southwestfolk

Welcome to the April edition of Tony & Peter’s Folk Diary.

Following the problems I had with the February Diary (people without Word 2003 could only open three pages of it) I decided in future to send it in PDF format. What I overlooked was the fact that some of you like to copy and paste from the updates, or select just those entries that pertain to your own locality – which of course you can’t do in PDF. Consequently, I’m now offering a choice: the Diary & Venue list will be sent both in PDF format and in Word format (Word 97/2000/XP) – take your pick. I now create the Diary in OpenOffice, because it allows me to do a one-click conversion to PDF. Resaving the OpenOffice doc. as a Word file causes some weird anomalies in the formatting, but nothing serious – all the information should be there.

Enough of this technical bollocks – let’s see what’s happening in the glorious world of DIY acoustic music:

CHANGE OF DAY:
Taunton: The Flying Horse, 123 Wordsworth Drive TA1 2HH (01823 251669)
Open mic.
Formerly every Wednesday, now every Thursday.

RIP:
Bath: Moles Grey Whistle Test, Moles, 14 George St. BA1 2EN (01225 404445)
Every Sunday. Open mic.
No longer happening, but the session next door at the Porter Cellar Bar is still going strong (every Monday)

Bristol: The Victoria Pub (RUSTY’S Open Michael Night), St Werburghs, 40 James Street BS2 9US (0117 941 3682)
Alternate Saturdays, 8pm. Open mic.
Pub up for sale – sessions cancelled.

CANCER RESEARCH
Message from Kate & Peter of Folk in the Vale, Fifehead Magdalen:

“Dear each and every one who ever you are,

Kate and I have several friends who are not musical but who are much younger and running the London Marathon for Cancer Research, which we can't do, so for the next session on Friday 4th April we are donating the whole of the proceeds of the evening to Cancer Research.

So bring yourselves and sing or play, bring your friends, bring a raffle prize unwanted gifts, old cds, unwanted presents, bring anything you can to make money. Best of all bring yourselves and your talents and lets have a great evening helping others less fortunate than us.

To those performers who can make a firm commitment please let me know as soon as possible so that I can include you in my advance publicity

Thanking you for your support in advance

Kate & Peter Acoustic Folk in the Vale Fifehead Magdalen”

NEW FOLK CLUB TO BE LAUNCHED ON 4TH APRIL:
Bath: The Bath Folk Club, Widcombe Social Club, Widcombe Hill BA2 6AA (01225 463362, info@inu-music.com, www.inu-music.com)
8 till late, monthly (not necessarily on the same day). Music, song, dance. Guests, floor spots. “A friendly clean venue with a really nice sound and cheap beer.”

“Marick and Louise are pleased to announce the Launch of the Bath Folk Club Bringing the Best Accoustic Acts to Bath. Our main aim with the folk club is to raise the profile of the excellent Folk Music Scene here in Bath and to bring outside acts to the city. We will be providing a platform in a great venue for guests to perform and listen to each other and an opportunity to hear bands and artists that often wouldn't be heard here. We aim to bring gigs of the highest quality and greatest fun to you with a chance to be involved as well.”

See above website for further information.

OTHER NEW ADDITIONS TO THE DIARY:
Burnham on Sea: Chaplins Bar, 8 Esplanade TA8 1BE (01278 782004)
Every Tuesday, 8.30pm. Music & song session.

Bristol: Illusions Magic Bar, 2 Byron Place, Clifton BS8 1JT (0117 9093405, http://www.illusionsmagicbar.co.uk/music.htm)
3rd Sunday of the month. Open mic hosted by Anthony Noel.

Bristol: Three Sugar Loaves, 1 Christmas Steps, West End BS1 5BS (0117 929 2431)
Alternate Thursdays, from March 20th 2008. Creative Open Mic run by Pete Gioconda. “Arrive early to avoid disappointment. They have nice real ales!”

‘SINGIN' SPRING’: SATURDAY 5TH APRIL:
This one-day festival is a bit off limits for the Diary, but check out their website, www.bonnygreen.co.uk. It’s all happening at Morchard Bishop, just north of Crediton. 9 different workshops, a singaround and a concert, with Crucible as the main guests. Pub session (free) noon - 2.00 pm.

SEA SONGS & SHANTIES – FRIDAY 11th APRIL:
Swanage: Durleston Folk Night (Special out-of-season meeting), Durlston Country Park, Lighthouse Road BH19 2JL: 7.15pm (guests: Wareham Whalers with Robin Plowman).

CREDITON FOLK FESTIVAL: 18TH APRIL – 20TH APRIL
Cheriton Fitzpaine (Peter Lister 01363 775695, www.poppyrecords.co.uk/crediton/cred.htm)