Tag Archives: Showcase

Showcase guests Sound Tradition on Friday 22 March

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The special showcase guests at the song session on Friday 22 March will be Sound Tradition, an a cappella folk foursome (David, Linda, Catherine and Moose) singing in glorious harmony. Their varied repertoire ranges from lively chorus songs to lilting ballads, and from medieval times to the modern day, but always with an ear for the English folk tradition.

The quartet have proudly supported such luminaries as Martin Carthy, Dave Swarbrick, Chris Wood and Roy Bailey, but also enjoy the main stage in their own right. Hailing from East Anglia, Sound Tradition is building a reputation that has garnered bookings at clubs and festivals across the country. “Powerful and rousing traditional songs with lovely harmonies. Go and see them!” Pete Morton

This is a free event. Bring instruments and voices, and your own drinks. Teas and coffees available in the kitchen.

Two Coats Colder: showcase guests at the song session on Friday 24 March

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TwoCoatsColderOn Friday 24 March we welcome Two Coats Colder as showcase guests at our song session. The band name derives from an expression used by a North Norfolk local describing the winter weather in those parts.

This acoustic folk band comprises Ray Taylor and Anna Bass, originally of Samphire, joined since 2012 by Chris Bullen of the Marina Florance Band and David Baird, a longtime friend and accomplice of John Martyn. Two Coats Colder have appeared at festivals, folk clubs and other venues. Their first full-length album Unseen Highway was released in 2015 and a track was featured on the Mike Harding Show. The band is currently working on a second album, Moment in Time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKuqfGkHAj4

Two Coats Colder will perform two sets during the song session. Please bring songs and tunes of your own to add to the mix, as well as your own drinks. Teas and coffees are available in the kitchen. This is a free event.

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Zimmer Follies on 25 May

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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 on 23 March

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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.

Fridays 17 and 24 February

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Norwich Folk Club Annual General Meeting will take place at 8 pm on Friday 17 February. The club is run by a committee, who will report on the events of the past year. All club members are invited to attend the meeting. This will be followed by a singaround, open to all, at about 9 pm.

At the singaround on Friday 24 February, the special showcase guest will be popular local singer, guitarist and ukelele player Kevin Green. Free entry. All welcome. Bring your own refreshments. Tea and coffee available.

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.


Judi Daykin singaround showcase

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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.

Graham Schofield showcase on 7 August

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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?

The Shipdham Scrapers on 19 June

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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.

Estonian showcase

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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