‘Changes’ – themed singaround

Posted on 10 January 2009 by bridget

Themed singarounds always bring a variety of unexpected treats, and the suggestion of ‘Changes’ allows for all kinds of possibilities. This started with the idea of shape-shifting, but of course there are many other ways of interpreting the concept in song – not to mention the potential for changes in performers’ habits – a monologue from a ‘listener’ perhaps, a tune from a singer or the exciting birth of a new combo – however you choose to take the theme! Free entry, as usual on singaround nights.

Tony Hall on 9 January

Posted on 6 January 2009 by bridget

We look forward very much to welcoming local celebrity, melodeon player and modest wit Tony Hall to the Folk Club on Friday 9 January. Tickets £4 (£2 members). Summed up by Islington Folk Club: ‘East Anglian melodeon player with a distinctive, quintessentially English style, who played on the iconic ’80s Nic Jones release ‘Penguin Eggs’. Hall’s sets are laid-back affairs, interspersed with his dry, sometimes gently surreal humour.’ See the EDP article online from 19 June 2008: ‘Tony draws on squeezebox skills’, where there is also a video.

New Year’s Eve

Posted on 28 December 2008 by bridget

Club members and friends are all invited to join us at our New Year’s Eve ceilidh and singaround at the Christ Church Centre on Magdalen Road, Norwich from 8.30 pm. Shufflewing will form the core of the band and will welcome assistance from all comers, with Chris Davis as the caller. Fancy dress optional. Bring your own liquid refreshment, and a little food to share would be appreciated – tea and coffee available. Entry free – with a grand raffle, if you would like to contribute a prize.

Manor Rooms on 5 December

Posted on 3 December 2008 by bridget

With apologies from our landlord Andy for the late notice, please note that the venue for Friday 5 December will be the Manor Rooms, just up the Street from the White Horse Inn. Bring your own refreshments or buy drinks at the pub. Tea and coffee will also be available. Everyone is welcome, whether to listen or to take part.

Bill Caddick on 12 December

Posted on 30 November 2008 by bridget

Bill Caddick

Singer songwriter Bill Caddick will be the guest at the club on 12 December. Bill is perhaps best known for ‘Unicorns’ and ‘The Cloud Factory’. His songs have been recorded by the likes of June Tabor, Chris Foster, Alex Campbell, The Yetties, Christy Moore, Peter Rowan, John Kirkpatrick, Artisan and Coope, Boyes and Simpson.

It has been said about Bill:

“The man’s a wonder. Unique. Masterful. Magnificent. Enormous. Essential.” John Kirkpatrick

“Holds your attention from first to last. He has hell of a voice and plays a mean guitar” fRoots

“Simply brilliant. English folksong delivered with passion and commitment.” The Living Tradition

Tickets £8 (£5 members)

Video link

Bill Caddick at Southwell Folk Festival 2008

Estonian showcase

Posted on 4 November 2008 by bridget

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

Singaround on 7 November

Posted on 4 November 2008 by bridget

Just a note that the venue for the singaround on 7 November will be the Manor Rooms, just a couple of doors up the Street from the White Horse Inn. Bring your own refreshments – and coffee and tea will be available.

Jez Lowe solo

Posted on 15 October 2008 by bridget

Popular singer-songwriter Jez Lowe will be at the Folk Club on Friday 24 October. Jez was a nominee for BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2008 ‘Folksinger of the Year’. He has a new album just out, his 14th set of original songs of the North Country, and the BBC’s “Radio Ballads” – to which he contributed twenty-odd songs last year- has just won a Sony Radio Academy Award.

The new CD, JACK COMMON’S ANTHEM was inspired by the cult Geordie novelist of that name, whose work chronicled life in the North East in the early 20th Century. Jez Lowe has taken up that same torch a hundred years later, in a selection of songs and tunes that reflect the hard times, the good times, the hard work and hard play of the region where he was born and raised.

Friday 21 November at the Manor Rooms

Posted on 10 October 2008 by bridget

Tim Laycock, singer, concertina player and actor, is the Folk Club guest on Friday 21 November. at the Manor Rooms, just up the Street from the White Horse Inn. Tim has appeared with the Albion Band and is a specialist in the songs, traditions and dialect of the West Country. Support on this evening is provided by the young fiddler and singer James Findlay, who was a finalist in New Roots 2008.

norwich folk club

live acoustic music every friday

Category Archives: Event