Folk Music in the Cotswolds - book early to save 15% on the Yukka Folk Weekend 2011 !

The best folk music weekend in the UK returns to Farncombe 1- 3 April 2011 !

Internationally renowned tutors Cormac Byrne - bodhran/percussion (Uiscedwr, Seth Lakeman), and Anna Esslemont - fiddle (Uiscedwr) are proud to present The Yukka Folk Weekend.

Now in it's third year, this course brings musicians together to learn how to arrange folk tunes for performance. Through entirely practical learning you will discover how to create texture, variety and interest in your folk music arrangements. Over the weekend you will be working with experienced tutors on arranging two pieces to perform at an informal concert on the Sunday. Open to all instruments. Accommodation subject to availability - book early and save *15% per person - visit our website or call 0333 456 8580.

Other courses available with Frankie Armstrong, Sarah Allen, Cormac Byrne, Anna Esslemont, Stuart Marshall & Karen Tweed.


* Special offer valid on bookings for the Yukka Folk weekend received before 15/12/2010. Please quote "EarlyYukka" at time of booking. Offer cannot be back-dated or used in conjunction with any other special offer.

Folk Music in the Cotswolds - book early to save 15% on the Yukka Folk Weekend 2011 !

The Urban Folk Quartet - Autumn Tour 2010

As the nights draw in and winter approaches…do something that will cheer you up...


Come and see The Urban Folk Quartet on their autumn UK tour which starts next week!


Click here for details . Very best wishes from the UFQ!

Oxfordshire's 46th Towersey Village Festival

26 - 30 August 2010

Only 9 sleeps to go till.............

“Absolutely very nearly, but not quite the very best festival in the world” Jeremy Symondson

And what a Festival line-up!

Close up Concerts, Crazy Ceilidh, Dynamic Dance House. Dance, sing, party or just relax! You can do it all at Towersey.

To see the full line up .....

Book your tickets now...........

Live Music Bill must be passed as soon as possible

The ISM welcomes the coalition government’s commitment to reduce live music bureaucracy and calls on the government to introduce the Live Music Bill which had front bench support from both governing coalition partners before the election.

The Bill, introduced last parliament in the House of Lords by Lib Dem Lord Clement-Jones, would allow small venues like schools, colleges and village halls to hold concerts without an entertainment license if the venue holds fewer than 200 people. It would also exempt venues that serve alcohol from needing an entertainment license where only one or two musicians are performing without amplification.

In the previous session of parliament, the Live Music Bill passed the House of Lords stage un-amended and, with cross-party support, came close to making it on to the statute book despite government opposition. Now, the coalition government has said it will ‘cut red tape to encourage the performance of more live music.’

ISM Chief Executive, Deborah Annetts, welcomed the coalition government’s commitment and encouraged the introduction of the Live Music Bill:

‘The government has a real opportunity to reduce the bureaucracy which is crippling the small live music event industry and destroying fledgling careers.

‘So many musicians rely on live music to start their career and the current licensing regime is causing opportunities to dry up.

‘This Bill has the support of politicians from all parties and musicians from all genres as well as the support of front-bench teams from both partners in the coalition government.

‘We are calling on the government to make time for this important piece of legislation and enable musicians to do what they do best, play music to a live audience.’

Read more at http://www.ism.org/images/uploads/files/8_10.pdf

Don't miss the 2010 Conservatoire Folk Ensemble tour!!!

“…tremendously exhilarating (often exhaustingly so!) and joyously life-affirming…

a thoroughly infectious frenzy, a veritable orgy of hyper-energy and orgasmic music-making

that the listener is landed right in the thick of.”

David Kidman - Netrhythms



Friday 21st May Cornerstone, Didcot

Monday 24th May The Cross, Moseley, Birmingham

Wednesday 26th May Leek Arts Festival SOLD OUT

Thursday 27th May The West End Centre, Aldershot

Friday 28th May Lichfield Guildhall

Saturday 29th May Huntingdon Hall, Worcester




Date: 21/5/10

Venue Name: Cornerstone, Didcot

Box Office Number: 01235 515144

Website: www.cornerstone-arts.org

Performance Time: 8pm

Ticket Price: £14, £12.50 (concs), £11.50 (members)



Date: 24/5/10

Venue Name: The Cross, Moseley, Birmingham

Box Office Number: Tickets on the door

Doors open: 7:30pm

Ticket Price: £6

A raucous standing room only gig also featuring The Old Dance School



Date: 26/5/10

Venue Name: The Swan, Leek Arts Festival SOLD OUT

Box Office Number: 01538 483741

Website: www.leekartsfestival.org

Performance Time: 8pm

Ticket Price: £13



Date: 27/5/10

Venue Name: West End Centre, Aldershot

Box Office Number: 01252 330040

Website: www.westendcentre.co.uk

Performance Time: 7pm

Ticket Price:£12.50 (£10 concs under 18s £7.50)



Date: 28/5/10

Venue Name: Lichfield Guildhall
Box Office Number: 01543-262223
Website: www.lichfieldarts.org.uk
Performance Time: 7.30pm
Ticket Price: £12/£11 concs/£10 members £6 students

Also featuring Lichfield’s very own Wildfire Folk



Date: 29/5/10

Venue Name: Huntingdon Hall, Worcester

Box Office Number: 01905 611427

Website: www.worcesterlive.co.uk

Performance Time: 8pm

Ticket Price: £14

Win tickets for Warwick Folk 2010!

Help make Warwick a greener festival and be in with a chance of winning one of four weekend camping tickets for 2010!

Simply pick up a WFF flyer from a festival or event near you and return the enclosed form to OR subscribe to the WFF e-newsletter by Thursday 1st July – if you’ve already bought a ticket, they’ll refund the cost.

Opt into the Warwick Folk Festival e-newsletter here http://www.facebook.com/l/ecb5f;www.warwickfolkfestival.co.uk/signup.shtml
and you’ll receive the latest updates from us direct to your inbox: you’ll help to reduce paper usage and be the first to find out who’s on at Warwick 2011!

Unable to go to Warwick this year? You can still enter the free ticket competition – they’ll make yours a 2011 ticket.

The Urban Folk Quartet

debut album
is officially released this Monday,
the 10th May 2010!

Available from:
Amazon
Play.com
HMV
Fellside


Brand new CD: the Urban Folk Quartet
Label: Fellside Records
Cat No: FECD233


Release date: Monday 10 May 2010

Distribution: Proper



Paloma Trigás: Fiddle, Vocals

Joe Broughton: Fiddle, Guitar, Mandolin;

Tom Chapman: Cajon, Percussion, Vocals

Frank Moon: Guitar; Oud, Vocals.

Listening to the musical empathy generated by the Urban Folk Quartet on their eponymously titled début album, it’s hard to believe they’ve been playing together for less than ten months. Launched in June 2009, the band forged their collective fire in a slew of dazzling gigs in the UK, Italy, Belgium and Spain, headlining major festivals from the outset and winning the Spanish International Folk Competition in Plasencia with only their fourth stage performance.

Summer concert dates across Europe to be announced very soon...

The Urban Folk Quartet - March 2010 Tour

The Urban Folk Quartet was launched in June 2009 and played in the UK, Italy, Belgium and

Spain in their first 3 months together, headlining major festivals from the word go.


The UFQ is virtuosic not just in feel and technical ability but in musical concept as well

– it is a coming together of four of the most inspired and experienced young people working in world music today.

BIRMINGHAM Wednesday 3rd March

Launch of the Urban Fox Folk Club with support from Ruth Angell.

Venue: The Yardbird, Paradise Place, Birmingham, B3 3HJ

Doors open 7:30pm www.urbanfoxfolk.com

Tickets £7 (£5 students)

http://www.theticketsellers.co.uk/buy_tickets/events/?id=10010129&elId=1398&ref=btnfact


CANTERBURY Thursday 11th March

Music for Change at The Farmhouse, Canterbury.

11 Dover Street, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 3HD.

01227 456118

8pm

Tickets £6.50 (over 18s only)

http://www.thefarmhousecanterbury.co.uk/venue_buy_tickets.htm


BRIDGWATER Friday 12th March

Bridgwater Arts Centre

11-13 Castle Street, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 3DD

8pm

Tickets £10. £9 & £7

http://www.bridgwaterartscentre.co.uk/whats_on.php


RUGBY Saturday 13th March

Lawrence Sheriff School - Rugby

Clifton Road, RUGBY, CV21 3AG

7:30pm

Tickets £12

http://www.wegottickets.com/event/68595


BIRMINGHAM Sunday 14th March

Joe Broughton Fiddle School, Birmingham

SOLD OUT


SWINDON Monday 15th March

12Bar – Swindon

179 Westcott Place, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN1 5HT

8PM

Tickets £8 (£6)

http://www.wegottickets.com/event/711155


BEDFORD Tuesday 16th March

Harpur Suite – Bedford
Harpur Street, Bedford, MK40 1LE

www.fabnights.co.uk

8PM

Tickets £12

BOX OFFICE 01234-269519


LEICESTER Wednesday 17th March

The Quarter – Leicester

41 Halford Street, Leicester, LE1 1TR

8PM

This is a change from the advertised venue as they haven’t finished building it yet!


BATH Thursday 18th March

Rondo Theatre - Bath

St Saviour’s Road , Larkhall, Bath, BA1 6RT

8PM

Tickets £10 (£8)

http://www.rondotheatre.co.uk/production/625/


MILTON KEYNES Friday 19th March

The Stables - Wavendon

Stockwell Lane, Wavendon, Milton Keynes, MK17 8LU

8.30PM

Tickets £11.50 (£9.50 advance)

http://www.stables.org/Whats_on/Event/The_Urban_Folk_Quartet


THORGANBY Nr YORK Saturday 20th March

Village Hall - Thorganby

Main Street, Thorganby, YO19 6DB

8PM

http://www.thorganbyvillagehall.co.uk/events.htm


CHESTER Monday 22nd March

Alexanders – Chester

2 Rufus Court, Chester, Cheshire , CH1 2JW

Special double bill with Broughton-Bainbridge!

http://www.myspace.com/broughtonandbainbridge

8:30pm

Tickets £8 (£5 NUS)

http://www.alexanderslive.com/5.html#ufq


KENT Wednesday 24th March

Newstead Wood School for Girls - Kent

Avebury Road, Orpington, Kent, BR6 9SA

7pm

Tickets and Info 01689 853626


LONDON Thursday 25th March

Passing Clouds - Dalston

Richmond Road, Dalston, London, E8 4AA

9pm

Tickets £8 (£6 advance)

http://www.themagpiesnest.co.uk/gigs/urban-folk-quartet-theo-bard-passing-clouds-dawn-chorus


DARTINGTON Nr TOTNES Friday 26th March

Great Hall - Dartington

Dartington Hall, Totnes, South Devon, TQ9 6EL

8PM

Tickets £14, £13 (£5 young people)

http://www.dartington.org/arts/urban-folk-quartet



CLITHEROE Saturday 27th March

The Grand – Clitheroe

18 York Street, Clitheroe, Lancashire, BB7 2DL

www.thegrandvenue.co.uk

7:30pm

Tickets £10

www.wegottickets.com/event/71834


Listen to the UFQ here: www.myspace.com/theurbanfolkquartet

The Farncombe Folk Weekend - sign up now for 2010 !

3 special offers for the Farncombe Folk Weekend 2010

Select ONE of the 3 offers for this fabulous weekend of folk music with Anna, Cormac & friends : - Free return taxi from Moreton in Marsh station to Farncombe - quote "TAXI" at time of booking. - Arriving late? We will be serving a late supper if you can't arrive for 7pm - quote "EatintheBar" to take advantage of this option. - Save GBP 15.00 on the cost of the weekend - please quote "YUKKA9" at time of booking. All offers end 31/12/2009 and can only be claimed by calling 01386 854100 !

3 offers for the Yukka Folk Weekend at Farncombe 2010 - book before 31/12/2009 !

The Yukka Folk Weekend in association with Living Tradition - Making Music

Farncombe Estate has recently joined the Associated Teachers of Singing as a Corporate Member

The Association of Teachers of Singing (AOTOS) was founded in 1975 to promote a wider understanding of all aspects of the teaching of singing. They create opportunities which bring together teachers from all over the world. All AOTOS activities and services are open to members specialising in teaching any expression of song: from classical, through music theatre and folk, to jazz, rock and gospel, either privately or in school, college or conservatoire.
http://aotos.org.uk/directory/

The Urban Folk Quartet – Debut Gig!

This Friday, 12th June 2009



With support from BBC Folk Award finalists Jack McNeill and Charlie Heys.



8pm, upstairs at The Cross,
Moseley,
Birmingham,
B13 8JP



£6 on the door, party bags for people who arrive early!



Born from the unique melting pot of the Birmingham Folk Music scene, The Urban Folk Quartet is virtuosic not just in feel and technical ability but in musical concept as well, it is a coming together of four of the most inspired and experienced young people working in World Music today. Members of the band have played with The Chieftains, The Albion Band, Carlos Nunez, The Destroyers, The Conservatoire Folk Ensemble, The Old Dance School, Chris While and Bellowhead amongst others. Don’t miss the launch of this brand new band, playing for one night only in the UK before summer festivals in Italy, Belgium and Spain.



Joe Broughton – Guitar, Fiddle and Mandolin

Tom Chapman – Cajon and Percussion

Frank Moon – Oud, Guitar and percussion

Paloma Trigas – Fiddle

www.theurbanfolkquartet.com

The Conservatoire Folk Ensemble with Joe Broughton

3 Special February Concerts 2009

From riotous 50-piece group to intimate duos and trios (with plenty in between), the shape-shifting Conservatoire Folk Ensemble is a whole festival’s entertainment in one show. Funky arrangements, traditional and original tunes, virtuosic playing, humour, dancing, hats... it’s more fun than anyone deserves!

6th February – The Cross, Moseley
A Spectacular Standing room only warm up gig also featuring Jack McNeill and Charlie Heys, and The Old Dance School! (And a very special surprise guest!)
8pm
£6 on the door but don’t get there too late if you want to get in!

7th February – Clothworkers Centenary Concert Hall, University of Leeds
7.30pm
£12/£8/£3
0113 343 8730

8th February – Guildhall, Lichfield
8pm
£12 (£11)
01543 262 223

http://www.folkensemble.co.uk/
http://www.joebroughton.com/

Class Act: The Cultural and Political Life of Ewan MacColl

Our folk singing tutor Sandra Kerr is widely quoted in a new book by Ben Harker. "Class Act" published by Pluto Press studies the life and work of Sandra's mentor and teacher, Ewan MacColl. .

First biography of the political activist and acclaimed musician -- Sometimes described as 'the British Brecht', Ewan MacColl (1915-1989) was a major twentieth-century political artist. He became a communist at fourteen and spent six decades at the cultural forefront of numerous political struggles, producing plays, songs and radio programmes on subjects ranging from the Spanish Civil War to the Poll Tax. A founder-member of Theatre Workshop, MacColl was the acclaimed company's resident dramatist, and his plays won the admiration of contemporaries including George Bernard Shaw, Sean O'Casey and Hugh MacDiarmid. He went on to become the principal creative force behind the award-winning Radio Ballads and a leading figure in the post-war British folk revival. Best known as a singer and songwriter, MacColl standards such as Dirty Old Town and The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face have been covered by artists from Roberta Flack to Johhny Cash and The Pogues. This is the first biography of MacColl, and was prepared with the authorisation of his collaborator and widow, Peggy Seeger. Drawing on extensive research, Class Act: The Cultural and Political Life of Ewan MacColl is a freshly conceived and energetically written account of a highly creative and controversial activist.

For more details visit http://www.amazon.co.uk/Class-Act-Cultural-Political-MacColl/dp/0745321658

Folk weekend at Farncombe

The Farncombe FiddleOn Folk weekend takes place 27 February - 1 March.

Even if you do not play an instrument you can still enjoy the atmosphere !!

Other day courses taking place that weekend include Storytelling, Creative Writing, Jewellery Making and Indian Head Massage. For more details visit the Folk page of our website www.FarncombeEstate.co.uk/Folk.

If you wish to attend the free concert on Sunday afternoon admission is by ticket only. Please reserve tickets by contacting Farncombe on 01386 854100 or send an email to Mandy@FarncombeEstate.co.uk