The Wolsley Wassail last Sunday was tremendous with over 300 people attending. This was a truly memorable event and something that I would not miss. The music, dance, recitations and the candle-lit procession to the orchard for the waking of the trees stirs a mediaeval / pagan core that I think most of us have buried within us somewhere and you simply had to be there to appreciate the atmosphere and 'buzz' that was in the air.
The Pie and Ale on Wednesday was one of the best ever, though Alison from the Loveheart Billionaires was sorely missed. The general standard of performers seems to be getting better and better, so much so that Martin and I have decided that we are actually going to practice a few numbers before inflicting them on the audience in future! A massive thanks to Garry, Steve and the Billionaires for offering to donate the proceeds and most of the prizes of the first raffle of the year to the Moira Fund, I understand that the total raised was about £130.00 so thanks to everyone for their efforts and wasn't it nice for us to have Hu, Moira's Dad, there to receive the donation in person.
It would be nice to see if we can do a few more fund raising things this year for this worthwhile charity, so if anyone has any ideas, please shout up.
This week brings the Tuesday Spittalbrook Weekly Acoustic Session. Always busy, always lively and you just never know who will surprise you by being down there. There has been a significant change to the décor in the Spitt, one of the walls has now been dedicated to the folk club and will carry photographs of past events and some of the history of the club. I daresay that if you have any decent (or better still, indecent) pictures, they may be able to find a space on the wall for them, so have a dig through your photo albums!
Thursday brings the Trad Folk Session at the Crown at Hyde Lea. This is now entering its third year, so thanks to everyone for the support you have given to this session, and it's nice that we have been able to maintain its 'Trad' or 'Trad Style' beginnings.
Friday has the Folk Session at the Bagots Arms in Abbots Bromley. Tim Veitch is reviving this once very popular session and would be grateful of any support from musicians and singers. It is held every third Friday each month, and at the moment it is a pretty much 'anything goes' type of session – so if you have the time, pop along and try it out. The nice thing about these 'out of town' sessions is that you very often bump into people you seldom see and it's always nice to catch up.
And club list from Lorna
| Mon 16 Wilkes Head, Leek Shroppie Fly, Audlem Windmill, Werrington Swan, Leek Tue 17 Huntsman, Cheadle Spittalbrook, Stafford Bhurtpore, Aston Thu 19 Crown, Hyde Lea Dabbers FC, Nantwich * check before travelling Greyhound, Penkhull Plough, Bignall End Fri 20 Lord Nelson, Oakamoor, Wally and I will be pleased to see you for a good old sing! Bagots Arms, Abbots Bromley
|
Two Dates worth mentioning, as ever The Clarendon Music Club kicks off the week tonight at The Clarendon Hotel in Chapel Ash. 8:30 start Singaround
Tuesday
Tomorrow night the 17th is the launch of The Robin 2 R&B club's hosted Open Mic Night, This is in the main arena on the big stage with full pro lighting and sound, and it's FREE entry, includes bar and food available. This needs supporting as it's a great chance to play in a professional setting. Any enquiries mail music@therobin.co.uk It's a monthly event
BIRMINGHAM
Some trad arts events for you thanks to Pam Bishop of Folk Monthly Magazine
Wednesday 25 January, 8pm
Tales and Ales Storytelling Session
www.tradartsteam.co.uk/tales-and-ales.html
Sunday 29 January, 10:30am to 4:30pm
Step into Storytelling training day
www.tradartsteam.co.uk/training/step_into_storytelling.htm
The Traditional Arts Team runs activities in the Midlands relating to traditional song, music, storytelling and dance, and publishes the Folk Monthly magazine. More info at
www.tradartsteam.co.uk And here's our own local Club list
MONDAY
The Clarendon Acoustic Music Club
At The Clarendon Hotel 38 Chapel Ash
Wolverhampton WV3 0TN Singaround
TUESDAY
Folk At The Oak, at The Royal Oak
School Rd Tettenhall WV6 8EJ
Singers Night hosted by Emmi & Phil
NEW
Pete Kelly Open Mic Night
Starts Tues 03rd Jan
The Queens Head
Wolverley Village
8:30 to 11pm
NEW
The Robin 2 R&B Club Bilston
Hosted Open Mic night
on the main Stage
Bar & Food available
Free Entry Tues 17th Jan & every Month
Folk Club
at The Spittal Brook Inn
Near Stafford
Open mic night
The Plough Folk Club 9 p.m
Stourbridge A to Z ref 82 1C
Possibly a Singaround
WEDNESDAY
Willenhall Folk & Acoustic Club
Hosted by Gwyn & Pete at
The New Invention Club
Lichfield Rd W'ton Now Wed nights
THURSDAY
Either
Common Folk at Pelsall Cricket Club
Walsall Rd, Pelsall WS3 4BP
Singer's Night And some guest nights
or
The Lighthouse Folk Club
Rowley Regis Conservative Club
47 Hawes Lane Rowley Regis B65 9AE
Singers Night
Brewod Acoustic Music Club
Brewood Cricket Club, Four Ashes Rd
ST19 9HX. mix of Singers and Guest nights
Check before going
FRIDAY
Crystal Folk Hosted by Anne & Bob Adams
At Blackheath Liberal Club
51 John St Rowley Regis
Back to usual Singers night format this week
Prompt 8:30 start
The Unicorn Folk Club
at The Bradford Arms
Wheaton Aston
Mix of singers nights & Guest nights
SUNDAY
THE CHAOS CLUB
At The Old Moseley Arms
Tindal Street
Balsall Heath
Not open mic, 4 artists each week
Do check with the clubs, as some clubs may have an occasional guest night or a special on
And that's all for now friends, wherever you go for your music this week do enjoy it. Remember 95% of clubs are run by volunteers often at their own expense and they rely on your support to keep the music going in 2012. Enjoy Your Day
Desi C
No comments:
Post a Comment