E-Newsletter 34
Late June 2005
Here's another folk club news update. As always, feel free to quote or pass on.
- SUMMER CLUB FLYER. I've just finished writing the next folk club publicity flyer. The Programme page is now updated.
- UISCEDWR SHOWCASE NEW LINE-UP. A reminder that this Thursday's guests (30 June) at the Black Swan are the wonderful trio Uiscedwr . They have recently announced a change of line-up, with brilliant young founder members Anna Esslemont (vocals, fiddle) and Cormac Byrne (percussion) now being joined by veteran guitarist Kevin Dempsey. Kevin brings a wealth of experience to the band (he's probably older than Anna and Cormac combined!), alongside his virtuoso musical skills. He began his career with Dando Shaft in the 1970s, spent ten years with Dave Swarbrick's acoustic band Whippersnapper and has worked solo and in duos with such musicians as Chris Leslie (of Fairport Convention). This new combination of youthful energy with mature experience should be awesome. Michael Jary is once again providing a full PA rig and it promises to be a another standout night for the Black Swan.
- CELTIC MUSIC WITH BENÊCHE. There's more Celtic flavoured music on offer the following Thursday (7 July) with an exciting young band called Benêche. See the new flyer for details of the line-up. Born out of the Scottish session scene, they have already appeared twice at Celtic Connections, where they won the Danny Kyle Open Stage award in 2003, and have performed at festivals from Shetland to Lorient in France. Individually, they have also guested with bands such as Daimh, Dochas and Deaf Shepherd. "An evening guaranteed to get the blood pumping"says the Sunday Herald .
- MORE DUOS & BANDS. Our Summer season is in fact dominated by duos and bands. After Uiscedwr and Benêche we have July dates lined up for CrossCurrent (21) and Real Time (28), while early August has an Americana theme with Bayou Seco (4) and Sara Grey & Kieron Means (18), followed by the highly-tipped new pairing of Rosie Doonan & Ben Murray (25). Our next SOLO guest artist is versatile local stalwart Kevin Loughran, who steps into the 8 September slot left vacant when Canadian singer Dan McKinnon had to cancel his proposed UK tour.
- TICKETING ARRANGEMENTS. Please note that all Thursday club nights during July, August and September will be run as PAY ON THE DOOR events, with no need to book in advance. However, we do have some big name nights coming up later in the year, and for the following guests advance tickets will be available, going on sale about 6 weeks beforehand and purchasable over the bar at the Black Swan Inn (by cash or cheque), or by post from myself, or at club meetings. Put these dates in your diary now!
- Oct 6 − Christine Collister − Available from 25 August
- Oct 27 − Johnny Dickinson − Available from 15 September
- Nov 10 − Jez Lowe − Available from 29 September
- WEBSITE NEWS. The club’s relaunched website at www.blackswanfolkclub.org.uk continues to improve, thanks to Michael Jary, who has taken over some of the work while Stan Graham has been busy with his new CD. There are now several photo galleries, including scenes from City of York Folk Day 2005, and more old newsletters have been archived. The latest flyer details have been added, and remaining newsletter back numbers, and then we’ll write extra text for some of the other pages and load more photos. Add it to your favourites and check it regularly!.
- SUGGESTIONS RECEIVED, THEMES WANTED. Thanks to those of you who responded to my appeal last time for future guest booking ideas. I will be replying individually in due course. Meanwhile, the Themed Singers Night on 16 June (Duos, Trios & Groups) was judged a great success, with over a dozen different combinations taking part. Has anyone any suggestions for future themes?
- MORE THAN WORDS FROM STAN. Stan Graham launched his new CD, More Than Words, to a packed room at the Black Swan last Thursday, 23 June. Graham Hodge accompanied him brilliantly throughout, and Michael Jary worked his magic with the PA. The album is excellent, with 15 of Stan’s finest songs and a superb production job by Kenny Speirs. The arrangements are particularly fine, with notable contributions by Kenny and the other members of Real Time, plus bassist Neil Harland, ‘cellist Wendy Wetherby, accordion player Iain Lowthian and multi-instrumentalist Stevie Lawrence. Stan will no doubt sell you a copy or I hope to have a few available every Thursday at the club. See www.stangraham.co.uk for more information.
- AROUND & ABOUT.
- Country & Western Swing heroes Los Yobos have a busy month ahead, with gigs at the Old White Swan, Goodramgate, York (3 July), City Screen Basement Bar, York (9 July) and Malton Beer Festival at Suddaby’s Crown Hotel (15 July).
- Red River Wranglers are a new locally-based hillbilly/country/rockabilly band who come highly recommended by Los Yobos. So much so that they have turned over to the Wranglers their slot at the Black Swan Inn on 16 July!
- The Burn is a new bi-monthly acoustic music club planned for the Village Hall at Kirkburn, in the Yorkshire Wolds just off the A614 west of Driffield. All performers and listeners will be more than welcome at the first event this Saturday, 2 July. For more information or to book a spot, phone David & Jean on 01377 229048 or email theburn@woldsedge.org.uk. It’s a 7.30 start and the hall is a "dry" venue so take your own drinks and glasses.
- First Sunday Folk Club. Here’s a quick reminder about the great monthly singers club at The Crown Inn, Hemingbrough near Selby. Their next meeting is this coming Sunday, 3 July.
- Eliza On The Moor. Word reaches me of a tasty gig on Bank Holiday Monday, 29 August, at the Mallyan Spout Hotel in Goathland by Eliza Carthy & The Ratcatchers (Jon Boden, John Spiers, Ben Ivitsky). It’s an open-air event, roughly 4pm-8pm, so take a deckchair and brolly! Tickets are a real bargain at just £6.50, available on 01947 896444. Early booking essential!