How many folk clubs have reopened? /covid recovery

Subject: RE: How many folk clubs have reopened? /covid recovery
From: GUEST,Peter
Date: 07 Oct 21 - 11:40 AM

Street collection is a problem but are there really still artists out there relying on cash for merch sales?

Subject: RE: How many folk clubs have reopened? /covid recovery
From: JHW
Date: 07 Oct 21 - 03:02 PM

With so many premises saying cards only, some still, the few coins we accumulate are vital for car parks etc. so don't go to buskers or street teams.

Subject: RE: How many folk clubs have reopened? /covid recovery
From: The Sandman
Date: 07 Oct 21 - 03:29 PM

yes, there are artists relying on cash

Subject: RE: How many folk clubs have reopened? /covid recovery
From: The Sandman
Date: 07 Oct 21 - 04:26 PM

furthermore if people want to see morris dancers and encourage them, i would suggest cash
basically do you want to see morris dancers, then get cash out from the atm or the bank or the post office, if you dont want to see them at festivals it will be a result of not giving them cash

Subject: RE: How many folk clubs have reopened? /covid recovery
From: Anne Lister
Date: 08 Oct 21 - 04:12 PM

As Guest Joe G reported, the Black Swan has reopened the folk club in York, although for the time being it's running as a singaround with longer spots featuring their residents. It was under a marquee in the car park until a couple of weeks ago. I was in York yesterday and was able to go along. About 30 people in the room, not overly crowded, but it was so very good to hear people singing choruses again and there was a great atmosphere.
Towards the end of the evening, when I was given a longer spot than I'd expected (I was just there by chance, not as a gig), some people who had been standing outside the door came in and sat in the front row. One of them grabbed me excitedly as I came downstairs at the end of the evening. "I've never seen a proper folk singer before", she said, "and it was brilliant!" I said I didn't think I was a proper folk singer. "You certainly are!" she said - so I didn't argue.

Subject: RE: How many folk clubs have reopened? /covid recovery
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 08 Oct 21 - 07:31 PM

Just back from a great night at our local folk club. Everything there is "cash only" though tonight's tickets were sold out in advance, so it was only raffle tickets and bar sales. (Not sure what the artists did for merchandise sales as they managed their own.)

Subject: RE: How many folk clubs have reopened? /covid recovery
From: Johnny J
Date: 09 Oct 21 - 05:36 AM

I'm not a scientific expert but I believe the risk of passing and catching Covid from touching surfaces has been overemphasised.

As long as sensible precautions are taken... e.g. cleaning, wiping, and use of hand sanitiser, cash transactions should be safe enough. The virus also only remains there for a short time.

By far the biggest risk seems to be from airborne transmission and, unfortunately, many people and organisations have become far more "lax" about this. Social distancing seems to have gone "out the window" and many don't bother with masks any more even although they are still a requirement indoors and on public transport. In Scotland, at any rate.

Also, good ventilation is very important and plenty of space. I still get slightly nervous in enclosed places when it is really busy but I don't suppose I can hide away for ever.

Subject: RE: How many folk clubs have reopened? /covid recovery
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 09 Oct 21 - 07:28 PM

Some of my friends' attitudes seem to be "let's wait until we've had our 3rd Covid jab before venturing out" which seems fair enough, given that there are a fair number of people whom I know who have caught Covid despite having been vaccinated twice: luckily all have recovered, which may be a benefit of the vaccine but one spent 2 weeks in a High Dependency Unit.
At the Folk Club last night, the back door to the outsde are was kept open for at least half of the night, to allow for better ventilation.

Subject: RE: How many folk clubs have reopened? /covid recovery
From: steve_harris
Date: 12 Oct 21 - 11:48 AM

Quite a few dance places have reopened. Perhaps the most "normal" folk dance event was at Moira Furnace Folk Festival (short report)

I think a lot of people need to re-evaluate the situation because it HAS changed.

I started the pandemic in the "Not 70 but act like it" group. The original virus was not particularly infectious and avoiding it completely as I did was feasible.

Now, we have the highly infectious Delta and I'm double vaxed (although that's gradually fading). I am going to encounter the virus whether I go dancing or not so I might as well dance. Things are not going to get any safer.

OK, I would be a little bit safer if I waited for a booster but I've got a bucket list to get on with :-)

Subject: RE: How many folk clubs have reopened? /covid recovery
From: GUEST,jag
Date: 12 Oct 21 - 12:20 PM

"I am going to encounter the virus whether I go dancing or not"

Yes, but does it make a difference how many virus particles get a chance to latch on to you?

Subject: RE: How many folk clubs have reopened? /covid recovery
From: steve_harris
Date: 12 Oct 21 - 03:54 PM

Sure, I'm going to be exposed to more virus, more often but I'm probably going to be dead (of something else) before Covid goes away.

"Herd Immunity" is not going to happen. (It took nearly 200 years to eradicate Smallpox and Delta is way harder and not as nasty)

Maybe you're choosing to wait for a super 100% efficacious anti-viral or a 100% vaccine? Fair enough. Enjoy your safe Zoom dancing while you wait :-)

I could be just a tiny bit safer by never dancing again, never crossing the road and never having fish and chips but that won't get my bucket list done!

Subject: RE: How many folk clubs have reopened? /covid recovery
From: JHW
Date: 13 Oct 21 - 05:40 AM

The bigger than ever list of research etc. here on Mudcat suggests folks are sitting at home and not daring to go.
I'm pleased to hear the account of Anne Lister at York. Live music for me means hearing the person, not an electronic copy. Black Swan did for a while have a PA though a crowded small upstairs room.

Subject: RE: How many folk clubs have reopened? /covid recovery
From: steve_harris
Date: 13 Oct 21 - 06:53 AM

> folks are sitting at home and not daring to go
Yes, early on, the government identified that a lot of people didn't feel personally threatened enough. There was Project Fear featuring stories of having tubes forced down your throat (not bothering to mention that you'd be under general anaesthetic) and worse. This (psychological) Long Covid will be with millions for years. Quite a side affect!

> Live music for me means hearing the person, not an electronic copy
.. and being with other people

Subject: RE: How many folk clubs have reopened? /covid recovery
From: The Sandman
Date: 13 Oct 21 - 12:07 PM

jhw , you will not hear morris sides if people do not give them a bit of cash

Subject: RE: How many folk clubs have reopened? /covid recovery
From: matt milton
Date: 13 Oct 21 - 12:11 PM

Bunch of 20somethings have recently started a Monday night folk club in a pub that's localish to me - Skehans in Nunhead. It already had a few irish tunes sessions at the pub, so it's known for acoustic live music. An encouraging amount of traditional folk going on in South London at the moment.

Subject: RE: How many folk clubs have reopened? /covid recovery
From: Lurcherman
Date: 14 Oct 21 - 01:52 AM

The Blue Anchor, Helston sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays have restarted..
Songs and tunes in the key of Spingo

Subject: RE: How many folk clubs have reopened? /covid recovery
From: Mr Red
Date: 14 Oct 21 - 02:49 AM

Mr Red's Mid West aka mister.red (Gloucs & attached bits, and bits attached thereto)

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