southwestfolk

Hello People,

Welcome to the June edition of the Acoustic Calendar for Wessex (4 attachments). Firstly, here is the usual bunch of sessions news etc, also lists of the June & July festivals. Have a good summer.

Tony

THE ‘JONES’S ALE’ MARATHON
On Tuesday 12th May I carried out my threat to sing the expanded version of ‘Jones’s Ale’, which includes new verses from the winner and runners-up in the competition (plus a modest effort of my own). We had a record turn-out of 21 people, which is a lot for the Hatch Inn singaround. I'd never actually sung 'Jones's Ale' before - I normally do sensitive introverted stuff with guitar (as opposed to unaccompanied drinking songs with big boozy choruses) but I had plenty of energetic support from the company. By the time we reached the end (after 11 verses and 12 choruses) half the bar staff had resigned and the landlord had hanged himself. Other than that, an enjoyable time was had by all. The Acoustic Calendar is not sufficiently evolved to boast its own website, but the new verses of ‘Jones’s Ale’ can be viewed at: http://southwestfolk.freeforums.org/jon ... -t174.html.

NEW VENUES
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. Hosted by Anthony and James Stallwood. FREE drink for performers. PA in situ and a baby grand piano available for performers to play.

Bristol: The Thunderbolt, The Olde Turnpike, 124 Bath Road BS4 3ED (0117 738947, info@thethunderbolt.net, www.thethunderbolt.net/whatson.ihtml)
Last Wednesday of the month, 9pm. Open mic, hosted by Katy Tucker and Dan Moore. All performers are welcome, whatever their musical style or genre.

Yatton (nr. Bristol): The Platform Acoustic Club, The Railway Inn, 6 Station Rd BS49 4AJ (01275 871477)
Every Friday, 8pm. Open mic. Admission: £1 performers, £2 audience. Hot food, ample parking.

CHANGES OF VENUE
Bradford on Avon: The George, 67 Woolley Street BA15 1AQ (01225 865650)
English traditional session (Chris Timson: 01225 863762, chris@concertina.info):
Second & fourth Mondays of the month.
Recently at the Dog & Fox; back at the George from Monday 11th May.

Emborough (nr. Radstock): Mendip Folk, Old Down Inn BA3 4SA (Heather: 01761 300551, singing@heatherash.co.uk)
7.45pm for 8pm start. £1 entry. All styles - traditional or contemporary song, music, dance, poetry or story.
From Friday 12th June Mendip Folk will meet at Priston Village Hall BA2 9EE. There will be a new season launch and party night at Priston Village Hall on Friday 11th September. “ There is a brilliant pub next door, and you may be able to seek the odd pint out as long as you return the glasses, otherwise, bring your own drink and glasses – we will provide a few nibbles!”

Holton, (near Wincanton): The Old Inn BA9 8AR (01963 32002)
First Wednesday of the month, 8.45pm. Singalong run by Anna Piechna. FREE entry.
Due to the landlord’s retiring, this one is moving to Yarlington (nr. Wincanton): Stags Head, Pound Lane BA9 8DG (01963 440393). The first session will be on Thursday 4th June, but it is “too early to say that it will be there regularly - we will let you know”.

CLOSING FOR THE SUMMER
South Petherton: Petherton Acoustic Nights, David Hall Arts Centre, Roundwell Street TA13 5AA (Sam: 01935 872622)
Last Sunday of the month, 7pm to 10.30pm.
“The David Hall is closing for the summer to allow them to spend the money they got from the 'People's Millions' campaign.”

ACOUSTIC CAFÉ NO LONGER MONTHLY
Farringdon (near Exeter): Acoustic Café, The Village Hall, Upham Lane EX5 2HY
2nd Friday of each month (NOT January or August). An acoustic evening of various music genres in a friendly & informal setting.
No longer happening as a monthly event. It is now planned to run the café once a year – watch this space for details.

RIP
Kingston Seymour (near Clevedon): Plantation Lakes Acoustic Club, Middle Lane BS21 6XW (01275 871477)
Every Thursday
Message from David Brandon: “It is with a certain sadness I have to tell you that after three & a half years Plantation Lakes Acoustic Club is no more. The reasons why are convoluted. Let's just say it has run its course for now. However in the best of trite observations, "as one door closes, another one opens" and we, that is Pauline, Stuart & myself are starting up 'The Platform' acoustic club at The Railway Inn. 6 Station Rd, Yatton BS49 4AJ [see New Venues, above] Open Mic every Friday starting Friday 29th May at 8pm Admission £1 performers, £2 audience. Hot food, ample parking. We plan to have guest spots in the near future. Further information 01275 871477”

SATURDAY 30TH MAY: MUSIC & SONG AT THE LETHBRIDGE
Bishops Lydeard (nr. Taunton): Lethbridge Arms Hotel, Gore Square TA4 3BW (01823 432234, Gerry: 01823 432 827)
Music and song session hosted by Gerry Mogg. Folk singers, musicians, and storytellers in all genres welcome.
This is a one-off at the moment but it might become a more regular event – watch this space.

YETTIES MUSIC NIGHTS
Westbury (nr. Sherborne): Yetties Music Night, Weavers Social Club DT9 3EL (Pete Shutler (from The Yetties): 01935 814667)
Admission by ticket only - £6. No charge for performers. Start time: 8pm.
Wednesday 3rd June
Wednesday 8th July
Wednesday 5th August
Wednesday 2nd September

BLAZING STUMP POSTPONED TO FRIDAY 19TH JUNE
Luxborough (Exmoor): The Blazing Stump Folk Club, The Royal Oak TA23 0SH (George Ody: 07970 116816)
Second Friday of the month, 8.30 pm.
For reasons that have unfortunately escaped me the club will NOT be meeting on the usual Friday in June. Instead it will meet on the following Friday 19th June.

FRIDAY 19th JUNE: RIVER EXE CRUISE
Topsham Folk Club (www.topshamfolkclub.co.uk) is running an evening cruise aboard the TUDOR ROSE (Stuart Line Cruises) starting from Exmouth at 7.30pm. The cost is £5 and includes a buffet supper. There will be a bar onboard and singers & musicians will be welcome.

WEDNESDAY 24TH JUNE: FOLK AT THE BLACK SWAN
Swanage: The Black Swan, 159 High Street BH19 2NE (01929 423846)
9pm. Folk & blues acoustic open mic run by the landlady Alyson.
May become regular if it’s a success.

SATURDAY 27th JUNE: WELLINGTON ACOUSTIC MUSIC CLUB
Wellington : Wellington Acoustic Music Club, Wellington Arts Centre, Eight Acre Lane TA21 8PS (Tony Woollard: 01823 660969, tony.woollard@talktalk.net)
Normally third Saturday of the month, 8.30pm. “Players of all ages, genres and abilities are welcome. Play on a first come first served basis. Its FREE but we do pass the 'pot' round during the evening to help fund special events (workshops, guest stars). The beer is very reasonable in price.”
Fourth Saturday instead of third this month.

SINGING WORKSHOPS
Want a singing workshop at your festival? Gabrielle Newman Turner, experienced festival singing workshop leader. Folk/African/Taize/Gospel etc. Bookings now being taken for 2010 fests. (Sorry, July fully booked.) 01823 680690 or Email gilesnt@talktalk.net.

JUNE FESTIVALS 2009
Friday 5th June to Sunday 7th June:
Black Dog (nr. Crediton): Pennymoor Song & Ale, The Black Dog Inn EX17 4QS (Clare Penney: 01884 860023, west.land@lineone.net)
PLEASE BOOK. “You have to have booked this in advance so no good anyone just turning up! The reason is that the venue is just one pub and is too small to accommodate more than have booked - we feel rotten turning people away but there is no choice so please don't come if you haven't booked. We have a strictly first come first served policy.”

Friday 5th June to Sunday 7th June:
Weymouth: Wessex Folk Festival: (www.wessexfolkfestival.co.uk)
Takes place around the Old Harbour.

Friday 12th June to Sunday 14th June:
Bradninch: Bradninch Music & Arts Festival (www.information-britain.co.uk/eventframe.php?id=5449)

Friday 12th June to Sunday 14th June:
Wimborne: Wimborne Folk Festival (www.wimbornefolkfestival.co.uk)

Friday 19th June to Sunday 21st June:
Teignmouth: Teignmouth Folk Festival (www.teignmouthfolk.co.uk)

JULY FESTIVALS 2009
Friday 3rd to Sunday 5th:
Christchurch: Christchurch Festival (http://www.christchurchfestival.co.uk/)

Thursday 9th to Saturday 11th:
Milford on Sea: Music & Arts Festival (http://www.milfordfestival.org.uk/)

Friday 10th to Sunday 12th:
Carhampton: West Somerset Folk Festival (http://www.westsomersetfolkfestival.co.uk/)

Friday 10th to Sunday 12th:
Milborne St Andrew: Roger’s Rant (Roger Harrall: 01258 837371, rogers.rant@googlemail.com, www.myspace.com/rogersrant)

Friday 10th to Sunday 12th:
Priddy: Priddy Folk Festival (http://www.priddyfolk.org/)

Friday 10th to Saturday 18th
Somerton: Summer Arts Festival (http://www.somerton.co.uk/ssf/)

Thursday 23rd to Sunday 26th:
Trowbridge: Village Pump Festival (http://www.trowbridgefestival.co.uk/)

Friday 31st July to Friday 7th August:
Sidmouth: Sidmouth FolkWeek (http://www.sidmouthfolkweek.co.uk/)

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. You will also receive frequent updates and it costs nothing.