A few more black and Asian local performers made welcome on the folk scene would surely provide a welcome balance to any potential infiltration by the "whites only" brigade from the various unsavoury parties of the right which occasionally float to the surface for a(hopefully) brief period.

A very good point indeed, Greg, and I'm glad it was you that made it! :-) If I remember rightly do you have contacts with Black or Asian or any other ethnic groups? Possibly recent immigrants as well? I was going to PM you but it may be useful for all club and festival organisers to know.

I would love to book a few more artists from minority groups for the very reasons mentioned. Every time I try though I seem to hit a wall. Booking local English, or even Irish, Scots and Welsh, artsts is very easy and quite often inexpensive. Many even just turn up for free to play in sessions as well. Whenever I try to book someone from a local minority group, and there are many in the Salford area, I am quoted ridiculous prices for seemingly professional dance or song troops and artists.

How do we get the local minorities to turn up at our clubs and festivals when we cannot afford to pay a lot of money? Any help would be greatly appreciated from both this organiser and to help in the fight against facism!

Cheers

DtG