KentFolk News
June 2005
KentFolk NewsJune 2005 |
|
A fairly new venue : The Old Wine Warehouse, Charlotte Court, Ramsgate. Folk nights with excellent local players on a Saturday, with Jazz on the Friday. See below and the KentFolk calendar for more details.
I knew The Barge in Gillingham was a good venue, but I had not realised how good - we paid a visit on the same night we saw Ian Cutler in the Brook Theater, caught Ben Paley and Tab Hunter. Two virtuoso fiddlers on one night, with some excellent guitar from Tab ! But The Barge is seriously excellent; on ambience, beer, and the sheer regular quality of the music must be the premier folk venue in Kent. We were tempted into one Cajun dance; took lots of photos, will try and get them up soon.
June starts with "Fiddlers Various", with 7 top quality/virtuoso fiddlers
and all British uillean pipe champion, in the excellent
Littlebourne Thatched Barn, see below :
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.
The next event was
Spring Cajun Dance
with Wild Turkey, on Saturday 7th May,
(the week-end after Rochester Sweeps festival 2005),
in the Littlebourne Thatched Barn.
One chair was left unsold - but everyone was
dancing, so no problem there, an excellent evening.
I will try and get the photos up soon.
The most ambitious is a long weekend, the first weekend in June, when there will be a
As accompanists we have both Steáfán Hannigan (all British uillean pipe champion and virtuoso bodhran player, plus a multitude of other instruments, including bouzouki,whistles and flute) and Chris Taylor (plays regularly at Leeds Castle, guitar, accordion, harmonica, bouzouki).
There will be a bar provided by the King William IV (Littlebourne), with a good range of beers, and there will be a limited number of tables for people to bring their own food. Seats will be numbered, so the earlier you book the better the seat you will get.
Both Ben Paley and Saskia Tomkins will be holding fiddle workshops during the day on the Sunday, £17 each.
There will also be pub gigs :
Fiddler Saskia Tomkins will be in the King William IV in Littlebourne
on Friday 3rd June; Saskia is a most excellent player.
Monkey Puzzle with Laura Targett on fiddle, Lucy Randall on Bodhran,
and Pete Gazey on Guitar will be in the Red Lion in Wingham on Monday
6th June; this will be a "Curry and Ceilidh" night, for £10.
If you do not know Chris Wood's playing, see below the quote from fRoots regarding his latest album "The Lark Descending".
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.
I can now say thet KentFolk is also doing a double fiddle event as
Canterbury Festival umbrella events :
U16a: 2pm Sunday 16th October 2005: "Fiddling Around the World" - an illustrated afternoon talk, and
U16b: 8pm Sunday 16th October 2005: "Fiddling Around the World" - an evening concert.
Fiddle virtuoso Chris Haigh is deeply knowledgeable about fiddle styles
from all round the world : on his web-site http://www.fiddlingaround.co.uk/,
he lists :
Ireland, Scotland, Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, Klezmer,
Mid East and The Med, India, China, Mexico, Cajun, Old Time,
Bluegrass, Western Swing, and Jazz.
He will be giving an afternoon talk about these styles of playing, and their ornamentation and cultural background, demonstrate some with his fiddle, as well as demonstrating some of the ethnic fiddles he has brought back.
He will also be showing images and sound clips of a number of these styles
that he has accummulated from his travels around the world.
Venue: Kingston Barn, The Street, Kingston, Nr. Canterbury, Kent. CT4 6JQ
See the
Please do support these events if you want anything like this to happen again.
Chris Wood - The Lark Descending
The new CD by Chris Wood (The Lark Descending
) seems to us to be
one of the best out of the English folk scene in living memory. There
has been much animated discussion on our message board about his
recent live appearance on Late Junction playing tracks from it. I think
its appeal goes way beyond people who think they like English folk,
even to those who think they don't - especially because some of the
modern songs on it are awe inspiring.
Released on June 15th and available online at
www.EnglishAcousticCollective.org.uk
|
|
"Fiddlers Various" Showcase is a chance to hear Chris Wood in person and to buy his latest CD (guitar as well as fiddle); at a recent gig in Faversham we discussed some of the pieces that he might do at "Fiddlers Various" - some of his ideas are fascinating - beau
Manston are doing flights to Shannon - out on the Friday evening, back on the Sunday night, so ideal for a weekend. Clare is a great county for music - why not give it a try ?
If you can take a week off, go for the
Willy Clancy Summer School in
Miltown Malbay, County Clare, Ireland .... (other flights for shorter times
away are sold out).
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 were in London at the Musical Traditions : Keith Summers Fest. :
MAY 20TH - 22ND 2005
Sat. At the King & Queen, 1 Foley Street London W1W 6DL
A brilliant day, many excellent players and singers, with a strong contingent from Ireland. The Orchards were all I had hoped for an more, with Amy in fine voice singing old ballads, and Jean has indeed a lovely voice, singing some excellent somgs. Fine accordion and mellodeon playing from Tom and Tommy (as well as fascinating step dancing), but young Ashley was to me an excellent sign that there is much more fascinating music to come from this family.
KentFolk has a day-long recording in mp3, and part of the day and all of the evening as a .wav file - fills a DVD. This will be edited, and parts, with the musicians approval, may be available. Photos to come.
Sunday evening from 7.30, Rosie Stewart and The Orchard Family performed
at The Old Rose & Crown, Hoe Street
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.
More info for that at www.bridgefest.co.uk
Cajun dance with Wild Turkey
Bridge Village Hall. £5.00. Doors 8pm.
SATURDAY
Music & Events all day.
Morris Dancing from Oyster Morris and Offcumduns - 11am & 2.30pm
Music / Celtic Session from 1pm in Red Lion
Bridge Community Drumming 2pm Stage in the Red Lion garden
Another Planet Global D'J's from 3pm Stage in the Red Lion garden
FREE CONCERT from 7pm Featuring:
Chris Wood & Andy Cutting - Amazing Fiddle and Melodeon Duo & world class
music.
Camine - Fiery Celtic tunes and songs from your very own Egle sisters.
Happy Trails - Old & New time American Harmony singing.
Hope to see you there.
www.bridgefest.co.uk
There is no admission charge as yet and the session starts at 8.15 p.m.
Meals are available, the phone number for the bar/restaurant is 01843
583000. I book the musicians and can be contacted on 01843 865456. There
is also a jazz night every Friday with various musicians, if you want I can
give you details also. Thanks in advance Eric Booth
A new venue, some good musicians, please do support it - beau
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 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:
There is a new Swing Jazz session in the Dove at Dargate every Tuesday :
Dargate Django Djam as a working title! - Yes excellent - very
enjoyable - beau
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.
1st Wednesday, Watershed (English), Simple Simons, Canterbury.
last Wednesday of the month:
Larry and friends, Simple Simons, Canterbury.
Thurday:
This mixed session has now moved back to the Bear, in Faversham;
On June 9th you should also be able to hear some Basque music on
a button accordion, from a visiting Basque musician !
White Hart Folk Club, Hythe -
This has now been subsumed into "Folk at The Drum" :
Folk At The Drum, North Stanford just off Stone Street which is
just North of the Hythe exit from the M20.
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.
From: Kent Cajun Subject: Forthcoming Cajun Events: June - July 2005 Hi there, Plenty going on during the summer, so dust off your dance shoes and come on along! The Dance Workshop dates for 2005-2006 have now also been confirmed along with new venue for Rochester workshops. For details, see http://www.kentcajun.org.uk/danceworkshops.html Friday 3rd June 2005 WHITSTABILLIES at the Wrotham Arms (9 Ramsgate Road, Broadstairs, CT10 1QQ). 9pm start Saturday 4th June 2005 CAJUN DANCE NIGHT with Wild Turkey! 8.00pm to 11.00pm (including an introductory workshop from 8.00pm to 8.30pm) at St Peters Church Hall, Cromwell Road, Whitstable. The venue has no bar, so please bring food, drink and utensils. For tickets (£6.50) and more information call 01227 779178 Monday 6th June 2005 WILD TURKEY at The Barge (63 Layfield Road, Gillingham, Kent, ME7 2QY). 9pm start. Friday 17th June 2005 Bridge Folk and Roots Festival presents: CAJUN DANCE with Wild Turkey at the Bridge Village Hall (28 High Street, Bridge, Canterbury, Kent, CT4 5JZ). Doors open at 8pm, tickets £5 from the door or in advance from John at the The Red Lion (75 High Street, Bridge, Canterbury, Kent, CT4 5LB, Tel: 01227-830281). See http://www.bridgefest.co.uk/index.htm for more info. Thursday 14th July 2005 Folk at the Brook presents: CAJUN DANCE NIGHT with Wild Turkey at The Brook Theatre (Old Town Hall, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4SE). 8pm start, tickets £6 from The Box Office tel: 01634 338338 or by email boxoffice_at_medway_dot_gov_dot_uk For more information and a downloadable Brook Theatre brochure see the Brook Theatre Website at http://www.medway.gov.uk/index/leisure/theatres/2130-2.html Saturday 16th July 2005 WHITSTABILLIES at the Wrotham Arms (9 Ramsgate Road, Broadstairs, CT10 1QQ). 9pm start Friday 22nd July WILD TURKEY at the Prince of Wales (9 High Street, Strood, ME2 4AB) at 9pm. Hope to see you on a dancefloor somewhere! Satu http://www.kentcajun.org.uk - Promoting Cajun and Zydeco music and dancing in Kent! Cajun Dances
The Cajun dance Spring Cajun Dance with Wild Turkey, on Saturday 7th May, in the Littlebourne Thatched Barn was a most enjoyable evening, with only one chair left unsold, but then everyone was dancing till the end, so more would not have mattered. I hope to do a photo report soon.
See Satu's email above, also :
On Sunday 12th. June the Cajun Barn have The Savoy Michot Cajun Band from Louisiana, 6.30-10.00 pm.
On Thursday 6th. October the Cajun Barn have The Ray Abshire Cajun Band from Louisiana, 7.30-11.00 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 :
15th May 2005
Also 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm, now at
Davis Estate Community Centre, Barberry Avenue, Chatham,
ME5 9TE,
(was at Star Hill Function Rooms, Star Hill, Rochester);
£3.50, ring Ann on 01634 405 840.
- Summer Break -
25th September 2005
27th November 2005
22th January 2006
26th March 2006.
From: Orpington Folk Club
Subject: Orpington Folk Club
Hi Beau, please note the New venue.
Orpington Folk Club
the 'Change of Horses'
Farnborough High Street
Orpington
Kent
01689 852949
Brian Bruce
Has joined the organisers he can be contacted on: 0020 8856 5711
Many thanks.
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
(was broadcast on
BBC Radio 3: Live Studio Session on Andy Kershaw Show
- Broadcast 20th March 2005, 10:15 to midnight
and also streamed on the web.)
get their new album
"Hurdy-Gurdy Mandrohne",
distributed by
Cube Roots.
From: Bottleneck Blues
blues_at_bottleneckblues_dot_co_dot_uk
Subject: Slim's last two gigs & The Bottleneck 10th June
[IMAGE] Watermelon Slim, Little Toby Walker & The Martin Harley Band
Firstly thank you all for the great support you've given Slim this
tour.....he has been genuinely moved by the reception you've given him &
hasn't damaged my house too much....bless him!
and an excellent gig at Rochester it was indeed - beau
We have just two gigs left during this tour & they are :----
Tonight ~ Friday 27th May
_at_The
Memorial Hall, Lavant, Hants. 01243
789786
This gig also features the wonderful guitarist Michael Pickett a very
fine Canadian musician & friend of Slim's who's over for a short tour.
Tomorrow ~ Saturday 28th May
_at_
South Hill Park Arts Centre, Bracknell,
Berks.
01344 484123
And as I often say....nothing exemplifies the phrase "The King is
dead...long live the King" than this funny old music business.
No sooner do I pack Slim off back to The States & Little Toby Walker
arrives for his 4th Euro tour to include a week in Holland.
His first UK gig is at The Bottleneck on Friday 10th June
_at_Zaffa's,
Week Street, Maidstone.
This gig includes the excellent Martin Harley Band. They have a lovely
sound, a little Harry Manx, some Davy Graham & a touch of the
East.....beautiful slide guitar & vocals with bass, drums & even
Balalaika (bet I've not spelt that right!!).
Sorry to bang on about this all the time but we had about 20 no-shows
again
_at_
Slim's last gig at The Roffen...it was truly a magical evening
so you missed something you'd have remembered for the rest of your
lives....but the point is I put a lot of my own money (overdraft!) into
these gigs....I have a stunning programme coming up to include ERROL
LINTON, DELTA MOON, KEITH B. BROWN with ADRIAN BYRON BURNS, EUGENE
"HIDEAWAY" BRIDGES with BEN ANDREWS & THE WEST WESTON BIG BAND (our
Christmas bash).....I cannot continue to offer music of this quality if
I'm down £200 every gig.
Please don't book a table if you think you can't make it....please let
me know if you're not coming as I can then at least offer guests your
seats before the show starts....it's not much to ask.
OK that's it 'till the next one...Cheerio & thanks from "Beau Shambles"
(Slim)...don't worry he gets his own back!
And it's goodbye from him "Ye Crusty Olde Goat"....John.
www.bottleneckblues.co.uk
www.littletobywalker.com
www.martinharley.com
www.watermelonslim.com
You can still listen to Slim's BBC interview on
www.bbc.co.uk
type
OUTLOOK in the search box, click on WED & bingo you'll be transported
back in time to last Wed when Slim amazed Bush House!!
From: Richard Brookes
Subject: FW: Chill out to a summer's evening of Jazz on the North Downs
Knockholt Carnival 2006
www.knockholtcarnival.org.uk
KC/2005/01
Date: 8th May 2005
Chill out to a summer's evening of Jazz on the North Downs
As one of its key events leading up to the Knockholt Carnival 2006 the
Carnival Committee today announced an evening for all the family at the
Knockholt `Jazz Picnic' in the village recreation ground on Saturday 30th
July 2005.
An evening of New Orleans, Dixieland and traditional jazz will be
performed by Phil Mason's New Orleans All-Stars, the internationally
renowned jazz band which performs at major music festivals and is
regarded as one of the biggest traditional jazz attractions at home and
on the international scene.
The Knockholt Jazz Picnic promises to be a great night out for all the
family who are encouraged to bring their own food and drink and relax to
the mellow sounds of jazz on in this picturesque Kent Village.
This is one of several events organised prior to the Knockholt Carnival
2006 from which all profits raised will be donated to the Kent Air
Ambulance Trust.
Event:
Knockholt `Jazz Picnic' featuring Phil Mason's New Orleans All-Stars.
Date:
Saturday 30th July 2005 (Gates open at5.30pm - band performs at 7.00pm)
Venue:
Knockholt Village Recreation Ground, Kent
Ticket Prices:
ADULTS (£7.50): CHILDREN UNDER 12 (Free - max two per adult):
12 TO 17 YEAR OLDS (£5.00). These are discounted prices are for
tickets purchased before Saturday 30th July.
For further information or to reserve tickets for the Knockholt Carnival
`Jazz Picnic' call 01959 534600 / 533884 or email:
jazzpicnic_at_knockholtcarnival_dot_co_dot_uk_dot_
Also available from Knockholt Village
Stores.
Media enquiries call Richard Brookes on on 01959 533639/07753 615684 or
email: homevale_at_globalnet.co.uk
1. Knockholt recreation ground is situated 4 miles North of
Sevenoaks, Kent, 8 miles south of Bromley and 4 miles from J4 of the M25.
For a map of where to find Knockholt visit
www.knockholtcarnival.org.uk
2. Jazz picnicers advised to bring their own food, drink and picnic
equipment.
From: Ian
Subject: Rig Gig - Folkestone harbour Sat 4th June
Hi Beau,
Just a few lines to let you know of our gig on Sat 4th June at The
Mariner pub and restaurant 16 The Stade, Folkestone, Kent, CT19 6AB
Tel (01303) 254546
This has become a popular venue with us and a pleasant place for an
evening out. Last time we played there we received a very favourable
welcome and hopefully we can recreate the same atmosphere and good spirit
again this time. The Mariner is the last pub along the harbourside beside
the fishing boats and before you reach the sandy bay. Probably a 9pm
start, and we'll have some new numbers such as Little Feat's 'Dixie
Chicken' to begin and The Band's 'Up On Cripple Creek'. Others are in
'process' and we shall wait and see.
Hope to see you, if not on this occasion, then soon.
Ian
www.therigband.com
From: Frances Moran
Subject: Gulbenkian NuRoots
Batanai Marimba
(Zimbabwe/SAfrica)
African NuRoots Dancemusic
Saturday 11 June 7.45pm
Gulbenkian Theatre Canterbury
Final Event of the Gener8 Festival
High Voltage Arts Mix 4 The New Generation
Fronted by the enduring exuberance and charisma of Zimbabwean lead
singer/marimbaman Wedzerai Zvirevo, and featuring a groundbreaking
pan-African line-up mixing the rippling, buzzing acoustics of traditional
Southern African marimbas and percussion with alto sax, mbiras, bass and
soaring vocal harmonies, Batanai Marimba celebrate both the past and the
future of African NuRoots dancemusic.
Batanai also travel into more contemporary territory, to showcase
passionate new songs that explore displacement and cultural change,
celebrate freedom through unity, and have an unstoppable momentum.
Watch out for featured tracks from their latest album release Matumba
Matumba! (KoniCD003) where the music is:
"trancey and uplifting with the rhythms of the kalimba and marimba
beating at its heart...with lyrics dealing with poverty, learning from
the past, the mendacity of politicians.." (Jamie Renton fRoots Nov 03)
Batanai Marimba are driven by a pulsating mix of deep Shona and Zulu
NuRoots sounds riding on fat, loping traditional marimba beats that have
become this flamboyant band's trademark.
Tickets £12 Concs £10 Box Office 01227 769075
www.kent.ac.uk/gulbenkian/
Press /Media enquiries
Tel 0114 274 9080
Mob 07753 129888
Reviews :
Bath International Music Festival
"The high-energy rhythms, outrageous costumes and flamboyant style of
Batanai Marimba's percussion orchestra, proved irresistible. Their four
huge xylophones and mass of drums filled the stage and their relentless
beat and sheer enthusiasm enticed the audience to join them in frenzied
shouting, chanting and hand clapping...'
Rosie Upton
www.thisisbath.com
2001
"A blistering fusion of South African melody and Zimbabwean rhythms
driven by a stunning massed marimba section. Enthusiasm and energy barely
contained by the stage."
Carol Alevroyianni OrangeWOW Festival 2001
`Rivetingly visual, gloriously musical, and entirely danceable.'
Pete Holden MODAL Convention Showcase 2002
`And as for the latest line-up of Batanai Marimba, we were well
impressed! That ability to explore the melodic range of the marimbas over
a powerful rhythmic engine, is now joined by new confidence in the vocal
harmonies; add the beautiful delicate performing style of Mimi,
contrasted with Wedze's exuberant and charismatic presence, and Batanai
must be one of the very best African bands performing in Britain today.
Can't wait for the new CD!'
David Ambrose: St Donats Arts Centre April 2003
`Their music is trancey and uplifting with the rhythms of the kalimba and
marimba beating at its heart, with spirituality and tradition high on the
agenda.....but however good the group's albums get, they're never going
to be able to completely capture the energy of a Batanai live
performance...they hit the Freestage in a whirl of bright colours,
clattering percussion and blasting horns...'
Jamie Renton (fRoots) London Barbican July 2003
Matumba Matumba `...best yet from Batanai Marimba..good songs, a full
sound and some wild ensemble playing'
fRoots March 2004
Discography: distribution
www.sternsmusic.com
Matumba Matumba! (KoniCD003) 2003
Mudzimu Mudzimu (KoniCD002) 2002
Moto Moto! (Fire Fire!) (KoniCD001) 2001
Oxfam Africa compilation (WMN RGNET 1073) 2001
Breaking the Silence(HIV awareness) compilation(20289979) 2001
Kashiri Kamambo (WMMCD001) 2000
Tambarara: Heartbeat of Zimbabwe (KoniK7004) 1999
Press /Media enquiries
Tel 0114 274 9080
Mob 07753 129888
email
info_at_konimusic_dot_co_dot_uk
From: Michael Clark
Hi
I'm putting on Darden Smith, fantastic singer/songwriter from Austin,
Texas, at the Ship Theatre, Hollybush Lane, Sevenoaks, Kent on the 20th
of July. Tickets are available from
bookings_at_trueroots_dot_hypermart_dot_net_dot_
Info and postal bookings 01732 832452. There's also an excellent
website.www.dardensmith.com.
Tickets are£8 and £6 conc.
It would be great if you would list this as its my first go at promoting
and he's a great artist.
Thanks and Best wishes
Michael Clark
0207 452 3375