Caversham Folk Festival, any reports?

Subject: Caversham Folk Festival, any reports?
From: GUEST,Christine Hanson
Date: 04 Feb 04 - 04:44 AM

Anybody go to the Caversham Festival over last weekend? What was it like?

Subject: RE: Caversham Folk Festival, any reports?
From: GUEST,Cav K
Date: 04 Feb 04 - 06:56 AM

Was great!

Billed as a "Winter Warmer" it was based in three pubs within a few minute's walk of eachother.

We only went to the Clifton & the Prince of Wales, but both were buzzing. The Clifton has a back room which was used for singarounds & accoustic stuff. The front bar is very small and was packed out most of the time. Really good atmosphere & everyone was very into the music. The Prince of Wales is bigger & had tables etc so seemed more like a concert venue. Maybe not quite as much buzz as the Clifton - but most acts were very good. Back alcove was supposed to be used for singarounds, but was a bit noisy really.

My top fave performers were:
Lenny & Gilles - who had never played together before & never been mic'd up before. They were stunningly good.
Fran Woods & Paul Critchfield - who are pure class.
George Wilson's bunch - who played an extra hour and were fantastic.
Rami El-Shirbiny - who is superb and unique

I thought this format worked much better than the summer format, because we were all concentrated in a much smaller area and that made for more atmosphere. The locals seemed to enjoy it (except one very vocal alcoholic wreck - but then you always get one of those...).

This was a charity event - so hopefully plenty of money was raised. As far as the music side is concerned I thought it was a great success and a credit to the organisers.

Subject: RE: Caversham Folk Festival, any reports?
From: fiddler
Date: 04 Feb 04 - 07:22 AM

What I saw was OK but it wasn't much!

Was there any verdict on Mike T's hangover when I saw him Sunday evening I doubt if he could have walked to his car - sleeping soundly in the bar - I must have been a success then.

Subject: RE: Caversham Folk Festival, any reports?
From: GUEST,KB
Date: 04 Feb 04 - 08:10 AM

I expect he was exhausted! Hangover was probably much the same as always.......

Subject: RE: Caversham Folk Festival, any reports?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 04 Feb 04 - 08:39 AM

But as usual over the last three years, despite support given in the early days of Caversham, there was NO information sent to ANY of the Clubs London side of Reading which I attend until the last few days before the festival. Do they want our support any more ?? It doesnt look like it to me!

Subject: RE: Caversham Folk Festival, any reports?
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 04 Feb 04 - 10:01 AM

I was in Brum so couldn't go to the skiffle bash at the Clifton Arms, hope to be at the Cabbage Patch in Twickers this Sunday, tho'.

RtS
(NOT the alcoholic local, honest)

Subject: RE: Caversham Folk Festival, any reports?
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Feb 04 - 04:15 AM

I'm with you LF, My boat is moored near Caversham and we found out about it when we took the laundry in.

I do have other issues with the festival although it does do a good job fundraising.

I suppose the question is now is this a one off winter do or an extra annual do or relacing the summer do which clashes with the RBC waterfest?

Sorry thats a big question or three!

A

Subject: RE: Caversham Folk Festival, any reports?
From: breezy
Date: 05 Feb 04 - 06:10 AM

I didnt know and was sory not to have found out one way or another.
I enjoyed the informality of the summer one and was appreciated.
Were Tudor Lodge there?

Subject: RE: Caversham Folk Festival, any reports?
From: GUEST,Cav
Date: 05 Feb 04 - 07:05 AM

Tudor Lodge were there & were, as always, very good.
They were playing & MC-ing on Fri & Sat in the Prince of Wales concerts.

The lack of wide publicity may have been partly because it was a first try at a winter festival, and there were a lot of unknowns. I gather there were some uncertainties until quite late on regarding whether or not the council would let it go ahead. Hopefully there'd be more publicity next time.

Subject: RE: Caversham Folk Festival, any reports?
From: Hovering Bob
Date: 05 Feb 04 - 07:40 AM

Sounds like this winter event had the same flavour of the original Caversham Charity Folk Festival, held at The Millers Arms; small, intimate, very friendly and successful. I was never happy about moving away from there, but there were other things going on behind the scenes to make it necessary.
Trying to grow any event is not always the best policy in terms of making it a success. Glad that this winter event has worked out well as a first attempt.

Subject: RE: Caversham Folk Festival, any reports?
From: breezy
Date: 05 Feb 04 - 07:44 AM

Keep me informed please

Tomorrow St Albums Folk-song club will be at the King Harry with Ron Truman-Border as the main guest
along with George Papavgeris our support singer-songwriter in residence.
4th CD out in March. Launch date Friday 19th opposite the King Harry in St Stephens Church Hall.
Apply for tickets now.

Subject: RE: Caversham Folk Festival, any reports?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 05 Feb 04 - 07:50 AM

Regarding advance publicity - There were posters and flyers at Bedworth in October but still nothing to Uxbridge or Staines and Maidenhead got a flyer a week before the festival. Not that it made any difference to me as I was off to Portaferry any way.

Subject: RE: Caversham Folk Festival, any reports?
From: breezy
Date: 05 Feb 04 - 03:21 PM

Know the words yet Tel?

Subject: RE: Caversham Folk Festival, any reports?
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Feb 04 - 06:36 PM

What ever happened to Readifolk?

Subject: RE: Caversham Folk Festival, any reports?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 05 Feb 04 - 08:20 PM

Readifolk is still there - Clifton Arms in Caversham at the last count

Subject: RE: Caversham Folk Festival, any reports?
From: KingBrilliant
Date: 06 Feb 04 - 08:07 AM

Readifolk schedule for next few weeks is:

9/2 Singers night
15/2 Ed Rennie (trad singer & melodeon)
22/2 Theme night - Maidens & Men
29/2 Patty Vetta & Alan Franks
7/3   Tom Napper & Tom Bliss
14/2 Singers Night + spot by Queensbury Fules
21/3 Theme night - Living Dangerously
28/3 Robin Laing

Club is currently in the back room of The Clifton Arms in Caversham Reading - every Sunday evening.

Subject: RE: Caversham Folk Festival, any reports?
From: GUEST,fishmining
Date: 24 Feb 04 - 08:28 AM

Just over £2000 was raised for local charities.
Not bad!