Romance lives on!
3rd February - Performer's night
On a cold February night we gathered once again to enjoy a performer’s night and warm ourselves up with a good sing.
MC Pete kicked off in his usual fine style and he was followed by Steve making his debut at the club. Steve performed some lovely self-penned songs and showed off an unusual and very effective guitar style. The evening then rapidly took on a romantic theme with Paul, Ric, Simeon (or should we call him the Wedding Singer?) and Ray all chipping in. John returned from Australia with a brilliant song inspired by his travels and his return to England. Laura, who is now an established regular performer at the club, sang The Water Is Wide with backing vocals in support and the evening was finished off in customary style by Barry and Ed who gave us a great mix of songs and toilet stories (you had to be there!).
Barry took a rather fetching pair of shocking pink gloves home from the “Christmas presents that you wish your mum hadn’t bought” series of raffle prizes and was deeply grateful to Diane for providing them!
Next up is a performer’s night with a difference on 17th February. As well as the usual array of two song spots by all comers, Simon will be leading a feature spot based on the BBC Songwriters Circle format.
Now We Are Two!
Second Birthday Performer's Night and What's Up Next?
Well, two years on from our humble beginnings we celebrated in fine style with a performer's night graced by many of our regular performers and a good night was had by one and all.
Next up is another performer's night on 3rd February so do come along and sing, play, chat and enjoy!
Pilgrim’s Way get the new year off to a fine start
6th January - Pilgrim's Way
A brilliant concert by Pilgrim's Way got us off to a great start this year. Lucy Wright is a fine singer with power and feeling in her voice. Tom Kitching and Edwin Beasant are both superb musicians playing fiddle, mandolin, melodeon and guitar. Together they are quite magnificent with great songs and tunes along with a bright and engaging performance. Great stuff.
Support was provided by Pete, Simeon, Ray and Barry and Ed who all reminded us of the quality and variety that marks our regular performer's nights and will continue to be the mainstay of our club over the coming year.
The raffle too continued in fine style with Sheila claiming a rather lovely wooly hat, the first in the series of "Christmas presents I wish my mum hadn't bought"!
There is lots to look forward to over the coming months so do have a look at the dates section for the programme details. Highlights will certainly be the concert at the Dovehouse theatre and concerts from Lucy Ward and Cara Luft. But first we have our second birthday on 20th January when we will celebrate with a performer's night where all comers are very welcome. Rumour has it that Dave may make his long awaited return after months of grappling with his new fatherhood duties!
Pilgrims Way start our new year programme
Next up - 6th January - Pilgrims Way
Pilgrims Way
We start the new year with a concert from the excellent three piece band Pilgrims Way. Playing their own particular brand of Folk music, they were brought together by a series of chance meetings at sessions around the North West of England, bonding over red hair and a shared love of traditional music, they have been shaking up assorted kitchens, public houses and folk venues ever since.
Lucy Wright is a fine singer with a captivating voice. She is strongly influenced by the Irish style but also lists Dolly Parton and Siberian music in her influences. Tom Kitching is one of the best fiddle players on the scene today and Edwin Beasant completes the lineup with his excellent guitar and melodeon playing.
This band combine great songs and tunes with engaging and upbeat performance and they are sure to get the new year off to a brilliant start.
Tickets are available on the door for just £5.
The Big Christmas Sing
16th December - The Big Christmas Sing featuring Thrupp'ny Bits Festive Fayre
Our last meeting of the year was just great fun with crackers, jokes, silly hats and great songs. Thrupp'ny Bit gave us a real treat with their Festive Fayre which featured a wonderful mix of hilarious and serious festive songs, all performed with their special brand of charm and humour. This was a great way to celebrate the last weekend before Christmas. We also had performances from Ric, Pete, Simon, Nigel, Ralph, Simeon, Marten, Betty, Barry and Ed, and Laura who had us all laughing at Granny being run over by a reindeer.
We were treated to cracker jokes being read out throughout the evening and the raffle did not disappoint with Simeon claiming the novelty boxers and musical tie combo. He has promised us a photo (well, I think that's what he said!).
Betty produced her Mary Poppins bag and everyone was weilding a shaky bangy instrument as we finally launched into Jingle Bells and all that stuff. Great fun!
We'll do it all again next year!