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Event Type	All concerts	Club Guests
	Special Events	Singers Nights

2009

19th Feb	Singers & Musicians Night	£2.50 / Concs. £1.50 / Perf. £1
www.bsfc.org.uk/singers.php
All acoustic performers are made welcome, and listeners besides, at our popular Open House session. The more the merrier, so do come along

26th Feb	Zoox	£6 / Concs. £5
www.zoox.co.uk
Following an excellent floor spot last year, the trio of Becky Menday, Jo May and Linda Game returns for a full evening. Expect a cocktail of new melodies and traditional tunes with a delicate balance of strings, wind, percussion and voices and be prepared for a fabulous array of instruments from contra-bassoon to congas. Exciting arrangements, great musicianship and infectious energy.

5th Mar	Ruth Notman with Saul Rose	THIS EVENT IS NOW SOLD OUT
www.ruth-notman.com
This amazing young singer has taken the folk world by storm in the last year. “One of the most assured, varied and impressive debut albums of the year, said The Guardian while for Kate Rusby she is “absolutely brilliant”. Advance booking is advised for this, her York debut, on which her voice and guitar will be accompanied by ace melodeon player Saul Rose (Waterson:Carthy, Faustus, etc.).

9th Apr	Young Performers Showcase: Jack McNeill & Charlie Heys plus Kate Holland	£6 / Concs. £5
www.myspace.com/jackmcneillandcharlieheys / www.myspace.com/katejholland Birmingham Conservatoire students Jack and Charlie play Jack’s own distinctive songs and some instrumental sets, with guitar and fiddle, and reached the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award finals last year. Kate is a Kent-based unaccompanied singer of traditional songs, influenced by “all sorts of folk music from the Bushburys to Anne Briggs”, recommended to us by the New Roots competition 2008.

23rd Apr	Kieran Halpin	£8 / Concs. £6.50
www.kieranhalpin.com
One of our perennial favourites, Kieran is an exceptional songwriter, widely covered by other artists, and a dynamic live performer, his skills honed by 30 years on the road across Europe and beyond. Powerful, passionate, intimate and intense, he lives every song on stage.

7th May	Craig Morgan Robson	£6 / Concs. £5
www.cmr-harmony.org.uk
Moira Craig, Sarah Morgan and Carolyn Robson, all established soloists with wide repertoires and distinctive voices, join together to bring a new dimension to the art of acapella folk singing, weaving beguiling harmonies around material from Britain and beyond: timeless songs of love and longing, compelling contemporary numbers, dramatic ballads and stirring folk hymns.

10th Mar	(NCEM Concert) Norma Waterson, Martin Carthy & Chris Parkinson SOLD OUT	Sold Out - sorry
www.watersoncarthy.com
Well known to York audiences, Martin is a much loved and hugely influential folk singer and guitarist and Norma is one of our most accomplished singers, with a wonderfully rich and expressive voice. Joined tonight by top accordion player and old friend Chris Parkinson, they perform traditional songs and tunes with consummate skill and genuine passion.

30th Mar	(NCEM Concert) Spiers & Boden SOLD OUT	Sold Out - sorry
www.spiersandboden.com
Twice winners of the BBC Radio 2 Folk Award for Best Duo, John & Jon have made the genre of spontaneous, punky English folk very much their stomping ground. With just fiddle, foot percussion and squeezeboxes they create a multitude of textures around an inspired choice of traditional story songs and dance tunes. Whether on their irrepressible own or with the big-band phenomenon that is Bellowhead, they are at the forefront of 21st century folk

15th Apr	(NCEM Concert) John Renbourn & Robin Williamson SOLD OUT	£14 / Concs. £12
www.pigswhiskermusic.co.uk / www.john-renbourn.com A special collaboration by two key figures in acoustic music. John was a pioneer of the 1960s folk guitar boom, while Robin was drawn into the Scottish folk scene as a singer and multi-instrumentalist. By the late 60s both were in internationally successful groups, Pentangle and The Incredible String Band. Robin and John first performed together in 1993, with the resulting live album receiving a Grammy Award nomination, and the magic is sure to be rekindled for this latest tour.

13th May	(NCEM Concert) John Tams & Barry Coope	£12 / Concs. £10
www.johntams.co.uk
John is a singer, songwriter and actor who has had a richly varied career in music (Albion Band, Home Service), theatre (Lark Rise, The Mysteries), radio (Radio Ballads 2006) and television (Sharpe). From Coope Boyes & Simpson, Barry’s vocal and keyboard skills make him John’s perfect partner; together they won Best Duo at the BBC Folk Awards in 2008, where John’s previous successes included Best Album (2001, 2006) and Singer of the Year (2006). A well overdue York debut.

5th Feb	Steve Tilston with Dave Bowie	£9 / Concs. £7
www.stevetilston.com
Advance booking is essential for this most gifted of singer-songwriter-guitarists – a craftsman whose songs are known and loved around the world. He is joined tonight by master bass player Dave Bowie

12th Feb	Sylvia Barnes & Sandy Stanage	£6 / Concs. £5
www.myspace.com/sylviabarnes / www.myspace.com/sandystanage A rare English date for the “Scots Singer of the Year” 2006, accompanied by one of that country’s very best guitar players. Described as one of the finest ballad singers around, Sylvia is a dramatic performer with a wonderful voice who can render passion, humour and gentle sentiment with equal ease

12th Mar	The Durbervilles	£6 / Concs. £5
www.durbervilles.co.uk
Third time at the club for Lee Walsh, David Crickmore and the rest of this fine band, with their lively blend of folk, roots and alt country music, featuring strong harmonies, thoughtful (sometimes fun) lyrics and some tasty playing. “Intelligent music to party along with" says fRoots.

19th Mar	Singers & Musicians Night	£2.50 / Concs. £1.50 / Perf. £1
All acoustic performers are made welcome, and listeners besides, at our popular Open House session. The more the merrier, so do come along

26th Mar	Cathryn Craig & Brian Willoughby	£7 / Concs. £6
www.craigandwilloughby.com
The pairing of former Strawbs guitarist Brian with US singer-songwriter Cathryn produces some outstanding music, melding folk-rock influences with American country and roots. Their “anglicised Americana” blurs musical boundaries with intricately crafted songs about real life experiences, helped along by engaging stage presence and chat.

2nd Apr	David Ferrard	£6 / Concs. £5
www.davidferrard.com
We moved rapidly to book this youthful Scottish-American singer after he gave us a very impressive NCEM support spot recently. He sings traditional ballads, the works of Woody Guthrie et al, and his own fine songs. “He writes of the world we live in and his commitment is genuine and forceful” says Roy Bailey, who has covered two of them, “I wholeheartedly recommend him”.

16th Apr	Singers & Musicians Night	£2.50 / Concs. £1.50 / Perf. £1
All acoustic performers are made welcome, and listeners besides, at our popular Open House session. The more the merrier, so do come along

14th May	Singers & Musicians Night	£2.50 / Concs. £1.50 / Perf. £1
All acoustic performers are made welcome, and listeners besides, at our popular Open House session. The more the merrier, so do come along

30th Apr	Pete Coe	£7 / Concs. £6
www.backshift.demon.co.uk
With a vast repertoire of traditional and original songs and dance tunes, and playing bouzouki, banjo, melodeon, dulcimer and step percussion, Pete has been a professional musician since 1971 (clocking up around a dozen earlier Black Swan bookings) as well as a song collector, teacher, organiser and activist for all things folk, truly described as “a one-man folk industry”.

21st May	Tania Opland & Mike Freeman	£7 / Concs. £6
www.opland-freeman.com
“Acoustic world music” from this highly original Anglo-Alaskan couple, back with us after a 12-year break. Using a host of instruments (from hammered dulcimer and fiddle to Native American flute and percussion) and singing in many languages, they weave a fascinating and rewarding musical tapestry.

28th May	Brian McNeill	£9 / Concs. £7
www.brianmcneill.co.uk
A very welcome return, and a rare solo date in England, for one of Scotland’s great musical forces. Brian plays a host of instruments, notably fiddle, guitar and concertina, and he has written many fine songs (covered, for example, by Dick Gaughan). For 21 years he was a member of Battlefield Band, which he co-founded, and latterly he was Head of Scottish Music at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. Brian tours annually with Feast Of Fiddles and is even working on his third novel!

4th Jun	Andy Irvine SOLD OUT, SORRY	£10 / Concs. £8
andyirvine.com
We are honoured that this legendary name in Irish folk music is still available to perform in intimate small venues such as the Black Swan. From Sweeney’s Men through Planxty to Patrick Street, Mosaic and numerous other projects, Andy has given us a lifetime of great music. Long may he continue!

11th Jun	Singers & Musicians Night	£2.50 / Concs. £1.50 / Perf. £1
All acoustic performers are made welcome, and listeners besides, at our popular Open House session. The more the merrier, so do come along

18th Jun	Nathan Rogers	£7 / Concs. £6
www.nathanrogers.ca
Another outstanding Canadian makes his York debut. Nathan’s mostly original material is folk style with plenty of blues and rock influences. He tells stories in song, about real people and places, plays a mean guitar plus stomp box percussion, has a rich baritone voice and is said to be an excellent stage performer. Perhaps it’s all in his genes. After all, his father was the legendary Stan Rogers.

25th Jun	Judy Dinning & Kenny Speirs	£7 / Concs. £6
www.myspace.com/judydinning
We last enjoyed this delightful duo with their group Real Time. They have also graced the stage with Lucky Bags and The Bad Pennies (Judy) and The John Wright Band (Kenny). Judy has one of the best voices in the business, Kenny’s accompaniment is spot on, and the choice of songs is exemplary.

2nd Jul	Jon Brindley	£6 / Concs. £5
www.jonbrindley.co.uk
In our opinion, Jon is one of the most underrated singer/guitarists on the scene. His technical abilities are phenomenal but what really strikes is his passion and energy, whether on his own songs or when he takes a hackneyed old standard and gives it a completely and refreshingly new slant. Recommended.

1st Feb	SUNDAY AFTERNOON FOLK for York Residents Festival	Free to York Card holders / Others £2.50 on door / £1.50 concessions
www.blackswanfolkclub.org.uk/resfirst09/
As part of the York Residents Festival we host a musical afternoon at the Black Swan Inn with a selection of the best York-based folk singers. The line up is still to be finalised but will include Stan Graham, Tim Pheby, Eddie Affleck, Chris Euesden, Diad, Phil Cerny and Susie Fox, plus a few open floor spots. 2PM ONWARDS

15th Jun	(NCEM Concert) Whippersnapper	£14 / Concs. £12
www.adastra-music.co.uk/html/101_artistInfo.php?id=108
Dave Swarbrick: Fiddle, vocal Kevin Dempsey: Guitar, vocal Martin Jenkins: Mandocello, bouzouki, mandola, flute, vocal Chris Leslie: Fiddle, mandolin, vocal Recently reformed for short tours, Whippersnapper was the brainchild of legendary fiddle player Dave Swarbrick. During the second half of the 1980s it was one of the must-see bands on the British acoustic music scene, commanding a stunning array of instruments with awesome virtuosity and helping to define English folk music after the heyday of folk-rock. Band members went their separate ways in the 1990s, with Chris Leslie (for example) joining Swarbrick’s old band Fairport Convention, while Dave himself revived his duo partnership with Martin Carthy. Following Swarbrick’s near-miraculous return to good health in 2007, the band decided to get back together; news which was greeted as a dream come true by their legion of admirers. Twenty years down the line they have rekindled their old spirit and indeed they are playing better than ever.

30th May	CITY OF YORK FOLK WEEKEND - Saturday	Free
See the special Folk Weekend page on this website

31st May	CITY OF YORK FOLK WEEKEND - Sunday	Free
See the special Folk Weekend page on this website

9th Jul	Singers & Musicians Night	£2.50 / Concs. £1.50 / Perf. £1
All acoustic performers are made welcome, and listeners besides, at our popular Open House session. The more the merrier, so do come along

30th Jul	Anthony John Clarke	£7 / Concs. £6
www.anthonyjohnclarke.com
Sometimes described as Ireland’s best kept secret, Anthony is a singer, songwriter and entertainer who makes a lasting impression on audiences with his unique blend of music and humour. His songs tell of experiences which are by turns touching, thought provoking and comic. A Black Swan debut.

3rd Sep	Megson	£8 / Concs. £6.50
www.megsonmusic.co.uk
Teesside-born Stu Hanna and Debbie Hanna-Palmer are fast becoming hot property on the folk scene and were Best Duo nominees in this year’s Folk Awards. Excellent singers and players, they write strong original song while their current CD celebrates northern roots with a collection of reworked 18th and 19th century songs.

7th Sep	(NCEM Concert) Eric Bogle & John Munro
www.ericbogle.net
SUPPORT: Stan Graham & Ian Glover SORRY, THIS CONCERT IS NOW SOLD OUT

24th Sep	James Keelaghan Trio	£9 / Concs. £7
www.keelaghan.com
With an album of brand new songs just out, this is an opportune moment to welcome back an old favourite, one of Canada’s finest singers. James is accompanied for this tour by David Woodhead on bass and Zav RT (formerly Jaime RT) on fiddle. “Poetic, layered tales (which) are richly rewarding and utterly compelling” writes one early reviewer of House of Cards. Great stuff!

15th Oct	Chris Sherburn & Denny Bartley	£9 / Concs. £7
www.lastnightsfun.com
Following the demise of Last Night’s Fun its founder members have returned to the remarkable duo format which first established their reputation in the 1990s. The empathy between Chris’s virtuoso concertina playing and Denny’s inventive guitar work is breathtaking. Add to the mix Denny’s very special Irish vocal style and Chris’s wickedly funny stage banter and you have a top class folk act.

19th Oct	(NCEM Concert) Jackie Oates	£13 / Concs. £11
www.jackieoates.co.uk
There’s an unassuming new star in the folk firmament. Jackie is a pure, haunting singer and a skilled fiddle player who first came to prominence with Rachel Unthank & The Winterset. Solo, she went on to win two prizes at this year’s BBC Folk Awards: the Horizon Award for best newcomer and the Best Traditional Track trophy. Her last CD received fulsome praise and ranked ninth in Mojo’s Albums of the Year chart for 2008. Touring to support the release of her third album Hyperboreans, Jackie is accompanied by James Dumbleton on guitar, James Budden double bass and Mike Cosgrave on accordion for an evening of immaculately performed English ballads and songs. SUPPORT: Katriona Gilmore & Jamie Roberts

29th Oct	Harvey Andrews	SORRY, THIS EVENT IS NOW SOLD OUT
www.harveyandrews.com
This superlative singer, songwriter and raconteur is one of our most consistently popular guests, and justifiably so. In a professional career which now spans a remarkable 43 years Harvey has authored dozens of classic songs and inspired countless other budding songwriters.

12th Nov	The Queensberry Rules	£7 / Concs. £6
www.thequeensberryrules.com
Melodic folk/pop with plenty of lyrical and musical bite from this increasingly acclaimed Staffordshire trio. Phil Hulse and brothers Gary & Duncan Wilcox write songs drawing on their local heritage while not afraid to tackle big modern issues. They add to the equation some well-judged accompaniment on guitar, double bass and percussion. “Strong, direct, urgent (and) sincere” was fRoots’ verdict.

3rd Dec	Martyn Wyndham Read	£7 / Concs. £6
www.martynwyndhamread.com
Few introductions are needed for one of the finest singers the English folk revival has ever produced. Martyn performs a wide selection of traditional songs from Britain and Australia, alongside modern day songs by a host of outstanding writers – not least our very own Stan Graham. He has many friends and fans in our area, so early booking is recommended.

10th Dec	Dick Gaughan	SOLD OUT
www.dickgaughan.co.uk

16th Jul	Katriona Gilmore & Jamie Roberts	£6 / Concs. £5
www.gilmoreroberts.co.uk
Since their Young Performer night for us in 2007 this fiddle, guitar and song pair have been keeping busy, Kat with Tiny Tin Lady and Jamie with Kerfuffle. Their just-released duo CD has been picking up some great reviews (5 Stars in Rock’n’Reel) and they have a slew of festival gigs this summer.

23rd Jul	Blind Summat!	£6 / Concs. £5
www.blindsummat.net
This entertaining band (Wendy & Paul Arrowsmith, Rebekah Findlay, Joolz Cavell) has an eclectic but distinctive sound mixing traditional English, Scottish and American songs and tunes with self penned offerings and modern covers. Instruments include guitar, fiddle, banjo and percussion, with all four members singing.

6th Aug	Singers & Musicians Night	£2.50 / Concs. £1.50 / Perf. £1
All acoustic performers are made welcome, and listeners besides, at our popular Open House session. The more the merrier, so do come along

13th Aug	The Young'uns	£6 / Concs. £5
www.theyounguns.co.uk
Also returning for a full booking after sharing a Young Performers night in 2007, this Hartlepool-based mainly acapella trio comprises Sean Cooney, Michael Hughes and David Eagle. They perform a wide selection of folk songs with passion, skill, vigour and enthusiasm. Sea songs are a speciality.

20th Aug	David Broad, Sam Barrett & Michael Rossiter	£6 / Concs. £5
David Broad www.myspace.com/davidbroad, ‘Serious’ Sam Barrett www.myspace.com/sambarrett and Michael Rossiter www.myspace.com/michaelrossiter are young Leeds musicians with a shared love of American and British roots music: folk, blues and country. Playing 6- and 12-string guitars and singing with conviction, these self-confessed “middle class English boys trying to sound like poor Americans” are a joy to listen to. Check out their individual pages on MySpace.Com for tasters.

27th Aug	HowdenJones	£6 / Concs. £5
www.howdenjones.co.uk
Contemporary acoustic music at its best, with superb arrangements, breathtaking harmonies, virtuoso playing (guitar, mandolin, percussion) and a delight in live performance. They were last with us in 2005 so let’s welcome back Kate Howden and Paul Jones, songwriters with that special something.

10th Sep	Singers & Musicians Night	£2.50 / Concs. £1.50 / Perf. £1
All acoustic performers are made welcome, and listeners besides, at our popular Open House session. The more the merrier, so do come along

17th Sep	Sam Carter	£6 / Concs. £5
www.samcartermusic.co.uk
This young man has been making a name for himself recently, touring with Bellowhead, appearing at the Sandy Denny tribute in London and now releasing an acclaimed debut CD. He is both a gifted acoustic guitar stylist and an “original, distinctively English singer-songwriter, specialising in well-observed songs” says The Guardian. Check out another star on the burgeoning youth folk scene.

1st Oct	Sngers & Musicians Night	£2.50 / Concs. £1.50 / Perf. £1
All acoustic performers are made welcome, and listeners besides, at our popular Open House session. The more the merrier, so do come along

8th Oct	Mambo Jambo	£7 / Concs. £6
www.mambojambo.org
World acoustic sounds, from bluegrass to boogie, Afro-Cuban to calypso, reggae to rumba. Passionate about exploring and sharing music from other cultures, Pete Jack and Frankie Banham play a hugely impressive array of instruments, from guitar, banjo and ukulele to saxophone, clarinet and flute. “To describe their music as ‘feel-good’ is an understatement!” said another satisfied club organiser.

28th Sep	(NCEM Concert) Faustus	£13 / Concs. £11 BOOKING OPENS 4 SEPTEMBER
www.faustusband.com
Nominated for Best Group in the latest BBC Folk Awards, Faustus unites three pivotal English musicians of the younger generation, with backgrounds in bands such as Waterson:Carthy and Bellowhead. Saul Rose is a virtuoso melodeon player, the flamboyant Paul Sartin contributes fiddle and oboe, and versatile Benji Kirkpatrick plays an array of fretted instruments, while all three are strong singers. Together they breathe vigorous new life into a well-researched selection of English songs and dance tunes, making music which is accessible and entertaining, joyful and moving in equal measure. SUPPORT: Blackwater

22nd Oct	Singers & Musicians Night	£2.50 / Concs. £1.50 / Perf. £1
All acoustic performers are made welcome, and listeners besides, at our popular Open House session. The more the merrier, so do come along

5th Nov	New Roots Young Performers Night: Jonny Kearney & Lucy Farrell PLUS Fiona Rutherford & Martha Bean	£6 / Concs. £5
www.myspace.com/jonnykearneyandlucyfarrell www.myspace.com/fionarutherford Again we showcase two winners from the annual New Roots talent contest. Jonny is a distinctive singer-songwriter from Northumberland, accompanied by Lucy’s fiddle, while Fiona is an Edinburgh-based harp player, joined by Martha on double bass. Do give them your enthusiastic support.

19th Nov	Singers & Musicians Night	£2.50 / Concs. £1.50 / Perf. £1
All acoustic performers are made welcome, and listeners besides, at our popular Open House session. The more the merrier, so do come along

26th Nov	The Askew Sisters CANCELLED DUE TO ILLNESS
www.askewsisters.co.uk
This week's guests have had to cancel because Emily Askew has gone down with swine flu. Instead we will be having an extra SINGERS & MUSICIANS NIGHT. If you bought tickets online, WeGotTickets will be in touch direct to organise a refund.

30th Nov	(NCEM Concert) Chris Wood's Handmade Life	SOLD OUT
www.englishacousticcollective.org.uk/cw/
Current holder of BBC Folk Awards for both Singer of the Year and Best Album, Chris Wood is now recognised as a major musical commentator on contemporary English life. For this one-off tour, supported by an award from the Contemporary Music Network, Chris broadens his music with a distinctive band line-up. Fellow Imagined Village participants Andy Gangadeen on drums and Barney Morse Brown on cello, together with Robert Jarvis on trombone, join Chris on guitar and fiddle. Nothing sounds quite like it – the unique instrumentation matches Wood’s expressive voice perfectly, while the content of his new songs retains the subtly humane vision of Trespasser and The Lark Descending. SUPPORT: Joe Solo

17th Dec	Folk Club Christmas Party	Free

24th Dec	Club Closed - Happy Christmas

31st Dec	Club Closed - Happy New Year

7th Jan	Bob Fox - THIS EVENT IS GOING AHEAD AS PLANNED	£9 / Concs. £7
www.bobfoxmusic.com
Following discussion with Bob(Thusday 11am), this concert WILL still take place. In view of the continuing bad weather we had suspended sales on remaining tickets at WeGotTickets BUT there will be some tickets available on the door. Please contact Roland on 01904 632922 if you need more information.

14th Jan	Ember SORRY, CANCELLED Singers Night Instead	£2.50 / Concs. £1.50
www.embersong.com
Due to the cancellation of all other dates on their north of England tour because of adverse weather, Ember have been obliged to pull out of their York performance as well. They send their apologies. In their place the club will host an informal Singers & Musicians Night.

21st Jan	Singers & Musicians Night	£2.50 / Concs. £1.50 / Perf. £1
All acoustic performers are made welcome, and listeners besides, at our popular Open House session. The more the merrier, so do come along

18th Feb	Singers & Musicians Night	£2.50 / Concs. £1.50 / Perf. £1
All acoustic performers are made welcome, and listeners besides, at our popular Open House session. The more the merrier, so do come along

11th Mar	Singers & Musicians Night	£2.50 / Concs. £1.50 / Perf. £1
All acoustic performers are made welcome, and listeners besides, at our popular Open House session. The more the merrier, so do come along

28th Jan	Isambarde	£7 / Concs. £6
www.isambarde.co.uk
What better than to quote Phil Beer: "a band with tremendous energy and enthusiasm ... the unusual and winning combination of Chris Green's driving guitar, Emily Sanders' incisive fiddle playing and Jude Rees’ lyrical oboe (is) coupled with great full-on vocal harmonies.” Emily having been our club resident in her student days, it is a particular pleasure to invite them back to York

4th Feb	Dave Burland	£8 / Concs. £6.50
www.daveburland.com
Fans of this veteran performer include June Tabor, Richard Thompson, Martin Simpson and Nic Jones, who says: “Dave is a uniquely calm, gentle and clever singer who makes you feel it’s all so amazingly simple. His apparently effortless guitar playing supplies the structural footings for the whole musical building. He’s also got a deliciously wicked sense of humour.”

11th Feb	Martin Carthy THIS EVENT IS NOW SOLD OUT
www.watersoncarthy.com
Surely no introductions are needed for this most inspirational and influential of English folk music champions. Martin’s performances always attract huge interest so we have booked him for two club nights in a row, Thursday AND Friday. Advance booking is probably essential.

12th Feb	(FRIDAY EXTRA) Martin Carthy THIS EVENT IS NOW SOLD OUT
www.watersoncarthy.com
A second chance to see Martin.

25th Feb	The Fay Hield Trio	£7 / Concs. £6
www.fayhield.com
The former Witches of Elswick singer releases her first solo album for Topic Records in 2010 and previews it on this short tour with top musicians Sam Sweeney and Robert Harbron. Expect Fay’s strong and distinctive vocals, a repertoire of mostly traditional songs and some subtle accompaniments on fiddle, concertina, guitar and nyckelharpa.

4th Mar	Suntrap	£7 / Concs. £6
www.suntrap.org
This southern English four-piece has been around since the late 90s but only now makes its Black Swan debut. Sara Byers, Debbie Chalmers, Mary Wilson and Paul Hoad specialise in melodic self-penned numbers which draw on folk and roots influences, with strong vocal harmonies and a core line-up of guitar, twin fiddles and piano accordion.

18th Mar	Dana & Susan Robinson	£8 / Concs. £6.50
www.robinsongs.com
A fifth visit by two of our favourite American troubadours, still combining traditional US folk songs with evocative original numbers deeply rooted in that same heritage. Rich, intimate harmonies are supported by Dana’s powerful guitar and fiddle playing and Susan’s delicate mountain banjo sound. “Rural America explored with elegant simplicity” said one critic.

25th Mar	Emily Slade	£6 / Concs. £5
www.emilyslade.co.uk
After a seven-year, three-child “maternity break”, this delightful singer is making a limited return to live performance. We’ve been fans ever since she took part in one of our first Young Performer events, so it is our pleasure to bring her back to York for an evening of superlative vocal work, deft guitar accompaniment and mature songwriting.

15th Feb	(NCEM Concert) Beoga	£13 / Concs. £11 BOOKING NOW OPEN
www.beogamusic.com
Beoga is Irish for “lively” and that is certainly true of this five-piece traditional band based in County Antrim. Their unique sound features the twin duelling accordions of Seán Óg Graham and Damian McKee, along with four times All-Ireland bodhran champion Eamon Murray and pianist Liam Bradley. Now joined by one of Ireland’s premier young singers and fiddle players, Niamh Dunne, Beoga have confirmed their promise as one of Ireland’s hottest new musical properties. Support from NIAMH BOADLE - multi-talented teenager from Lancashire who was a finalist in the BBC Young Folk Awards December 2009

8th Mar	(NCEM Concert) Grada	£14 / Concs. £12 BOOKING OPENS JANUARY
www.gradamusic.com
Founded in 2001, Gráda has a sound deeply rooted in the Irish folk tradition, but layered with jazzy tones and strong rhythmic grooves. Think Irish music that is off the beaten track, blended with Americana, jazz, roots, and a diverse range of influences that in the words of the Irish Times "come together as if they were lifelong bedfellows". The band comprises All-Ireland award winners David Dooley on fiddle, concertina and whistle and Stephen Doherty on flute, melodeon and bodhran, with Andy Laking on double bass, Gerry Paul on guitar and banjo and magnificent lead vocals from Nicola Joyce. Gráda has become one of Ireland’s busiest musical exports, playing upwards of 150 concerts worldwide each year. They have released three critically acclaimed CDs with a fourth due soon, produced in Nashville by Tim O`Brien. Support from exciting young folksters BLACKBEARD'S TEA PARTY

22nd Mar	(NCEM Concert) Uiscedwr	£13 / Concs. £11 BOOKING OPENS JANUARY
www.uiscedwr.com
This phenomenal trio has been one of Britain’s most exciting small bands ever since winning the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award in 2002. Featuring founder members Anna Esslemont on fiddle and vocals and Cormac Byrne (of Seth Lakeman band fame) on virtuoso bodhran and percussion, they produce some of the most innovative modern “folk” music you’re ever likely to hear. Exhaustingly energetic and thrillingly open-minded, they draw on classical, rock, world and jazz influences, tearing apart hoary old folk stereotypes while retaining the respect, admiration and affection of folk’s traditional base. Underpinned by the driving guitar and bass playing of guest musician Nick Waldock, this power trio promises a night you won’t forget in a hurry. Support from York's singing harpist SARAH DEAN - the "incredible string blonde".

16th Apr	(NCEM Concert) Breabach	£13 / Concs. £11 BOOKING OPENS JANUARY
www.breabach.com
Breabach are one of the most inventive and diverse young bands to have sprung from the Scottish folk scene in recent years. Their huge sound is dominated by the twin bagpipes of Calum MacCrimmon and Donal Brown. This uncompromising force is complemented by the extraordinary fiddle playing of Patsy Reid and is further supported by the charismatic yet propulsive guitar of Ewan Robertson, named BBC Scotland’s Young Traditional Musician of the Year in 2008. Patsy and Ewan both add vocals to the mix, while Donal also step-dances. From foot-stomping reels to their heart-warming delivery of songs, Breabach combine enviable musicianship with a delightful ability to connect with their audience, qualities which are steadily gaining them an international reputation. Support from a very fine expatriate Scottish singer and songwriter, WENDY ARROWSMITH.

31st Dec	2010 - Happy New Year

1st Apr	Pete Morton	£6 / Concs. £5
www.petemorton.com
Pete is one of Britain’s most distinctive songwriters and a skilled interpreter of other songs, whether traditional or modern, English or international. We’ve admired his work ever since his first visit over twenty years ago. His stage presence is dynamic and intense yet approachable and amiable, delivering songs that speak of the human condition from a unique perspective.

8th Apr	Edwina Hayes	£6 / Concs. £5
www.edwinahayes.co.uk
This very special local singer and songwriter is a real treasure. This winter she supports Nanci Griffith on her UK tour. Nanci says: “a wonderful young woman so gifted and full of song, with a voice as sweet as the angels” and we can only agree wholeheartedly.

15th Apr	Singers & Musicians Night	£2.50 / Concs. £1.50 / Perf. £1
All acoustic performers are made welcome, and listeners besides, at our popular Open House session. The more the merrier, so do come along

22nd Apr	Bruce Molsky	£9 / Concs. £7
www.brucemolsky.com
Last seen in York in thrilling concert with Andy Irvine and Donal Lunny’s Mozaik, Bruce is one of America’s top folk musicians, playing fiddle, guitar or banjo and singing too. He is closely identified with Old-Time Appalachian music, but takes on board influences from Delta blues to the haunting modal strains of Irish music to the rhythmically nimble sounds of Eastern Europe.

29th Apr	Skyhook	£7 / Concs. £6
www.skyhookmusic.com
The music of Cath James, Martin Harwood and Eoin Teather is characterised by breathtaking twin fiddles combined with sublime guitar, bouzouki and voice. Shifting seamlessly between driving dance music and spine-tingling songs from Scotland, Ireland and North America, this Sheffield threesome plays with a joy and precision that is hard to match. A very welcome York debut.

8th Dec	(TUESDAY EXTRA) Dick Gaughan	SOLD OUT
www.dickgaughan.co.uk
This extra event is now sold out as well

31st Jan	SUNDAY AFTERNOON FOLK. 2pm-6pm	Free to York Card Holders / Others £3 / Concs. £2
For the annual York Residents Festival we host an afternoon show at the Black Swan Inn with a selection of York-based performers. The draft running order is as follows: (2:10) Toni Bunnell,( 2:30) Chris Euesden, (2:50) Paula Ryan, (3:10) Two Black Sheep & A Stallion, (3:30) John Watterson, (3:50) Break, (4:00) The Foresters, (4:30) Tim Pheby, (4:50) Sarah Dean, (5:10) Susie Fox & Jack Firminger, (5:30) Eddie Affleck. Sunday lunch is available at the pub before the concert.

1st Jan