Broadstairs Folk Festival

Subject: Broadstairs Folk Festival
From: GUEST,Dave_
Date: 11 Jun 09 - 03:54 AM

Im hoping to attend Broadstairs for the first time this year, I am looking mainly for the Irish Session pubs, any info appreciated, thank you.

Subject: RE: Broadstairs Folk Festival
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 11 Jun 09 - 04:04 AM

If you are a Fringe and Session man, it is the wrong festival.

Try the Lord Nelson. It is AFAIK usually the only instrumental session, and not (I think) specifically Irish. But I don't go there since instrumental sessions are not my thing.

I expect there will be song sessions in the Wrotham Arms - last year it was almost impossible to get in and there were noisy buggers playing Americana outside the window.

There will also likely be time-limited sing-arounds, probably in the Yacht Club, usually well run by Tom and Barbara Brown, but very orderly and joining in is not encouraged.

It is rare to hear anything on the campsite either.

Subject: RE: Broadstairs Folk Festival
From: GUEST,Dave_
Date: 11 Jun 09 - 09:20 AM

Hi Richard thanks for that, I will move along somewhere else then.

Subject: RE: Broadstairs Folk Festival
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Jun 09 - 09:47 AM

If you look at the website "We are delighted to announce that Ye Olde Crown in the High Street will this year open its doors to all musicians who need a place to sit and play. From midday to closing time throughout the festival the pub, which is under new management, is offering a warm welcome with promises of real ale and a large room just waiting for musicians......

Subject: RE: Broadstairs Folk Festival
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 11 Jun 09 - 11:46 AM

Thank you Guest, I had forgotten that.

Subject: RE: Broadstairs Folk Festival
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 11 Jun 09 - 02:17 PM

Ah, Broadstairs before which Mythago wierd morris behaved very badly a few years ago!!

Subject: RE: Broadstairs Folk Festival
From: GUEST,Dave_
Date: 11 Jun 09 - 02:18 PM

Thank you guest, as Im travellin over from Spain via dover Calais, it is the ideal place to stop off for a few days, added to list again, cheers

Subject: RE: Broadstairs Folk Festival
From: BB
Date: 11 Jun 09 - 04:57 PM

Richard, thanks for saying that the evening Sailing Club sessions are well run, but may I correct one small point? Joining in with instruments is not encouraged, nor with the verses of songs, unless the singer actually invites people to join in - joining in with choruses is very much encouraged - in fact, some of the best chorus singing of the festival happens there!

The Crown could be a really good venue for anyone who doesn't want to go to anything 'organised', or someone who wants to start something different - and there are one or two other pub possibilities as well. Guest Dave, why not encourage some of your cronies to come with you, and get an Irish session started? There's a bit of everything there, and an Irish music session certainly wouldn't be frowned on.

Come on, Richard, how about a bit of positivity here? Let's encourage more people to come and widen the choice for everyone even further.

Barbara

Subject: RE: Broadstairs Folk Festival
From: GUEST,Dave_
Date: 11 Jun 09 - 05:06 PM

Hi BB,

I will head for the Crown then and see what happens, and for the ilk, if ya fancy some tunes Irish/English/Scots whatever, then come on down and bring yer instruments with ya, Im the flute/whistle player ere
http//www.myspace/bardoispain

Subject: RE: Broadstairs Folk Festival
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Jun 09 - 05:07 PM

http://www.myspace.com/bardoispain

Subject: RE: Broadstairs Folk Festival
From: BB
Date: 12 Jun 09 - 10:47 AM

Equally, Dave, if you fancy playing some tunes one evening in the Sailing Club, you'll be more than welcome, and ask others who play to join in if they want to, although most, it has to be admitted, are singers rather than players and will therefore just enjoy listening to you. And they do *enjoy* listening to musicians. (There's even one tune that has become a 'chorus tune', when all the singers join in vocally with some bits of it!)

Barbara

Subject: RE: Broadstairs Folk Festival
From: GUEST,twiz
Date: 12 Jun 09 - 02:27 PM

The Wrotham arms has an all-comers session...not just songs. People usually put their name on a list and you play when your name comes up. I found the general atmosphere really welcoming with a good variety of tunes/songs. I would recommend a visit.

Subject: RE: Broadstairs Folk Festival
From: melodeonboy
Date: 12 Jun 09 - 05:19 PM

I feel something very positive in the air. It seems that in a relatively short space of time, there's been a very positive response to the desire of those who want somewhere to go and sing (or even play or listen) once the midday singaround at The Neptune's finished (and possibly until they drop at about midnight!); possibly something less organised than what's been available up to now. And that's without any disrespect to BB, who's been running her fine sessions (which I've been to many a time) for as long as I can remember.

Subject: RE: Broadstairs Folk Festival
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 12 Jun 09 - 05:42 PM

It might indeed be the start of something really tasty - I hope I can make the opening weekend!

Subject: RE: Broadstairs Folk Festival
From: GUEST,Dave_
Date: 12 Jun 09 - 07:54 PM

The more the merrier,thankz to all who have posted, I should be around for the opening...hope to meet a few of ya there..

Subject: RE: Broadstairs Folk Festival
From: Rafflesbear
Date: 13 Jun 09 - 12:33 PM

click here for Broadstairs Folk Week - photos from the last two years, review, comments and one band's take on the festival