southwestfolk

NEW VENUE
Watchet: The Esplanade Club, 6 The Esplanade (Harbourside) TA23 0AJ (01984 634518, Steve Sutherland: 01984 633425, stevebassman@hotmail.com)
Monthly open mic (not always on the same day of the month), 8.30pm – 11pm. All genres.
Next one Tuesday 14th July.

CHANGE OF GUEST AT THE RITZ
Burnham-on-Sea: Ritz Acoustic Club, 24 Victoria St. TA8 1AN (01278 794414, www.ritzclubburnham.co.uk)
Open Mic Nights every Thursday. Doors Open at 8pm.
The Pamela Wyn Shannon appearance on 16th July has been cancelled. Instead Dave Sutherland will be playing.

THE BICTON SCHEDULE
Exmouth: The Bicton Inn, 5 Bicton St. EX8 2RU (01395 272589)
Every Thursday, 9pm. Informal music sessions - all performers welcome:
16th July: Open mic hosted by Dave Green
23rd July: Nashville Rash - Americana night led by Richie Evans.
30th: Mainly classical
Note that for this month Dave Green's session and the Nashville Rash swap weeks.

THE BLAZING STUMP FOLK CLUB: SOME CHANGES FOR JULY
Luxborough (nr. Watchet): The Blazing Stump Folk Club, The Royal Oak TA23 0SH (01984 640319, George Ody: 07970 116816)
Second Friday of the month, 8.30 pm. Very friendly singaround and session. All welcome.
On Friday 10th July the Blazing Stump Folk Club becomes part of the West Somerset Folk Festival and will take place in the skittle alley of the Butcher’s Arms, Carhampton, at 8pm.
On Wednesday 15th July (NOT Friday this time) the Blazing Stump will be back at its usual venue, the Royal Oak, Luxborough, for a special BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION for Sue Bone who is unbelievably (she told me to say) 60 on 30th July.

DI’S CAKES!
“THIS SATURDAY, 11th JULY, THE ACORN FOLK CLUB hosts a SINGAROUND at the WEST SOMERSET FOLK FESTIVAL from 4 - 6 pm approx. (come a bit earlier), during which Di Dibble serves her AMAZING HOME MADE CAKES AND TEAS. You are all welcome as always, singers, musicians, floor spots and listeners to this event, and of course you can also contact Mike and Di 01643 841597 to join in the whole or part of the Festival, which is held at the Recreation Hall in Carhampton with camping available next weekend.” Eileen Ann

RINGWOOD: REVISED SCHEDULE FOR JULY
Ringwood: Ringwood Folk Club, The Elm Tree Inn, Hightown BH24 3DY (01425 472516, Rod Biggs: 01425 673713, www.ringwoodfolk.org.uk)
Every Tuesday, 8.15pm to 10.55pm (NOT August). Entry fee for the guest nights is mostly £5, though sometimes more. £1.50 for the singaround nights (tunes, songs & poems). From the A31, turn off at the first exit east of Ringwood; follow signs to Hightown. NB: FLOOR SPOTS MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE ON GUEST NIGHTS (phone in advance).
Ringwood Folk Club Jul 2009
14th July: New Deal String Band.
21st July: Closed for Summer break.
28th July: Closed for Summer break.

DIFFERENT VENUE, DIFFERENT DAY
Milborne St Andrew (near Blandford Forum): Ranters’ Folk Session (Roger Harrall: 01258 837371, rogers.rant@googlemail.com)
8pm. Informal folk session - play a tune, sing a song, tell a story, recite a poem or just sit and enjoy the company.
Instead of on the third Friday at the Sports Club, the July session will be held on Monday 27th at Roger’s home.

MENDIP ASSOCIATION OF FOLK AND ENTERTAINING ARTS (supported by Folk Music Somerset)
Priddy (nr. Wells): MAFEA Launch Festival, Ebborways Farm, Pelting Drove BA5 3BA (Chris or Celia Street: 07970 735682, 07970 727582, enquiries@mendipfolk.org.uk, info@folkmusicsomerset.co.uk)
Chris Street writes: “A group of us have got together and are in the process of starting a new venture which fills a gap in the folk world. The Launch Festival is from 18th to 20th September 2009 and we aim to grow in strength from the launch. The Association aims to gather like-minded folk and artists of kindred spirit, to further the cause of our cultural past, with music, song, and dance, restoring and preserving forgotten meaningful work, upholding, enriching and protecting our traditions and folklore. All Musicians, Dancers, Singers and other Artists are invited to the launch of the new MAFEA Association, at a special weekend on the Mendip Hills. Special entertainments, performances and group activities will occur. Participation and spontaneous involvement will be the norm. This weekend is for the launch of the MAFEA and is not an event aimed at the general public, but families and friends of the invited participants are welcome. On-site Camping will be available at a moderate cost (self-catering is essential). Tea, Coffee, Soft drinks will be available. Bar facilities will be available in the Marquee.”
Friday Night: Individual performances and Jam Session (Marquee).
Saturday, 10.am: Launch of the MAFEA (Marquee).
Saturday, Lunchtime till Teatime: Singaround & Jam Session.
Saturday Evening onwards: Concert in the (Marquee).
Sunday, am-pm: Workshops, Singaround, Jam Sessions and other attractions.
Tickets: Weekend (inclusive): £25.00 + camping at £5 per night.
Day Pass: £10.00.
Children under 16: Free.
If fully paid up Members of the MAFEA Association attend and show membership card, the entrance fee will be waved.
Cheques payable to The MAFEA Association.
24hr toilets, water points, First aid and Security will be available.

JULY FESTIVALS 2009
Thursday 9th July to Saturday 11thJuly:
Milford on Sea: Music & Arts Festival (http://www.milfordfestival.org.uk/)

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

Friday 10th July to Sunday 12th July:
Milborne St Andrew: Roger’s Rant (Roger Harrall: 01258 837371, 07776 214813, rogers.rant@googlemail.com, www.myspace.com/rogersrant)
An interactive weekend of song, music and dance in the heart of the Dorset countryside. Benefiting charities are: Royal National Life Boat Institute and Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance.

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

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

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

Saturday 25th July to Sunday 26th July:
Wiveliscombe: BrewFest, Kingsmead Community School, Hartswell TA4 2NE (Jamie: 01984 656526, jamie@underonesun.org.uk, http://www.wiveliscombe.com/10radio_brewfest_2009)
Jamie writes: “I've been asked to organise the acoustic stage at the Brewfest in Wivvy on 25th & 26th July and still have space for a few more performers. The event, with 20 beers from award-winning local breweries Cotleigh & Exmoor Ales, is a family-friendly festival and a fundraiser for community radio station 10Radio. The acoustic stage will be running during both afternoons. If anybody's interested in performing please get in touch for further information as soon as possible as slots are filling up.”

Friday 31st July to Friday 7th August:
Sidmouth: Sidmouth FolkWeek (http://www.sidmouthfolkweek.co.uk/)
Sidmouth: Sidmouth FolkWeek: Sessions, singarounds, etc at various venues around the town

AUGUST FESTIVALS 2009
Friday 31st July to Friday 7th August:
Sidmouth: Sidmouth FolkWeek (http://www.sidmouthfolkweek.co.uk/)

Friday 7th August to Sunday 9th August:
South Zeal (nr. Okehampton): Dartmoor Folk Festival (www.dartmoorfolkfestival.co.uk/)

Monday 10th August to Sunday 16th August:
Bideford: Bideford Folk Festival (www.bidefordfolkfestival.co.uk/)

Friday 28th to Sunday 30th August:
Watchet: Watchet Music Festival, Parsonage Farm TA23 0HS (01984 639616, festival@watchetcarnival.org.uk, www.watchetfestival.co.uk)
Open mic stage available Friday to Sunday.


SAD NEWS
The past month has seen the deaths of two great traditional folksingers, George Withers and Johnny Collins. They will be much missed.

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