Once again
we have a lot to get through.
First and
probably most important the latest Slamfest
News.
We’re start
with the only negative so far.
Unfortunately the wonderful scripts submitted to FOF Theatre by some
fantastic local writers require a bit more work to them if the Actors are to do
them justice. Therefore after much soul
searching and thinking of alternatives we’ve decided that it fairness to the
writers we will hold the show over until October and produce a couple of
evenings entertainment and more during the Fringe Festival.
I am really
disappointed about this for the Festival, as the original concept of Slamfest
was that it be literary based, and essentially because of the lack of interest
from the literary community it has not materialised. Perhaps more consultation needs to be done
and we’ll have another go for The Fringe Festival.
FOF Theatre
will be performing their dual Theatre “Tea & Kisses with Lover Jane”
written by Bill Doran and "Twin Reich" written by 'Papa Legbas'
percussionist Chris Cooper on Thursday 26th at Myplace tickets £5,
or £2.50 for the unwaged. Pay at door.
Also on the 26th
July – that’s the Thursday for those not paying attention, we’ve confirmed an extra music
event, with Swansong, Crafty Jack and Cracktown coming together for
what promises to be a great nights entertainment at The Titans Rugby Club from
around 8:00pm It is a ticketed event at
£5 and £2.50 unwaged, pay on the door.
The Music
Community have been fantastic in their support for Slamfest, organising
themselves, and helping Mick and I to create something that looks like a
Festival. The amazing FREE events we can include as part of
Slamfest from Friday’s Punk Extravaganza at The Bridge in Memory of Myke Masher
Barritt through to Chill out Sunday (Acoustic Rotherham 16) have only been possible because of
the musicians and the Venues.
We won’t
make any bones about it, Mick and I have been on a fast learning curb. Around every corner lies another form and
more expense, and it never ceases to amaze me how offers of help etc all seem
to evaporate the moment something actually starts to happen. We need one additional major
Sponsor, contact us HERE, or if
you’re one of the rare breed with an eye for a value for money bargain then the
Mashing Machine (Taylor 810CE Guitar) remains on the market to go to a trusted
home for one more week before going to Ebay – Full details HERE
Advertisers
for the Programme need to get their Copy to Chris HERE by WEDNESDAY AT THE
LATEST.
Unfortunately
the person we asked to run an Open Mic
Stage in Town during Rock Rotherham
Saturday, has turned us down, if
anyone knows of someone who might like to take this task on then please get in
contact HERE
Just to say
that the Rock Rotherham page acts as fantastic resource for find Bands and
listening to locally made music. Where
possible all Bands have been linked to their Web Sites. Check that your link is working HERE
ALL BANDS AND ARTISTS TAKING PART IN ROCK
ROTHERHAM SATURDAY PLEASE KEEP AN EYE ON THE RAE FACEBOOK PAGE FOR THE DETAILED
INFORMATION PLEASE HERE
The
Web Sites are all just about being kept up to date. Slamfest.net
– Rotherhamrocks.com – Acoustic Rotherham.com and of course Rotherhamartevents.com The
good news is that all the sites are scoring high for hits and interest which is
fantastic News for our Commercial Partners as well as all the Bands and artists
involved in the Festival.
All work and
no play makes Dickie Masher a worse Guitar Player than normal and so it was
good to be dragged out by the Masher Crew to play on Thursday. I have to be honest, I’m not sure where they
took me in terms of the travel plan, but we ended up in what seemed to be the
one road Village of Owston Ferry. Now,
one would have thought that in such a far set Folk Club the Masher would be
playing to a completely fresh set of ears, so I was rather surprised that I
ended up playing to only three pairs of new ears!! Less than 50% of the gathering.
Personally I
think it was a plot, the Pub sat on the River Trent River Bank, and with the
rain pouring down it was a little disconcerting watching the River level rise,
and of course I can’t swim!!
It was a
really nice evening though so thanks to Kath and Dermot for organising such a
fine Club and of course to Sue and Barrie for the travel arrangements.
Think I may
have discovered someone for a future Acoustic Rotherham.
Saturday
found me dragging myself down to The Bridge, again the River level played a
part in my late decision to make my way down to the Pub. Pocketful of N’owt were in
residence, with a slightly new line up, so welcome to the new Guitarist.
The boys of
the Band were also joined on stage by a strange person dressed in shorts and a
Ronald Regan mask, even on a stuffy Saturday night!! playing Guitar, and if Scott Doonigan thinks that being introduced as Brian May will stop the Tax man from chasing him he’s in for
another major rethink.
Super set
guys, and I hope you won’t mind if I single out Mike O’Brian for a special
mention as it’s his performance which makes Pocketful of N’owt stand out for me. Let’s hope the Band line up can settle down
and produce more performances of this standard in the months ahead.
Supporting
Pocketful was Ted Key whose claim to
fame was having been in The House Martins before they were famous. He had an amazingly deep repertoire of
self-penned humorous songs.
Now, one of
the early lessons I learnt as a Masher was that while one might find a song
funny or amusing two basic assumptions are being made, 1. The audience has a
limitless amount of laughs inside of itself and 2). Everyone is listening to
the very clever words in the Pub environment.
You guessed
it one hour and twenty minutes of nonstop funny songs does not work well, and
in fact I can now see just how irritating it must have been for Masher
audiences six years ago. Sorry. Enough said I think.
The citizens
of the North East will be relieved to learn that I shall be limiting my
performance to the fifteen minute slot allocated for the Natures World Festival next Sunday.
Yes the Road Crew and I are really looking forward to our return
performance…………….. however, we do hope
that the weather guarantee clause in our standard contract has been read and passed
on to the weather makers responsible for Middlesbrough and district.
Two sad
notes to be made.
The Red Lion Braithwell is to be sold
as residential property and the Folk Club Meeting last week was it’s last. John is working hard to find an alternative
venue for the Club.
I’m told the
same selling fate has fallen upon The
Domino at Kimberworth, and so the highly popular Friday Blues and Jam night
is no more. Once again I’m told that the
organisers are looking for an alternative venue.
Sad signs of
the times I’m afraid.
I have to
say, travelling around various venues I am surprised that any local Pub is
surviving.
A heads up
to August. After a bit of interesting
banter Rotherham Art Events will be linking up with Clifton Park for a super
Concert as part of the Summer Breezes Weekend 17th – 19th
August. Other details HERE
On the evening of 18th in The Wall Garden area we will be
presenting a Bob Dylan night, featuring a Band recognised as one of the best
Dylan Tribute Bands in Rotherham, “Dirty
Dylan”. Tickets will be £10, Bar and
a Rare Breed BBQ amongst other delights, including Phil Sinclair as the support on the night. You can expect all of Bob’s best songs and a
lot more besides.Concert details HERE
Keep those eyes peeled………………… one of Myke Barritt’s former Bands is
preparing to launch a CD. ‘Tyburn’ is a 4 piece Sheffield-based
band which plays original rock music with a folk edge. Their songs include
stirring tales of highwaymen, vibrant political commentary, haunting ballads of
bittersweet lost love, and current urban comment: in short, songs about ‘Heroes, Villains, Lovers’ – the title
of their 2012 cd release. Copies of the cd plus individual track downloads will
shortly be available from the band’s website www.tyburntheband.co.uk.
“Tyburn” are
available for gigs anywhere with a power supply and a penchant for electric
mayhem!
Watch this
space for release date details.
So we move
to next week. And what a week.
Next weekend
musical madness as our top local Bands start upon a month of Gigging
heaven.
We start
with Beanfest Saturday 14th, which
for the second year running is being held at The Park View, Swinton. A free Festival it relies upon your donations
which all go to the Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice. Help make it another great success. Starts around 11:00am. There’s a fantastic line up, with Rage
Against The Bean, View From S62 and Goatleaf jumping off the page as must see.
On Sunday 15th
a rare opportunity to have a listen to Albert’s
Skiffle Band who are appearing for free on the Band Stand in Clifton Park. Hard
to get these lads out of Derbyshire, but I can promise you a super afternoon’s
entertainment
Running over
the Weekend 14th and 15th is The Coalfields Festival at Darton, just North of Barnsley. Another great line up of Bands can be found
there.
On Friday 13th
July at The Bridge, Rotherham is home to a World
Premiere. The popular Stan Skinny will be presenting his
brand new one man show which he has called The
Tesco Chainsaw Massacre. IT’S UP STAIR’S
at The Bridge, FOLKS. £3 on the
door. An evening of laughter is guaranteed.
Storm Trees are out again, very busy
band, this time at The Butchers at Woodsetts.
And of
course for you readers in the North East over the 14th and 15th
July it’s the annual Natures World Folk
Festival Folk Festival. Two days of
amazing music in a super setting and all for FREE. What’s more the café makes good chips……………… As David Kidman will testify. Masher time is mid-afternoon on the Sunday,
just before the break David says, realising that ears will need a good rest
after fifteen minutes of a Mashering.
It has been suggested, that as it’s Nature World I should go nude, but I
didn’t want to frighten people.
14th
July is also Durham Miners Gala Day. Oh for the great days……………………. But an event well worth supporting.
Everything
we know of and links to the above events can be found HERE on the Acoustic Rotherham Listings page.
Whatever you’re
doing this week have fun, support your local artists and KEEP IT LIVE.
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