Proposal to restart Sheffield Folk Fest

Subject: Proposal to restart Sheffield Folk Fest
From: GUEST,MC Fat (at work)
Date: 08 Dec 10 - 07:47 AM

I am presently thinking about possibly resurecting Sheffield Folk Festival. The Festival as some of you may know ran for 5 years 4 at Kelham Island Museum and the last one in 2008 at Burton Street it took place on the last weekend of october. However I don't think it's feasible to ressurrect a full Festival with large concerts. What I am proposing is to fill the gap at Easter with the demise of the very succesfull Singaround Weekend. I have preliminary discussions with other musicians and some publicans. The plan at this very early stage is to tap in to the thriving session scene. Singarounds and Music sessions could be held at Kelham Island Tavern, Hillsborough Hotel, University Arms, Red Deer, Fat Cat, Fagans, Grapes. Some of those pubs have existing sessions that can dovetail in. New venues like Greystones, Royal at Dungworth and others could be invited to put events on. if anyone want to put a concert on it could be 'badged up' with the existing festival logo. Ceilidh Soc could be approached re a festival ceilidh. There could be room for camper vans next to Kelham Island as in previous festivals. We could source some indoor camping. There is no (or very little) expense involeved.The Festival has a small balance left in it's bank account but we could solicit advertising from pubs and produce a programme in order to fund leflets for future years if it's successfull. What do people think.?

Subject: RE: Proposal to restart Sheffield Folk Fest
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 08 Dec 10 - 07:06 PM

Sounds good, Jim!

There's still a big gap in April where (and when) the National Festival used to be, so all best wishes for getting a newly resurrected festival together.

(Of course Easter next year is only a week before May Day weekend)

Kitty

Subject: RE: Proposal to restart Sheffield Folk Fest
From: RTim
Date: 08 Dec 10 - 07:19 PM

Is there interest in Folk Music in Sheffield?














Tongue firmly in cheek..........

Tim Radford

Subject: RE: Proposal to restart Sheffield Folk Fest
From: GUEST,MC Fat
Date: 09 Dec 10 - 03:24 AM

meant to say with the demise of the Barnsley Singaround Festival at Easter

Subject: RE: Proposal to restart Sheffield Folk Fest
From: mandotim
Date: 09 Dec 10 - 03:43 AM

Go for it Jim! You might want to have a conversation with Mr Happy; he's run an informal get-together at Easter for years, and there is a ready-made bunch of people who might want to join in with something in Sheffield. I'd certainly be interested, especially in the session stuff.
Tim

Subject: RE: Proposal to restart Sheffield Folk Fest
From: GUEST,MC Fat (at work)
Date: 09 Dec 10 - 04:38 AM

Have spoken with Rich Arrowsmith(of Hekety & Crucible)was interested when I talked to him as was Matt Crump (Steamchicken etc. There shouldn't be a problem with Campervan space but may need help to find potential space for indoor (or even outdoor camping) but the pubs I've talked to so far are keen. Theres even a slim chance of hosting The War of the Roses with Saddleworth being cancelled next year.

Subject: RE: Proposal to restart Sheffield Folk Fest
From: mikesamwild
Date: 09 Dec 10 - 06:13 AM

Maybe we could link the pubs up and call it Tramlines Jim!

Subject: RE: Proposal to restart Sheffield Folk Fest
From: GUEST,Guest No Fixed Abode
Date: 09 Dec 10 - 06:21 AM

Hi Jim,
       If we are around we would try to pop in to a session.
Una and Tony

Subject: RE: Proposal to restart Sheffield Folk Fest
From: GUEST,MC Fat (at work)
Date: 09 Dec 10 - 06:33 AM

Seriously Mike I will contact Stagecaoch Supertram for sponsorship. How about a Folk Tram. Thanks Una will of course bear you in mind

Subject: RE: Proposal to restart Sheffield Folk Fest
From: jennyr
Date: 09 Dec 10 - 07:48 AM

Sounds good to me, Jim! And possibly a better way of drawing on Sheffield's particular strengths than the previous format.

I assume you've thought of it, but we've managed to organise indoor camping at Burton Street in the past. Not luxurious, but convenient!

Subject: RE: Proposal to restart Sheffield Folk Fest
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Dec 10 - 07:52 AM

Burton St. is in the middle of a huge rebuilding programme. Check it will be available.

Subject: RE: Proposal to restart Sheffield Folk Fest
From: GUEST,MC Fat (at work)
Date: 09 Dec 10 - 07:55 AM

Could see if they are interested but one of the plans is to utilise the fact that the Kelham Island Tavern has a late licence (till at least 2.00a.m.) and we will probably have late sessions there.I hope to place the camper vans there in either of the car parks if I can get permission. We did use the City Life church nearby but as easter is a big weekend for the church not sure if we can.

Subject: RE: Proposal to restart Sheffield Folk Fest
From: JulieF
Date: 09 Dec 10 - 08:24 AM

We're currently running a session fortnightly at the Riverside - they might be interested

J

Subject: RE: Proposal to restart Sheffield Folk Fest
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Dec 10 - 10:04 AM

Burton St restored by April (Presumably if on time!)

Subject: RE: Proposal to restart Sheffield Folk Fest
From: GUEST,MC Fat
Date: 10 Dec 10 - 03:25 AM

bump to top

Subject: RE: Proposal to restart Sheffield Folk Fest
From: Paul Davenport
Date: 10 Dec 10 - 04:42 AM

Hallamshire Traditions is very happy to be involved. Please keep us in the loop.
Paul & Liz

Subject: RE: Proposal to restart Sheffield Folk Fest
From: GUEST,MC Fat (at work)
Date: 10 Dec 10 - 06:00 AM

Thanks Paul there seems to be a growing groundswell of opinion that this project may work.

Subject: RE: Proposal to restart Sheffield Folk Fest
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Dec 10 - 06:24 PM

A nearby festival organiser is always complaining to me that Sheffield folkies expect to be able to sneak in to everything for free.
Any truth in this rumour?

Subject: RE: Proposal to restart Sheffield Folk Fest
From: GUEST,Joe G
Date: 10 Dec 10 - 06:30 PM

Folk Tram - great idea :-) Especially if you can get any money out of Stagecoach - never frgiven them for shafting Darlington and Hartlepool buses!

Subject: RE: Proposal to restart Sheffield Folk Fest
From: GUEST,MC Fat
Date: 11 Dec 10 - 05:33 AM

'A nearby Festival Organiser' that's intriguing. Don't think Sheffielders want to sneak in for free. The real truth is lack of venues for concerts and the fact you need a big committee for full scale festival that coupled with the already excellent session scene.

Subject: RE: Proposal to restart Sheffield Folk Fest
From: GUEST,Dave Eyre
Date: 11 Dec 10 - 07:37 AM

It would be nice of the nearby festival organiser would identify themselves. I have been to a lot of gigs with decent ticket prices recently in Sheffield. They were all packed with people who I assume had paid.

Never saw a single soul by the Fire Exit as I sneaked in.

Subject: RE: Proposal to restart Sheffield Folk Fest
From: GUEST,padgett
Date: 11 Dec 10 - 10:59 AM

I do recall making good use of the trams in past yrs when Hillsbro Hotel was used and of course Burton st isnt too far away on the line from top of West St etc bringing in Red Deer/Fagans/Dog and Partridge/Grapes and the pubs around Kelham island at the bottom

Ray

helps to be "bus passed" as my current Barnsley one covers Sheffield > Barnsley and return and also The Trams for free!!

Subject: RE: Proposal to restart Sheffield Folk Fest
From: mikesamwild
Date: 11 Dec 10 - 11:26 AM

I think the comment is about Bradfield where people come to the sessions in the pubs and don't expect to pay for an overall ticket . I think they should chip in to support the other events it's dead cheap and great value.It's i the spirit of a community event and a lot of players of trad music love it.

I wouldn't think Mark can keep subsidising it out of his pocket.

Subject: RE: Proposal to restart Sheffield Folk Fest
From: Carol
Date: 11 Dec 10 - 06:00 PM

Hi Jim
Great idea for singers to take the place of Barnsley - hope all goes well

Subject: RE: Proposal to restart Sheffield Folk Fest
From: GUEST,MC Fat (at work)
Date: 13 Dec 10 - 04:44 AM

Looks like the Sunday sessions that exist will dovetail in nicely. I think the afternoon is Mike Wild's norml week and it's the 4th Sunday of the month so the singing session will be on. All other ideas welcome

Subject: RE: Proposal to restart Sheffield Folk Fest
From: mikesamwild
Date: 16 Dec 10 - 04:28 AM

One big Spring Sing would be nice at some point. We are so prone to 'Little Mesterdom' in Sheffield that you can go years and never attend another session , even in the same pub! It is Sheffield's strength and also a weakness . It's like hot desking at work or shiftworkers in the old days 'hot bedding'when the bed was never empty and you never met but got each others fleas.!

Subject: RE: Proposal to restart Sheffield Folk Fest
From: GUEST,MC Fat (at work)
Date: 16 Dec 10 - 04:47 AM

The feedback from the former atendees at Barnsley is good. I've got to get in touch with some people re campervan space. I aim to do that early in the new year year. Once that's done it can move forward.

Subject: RE: Proposal to restart Sheffield Folk Fest
From: GUEST,padgett
Date: 16 Dec 10 - 04:47 AM

The proposal is for Easter tho' Mike and any Spring sing needs to avoid Ryburns dates if contemplated!

Ray

Subject: RE: Proposal to restart Sheffield Folk Fest
From: GUEST,MC Fat
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 03:25 AM

refresh

Subject: RE: Proposal to restart Sheffield Folk Fest
From: mikesamwild
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 08:54 AM

What would be the optimal numbers and room size for a venue for a good big singaround. The back rooms at Kelham Island or Fagan's are a bit small.

What's the best such do apart from local carols anyone's been to?.

Subject: RE: Proposal to restart Sheffield Folk Fest
From: Les from Hull
Date: 18 Dec 10 - 04:14 PM

I'll be happy to lend my support, Jim. Please have it washed before you hand it back.

Mike - we always managed pretty well upstairs at the Red Deer for a decent sized singaround.

Subject: RE: Proposal to restart Sheffield Folk Fest
From: GUEST,padgett
Date: 19 Dec 10 - 05:26 AM

Agreed Les, but there are of course a number of smaller venues lending themselves for different slants for musicians and singers

Looks as tho this would be best centred literally in and around Kelham Island and West street thro to Hillsbro area pubs/venues

Ray