Thank you club organisers

Subject: Thank you club organisers
From: I don't know
Date: 06 Jun 11 - 09:43 AM

Just thought it would be nice to thank the organisers of our folk clubs for all the hours of hard work they put into running the events.
Saturday night I went to Acoustic Roots Cambridge to watch a performance by Kieran Halpin & Flossie Malavialle. Hosted by Bernard Hoskin, he did the sound as well, it was fantastic. Really nice to see a full room & made to feel really welcome.
May these live venues get all the support possible in these hard times, once again thank you.

Subject: RE: Thank you club organisers
From: Andy Jackson
Date: 06 Jun 11 - 05:06 PM

Thanks for that Mr mysterious.
A new group has started on Facebook to further the good work of the Folk Clubs.
Look for The UK Folk Club Network.

Subject: RE: Thank you club organisers
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 06 Jun 11 - 05:15 PM

And may I second that. Both the first and second postings. Or does that mean I third it?

Oh, bugger...

DtG

Subject: RE: Thank you club organisers
From: Leadfingers
Date: 06 Jun 11 - 05:43 PM

No longer a club organiser myself , but glad there are still people daft enough to do it

Subject: RE: Thank you club organisers
From: Girl Friday
Date: 07 Jun 11 - 10:15 AM

You mean me? Yes, I'm pretty daft. I run 2 and a spin off open mic with guests every other Saturday. Wish more people would attend them, but high cost of petrol and beer puts them off.

Subject: RE: Thank you club organisers
From: GUEST,howdydoody
Date: 07 Jun 11 - 10:50 AM

I run one, and in general it's worth the effort. could do with more young uns though.

Subject: RE: Thank you club organisers
From: GUEST,FloraG
Date: 08 Jun 11 - 03:56 AM

OK. Does anyone have a club with lots of young uns. If so, what are you doing right?
FloraG

Subject: RE: Thank you club organisers
From: Mo the caller
Date: 08 Jun 11 - 05:02 AM

Yes, thanks to all organisers of folk clubs, dance clubs, sessions and festivals.

I am now part of the committee of our dance club, arrange the callers rota and try to pass on what I was taught by Ron when I started calling.

As for encouraging new and young members it is a bit of a problem. Do you change the club to try to suit them, or keep it the way the the aging members like it?
Maybe the youngsters would prefer to start their own clubs, and we should be resigned to 'our' clubs faltering as people get too old to dance.
I have met with some resistance to suggestions for change, some people think that any new members we get will come for a little while, then give up. So they say that we shouldn't 'dumb down'. Mind you, as members age neither their brains nor their bodies can cope with the dances we used to do, so change is inevitable.

Personally I'm glad to see new members of any age. Whether they are friends of members (so similar age), or people who find us through flyers in the library and don't run off in horror after the first look.

Subject: RE: Thank you club organisers
From: Girl Friday
Date: 08 Jun 11 - 09:56 AM

I have tried to encourage youngsters, but they have their own ideas, and other interests. Few have the dedication that us old 'uns do.

Subject: RE: Thank you club organisers
From: DrugCrazed
Date: 08 Jun 11 - 10:07 AM

Hey! I go to folk clubs and I'm a young 'un!

The main issue of the folk club that I visit is it's on the second Thursday. Thursdays are populated nights for sessions anyway, and second Thursday is worse. Though I'm trying to get friends to come along.

Subject: RE: Thank you club organisers
From: GUEST,Fyldeplayer
Date: 08 Jun 11 - 12:25 PM

May I add my thanks to ALL club organisers, past, present and future for all the hours of hard work they put into running the events. IT is appreciated but maybe we should make sure they know (I'm sure many clubs DO with low key gestures)

Good to know you frequent folk clubs Drugcrazed - as a young 'un what attracts you and how would others be encouraged?

The increase in open mics gives a outlet for a very wide range of music, I recently tried a local one after informing the organiser he would get an experienced guitar and concertina duo. It was like a 6th form common room, mostly songs of personal angst and DADGAD ramblings, long may they continue, but i won't be back.

Subject: RE: Thank you club organisers
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 08 Jun 11 - 01:37 PM

The satisfaction for an organiser, is when you get a good audience and the majority go home happy.

That does more good for organisers than anything else.

The other, is hearing artists say that they enjoyed playing at your venue.

But thank you I Don't Know for posting such a nice post.

Subject: RE: Thank you club organisers
From: stevi
Date: 08 Jun 11 - 03:03 PM

I have recently started a club at my local pub June will be our 9th. Although I intended it to run as folk club I find it's drifting into an open mic session which I am fine with but I feel I am excluding some of the (trad) folkies. But on the other hand I am getting a good mix of people young and (older) that would be me! We always have a good night so I am promoting it as folk and blues session from now on and see where we go from there. I feel if you can attract people in to the session it can only wet their appetite to join in. My interest isn't only folk but ranges to rock /reggae/ classical/ska /pop anything which is good.
Stevi

Subject: RE: Thank you club organisers
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 08 Jun 11 - 04:30 PM

Stevi
If you are getting success with the open Mic, do not change it to Folk and Blues. It tends to act as a turn off and you will lose the numbers.

If you want a trad club do it, but don't bank on non folkies turning up.

At the end of the day, only you can determine what you want, but don't expect everybody to come flocking along, unless they like what is on.

Subject: RE: Thank you club organisers
From: stevi
Date: 09 Jun 11 - 03:28 PM

Thanks Arthur itus Yes personally I will be happy whichever way it goes so long as it draws a decent number of people. I know a lot of (trad) folkies don't like the mic but a lot of people do. It will be interesting to see if it survives as a session it's the first one I have run. At the end of the day I just want to hear good live music and we seem to be getting a lot of that!
Stevi

Subject: RE: Thank you club organisers
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 09 Jun 11 - 03:56 PM

If you are trying to attract younger people, the last thing you need is traddies singing a 39 verse of the Maid and the Seducer which takes 10 minutes. :-)