southwestfolk

NEW VENUES
Bath: Bear Essentials, The Bear, 6-10 Wellsway BA2 3AQ (01225 425795)
Second and fourth Thursdays of the month,7:30pm for 8pm start. Open mic.
From Richard Riley: “I’m hosting a new Open Mic at a lovely pub in Bath. It’s at the Bear on Bear Flat which is easy to find and on the Somerset side of South Bath. Parking is good also and the pub does lovely food. A PA will be provided and there’s even a small stage area. With enough support I think it could be a real success. The Open Mic will support Acoustic Music, sung and instrumental with special encouragement for Acoustic Singer/Songwriters. Solo, duo and small groups can be accommodated but if your music calls for more than a couple of musicians please arrive early and be ready. There are a limited number of mics and there will be no time for additional plugging in etc. ‘The List’ will open at start so please try and get there early.”

Semley (nr. Shaftesbury): The Benett Arms SP7 9AS (Jill Fletcher: 01747 830288, jillfletcher@btinternet.com)
First Thursday of every month, 8pm. Informal folk night. All are welcome. “We would like to get as wide a selection of music as possible.”

CHANGE OF VENUE
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.

RIP
Bishops Hull (near Taunton): The Old Inn, Bishops Hull Rd TA1 5EG (01823 284728)
First Wednesday of the month, 9pm in the main bar. Acoustic sessions (music & singing).

Bradford on Avon: The George, 67 Woolley Street BA15 1AQ (01225 865650)
Irish Night: Music & Dance (Phil: 01380 870734, 07952 540123, Phil@Deverall.on4free.co.uk), Val: 07979 523918):
Last Wednesday of the month (September to April only). Beginners: 7.30pm. Full session: 8.30pm. Square dancing to Irish music. No partner required.
The other music events at the George (including the Irish session on the second Wednesday) remain unchanged.

FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER: MENDIP FOLK AT PRISTON
Priston (nr. Bath): Mendip Folk, Village Hall BA2 9EE (Heather: 01761 300551, singing@heatherash.co.uk)
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.”

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.

CYCLING FOR CANCER
Our sympathies go to Peter Abbott, who runs Folk in the Vale. Early this year Peter was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Peter and his wife Kate are well loved figures on the Dorset folk scene. They are well known for their hospitality and enthusiasm in the field of live acoustic music. Please read Pete’s message below:
“I have not been so active since my diagnosis with Prostate Cancer early this year but I am glad to say after seven weeks of visiting Exeter Hospital on a daily basis for radiotherapy I am seeing my consultant on 25th August for my results which we are hoping will be OK.
Notwithstanding this, medical radiology and the Prostate Cancer Charity people have been so kind that I am doing a series of sponsored Static Bike rides at Acoustic and Folk venues in the next few months to raise money for Prostate Cancer Research and to spread the word about the disease amongst many men who seem to know very little about themselves.
My first ride will be at The Plough at Manston at the Folk Night on 27th August where I will be frightening the smokers in their covered encampment .Several other rides are planned, at Folk in the Vale in September and at Sturminster Newton Exchange Open Mike night on the last Monday in September.
May I through you ask firstly for sponsorship from my many friends in the music world and ask any club organisers if I may do a ride at their venue. The Static Bike set up is not noisy but emits a rather high pitched whine and would be better suited to an outside shelter or an entrance lobby.
I will attach Sponsorship Forms by return to anyone who e mails me at folkinthevale@aol.com.
Many thanks, Peter Abbott”

MORE SAD NEWS
Jim Couza, wonderful American hammered dulcimer player, died on August 2nd.
Mike Seeger, brother of Peggy and half-brother of Pete, died on August 7th.

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.