the folk clubs in Britain (What's the UK?) started in the fifties and early sixties. Came in after the coffee bars left over from ww2 and where the skiffle clubs grew. Were also a spin off from the jazz, I mean "trad jazz" clubs like, Chris Barbers or the one I went to in Edmonton, London, where George Melly sang with the Mike Mulligan jazz band on a Sunday night.

And yet again, after the, "Ban the Bomb" marches in the fifties.

We settled in places in London like the, "Troubadour" with residents Martin Winsor and Red Sullivan. Red came from the trad Jazz world. Martin played Skiffle. The club was one of the best. Sadly both are gone, but I do believe the trobadour is still going.

You have to remember that this was before TV really (And the Bloody Discos)and we were still entertaining ourselves.

Clubs then deveolped the, Residents, Guest and Floor Singer, style.

This ment the Residents would warm up the audience with a few numbers. The Guest Artist would do His/Her/Their first of two spots. Then there would be a break of 15 to 20 minutes where raffles etc were held. (Enough time to fill the glass and empty the other one as well).

After the break two or three "Floor singers", usually someone trying to get a booking later on. Or testing themselves for later projects. Would do a song a each. Many later very good artist started as floor singers. It was the only way to go. That and strating your own club. Which a lot of us did.

Then the Guest would finish the night with the second spot.

Most Folk Clubs today still follow the same Format.
Some are good. (The real ale helps) Some are bad. Some it's just a bad night. Or perhaps it's just you and you should have stayed at home and watched the telly.

Lots have developed in to "Session" clubs. Where everyone joins in with what is going on. Some are controlled, some are not. By controlled I mean that there is someone making sure that everyone gets a chance to play. Sort of in a round the room thingy.
Bit daunting for the begginer as your turn approaches and everyone else is so good. Uncontrolled they seem to be one sided. With one type of music dominating(Mostly the celtic muzak).

Well now I know I've trodden on a few toes so time to stop my ramblings.

As someone said, "Come and see for yourself". I go over from time time. They're good fun. And then there are all the festivals as well! And the workshop week-ends.

Can't beat it.

Chas