Folk clubs etc. in Cardiff area

Subject: Folk clubs etc. in Cardiff area
From: GUEST,Gene Burton
Date: 14 Dec 03 - 01:48 PM

Hello everyone

I plan to relocate to Cardiff next month for a while and I'm on the look out for any good (or even average) folk clubs to play at...also open mic clubs, roots/jam nights, singarounds etc. Any information would be hugely appreciated.
Thanks v. much,
    Gene.

Subject: RE: Folk clubs etc. in Cardiff area
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 14 Dec 03 - 08:13 PM

Well in 1971 there was a wonderful get-together in the up stars of a pub in Bridgend was it every Thursday evening . Maybe Wednesday evening . I heard the most wonderful vertion of the "Seven Joys of Mary" there. Not helpful I know but a great memory. I know you will find some great music. !! All the best , Guy

Subject: RE: Folk clubs etc. in Cardiff area
From: GUEST,Where's me cookie gone - AKA Ella
Date: 15 Dec 03 - 03:08 AM

Hallo!

There's a fair bit going on. I'm teaching music tomorrow night, I'll ask some of my pupils who go to a few Welsh Sessions around Cardiff. There is usually some sort of music on at The Conway pub in Pontcanna (close to Severn Grove) I think its a Thursday eve, but phone and check first!

I'll ask Tuesday eve for you. Have a look out in the library for a copy of the TAPLAS (or visit the Norweigan Church in Cardiff Bay - they usually have a copy there. They also have some very good gigs on, its a music venue - and very nice it is too).

TAPLAS WEBSITE HERE

I think one of the pubs that does predominantly Welsh stuff is, Y Mochyn Du (uh-moch-in-dee) in Sophia Gardens close to town. But you'll have to phone and check, I'm sure this is one that my student goes to...

here's some other info -

other listings

That should be enough to get looking in to... Best of luck!

Ella (in Cardiff at the mo)

Subject: RE: Folk clubs etc. in Cardiff area
From: Splott Man
Date: 15 Dec 03 - 04:21 AM

Taplas is a very good guide. They also organise frequent concerts in the Norwegian Church.
Folk Clubs as we know and love them are thin on the ground in the city centre. The "English" trad scene never really took a hold here. Howeveer, there has been a long history of blues, contemporary folk (for want of a better phrase) and singer-songwriter stuff.
There is Roath Club, which is actually now in the Heath area, St joseph's Club on wednesdays - not much trad (but it's always welcome), plenty of Americana. There's the Blue Dragon Hotel, Newport Rd on Fridays, which is basically Tony Breen's gig with an open mike session. He does mainly Irish and American stuff (folk & country) and it's not a totally attentive audience, but it's a friendly, sociable place.
Session-wise, as mentioned, the Conway, Pontcanna is a general tunes sesh on Thursday nights, and the Mochyn Ddu on Mondays is a Welsh music sesh.
If you don't mind travelling a bit, there's a fair bit out of town. Llantrisant on Weds and Newport on Thurs. And Monmouth, Swansea, Pontardawe and Gower further afield.
There is also a strong "student" acoustic scene in bars such as Journeys, Clifton St, The Toucan, St Mary St, Hoffi Coffi, Woodville Rd.
Also try the Folkwales.org web pages for general info, though only Llantrisant club is listed.
Do get in touch when you get here, all the best.

Subject: RE: Folk clubs etc. in Cardiff area
From: Splott Man
Date: 15 Dec 03 - 05:05 AM

And another thing....
Forgot to mention Penarth. Two small clubs in different venues on the same night. Bit of politics there...
If you want to try them, there's the Labour Club and also the Tennis Club (until the tennis season starts) both on Thurs.

Splott Man

Subject: RE: Folk clubs etc. in Cardiff area
From: Splott Man
Date: 15 Dec 03 - 06:48 AM

Memory like a sieve.....

There's also the BBC club, Llandaff monthly on the 2nd Tuesday. Big room, small PA. A genial host in Frank Hennessy, local luminary (wrote Farewell to the Rhondda) and broadcaster. Usually a quality night .

This is not an attempt to get a whole thread to myself.

Subject: RE: Folk clubs etc. in Cardiff area
From: GUEST,Dim cookie Ella
Date: 15 Dec 03 - 06:55 AM

hee heee Spottman (or is that Spough (Splo) man). That all sounds good. I forgot about the BBC one!

Ella

Subject: RE: Folk clubs etc. in Cardiff area
From: GUEST,Gene Burton
Date: 15 Dec 03 - 02:13 PM

Mant thanks to people who've posted so far, particularly Splott Man and Ella- you seem to have covered the folk club side pretty well between you:) I had a look at the Taplas site for general club/session listings, but they didn't seem to want to divulge anything unless I actually subscribed! Never mind, I'll pick up a copy ASAP as soon as I'm there.
Anyway, I'm a singer, songwriter and folk guitarist in my early twenties who's also into Trad., so I kind of straddle both sides of the traditional/"contemporary" divide. Looking forward to fully acquainting myself with what looks like a very good music scene you have up there, anyway...that is of course if I manage to find a place to stay there without any trouble.
Bit of thread creep, this, but does anyone know what's a good place/publication/shop window to look in for a cheap bedsit in Cardiff?
Thanks again,
Gene.

Subject: RE: Folk clubs etc. in Cardiff area
From: GUEST,Ella = still no bloomin cookie
Date: 15 Dec 03 - 03:46 PM

You could try and contact the university accomodation. Plus there are plenty of rental agencies about town. Lots of studenty accomodation in the Cathays area of town (which is fairly close to town).

Can't think off the top of me head, but why don't you call tourist info. They maybe able to help. Or check out the Cardiff uni students union.

Ella

Subject: RE: Folk clubs etc. in Cardiff area
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 16 Dec 03 - 03:42 AM

.....aaah, memories (Cardiff 1963-1966)... I had "digs" in Cathays opposite a local house of ill-repute , these placenames bring it all back....Llantrisant - the hole with the mint....

RtS
(soggy with nostalgia)

Subject: RE: Folk clubs etc. in Cardiff area
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Dec 03 - 01:25 PM