New roots 2005, St Albans, England

Subject: New roots 2005, St Albans, England
From: GUEST,Alison Macfarlane
Date: 25 Jan 05 - 02:23 PM

NEW ROOTS 2005
A competition for young musicians Sunday April 17 2005

Are you under 25?
Do you sing or play traditionally based music ?

This event is for young performers of all styles of traditional or
contemporary folk, roots or world music, whether you play traditional
material or write your own. Categories are under 18 and 18-24. There is no one 'winner', but it's a great day, a chance to get your music heard and loads of great prizes are awarded to the most appropriate
acts. Prizes include performance opportunities at Towersey festival,<
Oxford Folk Festival Festival, St Michael's Street Folk evening, Herts Summer Festival and at Redbourn, Hitchin, Waltham Abbey, Chesham, Islington, Baldock, St Albans Second Sunday and Stortfolk clubs plus other events in Hertfordshire and nearby counties.

The finals will take place at 2pm and the judges will be Sarah Allen,
Brian Finnegan, Lynne Heraud and Andy Stafford. It will be followed by
a concert at 7pm with Sarah Allen and Brian Finnegan of Flook, Lynne
Heraud and Pat Turner plus competition finalists.

Closing date February 28 2005


To enter send a recording of up to 15 minutes of your music to Alison
Macfarlane, 40 Warwick Road, St Albans, Herts AL1 4DL. For further details, email [e-mail]
ring 01727 852111.

Subject: RE: New roots 2005, St Albans, England
From: breezy
Date: 26 Jan 05 - 11:10 AM

The St Albans ' Spotlight'Folk-song club would be happy to support this venture being as it is the only club in St Albans that books artistes on a weekly basis and has been doing so since 2001, bringing the very best of folk names, recognisd nationally and locally to the area.

The club meets every Friday and Sunday at the Royal British lwegion, in Verulam Road, St Albans, and is Non-smoking.

This Fri 28th Jan we present the Kefflers 3 from Stevenage and on Sunday 30th , Old Roots , in the form of Steve Last aka 'the singing ref' with Christine Connolley aka 'moses' featuring as the 'Spotlight' guests.

Steve and Christine have been working hard in rehearsals and come up with good songs,with interesting harmonies and give a great deal of thought about their choice of material including some original songs.
They have both performed as soloists and are well worth a listen,they will also soon appear at Waltham Abbey, Lynne Heraud's club and Baldock, not to mention the Bull in Barton.

Floor singers are welcome, doors open 7.35

To view our full programme for the year enter via the George Papavgeris web site, go to contacts and find St Albans 'Windward' and 'Spotlight' clubs

See you soon.

Lets pull together.

Subject: RE: New roots 2005, St Albans, England
From: fiddler
Date: 14 Feb 05 - 03:35 AM

Apart form a refresh - I hope all you uk folks are promoting this - it is an incredibly good event with high calibre performances all round - Compares ver favourably with what you would hear on teh young folk awards BUT there is no outright winner - all artists are given positive critique and many organisations donate gigs and half gigs (support spots) as prizes.

It is well worth younger folk entering and many of us older fogies should 'take a look' to see where the world is going and what is coming up braying at our heels!

Andy

Subject: RE: New roots 2005, St Albans, England
From: The Unicorn Man
Date: 14 Feb 05 - 01:57 PM

Well said chaps. Don't forget "The friendly Earth Acoustic Gartherings" are back Alison, and are more than willing to put up a prize too. Cheers CU soon.

Subject: RE: New roots 2005, St Albans, England
From: breezy
Date: 14 Feb 05 - 03:09 PM

Yes, the booby prize.




oops there goes another acciDENT


The Spotlight club were well impressed by Simon Stevenson's floor spot a couple of weeks back, I trust he was appreciated at the RnC last night.
Simon expressed the intention to come to Windward on Friday for the appearance of John Waller who books at the Topic folk Club in Bradford, one of Englands longest running folk clubs.

Simon is well worth supporting.

Subject: RE: New roots 2005, St Albans, England
From: The Unicorn Man
Date: 05 Apr 05 - 07:29 PM

Oh very funny Breezy. Here we go folks, only a week and a few days to go. YIPPEEEEEE.

Subject: RE: New roots 2005, St Albans, England
From: The Unicorn Man
Date: 06 Apr 05 - 07:28 PM

Should get some people coming from Dunstable after tonight at The Norman King. Who else is coming?

Subject: RE: New roots 2005, St Albans, England
From: running.hare
Date: 07 Apr 05 - 01:40 PM

Me

Subject: RE: New roots 2005, St Albans, England
From: The Unicorn Man
Date: 07 Apr 05 - 03:19 PM

Great Lizabee. How will I know you? You will have to wear a pink carnation in your lapel.

Subject: RE: New roots 2005, St Albans, England
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Apr 05 - 04:10 PM

This new roots concept was so poorly attended last year that its difficult to believe it will be any different this year.

If these young artistes are hoping to be seen by folk club organisers who book artistes for their clubs then these folk club organisers ought to attend and Alison should have sent out the invitations, because unless the right people see and hear the young talent then the object of the exercise becomes pointless and these kids will not be seen by those of us who promote guest nights.

Last Sunday we had a 14 year old perform 4 numbers at the Spotlight club and a very exciting prospect she was.

Come on Alison, put aside the differences if you are serious about helping to promote young performers.

Subject: RE: New roots 2005, St Albans, England
From: Ross
Date: 07 Apr 05 - 04:18 PM

Alison sent us an invite at Barton with flyers and things

It was nice to receive the package

Many thanks Alison

Subject: RE: New roots 2005, St Albans, England
From: breezy
Date: 08 Apr 05 - 09:30 AM

oops Guest was me back door and I see the roots date is wrong in unicorn and that the afternoon is free admission too, but still no take up.

hope you are feeling better Ross.

Hannah Harris will floor spot at the Spotlight along with others and me on Sunday.

Sat 16th at the legion, come and have a beer in the bar and free open mike in the main bar too

Subject: RE: New roots 2005, St Albans, England
From: The Unicorn Man
Date: 08 Apr 05 - 12:32 PM

But Breezie (Guest) The prizes are to play at Towersey, Oxford and Sidmouth folk festivals, three of the best in England, so many people will see them. (not to mention "The Friendly Earth Acoustic Gatherings")

Subject: RE: New roots 2005, St Albans, England
From: Leraud
Date: 09 Apr 05 - 09:58 AM

Breezy - Alison does send out invitations to clubs. The competition is also advertised nationally.

You are a local folk club organiser. Are you saying that you can't make it to the competition - again? You are right in saying that folk club organisers ought to attend and that includes you.

See you on 17th April, if not before.

Lynne Heraud

Subject: RE: New roots 2005, St Albans, England
From: breezy
Date: 09 Apr 05 - 02:22 PM

I didnt read that it was free last year and assumed the same this until Iread the small print.

of course i should be there and after rugby I will.

What is a shame is that Alison doesnt make it easy and in fact makes it very difficult for some organisers to be made welcome.

Perhaps my club has no standing in St Albans

I wonder why?

I put it down to Singers v Musicians

Bear in mind I was part of her All hands to the Pumps band for over 10 years and never slept on the job!!!

Subject: RE: New roots 2005, St Albans, England
From: Leraud
Date: 09 Apr 05 - 02:52 PM

Don't talk drivel Breezy. Let bygones be bygones and consider yourself admonished by a middle aged woman. I'll buy you a cup of tea and a pieve of cake on the 17th. Kiss kiss.

Subject: RE: New roots 2005, St Albans, England
From: running.hare
Date: 09 Apr 05 - 03:32 PM

Ohhhhh Controvercy I can't Wait!

Actually Decided What to Sing & how to get there .... Gosh NE mght think I was organised!
Hmmmmmm What to wear???
Not much of a pink Carnaton Grl, but might try an nick a bit of May blossom or simmilar for my hair.

Subject: RE: New roots 2005, St Albans, England
From: The Unicorn Man
Date: 09 Apr 05 - 03:54 PM

I'll be wearing a wooly hat with hash leaves on it and a dirty LOOKING army type jacket. (Unless it's hot) in which case I will be wearing a tye dye fantasy T shirt, with unicorns or wizards or something on. Looking forward to it already.

Subject: RE: New roots 2005, St Albans, England
From: breezy
Date: 09 Apr 05 - 04:18 PM

a pieve of cake?

That is tempting, tea, little milk but no sugar thanks

All my bygones are long gone.

Please allow me to send you 2 complimentaries for Dan on the 15th Lynne seeing as you havent heard him before.

at the duke

Mike Sparks on 13th may will be at the legion

Subject: RE: New roots 2005, St Albans, England
From: The Unicorn Man
Date: 10 Apr 05 - 03:30 AM

Nor have I Breezy. (Hint Hint)

Subject: RE: New roots 2005, St Albans, England
From: breezy
Date: 10 Apr 05 - 09:29 AM

O K Antrim , I've made you an offer.

Subject: RE: New roots 2005, St Albans, England
From: Dave of Mawkin
Date: 10 Apr 05 - 09:53 AM

I think its fabulous that this event exists, I entered it a few years back, and its definitely put me in good stead for the rest of my (ahem!) career.
I like the way its not a competition and is just a showcase for young people, where folk club organisers and folk festival organisers get to see the up and coming talent.

I hope to see a few of you guys there.

Subject: RE: New roots 2005, St Albans, England
From: The Unicorn Man
Date: 10 Apr 05 - 12:25 PM

You will see me Dave. You won't know who I am mind you. Cheers John see you soon then.

Subject: RE: New roots 2005, St Albans, England
From: breezy
Date: 10 Apr 05 - 06:40 PM

Rosa's daughters on the Spot

Subject: RE: New roots 2005, St Albans, England
From: fiddler
Date: 11 Apr 05 - 03:33 AM

I think the Mawkin man says it all - how about forgetting all the (local) politics and getting on with promoting an excelent event.

It is a brilliant showcase.

Andy

Subject: RE: New roots 2005, St Albans, England
From: GUEST,Alison Macfarlane
Date: 11 Apr 05 - 05:04 AM

I hope all organisers will come and hear these excellent young musicians. I sent out leaflets to all folk clubs within our area and some a bit further afield. If anyone didn't get them, I suggest you check with your venue to see what happened to them. Admission to the afternoon is free. We also hope that you will stay to the evening concert, but we have to charge for admission except for the finalists, as we can't afford to have such high calibre guests without charging for admission.

We had 18 excellent entries this year and it was sad not to be able to ask all of them to come and play. We would like to expand to a two day event, but this would need more money. We most know folk clubs haven't got any money and one organiser has said in this thread that he couldn't even afford to attend the finals if there was an admission charge, so we shall be looking elsewhere for money.

Meanwhile thanks to Martin Dent for two last minute additions to the prizes. Martins has just told me that Wild Willy Barrett and his Sleeping Dogz have agreed to put up a prize for one of the acts this year, to support them on Saturday November 26th at The Limelight Theatre in Aylesbury which means "The Friendly Earth Acoustic Gatherings" can now afford to give a day at The Greenbank Studios.

Alison Macfarlane

Subject: RE: New roots 2005, St Albans, England
From: breezy
Date: 11 Apr 05 - 05:09 AM

Hello fiddler

I agree, but it was a non event as afar as attendance was concerned last year, but this year may be better but I'll be surprised if more than 25 people attend and most of them will be organisers and performers.

How many will be promoters/organisers ? well 3 maybe 4

Redbourn, St Albans,

It would be sound advice to encourage these new faces to get out to their local and even more distant folk clubs, so far only Simon Stevenson has been to mine, and most impressed we were too.
But then most who I saw last year live 100s of miles away so I wouldnt expect to see them and also we are more of a 'song' club so those acts that play just tunes are up against it unles they are a Ben Paley and tab Hunter who include songs, they'll be in St Albans 22nd April

I occassionally have artistes who are themselves club organisers and next month Sue Dewsbury from Gainsborough will be one of our guests.
John Waller from Topic came last month and apart from giving us a fine evening booked George and heard Simon and was impressed by Les Sullivan who has just won the prestigious Maidenhead Song writing contest.

All the best to everyone, I hope I will be entertained next Sunday.

Herga has a singers night tonight

Dan Mckinnon on Friday in St Albans at Windward Duke of marlborough

Its the organisers who have to hear them if they hope to be offered perfomance opportunities and possible gigs.

Subject: RE: New roots 2005, St Albans, England
From:
Date: 12 Apr 05 - 06:09 AM

Breezy

Yes perfomance opportunities and possible gigs would be great, but I don't see that as the be all and end all of this compertition.
I'm planning to have a great day out meeting new and old friends & practicing my stage craft, with the added bonus of some constuctive critasism. & if I'm offered a Gig, Wow, That would be great.

Lizabee

Subject: RE: New roots 2005, St Albans, England
From: breezy
Date: 12 Apr 05 - 01:21 PM

Still no ackowledgement of the 'prizes' i'e to perform, as offered by Spotlight and Windward.

So what am I to think then

Subject: RE: New roots 2005, St Albans, England
From: The Unicorn Man
Date: 12 Apr 05 - 04:03 PM

What are the prizes you are offering John?

Subject: RE: New roots 2005, St Albans, England
From: GUEST,Curious
Date: 12 Apr 05 - 06:36 PM

I do hope aliens don't descend on us during this period and read any of this childish politics - I'd try to persuade there were normal folks about too.

Subject: RE: New roots 2005, St Albans, England
From: breezy
Date: 13 Apr 05 - 10:38 AM

Whats 'normal' got to do with it.

The folk movement is full of un-normals.

Look at the protest movement.

well it gets it up again.

Any chance of a list of acts and what they do being posted here?

Subject: RE: New roots 2005, St Albans, England
From: SarahNash
Date: 14 Apr 05 - 07:48 AM

I'll be there - as my other half is in the final - but it would have been interesting to see who the other finalists are.

Just wish I was young enough to enter!

Subject: RE: New roots 2005, St Albans, England
From: The Unicorn Man
Date: 14 Apr 05 - 09:17 AM

Well play a tune or something with your other half. You might get away with it.

Subject: RE: New roots 2005, St Albans, England
From:
Date: 14 Apr 05 - 12:31 PM

Well that's barnetfolkbabe's other half and myself in the Finals ... Any advances?
Infact how many Finalists?

*has multimap to hand*

Lizabee

Subject: RE: New roots 2005, St Albans, England
From: GUEST,Alison Macfarlane
Date: 14 Apr 05 - 12:55 PM

Sorry that, because of problem with my home computer, I haven't been able to put a list of your names on our web site. Other details of Sunday are there at http://www.stalbansfolkmusic.org.uk including a link to Trestle's rather less than clear instructions about how to find the place.

The ten finalists are:

Under 18:
Ceridwen Davies
Waiting for buses (Florence Bearman and Kehive Maduna)
PS

18-24:
Susanne Mayes
Becky Luscombe
Liam Vernon
Nick Stephenson
Hazel and Emily Askew
Tom Sennett
Lizzy Harrall

Don't forget that the finals will be followed at 7pm by a brilliant concert. As well as selected finalists, it will include Lynne Heraud and Pat Turner and Sarah Allen and Brian Finnegan playing as a duo.

Subject: RE: New roots 2005, St Albans, England
From: GUEST,Alison Macfarlane
Date: 14 Apr 05 - 01:16 PM

New Roots performance opportunities are those to be awarded as prizes by the judges on the basis of the finalists' performance on Sunday afternoon. Many of the organisers will be there and the judges will be taking account of their preferences. We have been offered spots at:

Oxford Folk Festival
Leigh Folk Festival
St Michael's Street pubs
Sidmouth Folk Week - Bedford Hotel
Towersey Festiva;
Support for Wild Willy Barrett concert in Aylesbury

Guest or support spots at
Hitchin Folk Club
Redbourn Folk Club
Baldock and Letchworth Folk Club
St Albans Second Sundays
Stortfolk
Tudorfolk
Waltham Abbey Folk Club
Islington Folk Club

Also a daya at Greenbank Studios in Luton and a broadcast on Radio Verulam

We expect that, aside from this, club organisers will be giving more general encouragement to come along to their club some time and do a floor spot. This is a positive thing to do and there will be plenty of copies of Unicorn Magazine at the Finals to help the young performers find their way to the clubs. On the other hand, these are not 'New roots performance opportunities' as such as they are not actual bookings awarded as prizes by the judges on the basis of next Sunday's performances.

Subject: RE: New roots 2005, St Albans, England
From: breezy
Date: 14 Apr 05 - 03:17 PM

was there a public snub to the real folk clubs in St Albans in that last post?.

I get the message.



Please pass on my best wishes to all participants and let them know they would be more than welcome at either the Windward and Spotlight clubs in St Albans as long as they ring me in advance for a spot.

07774 909067

Good luck to all and I trust it will be a successful day for everyone.

Subject: RE: New roots 2005, St Albans, England
From: GUEST,cardboard cutout
Date: 14 Apr 05 - 04:07 PM

so the rivalry over st albans and environs folk clubs still persists does it? Best wishes to the New Roots initiative, and particularly to the Askew sisters, (whom I'm amazed are already in the 18-24 years category, whom I've been watching develop for a few years now, and who will, I'm sure, give the cohort before them a run for their money very soon.) Just as mentioned in other threads elsewhere.

Subject: RE: New roots 2005, St Albans, England
From: GUEST,Alison Macfarlane
Date: 15 Apr 05 - 07:20 AM

Can I clarify that the organisations listed in my previous message are those which which have offered a New roots prize in the form of a definite booking to be awarded by the judges on Sunday.

Some of them and others have also issued an invitation to go and do floor spots. This is very welcome but not the same as offering a definite booking for a guest spot or support spot, based on finalists' performance on Sunday.

Subject: RE: New roots 2005, St Albans, England
From: breezy
Date: 15 Apr 05 - 08:57 AM

humbug

Subject: RE: New roots 2005, St Albans, England
From: Dave of Mawkin
Date: 15 Apr 05 - 09:29 AM

I'm looking forward to seeing Emily and Hazel, I know them through the Shooting Roots, and hope they perform to the best of their abilities on sunday.

Good luck to all the competitors, I will be going purely to enjoy the performances and see what Mawkin has to worry about! ;-)

Subject: RE: New roots 2005, St Albans, England
From: The Unicorn Man
Date: 15 Apr 05 - 04:22 PM

Who else is coming? It's only a few hours away really.

Subject: RE: New roots 2005, St Albans, England
From: The Unicorn Man
Date: 16 Apr 05 - 09:17 AM

Only a few hours sleep before "New Roots"

Subject: RE: New roots 2005, St Albans, England
From: breezy
Date: 16 Apr 05 - 12:29 PM

Open house at the legion tonight featuring 14 year old Natasha Silver, blues and gospel with Andy on bottleneck

plus Chris Flegg

Moses and the ref


9.00 - close

Subject: RE: New roots 2005, St Albans, England
From: The Unicorn Man
Date: 17 Apr 05 - 04:02 AM

Now there really is NO MORE SLEEP TILL "NEW ROOTS" WOOOOOOOO. Where is everybody?

Subject: RE: New roots 2005, St Albans, England
From: breezy
Date: 17 Apr 05 - 04:28 AM

at mini rugby then Saracens versus Leicester then swimming, then the Spotlight for Rosa's daughters and to hear songs that are at the cutting edge of folk featuring the first 3 songs from the Maidenhead song contest.

Others will be at Cecil Sharp House for the 2nd Song links headed by Martyn Wyndham-Read and his support.

So there.

Subject: RE: New roots 2005, St Albans, England
From: The Unicorn Man
Date: 17 Apr 05 - 06:26 PM

Is mini rugby, rugby for small people? Hello everyone, thanks for a great day Alison, see you all soon.

Subject: RE: New roots 2005, St Albans, England
From: fiddler
Date: 18 Apr 05 - 03:33 AM

What a wonderful day!

Sadly I left before the end of the concerts, but weren't the contestants brilliant.

Can't single any out but the level of accomplishment from all ?*$* and good to see a host of unacompanied singers too!

Folk Music seems to belive and well and ........

Andy

Subject: RE: New roots 2005, St Albans, England
From: The Unicorn Man
Date: 18 Apr 05 - 07:57 AM

It does in deed Andy. Hello Lizzie, nice to meet you in real life.