'Best' Folk club or venue

Subject: 'Best' Folk club or venue
From: Padre
Date: 20 May 03 - 09:11 PM

All right - here's a good way to start a lengthy thread (I hope). What is the "Best" folk club or venue you have ever PLAYED AT. (Capitals added on purpose - I particularly want to hear from performers)

I'll start with a few:

The Red Fox in Bethesda MD during the 1970s
Mystic Seaport for the Sea Music Festival
Bertha's in Baltimore
The Washington Folk Festival @ Glen Echo Park
The Getaway of FSGW - especilly when it was at Prince William Park

Padre

Subject: RE: 'Best' Folk club or venue
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 20 May 03 - 10:46 PM

Cuckoo's Nest in London, Ontario
House concert for Paint Creek, Rochester, Michigan

Subject: RE: 'Best' Folk club or venue
From: Janice in NJ
Date: 20 May 03 - 10:46 PM

1. The community center of the Lincoln Guild housing project in New York.

2. The prison work house in Ocoquan, Virginia.

3. The GI coffee house just off base at Fort Dix, New Jersey.

Subject: RE: 'Best' Folk club or venue
From: Sorcha
Date: 20 May 03 - 11:15 PM

Evergreen Court Assisted Living Center, Torrington Wyoming
Yoder Bar, Yoder Wyoming
Miner's Bar, Hartville Wyoming (closed and for sale now, the oldest bar/pub in Wyoming)

Subject: RE: 'Best' Folk club or venue
From: GUEST,Dagenham Doc
Date: 20 May 03 - 11:32 PM

Without any doubt whatsoever..... The Devonport Folk Club at The Bunker.... on top of Mount Victoria in Devonport, Auckland, New Zealand.

Doc

Subject: RE: 'Best' Folk club or venue
From: Leadfingers
Date: 21 May 03 - 02:50 AM

I would put Maidenhead Folk Club (every Thursday at The Ferry Cookham)
up as the best small folk club in Southern England.A very good cross section of regular floor singers,enough musicians to do a fair interval set of good tunes and a really nice friendly atmosphere.

Subject: RE: 'Best' Folk club or venue
From: GUEST
Date: 21 May 03 - 02:59 AM

Brewery tap brentford with Benbow. Great pub, Great musician and too many good performers aswell as visiting pro's.

Subject: RE: 'Best' Folk club or venue
From: Hamish
Date: 21 May 03 - 05:44 AM

Thank you Leadfingers and "guest" for putting the "why"s into this. A list of clubs would become abit turgid, whereas reasons make for more interesting reading.

I'd agree with Leadfingers that Maidenhead has a great ambience due in part to the convivial setting, but mostly due to the friendliness of the hosts.

Other favourites to play reflect how well I feel I've gone down: an audience that is attentive and/or up for it as appropriate makes for a good gig. And it helps to be able to see the whites of their eyes. I didlike venues where the audience are hiding in the shadows or spread around the edges of the room.

Oxford at the Port Mahon comes to mind as a good combination of venue and enthusiastic punters. Breezy's in the Comfort's good, too: big choruses when needed and always intimate.

Subject: RE: 'Best' Folk club or venue
From: MairSea
Date: 21 May 03 - 06:05 AM

Woolston and Netley at the Prince Consort, Netley on Fridays. It has a good mix of trad, contemporary singers, storytellers and musicians. Also has good mix of guests/floorsingers and encourages singer/songwriters (old and young) with songwriting competitions.

The Famous Willows at Arundel on Wednesdays has a good mix of all talents, a welcoming atmosphere, great guests, come all ye's and spotlight on.... features.

Come to The Fo'c'sle in Southampton at the Duke of Wellington, on Fridays for a great night whatever is on. Sure to please always something for everyone.

North Boarhunt - Forestfolk 1st (Singaround- songs and music) and 3rd (Guest) Mondays for a great evening's entertainment.

Subject: RE: 'Best' Folk club or venue
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 21 May 03 - 06:29 AM

Maidenhead and St Albans for the reasons explained above by Leadfingers and Hamish. Also Bedford FC, for similar reasons.

Subject: RE: 'Best' Folk club or venue
From: GUEST
Date: 21 May 03 - 07:48 AM

Dagenham Doc
I agree - I was there in 1987.

Leadfingers
Shame I don't get down to the Maidenhead club often but it is always nice to be there. Tony & Pearl know what works and that attracts people who go along with their mindset.

but best club usually has to be defined by the "moment" - I know several UK clubs that are still going but the changes of organiser would withdraw any rossette they earned in their heyday. One or two I hesitate to defend any more in the face of obvious criticisms.

Subject: RE: 'Best' Folk club or venue
From: GUEST,John Hernandez
Date: 30 May 03 - 10:37 AM

Janice mentions the GI coffee house near Fort Dix. I remember there were several near Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and I know there were many other ones all around the United States in the 1970's. They were a pleasant alternative to the off-base bars and strip joints. Does anyone know what became of them? Are there any still in existence?

Subject: RE: 'Best' Folk club or venue
From: GUEST,Bill
Date: 30 May 03 - 04:26 PM

If you are in the Newport area(South Wales) try the Abergavenny Folk club every other Thursday at the Hen & Chickens. It's a brilliant venue and great people running it.
Bill(ex sound)

Subject: RE: 'Best' Folk club or venue
From: kendall
Date: 30 May 03 - 04:57 PM

Two of the best for me, the FSGW in Washington DC, and, the Getaway. In spite of my problems with my voice, they treated me like family, and, didn't mind my friends taking up the slack. Of course, my friends included Kathy Westra, George Stevens, Mary Lamarca in DC, and Rick Fielding at the Getaway. Hard to find fault with them!

Another, believe it or not, was Smokey Green's bluegrass festival in the Washington county fairgrounds, and at Porter Corners, NY.

Subject: RE: 'Best' Folk club or venue
From: Gurney
Date: 31 May 03 - 01:57 AM

I used to love 'The Virgins and Castle' at Kenilworth years ago. Wonder if it is still going. And I'll third Dagenam Doc on 'The Bunker'

Subject: RE: 'Best' Folk club or venue
From: Dipsodeb
Date: 31 May 03 - 05:58 AM

I couldn't let this thread go by without mentioning the Folk Mob who run an excellent club from the Tudor Barn, Wellhall Pleasaunce, Eltham
in SE London. They are on every Weds 8-11pm, apart from the next few weeks till the begining of July when they will be running on a Thursday, due to the room being used for darts by the pub (sacriliege) fancy swopping folk music for darts, some people have no style. They are a really friendly bunch of people, who make everyone very welcome.

Subject: RE: 'Best' Folk club or venue
From: GUEST,Touring Mary
Date: 09 Dec 03 - 05:45 PM

Hi all
I have been on holiday for three months here in New Zealand and was told to check out the Bunker as soon as poss. I must say I have to refresh this thread simply to say I will fourth and fifth (that's my husband Jeff) with Dagenham Doc that this has got to be the best club i have ever visited. Apart from the amazing views across the Auckland Harbour, the venue, performers and general atmosphere is stunning.Their M.C. Roger Giles is second to none!

don't go to n..z without a visit.

Mary and Jeff

Subject: RE: 'Best' Folk club or venue
From: Margret RoadKnight
Date: 09 Dec 03 - 08:31 PM

Yep, the Bunker in Auckland (previously nominated), plus Frank Traynor's in '60s & '70s Melbourne, and current Melbourne favourite The Boite, and Club Passim in Cambridge and Folk City in NY....... good memories

Subject: RE: 'Best' Folk club or venue
From: Peace
Date: 09 Dec 03 - 08:36 PM

The Yellow Door in Montreal.

Gerde's Folk City in New York.

Subject: RE: 'Best' Folk club or venue
From: Peace
Date: 09 Dec 03 - 08:37 PM

Sorry, and The Golem in Montreal.

Subject: RE: 'Best' Folk club or venue
From: John Robinson (aka Cittern)
Date: 10 Dec 03 - 12:37 PM

On behalf of my performing partner ...

Best folk clubs - probably Rivelin (South Yorks, UK) and Rhyl (North Wales) - people who know how to appreciate good music in a good atmosphere.

Best bars/pubs - Fox and Newt (Leeds, UK) and the Neptune Bar (Brighton, UK) for amazingly enthusiastic landlords!

Best festival - Gainsborough Folk Festival (Lincs, UK) - friendly and enthusiastic organisers and a wonderful audience.

Should mention that all of these are "so far" since there are lots of new bookings in 2004 - looking forward to every one of them!

All the best
John Robinson
http://www.JulieEllison.co.uk

Subject: RE: 'Best' Folk club or venue
From: Sooz
Date: 10 Dec 03 - 01:27 PM

Thanks John thats very good of you both. You should give our folk club a try as well - more of the same!

Subject: RE: 'Best' Folk club or venue
From: GLoux
Date: 10 Dec 03 - 01:29 PM

The Point, Bryn Mawr, PA

Subject: RE: 'Best' Folk club or venue
From: GUEST,PB
Date: 10 Dec 03 - 01:36 PM

Blackpool Folk Club - 60's

Subject: RE: 'Best' Folk club or venue
From: harlowpoet
Date: 10 Dec 03 - 01:52 PM

Waltham Abbey Folk Club. Great singarounds with guests once a month.

I am biased of course


http://www.geocities.com/walthamabbeyfolkclub/

Subject: RE: 'Best' Folk club or venue
From: breezy
Date: 10 Dec 03 - 06:42 PM

I'm running already as I post....






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spelling afta lesons from shep oolly





Im runnning



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an weavin





an wearing ev ee makup

Subject: RE: 'Best' Folk club or venue
From: GUEST,Strollin' Johnny
Date: 11 Dec 03 - 07:42 AM

Cittern - Sooz is right, try the Gainsborough Folk Club. I reckon we'd be in your list of 'Best' Clubs and 'Best Pubs' too!
All the best to you and Julie,
Johnny

Subject: RE: 'Best' Folk club or venue
From: breezy
Date: 11 Dec 03 - 07:54 AM

Simon ought to get about a bit more

hope he comes to support Lynne and Pat when they come to St Albans in Feb

Subject: RE: 'Best' Folk club or venue
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Dec 03 - 09:16 AM

Preferences

1) the one I'm in at the time.

2) the last one I got thrown out of...