Village Hall Circuit

Subject: Village Hall Circuit
From: BB
Date: 27 Feb 05 - 05:25 AM

In response to the BBC Folk Musician of the Year thread, but under a more relevant title:

The Village Halls Circuit has existed for many years, funded usually by local authorities, to bring the arts to country communities rather than expecting them to go to the big theatres in towns and cities. It's given work to many gigging folk musicians, amongst other artists (jazz, classical, drama, films, etc.) and brought folk music to the attention of many outside the folk scene.

Unfortunately, many local authorities are now putting the squeeze on the funding in their attempts to keep council tax rises down. Our local authority has cut the funding for this completely, whilst still quite generously funding the two local town theatres. This has meant that the villages in our area simply can't afford to put on these artists at the not unreasonable fees that they charge. The secondary effect that it has is that these communities have lost another opportunity to cement those communities, which with so many working outside the villages and so many incoming residents was an important aspect of the circuit.

Barbara

Subject: RE: Village Hall Circuit
From: Sooz
Date: 27 Feb 05 - 05:43 AM

We have a great Rural and Community Touring Scheme working in this area and our Village Hall has seen some great acts. (The Poozies, Old Rope String Band, Kathryn Tickell and Karen Tweed and most recently the Carnival Band.) We pay 30 - 40% of the total fee, so we can keep ticket prices really low. It is a really valuable source of live music as our (council run) local theatre has less and less in its programme each season.

Subject: RE: Village Hall Circuit
From: Compton
Date: 27 Feb 05 - 06:24 AM

Six Pounds each ,My wife and I paid at the little village hall in Staffordshire to see the wonderful Mss Tickell and Hewatt. Live and Local need to be nationalised! Mind you, things are definately looking up around here.98% attendance at the local Garrick Theatre in Lichfield for Eliza Carthy and Sharon Shannon. It can be done..if promoters put the right things on!

Subject: RE: Village Hall Circuit
From: Nick
Date: 28 Feb 05 - 06:35 AM

Yorkshire rural arts are still active and helpful and enthusiastic in this area. Some friends of ours promoted Chris Newman and Maire ni Chatsahaigh (sp?) last year in a local village hall and it was wonderful.