southwestfolk

AS YOU WERE!
Nailsea (near Bristol): The Tithe Barn, St. Mary’s Grove BS48 4NQ (lindsaymoore@btconnect.com)
Usually the first & third Sundays of the month, 8pm, but dates can vary so please get in contact. Irish session. No fee. The Tithe Barn is between the Ring O’Bells and the Holy Trinity Church.
This session is on the 26thApril, NOT the 19th.

THURSDAY 23RD APRIL: ST. GEORGE’S DAY AT THE LETHBRIDGE
Bishops Lydeard (nr. Taunton): Lethbridge Arms Hotel, Gore Square TA4 3BW (01823 432234, Gerry: 01823 432 827)
8pm onwards. Hosted by Gerry Mogg. “All singers, musicians, etc welcome. Bring your flags and dragon slaying equipment and have a good time.”

THURSDAY 23rd APRIL: ST GEORGE'S DAY AT THE GEORGE & PILGRIM
Glastonbury: George and Pilgrim Hotel, 1 High Street BA6 9DP (01458 831146)
8 till late. Traditional English folk songs from the Bards of Ynys Witrin, with Tony Thompson, Nathan Lewis Williams, Tim Hall and more. Some floor spots available (P.A.) Fine food and ales. Admission FREE. Contact nathanvibration@yahoo.co.uk or phone 01458 834677 and leave a message.

FRIDAY 24TH APRIL: ‘MERRIE ENGLAND’ CELEBRATION
Swanage: The Lookout Folk Nights, Durlston Country Park, Lighthouse Road BH19 2JL (01929 424443, info@durlston.co.uk, www.durlston.co.uk)
Last Friday in Month, 7.15pm.
“Durleston folk nights are continuing through the summer this year. We will have occasional guest spots and the next evening is a celebration of "Merrie England" and all things English and will happen on the 24th April.”

WEDNESDAY 29TH APRIL: QUARTERDECK MOVED FROM 22ND
Bridport: The Quarterdeck Tavern, West Bay DT6 4EL (07801 166478, Chris: 01308 423307, gemalarms@westbay24.freeserve.co.uk)
4th Wednesday of the month, 8pm. ‘Folk and Kindred Session’. Open to all musicians and singers. No fee, but those who wish to listen are encouraged to pass the hat in aid of the RNLI. Large car park. Warm welcome in this small but extremely friendly bar. Real Ale.
“Hi folks, can you please note that due to an anomaly in the calendar, the new session starting at Chideock on Tuesday 21st April (being the third Tuesday ) is immediately followed by the folk club at the Quarterdeck the following day the 22nd April (being the fourth Wednesday.) Do you still follow? So to put a little space between, we are moving the Quarterdeck session to Wednesday the 29th. Hope that all makes sense. Thank you for your forbearance or whatever... thanks anyway and apologies for those who have already cancelled lucrative engagements or romantic liaisons etc. Chris.”

THURSDAY 30TH APRIL: ELI’S REOPENING
Huish Episcopi (near Langport): Eli’s (The Rose & Crown) TA10 9QT (01458 250494)
Music Night with Diaspora (John: 01458 250005): Last Thursday of the month, 8.30-ish. Friendly band Diaspora host an acoustic evening. Jam with the band or do your own thing. Relaxed hospitable session in an old-style pub.

Traditional singaround (Rod: 01823 481253): Third Saturday of the month (September to May, inclusive), 8.30pm.
I’m assured that they are really really opening this time – TOO LATE for the singaround, of course, which has been cancelled; you’ll have to ring John about Diaspora.

MONDAY 4TH MAY:
Kingsbury Episcopi (nr. Martock): Kingsbury May Festival (Richard Lean: 01935 822346, sadfolk@richlean.com, http://kingsburymayfestival.co.uk/)
Open mic session at the David Hall music tent, 11am - 5pm. Turn up and play! Admission free. Car parking £2.

SUNDAY 17TH MAY: LUNCHTIME IRISH SESSION
Nailsea: Ring Of Bells, 4 St. Mary’s Grove BS48 4NQ (01275 790009)
Sunday Lunchtime (12 noon - 2pm in the garden. Free Irish session. “Following a very successful outdoor session last year we look forward to doing it all again in 2009. Please ‘pop’ along to the ‘Ringers’, join in and enjoy.”

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.

NEW ADDITIONS
Bristol: Kingsdown Wine Vaults, 29-31 Kingsdown Parade BS6 5UE (Jill: 01275 847909, jillyelliot@gmail.com)
Irish Session, 8pm. Run in conjunction with the Hibernia Centre’s morning workshops at St Andrew's Hall, Avonmouth.
“The Hibernia Centre… is the wellspring of much of the Irish music and activity in the Bristol area and we have people coming from quite some distance for the workshops. It runs on alternate Saturday mornings at St. Andrew's Hall, Avonmouth (near Avonmouth station on the Severn Beach Line), 9.45am to 12.45pm (no need to book in advance & there is no joining fee) and costs £5 for the morning. Linked to this is a session in the Kingsdown Wine Vaults in the evening from 8pm. The classes/workshops usually running are: beginner whistle, a more advanced flute and whistle group, guitar, dance, beginner fiddle, fiddle technique and a mixed instrument group.” (Further details from Jill 01275 847909, jillyelliot@gmail.com, information@hiberniacentrebristol.org, www.fiddlelessons.co.uk/index.htm, www.hiberniacentrebristol.org)

Bristol: Seven Stars, 1 Thomas Lane BS1 6JG (0117 3763970)
Every Sunday, 8.30pm – 10.30pm. Open Irish Session, hosted by David Garner and Pete Airey. Friendly atmosphere.

MAY FESTIVALS 2009
Friday 1st to Monday 4th:
Brixham: Pirate & Shanty Festival (http://www.brixhambuccaneers.co.uk/BB%2 ... 02009.html)

Friday 1st to Monday 4th:
Upton: Upton Folk Festival (http://www.uptonfolk.org/)

Monday 4th May: Kingsbury Episcopi (nr. Martock): Kingsbury May Festival (Richard Lean: 01935 822346, sadfolk@richlean.com, http://kingsburymayfestival.co.uk/)

Friday 8th to Sunday 10th:
Bridestowe (near Okehampton): Fox & Hounds Weekend of Song (http://www.redherring.unisonplus.net/fah.htm, http://www.broadsideman.co.uk/)
Informal sing.

Friday 22nd to Monday 25th :
Chippenham: Chippenham Folk Festival (www.chippfolk.co.uk)

Friday 22nd to Monday 25th:
Dulverton: Dulverton Folk Festival (John Lowday: 01398 323776, www.dulvertonfolkfestival.net/)
Free entry to all events.

Various dates throughout the month:
Tiverton: Tivvy Fest (www.tivvyfest.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.