Welcome to this week’s Dreamers Newsletter
The combination of a competing event and awful weather meant smaller numbers than usual at the Club last Sunday but we still had some lovely performances, all well organised by Robin. Thanks to all who made it. I think many would have been glad of the slightly early finish given the Four Lanes mist and rain. On to this Sunday and we look forward to seeing everyone again.
We’ve welcomed Pete Grassby (from Rowington F/C) in Warwickshire and Paul Clarke from Focsle in Southampton to Cornish Zooms. Last night they held a joint session with their own members, some familiar faces from our zooms and some new faces, notably from North America. Big numbers and some lovely new performers and material (and all without the need to go out in the rain!). Hope to see at least some of them at the next Cornish Zoom F/C on 25th March.
A definite weekend date for the diary is June 16th/18th when the Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival takes place at the same time as Falmouth Classics which features three days of enjoyable racing and a spectacular parade of Classic Boats and the small Classic Boat Parade. Falmouth Classics began in 1987 and is one of the largest events of its kind in the UK. Falmouth provides a brilliant venue for both Festivals and this promises to be a weekend to remember. The websites for the 2 events are Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival (falmouthseashanty.co.uk) and Falmouth Classics – 16th-18th June 2023
I may not be the only one to be getting weekly updates now from Sidmouth Festival. I’m happy to continue to pick out selected highlights and pass them on through this Newsletter but if you are particularly interested and don’t already get it, you can subscribe at abm.festival@gmail.com
St Patrick’s Day tomorrow, at 7.45 on March 17th. No doubt there’s plenty – one thing is a hybrid gig with Downend Folk & Roots at Christ Church Downend, near Bristol which you can also watch online. This features Anglo-Irish quartet The Haar, with support from Bristol-based electro-folk duo Solarference. The Haar matches the fresh talent of traditional Irish singer Molly Donnery with three of the most exciting instrumentalists on the folk and traditional music circuit: Cormac Byrne (Uiscedwr, Seth Lakeman), Adam Summerhayes and Murray Grainger (The Ciderhouse Rebellion, Words of a Fiddler’s Daughter). Said to be music that is not afraid to transcend borders. Born of the traditional musics that all members have grown up with and absorbed, it is unapologetic in pushing at the edges in order to create the band’s own unique and compelling sound. Tickets from various places including Events | Live Music Online Gig | Live to your Living Room
And, finally, I’ve been contacted by the English Folk Dance & Song Society about Open Days for the National Youth Folk Ensemble. These are apparently a great opportunity for kids between the ages of 12 to 18 who live in England and who have confidence playing their chosen instrument. There are music workshops with skilled professionals, a Q&A regarding the National Youth Folk Ensemble, and lots of outlets for individual and group creativity. The Open Days allow individuals to take part in a band for a day, and to explore folk music with other young people passionate about music. If you know of anyone who might be interested, please put them in touch with me and I’ll tell them about the procedure to apply.
That’s all for now, hope to see you on Sunday night at Dreamers
Nigel