What a great night at Dreamers last week with the visit of Na Mara. New faces to most of us, I think, but some brilliant musicianship, lovely (and lively) tunes and excellent songs ranging from traditional to more modern themes like gambling and money laundering. Many thanks to Rob and Paul and also to the regulars who supported so well. It was good to see Jonathan and Jill back too. If you want to see some more of Na Mara, they are featured in a hybrid gig at Rosslyn Court tonight (15th June) – the first hour is livestreamed on youtube at Na Mara – YouTube (donations requested)
Of course, guest nights mean that many regulars don’t get the chance to perform so we can make up for that with a singers night this week on Sunday (18th). Recent singers nights have demonstrated the range and quality of the “home” team so it should be another good night. Our next guests, on 16th July, are DidJan, Bec Applebee and Richard Trethewey, with a wealth of experience of Cornish music to bring. More of them nearer the time.
The next Cornish Zoom Folk Club is on Saturday 24th June and we can expect the usual mix of locals and performers from all around the UK and much further afield, many of whom got to know the Cornish sessions during the pandemic and chose to stay with us.
Tomorrow, of course, sees the start of the Falmouth International Shanty Festival with a huge range of performers at venues all over the town and in the streets. For Dreamers regulars, Rum and Shrub are a highlight but plenty of other friends too like Baldricks Plan and Flash Jack. Let’s hope the good weather lasts and we are spared the occasional thunderstorms which seem to be threatened (at time of writing). We’ll just have to see how the major road closure while the Chiverton Cross junction is rebuilt affects us all over the weekend.
Busy days – tomorrow also sees the start of the Golowan Festival in Penzance with another packed programme running on till 25th June. Mazey Day is Saturday 24th June and Quay Fair Day is Sunday 25th June. Full details of programme and venues at Programme 2023 – Golowan (golowanfestival.org)
A local flavour to Folk on Foot tomorrow (Friday 16th June) when they release a new episode featuring local singer Angeline Morrison heading out for a walk in Cornwall. Details at Folk On Foot These episodes are always available later.
And, lastly, a reminder of some other local Folk Clubs (happy to advertise others occasionally if I get the info):-
- Wadebridge Folk Club meets every 3rd Thursday, so tonight, Thursday 15th June, at 7.00, at The Barn, NT Café, Pentireglaze, PL27 6QY.
- Bodmin Folk Club meets at 8.00 every Friday at St Petrocs Parish Centre, Priory Rd, Bodmin, PL31 2DP, an open house this week. Bodmin Folk Club – The home of traditional folk song in Cornwall. Est. 1968.
- Penzance Folk Club meets on alternate Wednesdays at 7.30 at the Bath Inn, Cornwall Terrace, Penzance TR18 4HL. Next week, 21st June, they welcome members of the Bacca Pipes Folk Club from Keighley in Yorkshire
So plenty going on but that’s all from me this week
All the best
Nigel