41 9LA (01275 392 329)
Every Sunday, 8.30pm till 11pm. Open mic hosted by Barry Walsh. PA set up.

Sherborne: Acoustica, Britannia Inn, Westbury DT9 3EH (01935 813300, britinnsherborne@aol.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false)
Third Monday of the month, 8pm. All styles. “A chance for musicians to come and play at the Brit without amplification. Everyone is welcome to sing a few songs, whether it’s their own material or covers.”

CHANGES OF VENUE
Bournemouth: The Bourne Spring Acoustic Folk Club, The Cricketers Arms, 41 Windham Road, Springborne BH1 4RN (John Smith 01202 720630, john@bournespringtrust.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false)
Second and fourth Tuesdays of the month, 8pm (doors open 7.15). Second Tuesday is singers’ night; fourth Tuesday is for guests and floor spots. Entrance fee: £2.50 on the door (performers FREE).
Formerly at the Bourne Spring Centre.

From Tuesday 1st September Tiverton Folk Club will be moving to the following:
Tiverton: Tiverton Folk Club, The Prince Blucher, 98-102 West Exe South EX16 5DH (01884 253935, Susannah Billeter: 01884821286)
First Tuesday of the month, 8.30 pm. This club is run as a singers club, although from time to time they do have a guest.

REVISED SCHEDULES
Bristol: Seven Stars, 1 Thomas Lane BS1 6JG (0117 3763970)
Open Irish Session: Every Thursday, 8.30pm – 10.30pm. Hosted by David Garner and Pete Airey. Friendly atmosphere.
Formerly on Sundays.

Nailsea (near Bristol): Blue Flame, West End BS48 4DE (01275 856 910)
First & third Tuesdays of the month, 8pm / 8.30pm. Really informal singers / musicians night.
Now twice monthly.

RIP (no longer happening)
Bristol: Illusions Magic Bar, 2 Byron Place, Clifton BS8 1JT (0117 9093405, http://www.illusionsmagicbar.co.uk/music.htm)
Third Monday of the month, 8pm. Open mic, hosted by Anthony and James Stallwood.

Bristol: Planet Pizza, Gloucester Road, 187 Gloucester Road, Bishopston BS7 8BG (01179 444717)
Last Sunday of the month, 8.30pm. Open mic, hosted by Page.

Bristol: The Sunday Night Music Club, BAR BS3 (formerly The Rising Sun), 21 Ashton Road, Ashton, BS3 2EA (0117 966 9777)
1st Sunday in the month, 7pm. Open mic and acoustic showcase hosted by Mark Venus.

MILVERTON CANCELLED DURING SEPTEMBER
Milverton (near Taunton): Milverton Music Club, The Victoria Rooms, Fore Street TA4 1JU (Trish: 01823 400416 or 400538, www.milvertonmusic.co.uk/page2.html)
First Friday of every month, 7.30pm for 8pm start.
The Victoria Rooms are undergoing improvement, so the next club night will be Friday 2nd October.

SATURDAY 5TH SEPTEMBER: DIFFERENT VENUE FOR THE ACORN THIS MONTH
Minehead: Acorn Folk Club, The Quay Inn, Quay Street TA24 5UJ (Eileen or Jim: 07811 744158, acornfolkclub@googlemail.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false, www.acornfolkclub.co.uk)
“THE ACORN FOLK CLUB's Eighth Season opens on Saturday 5th September, with RICHARD GRAINGER "The Voice of Teeside" and CHRIS PARKINSON - virtuoso melodeon player. The Club on this occasion will be held at The Quay Inn, Quay Street, Minehead,TA24 5UJ. PLEASE ALL COME TO THE QUAY INN and make it a really successful night. There is free parking on the seafront after 6.30 pm and the Quay Inn serves nice meals, but upstairs in the skittle alley, where the Club will be held, doors will open by 7.00 pm and Club will start at 8 pm as usual. Sorry no wheelchair access. Musicians, singers, floor spots and listeners all given a lovely warm welcome AND there will be CAKE! www.quay-inn.co.uk And they are putting on a bar for us. Tickets £5.50 in advance or £6.00 on the door. Email acornfolkclub@googlemail.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false to order. You can also Buy Tickets Online by visiting www.acornfolkclub.co.uk or telephone Eileen Ann or Jim on 01643 709394 to reserve.”

FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER: MENDIP FOLK AT PRISTON
Priston (nr. Bath): Mendip Folk, Village Hall BA2 9EE (Heather: 01761 300551, singing@heatherash.co.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false)
Second Friday of the month (NOT July or August), 7.45pm for 8pm start. £2 entry (not opening night). All styles - traditional or contemporary song, music, dance, poetry or story. Everyone welcome to perform or just listen.
Tickets for the OPENING NIGHT are £3 in advance, and £4 on the door. Call Vince or Heather Ash on 01761 300551.
“Mendip Folk will launch their new season in a new venue in September. The opening night will feature some of the west country’s most talented and entertaining performers including wonderful wordsmith Mike Scott, the lovable and rather silly Willbees and amazing blues man Andrew Bazeley.
Mendip Folk run by Vince and Heather Ash has been providing a platform for local performers for ten years. This popular club continues to offer a great night out with live entertainment for a small entrance fee, and draws performers and audience from the Mendips, Bath and Bristol.
Having had its home at Emborough, Midsomer Norton and Kilmersdon over the years, Vince and Heather have now decided to move to Priston Village Hall. Many clubs in the area are finding that the current economic climate has meant that function rooms in pubs are needed for lucrative bookings at the last minute, and long-standing arrangements are likely to be cancelled. Village halls seem to offer the solution, and Priston is perfect being small and intimate with a great little performance stage and brilliant acoustics. Best of all, it is next door – in fact attached – to a free house with brilliant beers and good food, and it is in a village easily accessible from Bath and Bristol, and with friendly, music-loving and very supportive residents.”

WEST COUNTRY FOLK & MUSIC FESTIVALS
A list of festivals held during the coming two months is appended to the Calendar section.

If you would like the Acoustic Calendar for Wessex sent to your inbox each month please let me know by emailing me at sanchobramble@hotmail.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false. You will also receive frequent updates. And it costs nothing.