Swinton Folk Club (Manchester, UK) every Monday night is alive and well and long may it be so! We are now also hosting monthly Friday club nights arranged by a few of the regulars and residents on the last Friday of every month. How lucky can the people of Swinton be?

Well, it gets even better. For purely selfish reasons, that I can now divulge, I want to add a few more Fridays as well. Yesterday I handed in my notice at work and I will be starting a new job which entails stopping up in Newcastle Mon-Fri for a year or so. So, Friday nights at the Lion will suit me down to the ground.

Last year I did an experiment and booked the Boat Band via Greg Stephens here at the Mudcat. It went very well. I want to continue by booking other artists that we would not normaly see in Swinton due to cost, location or any of the other various reasons that mean we cannot see them on a Monday. Remember that Mondays is and always will be the main club night at Swinton. All our regular Artists will still be on then. I am looking for the unusual.

Maybe a UK tour by someone with a Friday gap. Maybe a short notice booking by someone famous on at the Lowry on a Saturday. I am open to ideas. The thing is it does need to be someone who can potentialy fill our club with the maximum 40 people. I am leaving the door charge and format of the night to the artist concerned. They will get paid whatever we take or a pre-agreed percentage of the door. That way the artist can have a relaxed night, knowing that the format is one that they like and, hopefuly, they can make some money as well:-)

We already have our second booking - George Papavgeris on September 21st. That is absolutely as far as I want to book in advance because I do want to see who is available at short notice as well. I don't want to turn the Friday sessions into another folk club where the artists are booked 18 months in advance!

One word of caution - I was advised to book a US 'team' who were touring the UK. Seeing there was a Friday 'gap' in the schedule and they were in fact in the Northe West I contacted the tour organisers. They told me that I would not get them in the club for less than a £500 guarantee! I would be more than happy to pay the £500 if the acts believe that they could warrant a £12.50 door charge - But I cannot guarantee that all 40 seats will be sold - Sorry:-( Aside from that all comments, ideas and suggestions are welcome.

Cheers

Dave