Wanted - Singers Folk Clubs near Solihul

Subject: Wanted - Singers Folk Clubs near Solihul
From: OldFolkie
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 08:44 AM

Does anyone know of any informal, firendly folk clubs within say 12 miles of Solihull, England that are primarily singers / session type clubs rather than primarily guest artist clubs, and preferably not in Birmingham City Centre. Venue / timing / contact details would be appreciated.

Already going to one monthly at the Cock Horse, Rowington (3rd Wednesday in month) but looking for others.....

Thanks

Old Folkie

Subject: RE: Wanted - Singers Folk Clubs near Solihul
From: Pete Jennings
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 10:21 AM

This site covers most clubs in the West Midlands, some of which are within 12 miles of Solihull:

www.btinternet.com/~radical/thefolkmag/

Pete

Subject: RE: Wanted - Singers Folk Clubs near Solihul
From: OldFolkie
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 12:16 PM

Pete

Thanks for your help.

Have had a quick glance, seems to be a lot of info on there.

Will have a more detailed look later tonight.

Rgds

Old Folkie

Subject: RE: Wanted - Singers Folk Clubs near Solihul
From: alanww
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 07:29 PM

Hi OldFolkie
There are quite a few song / music sessions in South Warks outside your 12 mile limit - if you are interested please PM me.
Is Stratford-upon-Avon in your area? If so, there is an inaugural meeting of a folk club / session / singaround at the New Inn, Clifford Chambers at 8.30 on Wed 24 Nov. I am not quite sure what it will be like and, unfortunately, I cannot make it myself.
"Sing John Ball ...1"
Alan

Subject: RE: Wanted - Singers Folk Clubs near Solihul
From: GUEST,David
Date: 23 Nov 04 - 08:04 AM

There is a really good small club (mostly traditional) at The Four Provinces in Coventry on the 2nd Thursday of the month (8.30 pm). It is situated on the corner of Allesley Old Road and Craven Street.

Subject: RE: Wanted - Singers Folk Clubs near Solihul
From: el_punkoid_nouveau
Date: 23 Nov 04 - 08:05 AM

The Game Cock between Polesworth and Tamworth should be within your twelve miles, not far off the M42. Every Friday night - good singing club.

epn

Subject: RE: Wanted - Singers Folk Clubs near Solihul
From: rhyzla
Date: 23 Nov 04 - 11:06 AM

Hello epn, it's called the Tamworth Folk Club, as you know, and its in a small village called Birchmoor (Between Polesworth & Tamworth) and has a website:

website

Subject: RE: Wanted - Singers Folk Clubs near Solihul
From: fitzsimons
Date: 23 Nov 04 - 03:20 PM

There's the Warwick Folk Club on Fridays:

http://www.warwickfolkclub.co.uk/

Subject: RE: Wanted - Singers Folk Clubs near Solihul
From: OldFolkie
Date: 24 Nov 04 - 08:04 AM

Thanks for all your help folks.

If I'm really lucky, may be able to make it to the inaugural session in Stratford tonight, but if not, apologies for missing it...

Will also try to get to some of the other venues suggested, although North side of Tamworth is possibly a bit far for me and my colleague to travel to as we both live the other side of Solihull from Tamworth, but then again, maybe sometime in the future ...

Thanks again to all

Old Folkie

Subject: RE: Wanted - Singers Folk Clubs near Solihul
From: breezy
Date: 25 Nov 04 - 05:07 AM

Redditch

Subject: RE: Wanted - Singers Folk Clubs near Solihul
From: OldFolkie
Date: 25 Nov 04 - 08:06 AM

Hi Alanww

Managed to get to the inaugural session at the New Inn at Clifford Chambers last night - thanks for the tip-off. Very friendly people, nice country pub.

They had a few problems with noise levels from locals who were just there for drinking and weren't at all interested in the folk club (in fact some resented it fairly strongly), and few problems with resident groups PA set up in a cramped environment. Hopefully the next meeting will iron out those issues. Mostly trad style with a lot of the well known songs from resident group to try to get the audience singing along. However, if you're a pure accoustic unplugged type like me, in the current format it may not be quite your scene. Hope they sort out next time so unplugged types like me can make a reasonable contribution.

Rgds

Old Folkie

Subject: RE: Wanted - Singers Folk Clubs near Solihul
From: Snuffy
Date: 25 Nov 04 - 09:16 AM

Alanww couldn't make it last night, but 3 fellow members of Shakespeare Morris did, including me. I sang a couple of songs unaccompanied (but with PA). Did you perform at all, or are you strictly unplugged?

Running a "club" in the bar is always going to be sub-optimal for some (if not most) people. The Stratford area is not blessed with folk clubs, so this a damn sight better than what we had before.

There are "closed" clubs in Warwick, Coventry and Harbury where you don't have to try to keep the general public onside or sing over them.

But if this is all there is, then it will have to do. And I'll have to miss the next one (Mon Dec 13) because it's on Morris practice night!

Subject: RE: Wanted - Singers Folk Clubs near Solihul
From: OldFolkie
Date: 26 Nov 04 - 03:56 AM

Hi Snuffy

Didn't mean to sound as if I 'm slanging the club off – apologies if that's the way it sounded. I genuinely admire anyone who has the guts to start a new club. I've thought about doing it myself several times, but shied away because of the amount of dedication and hassle involved which would be very difficult for me because of the demands of my job.

Totally accept your point that it's better than nothing, particularly if there is a dire shortage of clubs in the Stratford area. However, I guess my main thought was something along the lines of "wouldn't it be a whole lot better if the venue was better". I know quite a lot of people (both musicians / singers and audience) who would probably come - and hence make it a more successful club - if there wasn't the hassle of the locals making so much noise, and being resentful (e.g. comments made deliberately loudly like "If you were the landlord would you let this ****ing lot do this") and it being so cramped. Unfortunately it was this atmosphere that turned several people away fairly early in the evening.

Let me close by saying I genuinely hope it does become a successful club that everyone can enjoy.

Rgds

Old Folkie

Subject: RE: Wanted - Singers Folk Clubs near Solihul
From: Snuffy
Date: 26 Nov 04 - 09:10 AM

I didn't think you were slagging it off, OldFolkie. I think everyone realises that it is not ideal where it is, and there's no point pretending it's all hunky-dory.

I did mention to the organisers another pub not too far away, which might offer both more space and a less hostile regular clientele. The landlord and regulars there are quite folk friendly, but I don't think there's anything regular there at the moment.

Watch for an announcement in the new year, hopefully.

See you at Bedworth? I'll be wearing my Mudcat badge.

Subject: RE: Wanted - Singers Folk Clubs near Solihul
From: OldFolkie
Date: 26 Nov 04 - 09:21 AM

Snuffy

Great to hear that - will definitely keep my eyes & ears open for the announcement.

Sadly, can't make Bedworth due to other commitments, but probably see you at the Stratford club sometime in the future, especially if it does find a new and better venue!

Have a good time at Bedworth!

Rgds

Old Folkie