KentFolk News April 2005

Some unhappy news - the new Broastairs Cultural Centre that has recently given us such excellent music is set to close it's doors - unless you can convince the owner otherwise.
See below the letter from Kim. Still some more really good music to come before then, so pack it out - do not miss Prague Castle Orchestra - and convince the owner to keep it going.

See the Photo-report for the Prague Castle Orchestra, Broastairs Cultural Centre
Oh and more information about other dates for the excellent Prague Castle Orchestra, from Mike below.

Also a Photo-report for the Feast of Fiddles 2005 gig in Chatham

KentFolk is hoping to host quite a bit of music this year :
The St. Patrick's Night special - Thu. 17th March, with Camine, in the Red Lion Hotel sold out well in advance, and in spite of sold out notices more than 300 people tried to book. This was an excellent evening, with a rib-sticking Irish stew - I have photos and a recording, and will do a photo report as soon as I have a moment.

So the next event is a Spring Cajun Dance with Wild Turkey, on Saturday 7th May, (the week-end after Rochester Sweeps festival 2005), in the Littlebourne Thatched Barn.

The most ambitious is a long week-end in the Summer, when there will be a "Fiddlers Various" showcase, with 7 fiddlers, in the Littlebourne Thatched Barn on Sunday 5th June. There will also be pub gigs : Fiddler Saskia Tomkins will be in the King William IV in Littlebourne on Friday 3rd June. Monkey Puzzle with Laura Targett on fiddle will be in the Red Lion in Wingham on Monday 6th June; this will be a "Curry and Ceilidh" night, for £10.

Then there is an Autumn Barn Dance, in the Littlebourne Thatched Barn, on the 24th September, with the Longstone/Camine fusion that was such a success 2 years ago.
See the [KentFolk Gigs] web page and the [Tickets] pages for links to more information.

Please do support the events if you want anything like this to happen again.

Adrian `O - our very own Story Teller and Landscape Photographer - has taken camera (and Sue !) on a round the world exploration - I have seen some of his previous photographs, and can not wait to see what he brings back.
But we are getting the stories as he goes - here are the set to date :
Follow the Adrian `O's travels link to find out more .... I am updating as they come in (usually over the week-end).

Manston are doing flights to Shannon - out on the Friday evening, back on the Sunday night - and some of their flights are only 75p or less. Clare is a great county for music - why not give it a try ?

Broadstairs Cultural Centre

KimLin Promotions is sad to confirm the rumours that the current leaseholder of the Broadstairs Cultural Centre will give up the lease at the end of April. The owner of the venue is currently considering her options, and discussions are taking place to see whether we are able to fulfil the scheduled Spring Programme of Wednesday Music Nights, either at this venue or elsewhere.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your support of the Wednesday nights. They were so successful not only because of the high calibre of artistes booked, but because of the enthusiasm of the audience, making these evenings a unique experience in Thanet.

We can confirm that the following events will definitely take place, and will keep you in touch about the future:

Wednesday	30th March	Pete Harris & Marc Houghton
Sunday	10th April	Prague Castle Orchestra
Wednesday	13th April	Michael Marra
Wednesday	20th April	Patti Zlaket & David Blosse
Wednesday	27th April	John Crampton

Please support these evenings - if we are going to go out, let's do it with style and with full audiences! For bookings ring 01843 860246 or email me on kim_dot_headley_at_btinternet_dot_com
A reminder that the event on 6th April has been cancelled due to a bereavement in Brian Willoughby's family.
Kim Headley for KimLin Promotions

More details PETER & FRANCIS SHAW 01843 860246
KIM HEADLEY 01843 604080/861020

Prague Castle Orchestra

The Prague Castle Orchestra, who have already made significant impressions at The Rochester Sweeps, Canterbury and Broadstairs festivals, are appearing in Kent in April as part of a wider European tour outside of their native city Prague. All three musicians have graduated from the Prague National Conservatoire and the quality of their playing is quite stunning. With a repertoire spanning some well known classical pieces to throwbacks from early Czech music hall songs the show is presented in a most entertaining, engaging and sometimes amusing manner. Flute player and lead musician Josef Kocurek, who has played on occasions for Placido Domingo, has an interesting command of the English language. Harnessing both his musical skills and superb showmanship the performance is characterised with their own brand of originality from beginning to end. Adding some fine harmony vocals is accordion player Radek Andel and double bassist Jaroslav Kovar who together produce a very full sound. They have amongst their fans throughout the world a number of high profile people including President Havel, Alexander Dubcek, Prince Charles and Meryl Streep.

Gypsy / Romany music

The Orchard family down to the West Country are a most significant heritage.

Rod Stradling of Musical Traditions Internet Magazine says : "Tom is the grandfather - a singer and occasional box player. His wife, Amy Birch, is a wonderful singer. Tommy is the father - he's a box player and step-dancer."

Jean Orchard, says :
I was just looking at the website pages that you gave me and saw the line up of the Topic CD and it reminded me to let you know that Amy Birch on that CD is my mum and I am singing 'Over Yonders Hill' on our new CD!
(to be released August - beau)

The Orchard family will be in London at the Musical Traditions : Keith Summers Fest. : MAY 20TH - 22ND 2005
Sat. At the King & Queen, 1 Foley Street London W1P 7LE Day. £5, evening £5. TICKET HOLDERS (IN ADVANCE) ONLY :
contact Petawebken_at_aol_dot_com

Sunday evening from 7.30, Rosie Stewart and The Orchard Family perform at The Old Rose & Crown, Hoe Street
contact ken_dot_lees_at_clara_dot_co_dot_uk for membership in advance and pay on the door (£6 approx.)

So if you know of players/singers in the Gypsy / Romany tradition, particularly any fiddlers, or know someone that might know, please do contact me. It would be great to hear this music if we still can.
cheers, beau_at_kentfolk_dot_com , Tel: 01227 721 736, Mob: 07875 170 593.
I will add updates as I learn more.

Celtic

Celtic and other Sessions
If you have been looking for the Wednesday Celtic session at the George Inn, Stone St. this has now terminated again - the session is back in the Anchor Inn in Wingham, until further notice.

However there are also now sessions in a number of pubs on different days of the week.

A most important new session is an excellent French/European Session, (that has been on the calendar for a few months, but has been missing from this list), that has some very traditional instruments, including pipes, "reed-capped shawm", and hurdy-gurdy, all in an excellent pub with good beer.
See the photo-report on the new section: [Current Gig Photos], where there are also some sound-clips.
This session is on :

2nd Monday of the month:
at The Rose, The Green, Wickhambreaux, CT3 1RQ : a French/European Session at 8.30pm.

Tuesday:
On the last Tuesday of the month there is a mixed session/folk evening in the Kings Head, Hythe.

Wednesday:
Celtic session at the Anchor Inn, Wingham, on the A257 near Canterbury. New musicians very welcome.

Thurday:
This mixed session has now moved back to the Bear, in Faversham;
There is also a Folk evening in the White Hart Hotel, Hythe. (Temporary home at "The Watersedge", formerly the "Red Lion" in Red Lion Square in Hythe.)

Sunday:
On the 1st Sunday and 3rd Sunday there is a Celtic session in the Compasses, Sole Street, Crundale. CT4 7ES

The last Sunday Celtic session at Deal has no home at the moment.

Cajun

www.kentcajun.org.uk - Promoting Cajun and Zydeco music and dancing in Kent!

Cajun Dances

The next Cajun dance is at the Cajun Barn Sunday 24th. April, with The Flatville Aces, 6.30-10.00 pm.

Then there is a Spring Cajun Dance with Wild Turkey, on Saturday 7th May, (the week-end after Rochester Sweeps festival 2005), in the Littlebourne Thatched Barn.

On Sunday 12th. June the Cajun Barn have The Savoy Michot Cajun Band from Louisiana, 6.30-10.00 pm.

Cajun Dance Workshops

These workshops are led by Kay Anderson, with Wild Turkey (Yves and Chris from Cajunologie) providing the live music.

2:30pm - 4:30pm at St. Peters Church Hall, Cromwell Road, Whitstable, Kent. CT5 1NA; £3.50, ring 01227 779 178 :
24th April 2005
15th May 2005

Also 2:30pm - 4:30pm at Star Hill Function Rooms, Star Hill, Rochester, Kent. ME1 1XB; £3.50, ring Ann on 01634 405 840.
Sunday 13th March

Folk

Kent-born acoustic guitarist and songwriter
returns to home territory

Canterbury-born Julie Ellison has built an international reputation as an outstanding acoustic musician, with radio airplay for her CD "At Last" on radio stations in the USA, Australia and Canada as well as across the UK.
Described by folk icon Ralph McTell as "a terrific guitar player who also writes great songs", Julie will play a series of dates in Kent this week as a warm up to her visit in August when she will play the Broadstairs Folk Week festival.
Her predominantly claw hammer-based guitar style draws from a wide range of influences from ragtime, country blues, jazz, classical, folk and rock.
Julie will be appearing at:

Mon 25th April : Mackenzies Café Bar, West Malling, Kent
Thu 28th April : The Kings Head, Rochester, Kent
Fri 29th April : The Cambridge Arms, Deal, Kent
Sat 30th April : The Lion Pub, Teddington, Middlesex
Sun 1st May : The Neptune Bar, Brighton, Sussex
Mon 2nd May : All day music festival : The Hobbitt, Southampton, Hants
Julie's website includes full details of her national tour, as well as samples of her music.

Breton Music and Dance

There is a recently started French and European Session in the Rose in Wickhambreaux, on the second Monday of the month (see below). This is a top quality session in an excellent local pub.

There are regular French and Breton music and dance sessions on the 3rd Sunday of every month at 1.00pm at Hollingbourne Village Hall.

From: Steve Barrett
Subject: Les Batons

Hi
Just to let you know that there is a French Music Session at the Rose,Wickhambreaux, Kent (not far from Canterbury), on Monday 15th November at about 8.30pm.

If you are interested please try and come along - if enough are there it will become a regular session.
If you want to know more please email Martin Sutcliffe at
"tincliffe_at_yahoo.com"
See you soon
Steve
(01303 253717)

See the photo-report on the new section: [Current Gig Photos], where there are also some sound-clips.

To hear this sort of music under decent recording conditions:
Drohne - Hurdy-Gurdy, Bagpipes, Woodwind - Phil Martin
BBC Radio 3: Live Studio Session on Andy Kershaw Show - to be Broadcast 20th March 2005, 10:15 to midnight and also to be streamed on the web.
or get their new album "Hurdy-Gurdy Mandrohne", distributed by Cube Roots.

Blues

From: Bottleneck Blues blues_at_bottleneckblues_dot_co_dot_uk
Subject: New Gig Guide


SPRING/SUMMER 2005

THE BOTTLENECK BLUES CLUB GIG LIST

FRI 15th APR The Bottleneck Blues Club, Zaffa, Maidstone ME14 1RH
THE HARRY SKINNER BAND plus DAVE SUTHERLAND

Harry Skinner is a superb acoustic & electric guitarist/singer/songwriter who helped propel his last band ~ The Producers ~ into first place several years in a row in the Blueprint "Best Blues Band" competition. Harry has played the club three or four times & tonight showcases his new line-up. This is a night for fans of traditional Chicago & unadulterated Delta blues.

Dave Sutherland has supported Eric Bibb & Delta Moon & is in my opinion one of the finest singer/songwriters on the Brit scene....his "American Refrigerator" album is excellent & he offers far more than just blues...Americana, Folk, Celtic & Mountain.
www.harryskinnerbluesband.co.uk

TUES 26th APR The Bottleneck Blues Club, The Roffen, Rochester ME1 1DY
THE IAN SIEGAL BAND

Arguably Britain's finest all-round blues artist. He's toured & recorded with Bill Wyman & Big Bill Morganfield (Muddy Water's son) & a shed-load of other famous bluesmen ~ his huge voice is often compared to Howlin' Wolf. His show is a must for fans of pure 50s & 60s urban blues. www.iansiegal.com

FRI 13th MAY The Bottleneck, Zaffa, Maidstone ME14 1RH

JEREMIAH MARQUES & THE BLUE ACES plus WATERMELON SLIM (USA)

I tried to get Jerry & his band last month but couldn't, however here they are ~ one of my favourite bands ~ their take on 50s urban Chicago blues is unmatched by any other act & tonight we have the added bonus of Britain's foremost harmonica player West Weston!

This is Watermelon Slim's first gig in his 2005 UK tour. He plays 14 dates & has been nominated for the award of awards in The States, the "Oscar" of blues ~ a W. C. Handy Award. Slim is as authentic an acoustic bluesman as you're likely to hear & as well as his trusty Dobro will also play harp & Kalimba & sing his famous "Truck Hollers".
www.watermelonslim.com

TUES 24th MAY The Bottleneck, The Roffen, Rochester ME1 1DY

SONNY BLACK & THE DUKES plus WATERMELON SLIM (USA)

Sonny has been voted "Britain's Best Blues Guitarist" more times than I can remember & anybody that's seen this unassuming man perform will know why. He has a beautiful touch with the guitar & a quietly self-assured way on-stage.

Oklahoma based Watermelon Slim will be performing more songs from his huge repertoire & we should now by now whether he has won his coveted W.C.Handy!

FRI 11th JUNE The Bottleneck, Zaffa, Maidstone ME14 1RH

LITTLE TOBY WALKER (USA) plus TBA

This gig kick-starts Toby's third UK tour which also takes him to Holland & Belgium as well as all over the UK. Toby is a hugely respected picker whose technique is stunning & has awed even the likes of John Hammond & Ben Andrews. He has performed with Taj Mahal, J.J.Cale, Woody Mann & more "great names" than I can list here. His last album "Live at the Bottleneck" was rated by The Times as better than releases by Eric Bibb & a B.B.King. www.littletobywalker.com

TUES 28th JUNE The Bottleneck, The Roffen, Rochester ME1 1DY
THE MATT SCHOFIELD BAND plus LITTLE TOBY WALKER (USA)

Geoff Achison was rightly blown away by Matt's performance in Beauvais earlier this year. He is a quite stunning guitarist with a superb band feat. Johnny Henderson (Hammond/keys) & Evan Jenkins (Drums). Matt's fluidity on his instrument makes you want to burn your guitar ~ he has a jazzy twinge to his sound but also plays lots of your old favourites.
Another dose of Toby whose play-list seems endless so you will probably not hear anything from his performance on the 11th!
www.mattschofield.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~

Please Note : Doors 8:00pm `til late ~ we only keep tables until 9:00pm
Late licence, No Smoking area, Waitress Service, you may dine if you wish or just have a good time! Programme may change without notice. Prices may vary. Please check before setting out.

Tel: & Fax: 01634 314602 Mobile: 07702 554989

Web: www.bottleneckblues.co.uk or email blues_at_bottleneckblues_dot_co_dot_uk
Powerhouse Productions UK LTD

P.O.Box 211, West Malling, Kent

ME19 6JR

< >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >> >> >> From: Vic & Tina Smith > > Subject: Ten Items of Folk Music News from Sussex.... and something from The Gambia. >> >> 1] FOLK AT THE ROYAL OAK, LEWES EAST SUSSEX. >> Thursdays at 8.00 pm >> Contact > or 01273 478124 > Website >>www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~tinvic>> >> >> Programme for the coming months:- >> Mar 24th * £4.00 * JIM CAUSLEY >> An enormously promising young singer and accordion player from the West Country makes his first appearance for us. >> Mar 31st * £5.00 * JEFF DAVIS >> The great American performer is in England for the Bob Copper tribute night in London. Great singing and guitar, fiddle and banjo playing. April 7th * £4.00 * JIM BAINBRIDGE >> Jim is a true original. For decades, he has been presenting his idiosyncratic approach to traditional music and song. Great singing and melodeon playing. >> April 14th * £4.00 * MIKE GULSTON >> A gentle voiced singer with a sure way with traditional songs and adventurous accompaniments on string instruments. >> April 21st * £4.00 * SOUTHERN BREW >> Cassie Franklin, Emily Creel & Dennis George make their first English tour. Early bluegrass and country music, folk songs and Sacred Harp harmony singing. They were heard on the sound track of "Cold Mountain" April 28th * £5.00 * COOPE, BOYES & SIMPSON >> We are very pleased that our clubroom with once again be graced with their truly outstanding harmony singing. >> May 5th * Free Admission * OPEN NIGHT >> This may be the night of the General Election. We are keeping an 'open' mind. >> May 12th * £4.00 * JOY LEWIS & DERRICK HUGHES >> Two of the most popular and talented multi-instrumentalists in the area make a welcome return visit >> May 19th * £5.00 * BEVERLEY SMITH & CARL JONES >> Two fine singers and instrumentalists from the USA make their first appearance for us. >> May 26th * £4.00 * DUCK SOUP >> An evening of delights in the company of Adam Bushell, Ian Kearey & Dan Quinn. This may even be the evening when they launch their CD Future Guests include: - >> Dan Milner & Bob Conroy (USA), Gina Le Faux, Elizabeth >> Stewart, Beverley Smith & Carl Jones (USA), Les Chauffeurs Á Pieds (Quebec), Michael Marra, Sheila Stewart, Rattle On The Stovepipe (Dave Arthur, Pete Cooper, Chris Moreton) >> >> Our website is at >>www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~tinvic>> >> >> Those of you with listings/ gig guides etc. are asked kindly to include these dates amongst them. >> *********** >> 2] ROYAL OAK, LEWES - SEPTEMBER IS "ALL AMERICAN MONTH" >> In addition to the "Future guests" listed above, we have already arranged a really special line-up for Thursdays in September at the Royal Oak:- 1st BRUCE MOLSKY >> 8th JEFF WARNER >> 15th RILEY BAUGUS >> 22nd NEW DEAL STRING BAND >> 29th KATE LISSAUER >> ******** >> 3] HARMONY WORKSHOP led by SOUTHERN BREW >> In addition to their appearance at the Royal Oak in Lewes on April 21st, SOUTHERN BREW, from Alabama will be leading a workshop on the vigorous and hard-edged singing from the "Sacred Harp" (as heard in the film "Cold Mountain" - this trio sang on the soundtrack) >> Christchurch Hall >> Prince Edward Road >> Lewes >> Monday 18th April 2005 7.30 to 10.00pm >> Cost £4.00 to include refreshments >> Loan copies of "The Sacred Harp" 1991 edition available >> ******** >> 4] SUSSEX FOLK GUIDE WEBSITE - UPDATED >> The Sussex Folk Guide Website has been redesigned in a way that it makes it easier to switch between the various categories of listings (theatre, cinema, art, etc.) provided by Virtual Brighton. >> It has also been updated with listings of many folk song and dance events in and around Sussex between now and the end of April. There are around 100 folk song and dance events listed on the site. You can find it at >>whatson.brighton.co.uk/folk>> >> ********** >> 5] THE FOLK DIARY >> Most of the listings on the Sussex Folk Guide website are taken from the paper magazine, THE FOLK DIARY Issue no 212 covers the months of April & May and this ism now available. It is packed with adverts for various folk festivals, folk music record companies, specialist shops, instrument makers and other services as well as one and a half pages of reviews of new folk music albums. To obtain copies of this free magazine as it is published, please send SAE's to Vic Smith at the address below. It is also the address to send album review copies to. The copy date for the June/July issue is April 30th. Potential advertisers are also asked to contact Vic for a statement of our advertising rates. >> ********** >> 6] THE FOLK DIARY ON LINE >> THE FOLK DIARY is now available on-line. The magazine started out as the BRIGHTON FOLK DIARY more than thirty years ago before becoming the SUSSEX FOLK DIARY and eventually adopting its present title as its editorial area it covers grew. Throughout its long history the free magazine has been edited by JIM MARSHALL & VIC SMITH. >> >>www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~tinvic>> >> >> >> >> Events >> From: Perry Scott >> Subject: Greenpeace concert this summer >> >> Hi Beau, >> Do you know of any bands that would be interested in appearing at this summer's Northbound concert/mini-festival ? We are looking to start the event around midday-ish on the Saturday with some proper folk music, then slowly blend it with more Crosby,Stills and Nash type music going into the early evening and then back to a quiet folk session mid/late evening around a huge bonfire, inviting anyone that wants to join in (ie. the other bands and members of the public). Then, on the Sunday, we start again around midday and continue until about 8pm. >> >> If you can pass this on to anyone you think might be interested, and let them have my mobile number and ask them to get in touch... >> >> >>www.northbound.moonfruit.com>> >> Hope you and some of your crowd can come along ;) >> >> Cheers >> Scott P. >> >>>>>>> >> >> >> >> >> >