Where are the sessions in Birmingham (UK)?

Subject: Where are the sessions in Birmingham?
From: Clean Supper
Date: 20 May 17 - 08:05 PM

I apologise if this has been asked. I did search the forums and I came up with about 3000 results, which I had a bit of a look through but I did not look at every result.

My sister is moving to Birmingham soon, she'll be living there from about August, so I thought I'd try to help her find the folk scene. Any tips?

She plays whistle and a bit of guitar - we were brought up on Irish but she'll have a go at anything folky really. She also does the step dancing as well, and would probably go along to set dancing and country dancing. She's even been known to do some Morris when numbers were needed.

And if you have tips on places to live - or if you need a house-sitter for the month of August - leads would be greatly appreciated! It will be herself and her two adult daughters. Two of the three are walking into jobs there, amazingly!

Thanks all,
Paul Spencer

Subject: RE: Where are the sessions in Birmingham?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 20 May 17 - 08:28 PM

Birmingham UK, right? Are there sessions in Birmingham in Alabama or in Michigan?

Subject: RE: Where are the sessions in Birmingham (UK)?
From: GUEST,Some bloke
Date: 21 May 17 - 11:11 AM

At a guess, I'd say they are in Birmingham.

Tara for a bit.

Subject: RE: Where are the sessions in Birmingham (UK)?
From: Mr Red
Date: 21 May 17 - 11:46 AM

I don't list in Brum (UK) but assuming that is the locale:
at a pinch I would say there is at least one session in the Irish Centre in Digbeth.
There may be something in the Custard Factory.

I would bet folks at the Black Diamond FC every Fri The Lamp Tavern, Barford Street, Highgate, B5 6AH would know.

Birmingham (rest of the world)

Tell us what you find

Mr Red http://mister.red

Subject: RE: Where are the sessions in Birmingham (UK)?
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 21 May 17 - 11:47 AM

UK ?

idk but...
There are some links here
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?ll=52.487415583433645%2C-1.8131961469587168&z=12&mid=1rYM8KCgNpRZWIBHWB0fQQtshLzs
NB open it in the browser not *maps*

> Links > W Midlands Links
About half way down there is a link for *the session* for that area.

Subject: RE: Where are the sessions in Birmingham (UK)?
From: Clean Supper
Date: 21 May 17 - 06:08 PM

Yes, UK.
Thanks Mr Red I'll try Black Diamond.

Subject: RE: Where are the sessions in Birmingham (UK)?
From: Mr Red
Date: 22 May 17 - 05:37 AM

If you venture into the prettier parts thereabouts (discuss) try my map page and click on the map or the links that pop up.

map.mister.red
I do list some things in Brum, and dances sometimes. Check the datestamp and if in doubt ring!

Subject: RE: Where are the sessions in Birmingham (UK)?
From: Mr Red
Date: 22 May 17 - 06:45 AM

Prince of Wales Moseley

AFAIK the Red Lion FC is still going, though what I remember of it was a lot more organised on a commercial basis.

And there is a Moseley Folk Festival, though that looks to be more Music Festival than Folk, no ceilidhs fer sure.

Subject: RE: Where are the sessions in Birmingham (UK)?
From: GUEST,Desi C
Date: 23 May 17 - 06:42 AM

Best place to refer her to is The Irish Centre in Digbeth, it's just a short walk down from The Bull Ring Centre, and you'll find info on line, also on line look up Folk Monthly magazine it has details of most of the Folk Clubs and music clubs in and around Birmingham. I publish a free e.mail weekly newsletter called Black Country Delights which has lots of club details and I'm always happy to give mentions to performers or gigs, to subscribe just drop me your e.mail address to me Desi at [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Where are the sessions in Birmingham (UK)?
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 23 May 17 - 11:12 AM

In the 1960s the Jug O' Punch club at the Old Crown in Digbeth was the place to go but I don't know if it has been demolished. I haven't been in the centre of B'ham since my dad died, every time I went "home" they seem to have rebuilt it. I used to frequent a jazz club on the canalside at Gas St Basin called the Opposite Lock which is probably yuppie flats now.
RtS

Subject: RE: Where are the sessions in Birmingham (UK)?
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 23 May 17 - 12:03 PM

Roger's "Jug O' Punch" club ...
I don't know if it is a continuation of the Birmingham club but there is a Jug O' Punch club meets final Sundays monthly in Sutton Coldfield.
"Pat \ Ann Dempsey"
Info on the map in my post a few above.

Subject: RE: Where are the sessions in Birmingham (UK)?
From: Mr Red
Date: 24 May 17 - 02:42 AM

Saw Pat Dempsey two years ago at Bromyard, maybe last year, I dip in and out of the pub sessions, it is all a haze.

there are events in Stourbridge, worth a look on my map page. The MAC seems to foster folk events.

The Jug o' Punch is AFAIK a continuation, it was held in the downstairs at the Digbeth Civic Hall in the 70s and moved to Redditch while still run by Ian Campbell.

Subject: RE: Where are the sessions in Birmingham (UK)?
From: GUEST,Desi C
Date: 24 May 17 - 05:15 AM

Sadly The Jug Of Punch and The opposite Lock club have both long gone. both were very good clubs though

Subject: RE: Where are the sessions in Birmingham (UK)?
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 24 May 17 - 05:27 AM

desi, could you confirm which Jug Of Punch you mean please?
Digbeth?
Redditch?
Sutton Coldfield?

~~~~~~~~~~~
just for the record....
roughly where and
roughly when was the
The opposite Lock club ?

Subject: RE: Where are the sessions in Birmingham (UK)?
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 25 May 17 - 04:11 AM

Opposite Lock was in Gas St Basin in an old warehouse. The guy that ran it was a racing car enthusiast hence the punning title. I went there in the late 1960s. It was still running when I left B'ham in late 1969.
The JoP was in Digbeth, the Town hall and sometimes, I think, at the Old Crown pub but had been going I think since late 1950s?
RtS

Subject: RE: Where are the sessions in Birmingham (UK)?
From: Clean Supper
Date: 30 May 17 - 07:25 AM

Wow this is a great little scoop on the history as well as the current venues and leads. Thanks for all your contributions and suggestions :)