Any London (UK) Folk Festival's?

Subject: Any London (UK) Folk Festival's?
From: GUEST,LDT
Date: 25 Feb 11 - 05:24 AM

I know that local to me there is Leigh Folk Festival, but was wondering is there any folk festivals in London?

Subject: RE: Any London (UK) Folk Festival's?
From: GUEST,LDT
Date: 25 Feb 11 - 10:24 AM

I guessed the answer would be know...tried googling and came up with nothing.

Subject: RE: Any London (UK) Folk Festival's?
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 25 Feb 11 - 11:26 AM

'fraid so...

Subject: RE: Any London (UK) Folk Festival's?
From: Manitas_at_home
Date: 26 Feb 11 - 02:55 AM

There is Return to Camden Town but it's Irish oriented and is not a residential festival.

Subject: RE: Any London (UK) Folk Festival's?
From: Girl Friday
Date: 26 Feb 11 - 05:16 PM

How close to London itself ? We have one coming up in Sidcup on the Kent /S.E. London border on Saturday June 25th

Crayside Folk Day

The Seven Stars

Foots Cray High Street

Sidcup

DA14 5HJ

Subject: RE: Any London (UK) Folk Festival's?
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 27 Feb 11 - 12:45 AM

Going back some years, there used to be regular EFDSS ones at C#Hse, & others at City University &c. No more of those these days then? Alas.

~Michael~

Subject: RE: Any London (UK) Folk Festival's?
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 27 Feb 11 - 05:35 PM

MtheGM - yes, I remember going to EFDSS London Festivals at C#Hse and City University ... and first meeting Kevin Sheils, Clive Woolf, Tony Foxworthy, Mervin Vincent...

And in the mid 1970s there was a Fitzrovia festival, which I think was inspired by Dingles' folk club?

Steve Heap ran a London South Bank festival for a while, as a kind of extension of Towersey festival.

There have been dance events recently, but I suspect a festival would be difficult to organise and fund...

Kitty

Subject: RE: Any London (UK) Folk Festival's?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 27 Feb 11 - 05:42 PM

Is there still a bit of Folk at The Canalways Cavalcade at Little Venice over MayDay weekend ??

Subject: RE: Any London (UK) Folk Festival's?
From: GUEST,Folkiedave
Date: 27 Feb 11 - 06:19 PM

Who could forget Chestnuts?

Well everyone by the looks of it!

Subject: RE: Any London (UK) Folk Festival's?
From: GUEST,LDT
Date: 28 Feb 11 - 08:59 AM

I did wonder why Cecil Sharp house didn't have a festival.

Subject: RE: Any London (UK) Folk Festival's?
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Feb 11 - 09:09 AM

Hi Dave

Didn't know you came to Chestnuts, I was involved with the club in those days.

For those who don't recall the Chestnuts weekends they were based around the Chestnuts Folk Club in Walthamstow and the local Lloyd Park and Theatre in the early/mid 80s.

Coincidentally we have spoken at The current Walthamstow Club about somthing similar. When the pub finishes it's work there will be 2 good sized function rooms. one smaller singaround/session sized room as well as the bars, and only a short walk form the Park and Theatre.

Mind you it won't be this year but hopefully soon.

Subject: RE: Any London (UK) Folk Festival's?
From: Kevin Sheils
Date: 28 Feb 11 - 09:11 AM

Sorry unsigned guest was me hadn't spotted cookie reset required

Subject: RE: Any London (UK) Folk Festival's?
From: GUEST,LDT
Date: 28 Feb 11 - 09:18 AM

Sounds interesting Kevin. Keep us posted.

Subject: RE: Any London (UK) Folk Festival's?
From: GUEST,surreysinger at work
Date: 28 Feb 11 - 10:43 AM

Hi LDT ... will be sending you a PM on Facebook re a possibility for you.

Subject: RE: Any London (UK) Folk Festival's?
From: Kevin Sheils
Date: 28 Feb 11 - 11:45 AM

I'm forgetful today. There is, of course, the Keith Summers memorial weekend in May based around the Musical Traditions club in central London.

Not a large festival as such but captures the feel of the sadly missed Nationals at Loughborough/Sutton Bonnington.

Subject: RE: Any London (UK) Folk Festival's?
From: Speedwell
Date: 28 Feb 11 - 12:34 PM

I've often wondered why Beer Festivals don't embrace the folk music side of life more - I'm sure London has plenty of them. Sorry that doesn't help you much. I did see a morris dancing day in central London (Trafalgar Square area) many years back but that's about all.

Subject: RE: Any London (UK) Folk Festival's?
From: GUEST,Editor - Folk London Magazine
Date: 28 Feb 11 - 03:28 PM

Keith Summers festival is advance booking only.

If you are local to Leigh just buy a copy of Folk London at The Hoy.

(Organisers please note, copy date for April / May is 5 March)

Peter

Subject: RE: Any London (UK) Folk Festival's?
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Feb 11 - 03:57 PM

@peter I'm only 15mins from leigh, but can never get to the folk club coz its on wrong day for me. I do go to yardarm session though.

Subject: RE: Any London (UK) Folk Festival's?
From: Surreysinger
Date: 28 Feb 11 - 04:01 PM

Keith - interestingly, that was what I was messaging Sarah about. But I am intrigued by Peter's comment that the Keith Summers Festival is advanced booking only ... yes, it always is, but I haven't had any notification about yet, despite being on the list. Does this mean that the info has gone out, and I haven't heard anything? Aaargghhh ...

Subject: RE: Any London (UK) Folk Festival's?
From: Guernsey Pete
Date: 28 Feb 11 - 08:56 PM

The Fitzrovia Festival was one of the local community festivals that used to flourish under the benign and generous gaze of the Camden Borough when it was Labour-run.
Dingles Folk Club certainly had a hand in it; I remember playing off the back of a 3-ton lorry for the Saturday afternoon ceilidh/barn-dance.
Ah, happy days !
Later that same evening our band-leader fell asleep, still playing her accordion, in the middle of another barn-dance. The electric-mandolin-player woke her up by changing key !
Keith Summers is the only London-based festival remaining, and apparently it will be its last year, as it was set up from a legacy left by Keith, and it is running out.
Return To Camden Town, as was previously mentioned, is very much Irish, and has also shrunk a lot from its original inception.

Subject: RE: Any London (UK) Folk Festival's?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 28 Feb 11 - 09:15 PM

Speedwell - Good Intent in Rochester ( OK! I know thats not really London ) has regular Beer Fests with associated Folk in the bar through the weekend

Subject: RE: Any London (UK) Folk Festival's?
From: Speedwell
Date: 01 Mar 11 - 07:38 AM

Thanx for the info Leadfingers - I'm not down that way now but will pass it on to the real ale quaffing folkies that I know. I used to dance there at the Sweeps Festival where they also have some good spontaneous pub music sessions.

Subject: RE: Any London (UK) Folk Festival's?
From: GUEST,The Good Intent Rochester
Date: 01 Mar 11 - 07:51 AM

Rochester Sweeps Festival runs from 29th April through to 2nd May Morris sides from all over the country, traditional singarounds and much much more. Loads of lovely ale, dancing and song to be savoured all weekend, less than 40 mins train journey from main London terminals. Have a look on the council events website for a clearer picture. You can always end up here!