Tania Opland and Mike Freeman on 16 July

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Tania and Mike

Tania Opland and Mike Freeman have been touring the world since 1995 with a unique and eclectic

mix of songs in several languages and acoustic music played on a variety of instruments, including hammered dulcimer, guitar, recorders, cittern, violin, Native American flute and percussion.

Their shows feature both traditional and contemporary material from many cultures as well as original compositions, all presented with wit and style – guaranteed to provide an evening of great music and entertainment for all, especially those seeking something just a little off the beaten track. Mike’s irreverent sense of humor and Tania’s stunning vocals provide the springboard for a rollercoaster ride across several continents and back again. Check availability of tickets by email through the link on ‘About the club’ page. Bring your own refreshments. For a clip of Tania on youtube: Dona Nobis Pacem

Sinagrounds every Friday, as usual, throughout the summer, with two spots from local band Showcase guests LongShore Drift on Friday 2 July. Free entry. Bring your own refreshments.

Martyn Wyndham-Read and Iris Bishop on 11 June

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Martyn Wyndham-Read has been involved with folk music for over forty years. As a teenager in the 1960s he set off to work on a sheep station in Australia and became part of the folk song revival there, later returning to England with a wealth of traditional songs and stories.

Martyn is the instigator of the much acclaimed Folk Links Project, a celebration of English Traditional Songs and their Australian and North American variants and has worked with the cream of singers specialising in traditional songs from their own countries. He is accompanied by Iris Bishop, regarded by many as one of the finest players of the Duet concertina. Where Ravens Feed

In support will be Marianne Neary a young singer-songwriter who was one of the finalists in the 2010 New Roots competition. Check availability of tickets by email through the link on ‘About the club’ page. Bring your own refreshments.

Showcase guests at the singaround on Friday 28 May will be Faith and Taka Masendu. Free entry. Bring your own refreshments.

Veteran returns to the Folk Club

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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.


‘Creatures Great and Small’ on 16 April

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The singaround on 16 April will have the theme ‘Creatures Great and Small’. Trawl through your repertoire or take off on new flights of fancy. We look forward to hearing some interesting and quirky, if sometimes tenuous interpretations. Everyone is very welcome to come along. Free entry. Bring your own refreshments. Tea and coffee available.

We have singarounds every Friday at the Christ Church Centre on Magdalen Road with guest performers roughly once a month.

Katriona Gilmore and Jamie Roberts on 2 April

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Katriona Gilmore and Jamie Roberts

Katriona Gilmore and Jamie Roberts

On Friday 2 April at the Christ Church Centre, Magdalen Road, Norwich Folk Club welcomes Katriona Gilmore (Rosie Doonan & the Snapdragons, ex-Tiny Tin Lady) and Jamie Roberts (Kerfuffle), who have been performing together on the folk scene since 2006. Their self-penned material ranges from blazing instrumentals to ‘heart-wrenching’ songs, to contemporary arrangements of traditional songs.

Jamie’s dextrous percussive and lap-style guitar work is a visual as well as a sonic delight, while Katriona’s intricate fiddle playing shifts seamlessly from sensitive to fiery and back again in the blink of an eye.

Shadows & Half Light, the duo’s first full length recording, has made waves in the national music press, being described as ‘inspired’ by fRoots and awarded five stars by Rock’n’Reel . The album makes the most of Katriona and Jamie’s multi-instrumental skills – mandolin, banjo, and even trombone can be heard alongside the usual fiddle and guitar, as well as guest vocals and piano from Jamie’s sister Kathryn Roberts.

In 2009, the duo brought their unique sound to more than ten festivals and supported, among others, LAU, Dave Swarbrick, Bellowhead, Nancy Kerr & James Fagan and Spiers & Boden. Tickets can be reserved in advance by email or at the club. Bring your own refreshments.

As usual, all are welcome at the singarounds at the Christ Church Centre on Friday 19 and 26 March. Bring your own refreshments. Tea and coffee available.

Sewell Park College Hall, 5 March

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On 5 March the singaround ‘In Celebration of Women’ will be at the new main hall at Sewell Park College, starting at 8 pm, as we must finish by 10.30 pm. Entrance is from St Clement’s Hill. Everyone is welcome. Drinks can be bought in the Sports Centre Bar or you may bring your own.

On 12 March we will be back at the Christ Church Centre, but tickets are SOLD OUT for Dave Swarbrick.

Temporary relocation, 26 February

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Unfortunately, due to an unexpected delay in the licensing process, we are not able to meet at the Christ Church Centre this week. On 26 February, from 8.30-10.30 pm we shall be using the nearby new Main Hall at Sewell Park College NR3 4BX. This is just up St Clement’s Hill – the entrance is between Chamberlin Road and Elm Grove Lane. We can use the Sports Centre Bar for drinks or bring our own refreshments. We are told the acoustics are good and there’s room for dancing!

Watch this space for the location of  the singaround on 5 March ‘In Celebration of Women’ (either CCC or school hall). We shall definitely be back at the Christ Church Centre on 12 March with Dave Swarbrick. Tickets are sold out for this event.

Bill Whaley and Dave Fletcher on 5 February

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Bill Whaley and Dave Fletcher

Bill Whaley and Dave Fletcher

Well known throughout their native county, Lincolnshire, both for their club work as a duo and as members of the Higgledy Piggledy band, Bill Whaley and Dave Fletcher present a fine blend of voices mellowed by nigh on thirty years of singing together.

Accompanied in traditional style on English and duet concertina, harmonium, and melodeon, their songs, both ancient and modern, have enough choruses to please everyone.

The pleasure they get from singing is obvious and since the release of their debut album ‘… Their Fine Array’ they have taken their music further afield in clubs from Cornwall to Lancashire and the North East and festivals countrywide.

They have been involved with Martyn Wyndham-Read’s ‘Songlinks’, appearing on the CDs and at the premiere concerts at Sidmouth festival and the CD launch concerts at Cecil Sharp House. Their fourth album ‘Fit For Reclining’ received enthusiastic reviews and album number five ‘Acorn to Oak’ is now available.

There will be a singaround in the upstairs room at the Christ Church Centre on Friday 29 January. All welcome, as usual. Please bring your own refreshments. Tea and coffee available.

Annual General Meeting on 19 February 2010

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The Annual General Meeting of Norwich Folk Club will take place at 8 pm on Friday 19 February at the Christ Church Centre on Magdalen Road, Norwich. The main business will be the election of a committee to serve for the coming year. This is a chance for members to show their support for the club by voting for a committee to run events and by giving opinions on club matters.

Any current members who have not already received the agenda and the minutes of the previous AGM are asked to contact the club secretary by email though the form on the ‘About the Club’ page.

The meeting will be followed by a singaround, starting at around 9 pm. All welcome, as usual. Bring your own refreshments. Tea and coffee will be available.

Tony Hall on 15 January

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Tony Hall

Tony Hall (Photo: Keith Garnham)

ON Friday 15 January we welcome local melodeon maestro Tony Hall to our new venue at the Christ Church Centre on Magdalen Road – just opposite the junction with Waterloo Road and close to the Whalebone. Tony plays a wide range of tunes which ‘defy the limitations … of the two-row box’, interspersed with songs delivered in ‘Tony’s inimitable singing style’ (Mel Howly, The Living Tradition). Tea and coffee available, or bring your own atternative beverages. Tickets £3 (£5 non-members).