Welcome once again to the Dreamers Newsletter.
It’ll be obvious to all that the sheer popularity of the Dreamers Zoom sessions gives rise to some issues. On the one hand we are very happy to see so many regulars coming week after week and to be able to welcome visitors as well. But the MCs can’t squeeze in more than about 30 songs and recently this has meant that very few performers – however good or however in need of rehearsal – get a second song so we have to accept now that one offering will be the norm – some may get a second but we’ll see week by week and ask individuals (maybe through “chat”) if they have a second they could do. The MCs will continue to try to keep a record so that, over time, it’s fair to all.
We would ask you, please, not to pass the link to the session on direct to newcomers but to send requests on to us. Also it would be a great help if regulars could let us know in good time if you are not coming in any week so we have an idea of how many we’ll have each time. We don’t want to change anything – the aim is to welcome everyone and give everyone who wants to sing the chance to do so but we don’t want to find ourselves unexpectedly having to disappoint anyone whether regular or visitor.
John has suggested he might put together recordings of different people singing/playing the same song into a choir type performance with multiple screens showing like the Longest Johns Shanty advertised last week. This would obviously take a bit pf practice and organisation so, if you are interested, please let him know (johninmullion@gmail.com).
“Talent is Timeless” as many Dreamers demonstrate each week. That’s also the title of something a bit different which should be of interest to some of our talented songwriters (only those over 50!). This is a song-writing competition with prizes including a recording session at Abbey Road, a record deal, professional video and photos, radio airplay and festival appearances. Entry is free and you just have to submit one song on audio or video (entries judged on audio only). Judges include Johnny Coppin and Phil Beer – for details see www.talentistimeless.com
The Celtic Connections virtual Festival continues until 2nd February – full programme at www.celticconnections.com where you can buy tickets (valid for a week after each event).
Across the Irish Sea, Tradfest has four fantastic concerts from the historic Dublin Castle, all available to book now at https://tradfest.ie/events/ The full programme is there with concerts each night from 28th to 31st January (each one available for 3 days after first showing).
Back in England, Folk on Foot has a new episode tomorrow (Friday 22nd January) from the lovely village of Grindleford in the Peak District – where the Rheingans Sisters were brought up – multi-instrumentalists influenced by the British tradition and also music from France and Scandinavia. The Folk on Foot web-site is https://www.folkonfoot.com and there seems to be a trailer at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPgJea33H9U&feature=youtu.be They can also be sampled on their own web-site at www.rheinganssisters.co.uk
Very much nearer home, the first (albeit virtual) Devoran session of 2021 is a private showing on youtube on 30th January starting at 8.00 p.m. This is Phil Beer and tickets are £15, available from:- https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/online/online/phil-beer-with-devoran-acoustic-sessions-january-30th/e-ejzbvx?fbclid=IwAR26HafoCR9tq2HCkrQryZ4G6nHbr_6q3zE9CNBi_K4UOYEz0TkpDbhGQaU
Looking forward as always to the Dreamers Live Zoom session with Alistair as MC and to proving – as we do every week – that talent really is timeless. Hope to see you there.
Till then, keep safe and all the best Nigel