Sunday 24 April 2011

Wath Festival Preview / Blues Festival Cancelled and news / gossip from around

I hope everyone has had a great Easter and that not too much weight has been put on by over indulgence with that sin of sins, chocolate.  Of course many of you will be spending the rest of the week and May Day Bank Holiday weekend walking it all off, between another very full weekend of musical happenings. 

It’s sad to start with a negative though.   The Yorkshire Blues Festival due to start on 30th April at Magna has been cancelled because of poor advanced ticket sales.   The full statement can be read on their Web Site HERE

May Day week brings of course the Wath Folk Festival.  In recent years it’s a Festival that has become a little understated, and sadly again this year it has not been at the front of of the South Yorkshire folkies consciousness.  Why that is I don’t know – only the good work of Charlie Barker has given the Festival a presence on the Social Network Web Sites, and the local media has been devoid of any mention of what is the top Folk Event in Sheffield / Rotherham area.  

According to the Poster and Web Site the Festival kicks off on the 27th May, however I can’t find anything listed on the Site until Friday 29th when it the main Concerts start at the Montgomery Hall with Francis Black, John Tams / Barry Cooper  + Jez Lowe.  A fantastic line up.  

Saturday appears to be the day when the starts to spread it wings with sessions and small concerts at various venues around Wath, with the fun kicking off at around 9:45am with the Traditional Procession to Montgomery Square, lead this year by the Barnsley Samba Band – with Morris Men (now that could be interesting) and of course the Bun throwing from the Church.
There are two main concerts on the Saturday with Charlie Barker and Harriett Bartlett, the ever popular Bernard Wrigley, Pete Morton and Kieran Haplin taking the up the early afternoon from 12:30pm.  The evening concert sees Acoustic Rotherham favourite Anna Shannon, plus Chris Wood and the amazing Tannahill Weavers.

Sunday has the same structure with fringe events around Wath and two main concerts with the lunch time session being made up of Holly Taymar, who recently did a very successful Acoustic Rotherham spot, the ever popular  Flaxenby,  and two acts I don’t know much about Uiscedwr and Kris Drever.

Sunday evening has Cathryn Craig & Brian Willoughby, Elbow Jane, Drever McCusker Woomble featuring Heidi Talbot + Winner of the Wath Young Performers Award 2011.
Just a note on the Young Performer Award, the judging takes place at a session hosted by Charlie Barker, at The Red Lion at 4:00pm.  It’s always worth a visit.  

The Chairman’s Party looks fun from 11:45pm at the Sandygate, with Katriona Gilmore & Jamie Roberts, Flaxenby, Bar Steward Son’s of Val Doonican all promising to do spots, with the chance of some quality floor spots as well…………………..   but you need a FULL WEEKEND TICKET for that one or the Chairman’s special invite.  

Monday see’s it all wind up with a Singaround at the Sandygate from around 12:00pm. 
I’m told that tickets are selling fast, and you’ll need to keep an eye on the Web Site to discover availability if you’re thinking of popping along on spec.  There are still full weekend tickets and Day tickets available.   Full details on the Web Site HERE

A full weekend for all tastes, hope to see you there at some point.  

It’s been a bit of wind down week following Acoustic Rotherham 11 for me, punctuated by a very pleasant evening at The George and Dragon, Wentworth, where the Wandering Minstrel Folk Club were holding court on Good Friday.  Lovely evening, and you can find the pictures from the evening HERE

Saturday night was a bit of a tester, only flying visits to the haunts to catch a bit of Florin at The Bridge and Papa Legbas at The Star.  Both very busy venues on the night.   Well done to all involved, you know who you are.  It’s great to see that the live music scene is so healthy at the moment, even if the artists are not getting the rewards they fully deserve.

I’d like to draw your attention to some lovely videos that Jenny Fox (Toein’ In The Dark) has been putting together to accompany some of the Band’s recordings.  Go take a look yourself.  Jenny has also put up a rare video of the late poet of this Parish Harry Darksen, which many of you will find of great interest.  Direct links on the Acoustic News Page HERE.  

Chris Milner has messaged to say hat he has updated his Web Site  HERE and he now has a Utube Channel, well worth checking out. 

Improvements to the Acoustic Rotherham Web Site continue apace.  I’ve managed to revamp the Hiring Fair pages up to and including Acoustic Rotherham 6.  Pictures and links have all been restored etc..   HERE

A reminder that Acoustic Rotherham 12 takes place on the 31st July.  There are a very few slots still available, so if you want to play in July or October please Email me acousticrotherham@jmucreate.com   If you don’t know what it is all about then head HERE

The overall site stats are showing that our readership continues to grow, which is good news, but we could still do a bit better so don’t forget to give Acoustic Rotherham the odd mention, and PLEASE, PLEASE give the Facebook tabs you can find on every page a “LIKE” click.  It all helps to get the word out there. 

So after last week’s War and Peace two parter, this weeks is short and to the point.   My spies have been out over the weekend at the Sheffield Folk Session Festival, and I hope to be able to give their feelings on the event next week. 

Meanwhile a reminder that Nellie Folk is on WEDNESDAY 27TH APRIL at The Bridge and the following Wednesday 4th May German Acoustic artist Kurt Sawalies is doing a freebie at The Bridge from around 8:30pm with, yes, yawn, The Masher providing minimal support.   Kurt is on his way up North for his now annual tour of Scotland and the Loch Lomond Festival and is well worth popping along to see.

All the Gigs and listings for the end of April can be found HERE and May HERE.

Busy days ahead then.  

Here’s a funny thing.  Last week Mrs Masher was shopping in Town when she thought she heard The Mashers playing from outside, she looked around wondering why I was not in my car only to find that one of our “fans” had made “Hairy Mary” their Ringtone on their phone…………….  Mrs Masher claims to have been very embarrassed, perhaps no more so than the person who had the song on their phone. 

Whatever you’re doing this week have fun and keep it live.

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