Archive for the ‘Showcase’ Category

Veteran returns to the Folk Club

Saturday, April 24th, 2010
30 April 2010
8:30 pmto11:30 pm

Roger and Chris Gamble will be the showcase guests at Norwich Folk Club singaround on Friday 30 April.

Singer and multi-instrumentalist Roger has been a stalwart of folk and acoustic sessions in Norfolk and Suffolk for over 45 years, drawing on a wide range of material, from English traditional to influences  as diverse as Randy Newman and Mark Knopfler. The trademark harmony singing of Chris and Roger has long been a feature of their local gigs.

Since moving to South-West Norfolk  their appearances in Norwich in recent years have sadly been limited, but their return promises to be a treat, with much of Roger’s ‘back-catalogue’ expected, together with some recent additions.

Bring your own refreshments. Tea and coffee available.


Tags: , ,
Posted in Event, Guest, Showcase, Singaround | No Comments »

Judi Daykin singaround showcase

Saturday, October 24th, 2009
6 November 2009
8:30 pmto11:30 pm

Judi Daykin is the showcase guest at the White Horse Inn on Friday 6 November and will perform two spots within the singaround. Judi first sang in folk clubs “up north” back in the 1970s, but she was seduced away from the scene by the lure of the bright lights of show business. She trained as an actor and singer at drama school in London and has worked mainly in theatre for some years now. Folk music came back into her life in the new century following a chance conversation with Simon Nichol of Fairport Convention. He suggested a visit to their annual Fairport’s Cropredy Convention to see how things had changed. Inspired by this visit Judi rushed down to Norwich Folk Club and joined their ranks, as well as becoming a regular Cropredy goer.

Judi Daykin

Judi Daykin

Judi uses her actor’s storytelling ability to mix modern singer songwriter material with traditional numbers and even the occasional bit of poetry. Influences include Fairport Convention, Joni Mitchell and Show of Hands, all of whom will no doubt be showing up in her choice of songs. All welcome and entry is free.

On Friday 30 October the singaround is at the Manor Rooms, just up the Street from the White Horse Inn. Drinks can be bought at the pub and tea and coffee are also available. Everyone is welcome, whether to listen, sing or play, and the mix of music is often eclectic.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Event, Showcase, Singaround | No Comments »

Shadows in the Shade on 4 September

Friday, August 28th, 2009
4 September 2009
8:30 pmto11:30 pm

Shadows in the Shade

Shadows in the Shade

Shadows in the Shade are Jed Stone and Des Tighe, names well known around the folk clubs and sessions of their Suffolk homeland. Both are founder members of XXLcior, a shanty crew put together to support the sail training trawler Excelsior, and in a past life both have sung with the shanty crew Capstan Full Strength. Both have performed often in Holland, now and again in Poland and once in Norway. As solo performers, each has travelled extensively the shores and bars of their native England, of Wales, Scotland and Ireland. Given their pedigree it was probably inevitable that sooner or later they would end up singing together, and inevitable that an album would follow. Now we welcome them to Norfolk for a showcase at the Norwich Folk Club singaround on 4 September.

Posted in Event, Showcase, Singaround | No Comments »

Graham Schofield showcase on 7 August

Monday, July 27th, 2009

grahamschofield1

The showcase guest at the singaround on 7 August is Graham Schofield. ‘Graham has been singing in folk clubs around the country since the revival and has a wide and eclectic repertoire rooted in the tradition or having the feel of the tradition. He tends to find the passion in a song, whether of the countryside or the lot of the working man. His voice has a sweetness and range which allows him to slip easily from a gentle love-song to a rousing shanty and he relishes a lively audience who love to sing the choruses with gusto.’ Free entry, all welcome.

There is, of course, a singaround on 31 July, as usual and on every Friday throughout the summer. All welcome – why not try out some new material?

Tags: , ,
Posted in Showcase, Singaround | No Comments »

A Murder of Rooks showcase on 17 July

Tuesday, July 7th, 2009

A Murder of Rooks comprise Isobel Morris: vocals and ukulele, Gary Southwell: 9-string guitar and vocals and Jim Kimberley: guitar and vocals. At least two of the three will be with us on 17 July to contribute a couple of spots within the singaround. Simplicity and restraint is the key, with sparse musical arrangements and unadorned vocals. Their version of ‘Sam Hall’ has the traditional English lyrics, and their recent CD also includes ‘Never Came He’, ‘The Handsome Cabin Boy’ and ‘Three Ravens’. All welcome, free entry.

The singaround on 10 July is open to everyone as usual, with new songs and tunes appreciated. Our definition of ‘folk’ is broad and we encourage the efforts of new and returning folkies. Free entry.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Showcase, Singaround | No Comments »

The Shipdham Scrapers on 19 June

Thursday, June 11th, 2009

Showcase guests at the singaround on Friday 19 June will be the Shipdham Srapers, with Lesley and Kerry on fiddle, Gwyn on guitar and Richard on melodeon and concertina. Well known regulars at various local sessions, including the King’s Head at Dereham (third Wednesday of the month) and the Cherry Tree at Wicklewood (last Thurday), they play a varied mix of English and French tunes with an occasional song – influenced by Spiers and Boden, but not quite so fast! Everyone is very welcome to come along and entry is free.

There is also a singaround as usual on Friday 12 June – all welcome, whether to listen, sing or play a tune or two. Why not try out a new song or tune? New performers are particularly appreciated! Entry is free.

Tags: ,
Posted in Showcase, Singaround | No Comments »

Alan Helsdon on 8 May

Monday, April 20th, 2009

The showcase guest on 8 May, performing two sets within the singaround, will be Alan Helsdon, singer-songwriter, musician and historian of local folk songs and tunes. Alan is also the leading light of folk band Shufflewing. Free entry and everyone welcome.

The singaround on 1 May will have the theme ‘May Day’, which can be taken in any way that you like! As usual, entry is free and everyone is welcome, whether to listen, sing or play tunes.

The singaround on 24 April will be open to all kinds of acoustic music and songs. Free entry and all are very welcome. Come along and test out your new songs in a friendly atmosphere. No need to arrange spots in advance.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Showcase, Singaround | No Comments »

Showcase with John Robinson on 27 March

Sunday, March 15th, 2009
27 March 2009
8:30 pmto11:30 pm
John Robinson

John Robinson

In featured spots at the singaround at the Manor Rooms on 27 March, the showcase guest will be John Robinson. Welcomed in folk clubs all over the country as ‘John the Trucker’, he has been chair of the Norwich club for the last four years. Originally from MIddlesbrough,  John brings a wealth of songs – of Northern mining disasters and docklands, racing pigeons and allotments, children’s games and bargains with the devil. The Manor Rooms are just up the road from the White Horse Inn. Bring your own refreshments – coffee and tea available. Entry is free and everyone is welcome to come along.

Tags: ,
Posted in Event, Showcase | No Comments »

Kiss the Mistress on 27 February!

Saturday, February 21st, 2009
27 February 2009
8:30 pmto11:30 pm
Kiss the Mistress

Kiss the Mistress

Showcase guests at the singaround on 27 February will be Kiss the Mistress, a popular local trio combining a rare mix of voice, cello, accordion and bodhran. Entry is free and everyone is welcome to come along.

Club officers John Robinson (chair), Bridget Lely (secretary), Fred Brown (treasurer) and Linda Robinson (membership secretary) were asked by the AGM to continue for a further year. Other committee members for 2009-10 are: Judy Bedder, Keith Ellison, Andrea Granville, Brian O’Neill, Caroline Peel and Kelly Woods. The AGM joined John in welcoming Andrea and Caroline to the committee and in thanking retiring committee members Les Ellis and Mick Selvey for all their work on the club’s behalf.

Members commented that guest nights in the past year had been really enjoyable and that they particularly like the wide variety of acoustic music styles at singarounds nowadays.

Membership for 2009-10 is now due and remains at £6. To benefit from reduced ticket prices on guest nights and receive regular updates on club news, download the membership form, or contact the membership secretary on any club night.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Event, Showcase, Singaround | No Comments »

Estonian showcase

Tuesday, November 4th, 2008
14 November 2008
8:30 pmto11:30 pm

At the singaround at the White Horse on 14 November, the club will host a showcase by Estonian visitors to Norwich. Entry is free.

Norwich folk club member Chris Davis has regularly been visiting Estonia over the past few years, enjoying the rich folk music and dance culture. During these visits, links have grown with a folk-dancing group from Tallinn. Ironically, they had adopted Scottish dance, but Chris has introduced them to the English folk style, which has become very popular.

One of the visitors is Piia Kaljukivi who plays a small hand-made ‘Kannel’, a traditional plucked string instrument, as well as bagpipes, and it is Piia who will be performing two short spots of Estonian songs and tunes at the Norwich Folk Club.

Folk music is an important aspect of Estonian culture and acted as a rallying point in the move for independence from the Soviet Union. Regular massed singing of 100,000 people would take place in Tallinn, bonding the nation during this uncertain period. Maybe we won’t amass that many at the White Horse, but the evening is equally about the Estonians experiencing aspects of English folk, so please bring your own favourite tunes and songs. It will also be a chance to see your MC for the night, Chris Davis (along with guest performer Piia), in traditional Estonian national dress!

There will be another opportunity to meet the Estonians informally at a ceilidh (just £2 entrance) the next (late) morning, and to learn a couple of Estonian dances.  Details will be given on the Friday night.

Concert-size Estonian kannel

Concert-size Estonian kannel

Tags: , ,
Posted in Event, Showcase | No Comments »