Rochester Sweeps Festival - Sessions ?

Subject: Rochester Sweeps Festival - Sessions ?
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 11 Mar 02 - 05:22 AM

In another thread , Richard Bridge commented on the lack of song sessions at Rochester Sweeps Festival. I thought that maybe we could do with a thread about it.

It seems as though the director (Gordon Newton) has rather turned his back on folk music. Although he started off organising the event as "Motley's" musician, he is now mainly to be seen with the "Fez Heads" performing what I can only describe as old pop music.

Last year on the Saturday afternoon, Linda, myself and some others started a session in the "Two Brewers". Just as things were getting going, the "Fez Heads" (anti-folksong patrol) who were drinking in the other bar, decided to break in to song(?). We were forced to give up, but passing the pub 10 minutes later, we noticed that the "Fez Heads" had stopped singing - obviously shutting up our session had been their motive.

I realise that the event is mainly a morris dance one and that many sides (especially some of the newer ones) are not so interested in the song side, but it wouldn't hurt to let those who did want to sing to have an session somewhere. It really isn't infectious Gordon !

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps Festival - Sessions ?
From: Chris Amos
Date: 07 Apr 02 - 03:11 AM

Hi,

There was a singaround at Sweeps last year, but it was stuck in the back of the Tourist Information Building. Even so it was good, Kathy and Bob run them and there were guest spots, about four songs or so a couple of times a day. This year it will be in a pub at the top of the High Street, I will get the name and post it here, I'll be there on the Saturday.

Regards

C

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps Festival - Sessions ?
From: Dead Horse
Date: 07 Apr 02 - 04:54 AM

No. It aint in a pub, no such luck. Its in the front room of the Star Hill Function Rooms (used to be Conservative club) Times are (all three days)
12:30-14:30 & 20:30 23:00
BUT!!!Evening session will have to contend with dances held in main stage area, which is seperated from front by the bar area only -no dividing walls (& no real ales!)
John Matthews is running sing-a-rounds in The Vic & Bull (Great Expectations Bar)15:00-17:00 (music session hosted by John Smedley 20:45-23:00)Organisers are being lobbied as we speak, but I guess that their response will be same as last few years - that we are free to run one ourselves if we find a venue. With no advanced publicity that will mean just three or four poor souls singing to themselves in a back room somewhere, hidden from view & out of earshot of folks looking for just such a session.

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps Festival - Sessions ?
From: Menita
Date: 07 Apr 02 - 08:25 AM

Go for it you guys, from little acorns etc. You gotta start somehow, somewhere.

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps Festival - Sessions ?
From: GUEST,Dagenham Doc
Date: 07 Apr 02 - 05:09 PM

I've only been to the 'Sweeps' once about five years ago and had a great time. Didn't know a soul and found a wonderful session at the Eagle??? if that was the name of the pub. It was run or attended by a group of singers mainly from Orpington I seem to remembe. So what happens to these sessions. What happens to these people??

Doc.

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps Festival - Sessions ?
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Apr 02 - 06:24 PM

They gave up and started going to Upton.