Folk Club theme nights

Subject: Folk Club theme nights
From: Sooz
Date: 29 Mar 10 - 04:02 AM

Some years ago we had a run of theme nights - "doom and Gloom", "William and Nancy" etc) which went down very well but we stopped when the inspriration waned. At our last meeting we tried a "sing a song with a word in it that won't be in any other song" night. This was hilarious and brought some new material out of the woodwork.
Has anyone else found some themes that worked really well?

Subject: RE: Folk Club theme nights
From: Valmai Goodyear
Date: 29 Mar 10 - 04:15 AM

Parodies
We get people to nominate their songs in advance if possible, and to sing a verse of the original before launching into the parody.

War & Peace
Good for the Remembrance season; again, we get people to nominate their songs in advance to avoid duplication and ensure that no-one works hard on something to have it pinched by a previous performer; poems, tunes and readings are useful additions

Law and Order

Music Hall (advance nominations very valuable)

Seasonal themes such as May, Harvest and Wassail: we often serve a little traditional seasonal food on these occasions.

Valmai
Lewes Saturday Folk Club

Subject: RE: Folk Club theme nights
From: Rasener
Date: 29 Mar 10 - 04:36 AM

You could have a

No doom and gloom songs night

No fishing or ship song night

Only a song you have written night

No songs that break the ten commandments rules night

No animal songs night

Subject: RE: Folk Club theme nights
From: gnomad
Date: 29 Mar 10 - 04:44 AM

Decades ago at Folk Union One we had a "duets only" night. In a club where soloists were the norm it produced some imaginative results, including contributions from people who never normally did anything but listen.

I think part of the trick is not to overdo the themes idea, two or three a year can be fun, more might seem a bit restricting.

Subject: RE: Folk Club theme nights
From: evansakes
Date: 29 Mar 10 - 04:47 AM

We've done a few at TwickFolk down the years....

Can't remember many off hand though. Dylan songs was one....we also do seasonal songs at various times of the year.

We've actually got one coming up in a few weeks that might be interesting (or a complete disaster.....who knows!)

'Guilty Pleasures'....songs that you're sort of ashamed to admit that you like (or perform, wrote etc)

Subject: RE: Folk Club theme nights
From: Sooz
Date: 29 Mar 10 - 06:28 AM

I like the idea of Guily Pleasures!
Keep the suggestions coming....

Subject: RE: Folk Club theme nights
From: matt milton
Date: 29 Mar 10 - 06:30 AM

Animal related songs

Subject: RE: Folk Club theme nights
From: GUEST,Silas
Date: 29 Mar 10 - 06:33 AM

We have two per year. One is the nearest tuesdat to rememberance sunday when we have a 'War/anti war/rememberance song night, and the other, of course, is christmas.

Subject: RE: Folk Club theme nights
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 29 Mar 10 - 06:44 AM

Was a regular feature at The Singers and several other clubs we were involved with especially mixing song with poetry and prose readings.
Battle of the Sexes was favourite by far, followed by 'Things that go bump in the ballads' (supernatural songs).
The first one we experienced was 'you name it we'll sing it' - compare collected slips of paper with subjects (not specific songs) chosen by audience members and usually 4 singers with sizeeable repertoires would compete for the most points. Most memorable was "Irate brickie and accomplice slay 2 after customer renages on bill" - Bert Lloyd took that one with Lamkin.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Folk Club theme nights
From: GUEST,sheep-player
Date: 29 Mar 10 - 07:26 AM

MINING: our most succesful theme;we'd had old miners come to the club on that one night of the year only (not always folkies) and we got to hear some rare songs and very interesting memories.

other theme suggestions: drinking songs ; trains.

In general,singers make a real effort on the theme nights and they bring some original songs out (but as remarked earlier, we too only do a few themes / year).

Subject: RE: Folk Club theme nights
From: Sailor Ron
Date: 29 Mar 10 - 10:25 AM

Over the years Fleetwood Folk club has run numerous theme nights including 'Sheep', 'Go West young man', 'Scarlet & Blue', and my favourite 'I know a song worse than that!'

Subject: RE: Folk Club theme nights
From: Paul Reade
Date: 29 Mar 10 - 12:28 PM

Some of the theme nights at Skipton have turned into a competition to see who can come up with the most obscure and convoluted reason why a song they wish to sing fits in with the theme. Great fun!