Author Archives: bridget

Miranda Sykes and Rex Preston on 28 February

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Miranda Sykes and Rex Preston

Miranda Sykes and Rex Preston

Miranda Sykes and Rex Preston have emerged to become one of the most sought-after duos on the English folk and roots scene. The striking combination of the flame-headed double bass player and virtuoso mandolin player have been described as ‘Scintillating, sensitive and brilliant!’ (Folk Roots).

Well known for the last eight years as a central component of Show of Hands, Miranda has an exquisite and spine-tingling voice, whilst Rex, with his exuberant and flamboyant playing style, has built a reputation as one of the finest mandolin players in the UK. With Show of Hands off the road for a year, the duo are embarking on an extensive tour of the British Isles in support of their new CD ‘Sing A Full Song’.

Contact us directly to reserve tickets (£13 and £10 for members). Bring your own drinks. Teas and coffee available in the kitchen.

Boxing Night on 31 January with Owen Woods

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Do you feel the need to jump on the nearest soap-box? Box-clever by letting your creative juices run riot? Perhaps you already play a box-shaped instrument, sing songs by Boxcar Willie, or would like to show off those novelty boxer shorts you got for a christmas box? (Steady though – we don’t want to start a rebellion!) Or maybe you like to watch the Springboks play rugby? Think outside the box and bring along your ever-so-tenuous connection with boxes, be it musical, theatrical or virtual, to our ‘boxing night‘ themed song and tune session on Friday 31 January.

Owen Woods

Owen Woods

To add to the boxing mix, special guest and talented box-player Owen Woods will contribute a couple of showcase spots. Owen is a dynamic young melodeon player from Cambridge, who is increasingly sought after for folk clubs and festivals. As well as performing solo, he is also an experienced ceilidh musician. Owen has developed a personal style of performance, marrying tunes from different cultures and different periods. Prepare for strange time signatures, fluctuating rhythms and lush harmonies.

Free entry. Bring your own drinks. Teas and coffee available in the kitchen.

Norwich Folk Club Annual General Meeting will take place from 8 pm on Friday 21 February, followed at around 9 pm by a folk song session.

Jim Causley on 10 January

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Jim Causley

Jim Causley

Five times BBC Radio 2 Folk Award nominee Jim Causley makes a very welcome return visit to Norwich Folk Club on Friday 10 January. Jim is reknowned for his warm and jovial stage presence and his rich singing voice has been likened to the fruitiest of ciders!

This talented singer and accordionist is passionate about traditional song and particularly that of his native Devon. Jim has also recently recorded an album of his own musical settings of the poems of distant relative Charles Causley to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the death of this celebrated Cornish poet.

Please contact us to reserve tickets £10 (£7 club members). Bring your own drinks. Teas and coffee available in the kitchen.

Party season!

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Our Christmas Party song session will be held on Friday 20 December. Seasonal songs and tunes and party pieces very welcome. Bring your own drinks and food to share, and a prize for the raffle if you will. A good chance to unwind and catch up with friends before the big day.

There will be a soothing song session upstairs on Friday 27 December.

On Tuesday 31 December we’ll celebrate Old Year’s Night with songs, tunes and party pieces. The best fancy dress will be rewarded with a dinky hamper of local produce. There will also be some ceilidh dances, lots of singing and tune-making. Musicians are invited to join the band. Free entry, with a grand raffle. Bring your own drinks, some food to share and maybe a raffle prize.

The Magical Christmas Tree Tour on 13 December

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Pete at FaldingworthThe Magical Christmas Tree Tour is Pete Morton, Emily Sanders, Chris Parkinson and a tree that makes these three unsuspecting folk performers do things they wouldn’t do the other eleven months of the year.

After five successful seasons touring the UK, this show is a festive treat, where the audience pick scrolls from the tree and help to make every night a unique occasion!

This is a high-flying combination: a singer/songwriter extraordinaire, a superb Parky-raged- for webfiddler and one of the folk scene’s most sought-after instrumentalists. Pete, Emily and Chris all excel in their own departments. Together they deliver a richly textured collection of vibrant new songs, beautiful old carols and stunning instrumentals – plus all three voices in three-part harmony … and they have a great time doing it.

Emily SandersCome along and join us for an evening of superb acoustic music!

Bring your own drinks – real ale available at nearby pubs, with coffee and a choice of teas in the kitchen. Contact us to reserve tickets £10 (£7 members).

Iceni Rising showcase at session on Friday 29 November

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iceni rising

The folk song session on Friday 29 November features two spots from Iceni Rising, a new local trio comprising Jaki on cello, flute and vocals, Pete on fiddle, banjo, guitar and vocals, and Dave on sax.

Iceni Rising play an eclectic mix of acoustic songs and tunes, some ancient and some modern. Entry is free and all are welcome to come along to the session, whether to sing, play or listen. Bring your own drinks. Teas and coffee are available in the kitchen.

The Young’uns on 8 November

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YOUNG'UNSThe Young’uns have established their fast-growing reputation in the folk world with sublime a cappella harmonies, but the Teesside trio – Sean Cooney, Michael Hughes and David Eagle – are an unlikely force of nature on stage, beguiling audiences with irrepressible humour, bold vocals, gripping storylines and innate musicality.

Their music is rooted fiercely in Teesside – specially, Stockton – where they first started singing together at the local folk club, although they spread their wings on their glorious new album, ‘When Our Grandfathers Said No’.

Abbie Rechert largeIn support we welcome New Roots finalist 2013, Abbie Rechert. Abbie is a 16-year-old singer from Chesterfield. She sings a beautiful mix of modern and traditional folk songs, accompanied by her guitar or a cappella. Her voice has been described as ‘the pure sound of two crystal glasses being chinked together’. In her short career she has supported Bob Fox, Elbow Jane, Mills & Chimneys and Al Parrish and appeared at both Stainsby and Towersey Folk Festivals.

Tickets are SOLD OUT. Bring your own drinks – fine ales are available nearby – or enjoy a tea or coffee from the kitchen.

In the meantime, folk song sessions every Friday from 8.30 to 11.30 pm, as usual, with ‘Sea Songs and Shanties’ session downstairs on Friday 25 October, led by John and Sue Griffiths. Free entry, all welcome.

 

John Ward and Mario Price on Friday 11 October

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John Ward and Mario Price

John Ward and Mario Price

Talented East Anglian-based singer-songwriter and guitarist John Ward also plays several other instruments, most notably the bodhran, on which he delivers trademark showstopping solos. John has toured extensively across England and overseas, and plays regularly with his musical partner, the outstanding violinist, Mario Price. Together, this popular duo always present an energetic and entertaining set.

John and Mario will be performing a highly eclectic mix of John’s original compositions, traditional songs and popular standards, punctuated by Mario’s beautiful and high-energy instrumentals.

Bring your own refreshments – teas and coffee are available. Local pubs are also nearby. Reserve tickets (£10 or £7 for club members) by emailing via the contact box on the ‘About the club’ page.

We meet at the Christ Church Centre, Magdalen Road in Norwich from 8.30 to 11.30 pm every Friday throughout the year. Fridays between guest nights are folk song sessions. All welcome, whether to sing, play or listen.

 

 

Bob Fox on Friday 13 September

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Bob Fox

On Friday 13 September we look forward to welcoming singer, guitarist and melodeon player Bob Fox, taking a short break before resuming the role of Songman in the touring production of Warhorse.

Described by Warhorse Songmaker John Tams as ‘most probably the last great traditional folksinger we have today’, Bob offers an eclectic mix of thought-provoking songs, including some new material from the BBC Radio Ballads and favourites from his wide repertoire of traditional and modern songs. Expect nimble guitar playing, great singing and a bit of banter – he’s from the North-East, after all! Tickets £10 (£7 for club members). Contact us to reserve seats. If you have already done this and have had no reply, please try again. (We have had problems with non-delivery of emails, which have now been solved.)

Norwich Folk Club will meet for a song session every Friday throughout the summer. All welcome, whether to listen, sing or play. Bring your own drinks – local pubs and off-licences nearby and teas and coffee available in the kitchen. Upstairs if cool and downstairs if there is another heatwave.

Vin Garbutt on 19 July

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Vin Garbutt

Vin Garbutt

On Friday 19 July we look forward to a visit from special guest, singer-songwriter Vin Garbutt, hailed as ‘the funniest and most serious man on the Folk Scene’. Vin’s unique take on the world is delivered with zany good humour and his beautifully crafted songs deal with a wide range of current issues. Not to be missed!

Tickets are SOLD OUT. Bring your own drinks – pubs and off-licences nearby. Teas and coffee in the kitchen. Arrive in good time to secure your space in the car park – and please park extra-tidily!