Travelling to England - Folk Clubs?

Subject: Travelling to England - Folk Clubs?
From: John P
Date: 18 Apr 05 - 08:27 AM

My wife and I will be travelling around England in May. Can anyone point us toward folk clubs in York, Bath, or St. Ives where we can hear some traditional music? My wife doesn't care much for cigarette smoke, and neither of us can listen to most singer/songwriters. Thank you for any help!

John Peekstok

Subject: RE: Travelling to England - Folk Clubs?
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 18 Apr 05 - 09:06 AM

About 50 miles from York is the seaport of Whitby. On the first weekend 29/30 of April 1/2 May (which is a bank-holiday weekend in the UK) there is a folk festival based in the town. If you find froots on the google search engine you will find a list of festivals by date which in turn will give you a link to the festival web-site. Furthermore look up Tykes News and Filofolk for details of clubs and pubs in Yorkshire with folk music sessions, there are quite a few to go at

Cheers

Raggytash

Subject: RE: Travelling to England - Folk Clubs?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 18 Apr 05 - 09:24 AM

The Black Swan on a Tuesday is the York Folk Club ! Check the Tykes News Web site for what else is on in Yorkshire !!

Subject: RE: Travelling to England - Folk Clubs?
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 18 Apr 05 - 10:12 AM

You might want to take a look at The Yorkshire gathering 2005, which ia at Selby near York. I will refresh it for you to look at.

Subject: RE: Travelling to England - Folk Clubs?
From: ConcertinaChap
Date: 18 Apr 05 - 10:13 AM

Bradford on Avon is a lovely little town 9 miles from Bath. It has a folk club on Tuesdays at the George on Woolley street. There is also an English traditional music session at the same pub on the second and fourth Mondays.

Chris

Subject: RE: Travelling to England - Folk Clubs?
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 18 Apr 05 - 10:34 AM

....and just a short hop from York, is the spiritual home of folk music - Sheffield; more folk clubs per square mile than anywhere else in the world! Pioneers of "No-smolk Folk" too!
There's no finer place for folk clubs...........ANYWHERE!

Subject: RE: Travelling to England - Folk Clubs?
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 18 Apr 05 - 10:36 AM

Mind you - we do have a fair share of singer-somgwriters, but we try to keep them confined to the few smoke-folk venues left in the city!

Subject: RE: Travelling to England - Folk Clubs?
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 18 Apr 05 - 11:35 AM

If Yorkshire had piles they'd be in Sheffield ... spiritual home of folk music my a*se, I'd be interested to know how many folk clubs there are in Manchester per sqaure mile

Subject: RE: Travelling to England - Folk Clubs?
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Apr 05 - 11:48 AM

.......or even "square" mile. Sheffield does have piles... of folk clubs

Subject: RE: Travelling to England - Folk Clubs?
From: GUEST,West of Pennines
Date: 18 Apr 05 - 11:55 AM

It hurts to say this (and I'll only do it anonomously in case I get my residency permit revoked) but Sheffield Folk Clubs have some of the finest beer too!

Subject: RE: Travelling to England - Folk Clubs?
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 18 Apr 05 - 12:04 PM

So pick up thi' walkin' cane Raggy n' get thi' sen off t' Sheffy fo' some ace ale n' top folk club revelry.

Subject: RE: Travelling to England - Folk Clubs?
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Apr 05 - 12:08 PM

...and the best greasy chip butties money can buy

Subject: RE: Travelling to England - Folk Clubs?
From: Ian
Date: 18 Apr 05 - 12:10 PM

TRY THIS PAGE
www.traditionalmusic.co.uk

Subject: RE: Travelling to England - Folk Clubs?
From: Nick
Date: 18 Apr 05 - 12:12 PM

Black Swan in York is on a Thursday, not Tuesday

There is a pretty comprehensive list of folk clubs/ sessions/ singarounds within a radius of York. There is a list at the University of York folk club site which is as comprehensive as I know.

You are very welcome to visit our singaround which is on a Wednesday at the Thompsons Arms in Flaxton (tiny place about 10 miles north of York) if you like to sing or play (we've moved recently from the Highwayman at Sheriff Hutton). We are a small group who get together and sing each week. PM me if you want any info.

Subject: RE: Travelling to England - Folk Clubs?
From: PennyBlack
Date: 18 Apr 05 - 12:37 PM

and if you get over to the right side of the Penines (Red Rose County - that is)

Have a look here for ideas or to post requests


and of course you'll be welcome at our Tuesday Lunchtime sessions for Arthritis Research Campaign at the Steamer in Fleetwood, Lancashire. 11.30am to 2.30pm

PB

Penny Black's website

Subject: RE: Travelling to England - Folk Clubs?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 18 Apr 05 - 04:24 PM

I'll be in St Ives in may - mind you I'm a singer/songwriter - but just for you I wont sing a word, I will keep my muse chained up.

big al

Subject: RE: Travelling to England - Folk Clubs?
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Apr 05 - 04:31 PM

for East Yorkshire go to Folktalk Magazine

Subject: RE: Travelling to England - Folk Clubs?
From: breezy
Date: 18 Apr 05 - 06:10 PM

are you musos or songers?

You come across as Musos.

lots of great songs on the scene these days and most of the guys who write them sing them too.
The best rise to the top.

But if your taste is not for songs thats fine

St Albans north of london if you come into/out of Heathrow

Windward and Spotlight clubs both non-smoking, but for performers.
full guest list
www.folk4all.net

do enjoy your visit

Subject: RE: Travelling to England - Folk Clubs?
From: John P
Date: 19 Apr 05 - 01:47 AM

Thanks, everyone.

Er, what's musos and songers??

Subject: RE: Travelling to England - Folk Clubs?
From: GUEST,Nikki
Date: 19 Apr 05 - 02:51 AM

Holmfirth Festival 5-8th May
Traditional music from
Pegleg Ferret, The Songwainers, Bill Whaley and Dave Fletcher, Crucible, The Demon Barbers, Graham O'Callaghan, etc...
see holmfirthfestival.com for more info.

Subject: RE: Travelling to England - Folk Clubs?
From: manitas_at_work
Date: 19 Apr 05 - 07:55 AM

"sqaure", is, in fact, the correct spelling in Manchester. It is, after all, the home of "The Grauniad".

Subject: RE: Travelling to England - Folk Clubs?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 19 Apr 05 - 07:58 AM

Musos just play Toons and Songers excercixe theit vocal chords !
And some of us do both !

Subject: RE: Travelling to England - Folk Clubs?
From: kendall
Date: 19 Apr 05 - 09:11 PM

How about the Cecil Sharp club in London?

Subject: RE: Travelling to England - Folk Clubs?
From: GUEST,noddy
Date: 20 Apr 05 - 04:55 AM

Chester Folk Festival the last weekend in May A MUST.

Subject: RE: Travelling to England - Folk Clubs?
From: The Unicorn Man
Date: 20 Apr 05 - 07:51 AM

Musos means session people and songers means singer song writers. And a lots that play at his clubs are not normal singer song writers. (Very Good)

Subject: RE: Travelling to England - Folk Clubs?
From: Cats at Work
Date: 20 Apr 05 - 08:41 AM

Which St Ives? Cornwall or Cambridgeshire?

Subject: RE: Travelling to England - Folk Clubs?
From: The Beast of Farlington
Date: 20 Apr 05 - 08:49 AM

Re Nick's post about the Thompson's Arms, Flaxton, near York, I ought to warn you that I am there most weeks and I am a singer songwriter. So you probably won't enjoy it! ;-)

If I hear a song I haven't heard before, whether I like it or don't like it, who has written it isn't really important to me. And besides, travel is supposed to broaden the mind.

Do come along though, maybe we can change your mind!

Subject: RE: Travelling to England - Folk Clubs?
From: John P
Date: 20 Apr 05 - 11:08 AM

Cats at Work:
St. Ives in Cornwall. Sorry, didn't know there was one in Cambridgeshire.

Kendall:
Thanks for the reminder about Cecil Sharp House. We'll have a couple of nights and a day and a half in London, so I'll work that into the plan.

The Beast of Farlington:
I hope to spend my life broadening my mind. I also hope I have enough self-knowledge to be aware of my musical tastes. Traditional folk music is a different genre than modern acoustic music. Lots of people like both. Lots of people don't. I've learned to live with it. I like a lot of modern music, even write some from time to time. But having spent the last 25 years playing English traditional music, I hope to hear some of it in England.

Breezy, Leadfingers, Martin from Barton:
I guess we're not musos or songers. Are there any other oddly named categories? We are both multi-instrumentalists, but we don't go to sessions. We sing, but we're not singer-songwriters. We listen to and play traditional folk music, but we're not traditionalists. This is starting to sound like a riddle. Maybe I'll write a modern acoustic traditional-sounding riddle song about it . . .

Everyone else:
Thanks for all the tips and links. I'll look into them. We're not going to have a car, so our evening activities will be things easily gotten to on foot or with local buses. So we'll probably be staying right in town -- York, Bath, St. Ives. We'll also be at Bardon Mill in Northumbria for a couple of days, so Hexham might be a possibility.

Thanks again,
John Peekstok

Subject: RE: Travelling to England - Folk Clubs?
From: Micca
Date: 20 Apr 05 - 11:36 AM

John, get in touch when you know what days you are in London,we could possibly meet up or attend one of the London clubs. Sharps (Cecil Sharp House) Folk club is on Tuesdays at 8 pm, I ocassionally attend, It is a good mix of music and song, both Traditional and recently written and very friendly.

Subject: RE: Travelling to England - Folk Clubs?
From: John Wood
Date: 20 Apr 05 - 05:56 PM

If you're in St.Ives try ''Smugglers Inn,St.Erth on Sunday nights.

Subject: RE: Travelling to England - Folk Clubs?
From: Polly Squeezebox
Date: 20 Apr 05 - 06:25 PM

John,Chippenham Folk Festival is the last weekend in May and runs through from Friday to midnight on the Bank Holiday Monday. Plenty of traditional music and song - also ritual and social dance, storytelling, ceilidhs, parades, etc., etc (over 150 events). Chippenham (Wiltshire) is approximately 8 minutes away from Bath by train. Whilst in the area you may also have in mind to visit Stonehenge - but you may not have heard of Avebury - the largest stone circle in Europe, just 12 miles away from Chippenham. Unlike Stonehenge you can actually walk amongst, and touch, the stones at Avebury. If you are interested in this Stone Age (World Heritage) site, PM me and I will give you more specific info and get local bus times if needed. Chippenham Folk Festival has its own website, as does Wiltshire Traditions - the Folk Club which runs at nearby Devizes every Monday night (except the Bank Holiday at the end of May when the people who run it are organising Chippenham FF).

Subject: RE: Travelling to England - Folk Clubs?
From: MuddleC
Date: 20 Apr 05 - 09:52 PM

did you perchance read the article by Rosie Colombraro on the ghost walks in York?
be warned that miles in England are not the same as miles in the states.... allow twice as long to cover the same distance... the roads are made for horses here(even the 'freeways')-not cars, sorry, I mean automobiles.
perhaps if you gave out your intended route, some mudcat local could take pity on you and act as a taxi to/from the event...
-public transport is a lottery in its self!
I will also take this opportunity for apologising for the lacklustre and surly service you will be meeting at those 'fast-food' places you will be trying here, 'Denny's' or 'Crackerbarrel' they are not!!

Subject: RE: Travelling to England - Folk Clubs?
From: treewind
Date: 21 Apr 05 - 07:23 AM

For clubs in london visit Folk London

For obvious reasons I'd recommend Islington on May 5 - any other date's not bad either!

Anahata

Subject: RE: Travelling to England - Folk Clubs?
From: GUEST,graham and jo
Date: 21 Apr 05 - 07:41 AM

Beverley is worth a visit and not all that far from York. The youth hostel is lovely and there are sessions Sunday Tuesday Friday and a Folk club on Mondays. Some Sundays used to have a choice of three sessions and Tuesday has a choice.

Subject: RE: Travelling to England - Folk Clubs?
From: GUEST,Cats at work
Date: 22 Apr 05 - 05:01 AM

If you are in Cornwall on the 13, 14, 15 May you are welcome to a weekend of singing at the Fox and Hounds, Bridestowe, which is on Dartmoor. ( see the F&H thread)We can show you some of the devon Cornwall border while you are at it.

Subject: RE: Travelling to England - Folk Clubs?
From: GUEST,graham and jo
Date: 22 Apr 05 - 10:10 AM

In Beverley clubs there is a strict dress code, lederhosen will be worn always.

Subject: RE: Travelling to England - Folk Clubs?
From: stallion
Date: 28 Apr 05 - 12:44 PM

Dear John,
Sunday night - Golden Ball, Cromwell terrace.. mainly cajun and Irish
monday - nothing on
Tuesday - The Maltings, musicians sessions
Wednesday - The First Hussar, Noerth Street, put your name down and you get on, a mixed bag.
Thursday - Black swan folk club, Black swan inn, Peasholme Green. check out web site for programme
Friday - Tap & Spile, Monkgate, mint free for all, music and lots of singing, depends who is and is not gigging as to who turns up but if we are in (2BS&S)lots of singing.
Saturday - nuttin'

Subject: RE: Travelling to England - Folk Clubs?
From: Micca
Date: 28 Apr 05 - 01:12 PM

also John if you are likely to be in London around the w/e of the 14th, PM me, we are having a bit of a "do" for our Handfasting, a LOT of Catters are attending!! It is turning into a mini Festival

Subject: RE: Travelling to England - Folk Clubs?
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 29 Apr 05 - 02:45 AM

John

I'll be running lunchtime singarounds at Chippenham festival in a non-smoking venue. Admiral and Mrs Admiral will be running a folk club at the same venue in the evenings. There's a great line-up of guests too!

Hope to see you both!

Kitty

Subject: RE: Travelling to England - Folk Clubs?
From: Naemanson
Date: 29 Apr 05 - 03:20 AM

Omigawd, another one. I think our English brethren and sistren will be almighty glad when summer is over. At last count that makes 5 or 6 Mudcats headed for England this year.