why well run folk clubs are important

Subject: RE: why well run folk clubs are important
From: Mo the caller
Date: 21 Nov 06 - 03:27 PM

The club that I went to when i had to stay in Beverley was excellent. Members whose performances were really good and varied, yet not intimidating. And friendly, so that I met people I knew when I went shopping. Good guest nights, even better singers and musicians nights. And Ollie started an early beginner musicians, which has set me off (so if you've suffered my wrong notes you know who to blame.
It met at 'Nellies' (the White Horse) but the licensing act shifted it so now it's
not the White Horse

Subject: RE: why well run folk clubs are important
From: Leadfingers
Date: 21 Nov 06 - 03:26 PM

A Folk Club that is NOT well run , surely WONT run - Or at least , not for long !

Subject: RE: why well run folk clubs are important
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 21 Nov 06 - 03:18 PM

Rather predictably, this thread became immediately a 'name your fave club and plug it if you run it'. I'd agree completely with Anahata's list (3 from personal experience and the other two from good reports) and with Breezy (yes, he certainly does sing at his own club). All these locations are, however, comparatively rural.

I would argue that in cities it's quite different (remember I'm generalising hugely) and the 60s-style 'folk club' is way past its sell-by. What people (of all ages) flock to is the venue with all sorts going on at different times, with space to dance, with food and decent drink and with decor and furniture a whole lot more congenial than the average filthy pub back room. And with a clientele significantly different from a crowd of care in the commmunity cases who regard the 'folk club' as their own remedial drop-in centre.

I don't think Dick can have been to a festival since Cambridge was just about the only one. True, there are some that are popfests and devoid of much participation except on the campsites. They're easy to identify and avoid (unless, of course, it's floats your boat to sit on a blanket or camping chairs in front of a stage for a weekend). Otherwise, festivals are THE place to go to workshops and stumble across new musicians you haven't met before or meet up with old friends. And it's where those few club organisers worth their salt talent spot for newer acts and book them before they get too expensive.

Subject: RE: why well run folk clubs are important
From: treewind
Date: 21 Nov 06 - 02:12 PM

Bideford in North Devon fits well with Dick's original criteria. Terrific sense of community, much more about its members/resident singers than about guests, lovely people all of them.

The Everyman in Saxmundham, Suffolk is an excellent example of a club that gets local non-folkies in for a good night's entertainment once a month, and has a high standard of floor singers and residents.

Pete Coe's Ryburn Club is part of a very strong and active local folk community too, with some well known residents.

Seaford's good too, and free entry even on a guest night, with a collection at half time, but we did all right out of those voluntary contributions last Friday.

The Fo'c'sle at Southampton stands out in recent memory too, where the organisers really know what they are doing and are excellent hosts.

Anahata

Subject: RE: why well run folk clubs are important
From: The Sandman
Date: 21 Nov 06 - 02:06 PM

BREEZY , Good list of guests, but is your club a CLUB , in the social sense, do floorsingers get a chance,as you and I once did,or is it a mini concert, Do you still sing at the club yourself .Do you have singers nights.

Subject: RE: why well run folk clubs are important
From: breezy
Date: 21 Nov 06 - 01:52 PM

for Windward Folk-song club St Albans, references please contact
Andy Irvine
Harvey Andrews
Vin Garbutt
Roy Bailey
Pete Coe
Jeremy Taylor
Coope Boyes and Simpson
Keith Donnelly - no - I've got his in writing
Martin Carthy
Rosemary Tawney
Derek Brimstone
Pete Morton
Dan Mckinnon
Les Barker
Johnny Collins
Lakeman and Roberts

and George Papavgeris, who was our resident singer songwriter but has now taken off and is flying high.
is it a plane? is it a kebab ?

and many others


sadly no cap'n Birdseye, still cant have em all.

this week Sun 26th Nov our Diva resident Christine Connolley will be putting on the style and strutting her stuff and if previous performances are anything to go by will put on a very good show.

Doors open 7.30
At the Comfort Hotel on Holywell Hill, in St Albans

non-smoking-walking-talking-mobile-phone-ringing-see-the-whites-of-their-eyes-folk-club

But I'll let others be the judge

Subject: RE: why well run folk clubs are important
From: The Sandman
Date: 21 Nov 06 - 12:13 PM

to dave the gnome,yes I like swinton.DickMiles

Subject: RE: why well run folk clubs are important
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 21 Nov 06 - 11:43 AM

Gainsborough and Market Rasen in Lincolnshire..if you're passing

Subject: RE: why well run folk clubs are important
From: LesB
Date: 21 Nov 06 - 10:59 AM

I nominate Bothy Folk Club in Southport, but then I would, as I do the website.
We must be doing something right as we have been going for 42yrs. Unfortunately we are having a change of venue forced upon us, (3rd in 41yrs). Worry not we have found a really good new venue for the new year. ( Had a great night with 'Rattle on the Stovepipe' last sun)
Cheers
Les

Subject: RE: why well run folk clubs are important
From: skipy
Date: 21 Nov 06 - 10:45 AM

I nominate Splinter Village Folk Club RAF Brize Norton.
Sadly it closed in the 80s!
Skipy

Subject: RE: why well run folk clubs are important
From: Bernard
Date: 21 Nov 06 - 10:30 AM

I'd nominate the Railway, Heatley, Lymm, but maybe I shouldn't, as I'm one of the organisers...!

;o)

Subject: RE: why well run folk clubs are important
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 21 Nov 06 - 10:12 AM

I'd nominate Swinton, Dick but as we crossed wires over when you were booked here I dunno if you'd agree:-)

Cheers

DtG

Subject: why well run folk clubs are important
From: The Sandman
Date: 21 Nov 06 - 09:35 AM

having just played at swindon folk club, which has been run for 46 years by Ted and Ivy poole and helpers., and had a great night.it occured to me how important good folk clubs are, for several reasons.
   firstly,they provide the oppurtunity for like minded people to get together in their locality, and build a community locally and on a regular basis,.
it gives people a stage, to perform in a semi formal situation ,learning stagecraft etc, from professional perfomers at a cheaper cost than at a festival, and hopefully establishing friendships on a local basis.
    with festivals becoming more commercial, and generally more popfolk orientated, they can provide the chance for audiences to hear more unusual and less commercial performers, while enjoying a social club atmosphere.
three other clubs stand out in my view,Stockton folk club, darlington brittania,Nottingham CARRINGTON,that achieve allthese points.there are probably many others,I apologise if i havent remembered them ,if you know of a good folk club in your area, please mention and tell us all about it, and why you think it is good .Dick Miles