Welcome to this week’s Dreamers Newsletter. I hope everyone is enjoying the summer.
It was great to see so many people at the Club again last Sunday and, especially, to see Roger Bryant again after many weeks, with everyone joining in as he led us in his great song “Light the Light” accompanied by lots of lights of various sorts around the room. Many thanks too to Jackie Bryant for the wonderful cake, delicious. Hope the birthday went well and that we’ll be seeing Roger again before too long. Lots of performers on Sunday too so another busy night and some great stuff with a special mention for Kathleen, singing superbly in Swahili.
It’s another Singers Night this Sunday, 27th July and again on 3rd August then it’s on to Mick Ryan and Paul Downes on 10th August. Mick is obviously very well known on the folk scene and beyond as a fine singer of traditional songs and also as the writer of folk musicals such as Tolpuddle Man and the Navvy’s Wife. A superb performer, accompanied by Paul Downes, another great singer and guitarist who has performed with people like Phil Beer and Pete Seeger. Truly an evening not to miss. Plenty more about them on line if you want.
Online we have the July edition of the Cornish Zoom Folk Club this Saturday, 26th July at 7.30. Sessions run till 10.00 and all are welcome, whether performing or just listening. Just ask me for the link if you don’t already have it
Last week I mentioned the first two concerts being livestreamed from Warwick Folk Festival tomorrow, Friday 25th July on the Live to Your Living Room site. That’s only the start and they also have:-
· Heather Cartwright & Sam Mabbett, Cahalen Morrison and The Hoarse Whisperers at 2.00 on Saturday 26th
· The Hunch, Amil Dattani and Daisybell at 7.30 on 26th
· The Melrose Quartet and We Mavericks at 3.00 0n Sunday 27th
· Martin Simpson, Heather Cartwright & Sam Mabbett and Holly Clarke at 7.30 on 27th
All these can be found on Events | Live Music Online Gig | Live To Your Living Room and some, at least, can be watched later.
Martin Simpson also turns up on Folk on Foot with Chris Packham in the New Forest in their latest episode – Chris Packham & Martin Simpson in the New Forest Beautiful music, good stories and chat and lovely scenery.
Almost time for the Sidmouth Festival, starting on 1st August. The full and final programme is now available on line at Sidmouth Folk Festival Main Programme 2025 – The Sidmouth Folk Festival There’s plenty of it!.
That’s all for this week, it’s visitor season here so I may well not be able to manage one next week. Hope to see you at Dreamers on Sunday.
All the best
Nigel