Song session showcase with two spots from our favourite supergroup the Zimmer Follies (otherwise known as Mauny Woods, Peter Colman, John Mathews, Colin Tait and Roger Gamble). These much loved veterans of the local folk scene present their multiple musical talents, together with a large measure of good humour.
Other performers and listeners are also very welcome at the session. Downstairs. Free entry. Bring your own drinks – pubs nearby – or enjoy a cuppa from the kitchen.
The showcase guests on Friday 25 April will be Kim Lowings and the Greenwood, who will perform a couple of extended spots within the folk song session. They promise an even mix of traditional and original songs, with a few chorus songs thrown in for good measure.
Described by the Potbelly Folk and Roots Club as ‘Rising stars of the folk scene with captivating traditional and original songs’, Kim Lowings and the musicians of the Greenwood collective have supported a range of well known performers. including Martin Simpson, Faustus and Belshazzar’s Feast – Paul Sartin comments, ‘Expect great things to come!’
All musicians and singers are welcome to join the song session, and entry is free, with a raffle to help with expenses. Bring your own drinks – teas and coffee available in the kitchen.
Showcase guests at the song session on Friday 14 March will be Nick Wiseman-Ellis and Nic Zuppardi of Triette, both accomplished graduates from the Folk and Tradiitonal Music degree based at Newcastle University. Their distinctive sound is grounded in the tradition of French and Breton dance music, as well as the rich music traditions of Sweden and England, with driving interpretations of traditional material and vivid arrangements influenced by folk dance. They have performed at festivals and folk clubs across Europe, collaborated with Karen Tweed and German folk group Iontach, as well as being finalists in the Swedish Young Folk Band of the Year Awards 2011.
All welcome. Bring songs, tunes and your own drinks. Teas and coffee available in the kitchen. Free entry.
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
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.
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.
Showcase guest at the song session on Friday 14 June will be popular local singer, songwriter and guitarist Tim Chipping. Tim is an acoustic musician hailing from the rural depths of Norfolk’s Wensum Valley. He writes and performs his own songs, often very story based and which, whilst acknowledging traditional song forms, are influenced by a variety of contemporary music styles, encompassing themes from the modern world. He also reinterprets traditional songs and puts his own particular stamp on material by current artistes such as Bruce Springsteen, The Levellers and Steve Earle.
In the early 90s Tim co-founded folk rock band Folklaw and, latterly, was one half of acoustic duo Movers and Shakers together with fiddle player Mike Naldrett. Currently, as well as performing solo, Tim sings and plays guitar with Norfolk folk band LongShoreDrift (LSD to their friends!) as well as The Stringdogs, an Anglocana meets Americana acoustic roots collision. His new solo CD, ‘What You Hear Is What You Get’ is out now.
All welcome to this free session. Bring your own drinks, songs and tunes.
June Thaine, David Robertson and Kevin Green
Special showcase guests at the singaround on Friday 1 February are popular local trio, June Thaine, David Robertson and Kevin Green, otherwise known as Poacher. We look forward to hearing a variety of traditional and more recent songs, sung in close harmony.
Other singers and players are also welcome to take part in the singaround. Entry free. Please bring your own liquid refreshments – teas and coffee available.
The showcase guests at the singaround on Friday are well-known local performers, David Drinkwater and Pete Wilkes. We look forward to an evening of some of our very favourite songs. Other singers, musicians and listeners are also very welcome. Free entry. Bring your own refreshments. Various teas and coffee available.
At the singaround showcase downstairs on Friday 25 May we are very pleased to welcome back the ever-youthful Zimmer Follies, an occasional group of much-loved stalwarts of the Norfolk folk scene. Mauny Wood is joined by Peter Colman, John Mathews, Colin Tait and Roger and Chris Gamble. Not to be missed! Free entry. Bring your own refreshments.
Singarounds continue every Friday upstairs at the Christ Church Centre, with a special evening on Friday 1 June on the theme of ‘Kings and Queens’. All welcome, whether to listen, play or sing. Free entry.
John Ward and Mario Price
Local performers John Ward and Mario Price join us as showcase guests at the singaround on Friday 23 March. An accomplished singer-songwriter and musician, John Ward has just released his sixth album ‘East of the Sunrise’, a collection of songs from East Anglia.
John is a fine guitarist and also plays several other instruments, most notably the bodhran. He often works solo, but also plays regularly with his musical partner, outstanding violinist Mario Price. Together they perform a highly eclectic mix of John’s original compositions, popular, standard and traditional songs and Mario’s beautiful and high energy instrumentals.
Free entry. Bring your own songs and tunes, and refreshments. Tea and coffee available.