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Here comes the second edition of the English Folk Festivals Newsletter, a bit quicker then I expected but there has been a lot of interest and plenty of information and one of the festivals mentioned (Walton on the Naze 10th-12th April)) is coming up next week.
On the subject of Walton on the Naze they, with Crewe & Nantwich were two festivals I know of (and I'm sure there's more) of which were hit by government prevarication about whether or not Princess Di's funeral was an official day of mourning or not.
They each attempted to deal with the crisis in different ways Walton heading into the unknown and postponing their festival until now and Crewe attempting to go ahead only to have at the last moment the civic buildings closed on them for a good part of the Saturday. Both festivals must be financially at risk so lets make a special effort to support them this year.
I went to Walton two years ago and had a pleasant weekend and met some nice people. Those of you who can, go and have a nice day or weekend by the seaside and hear some great music. (Festival Details Telephone 01255 850013)
It is not the intention of this newsletter to attempt a comprehensive listing of all festivals. If you are looking for this try the excellent listing at the " Folk Roots" site at http://www.froots.demon.co.uk/ or you can buy April " Folk Roots" which has the same list plus lots of adverts giving artiste listings.
There is also quite a lengthy listing in Aprils "Living Tradition". Another good listing is Joe Smiths What's On Festival Guide which also has comprehensive listings plus lots of ads (You can get this from Little Pot Stove Records at ukp2.50+ukp1 UK postage or ukp2 foreign postage; address below). While being less comprehensive I hope this newsletter will be more detailed and have more opinions then any of the directories as well as having more up-to date information as the festival season progresses.
NEWS
The South Riding Folk Network will attempt to get itself into the Guiness Book of Records by assembling the Worlds Biggest Ceilidh Band.The attempt will take place during the ceilidh on the evening of the Monday at the MAYFEST which takes place at Kelham Island Museum, Sheffield Sunday May 3rd to Monday May 4th More details at www.stirrins.demon.co.uk/srfn/events.html
Judy Cook will be at the Wadebridge Festival, Cornwall (August 29-30). Judy is from Maryland in the USA, and brings a powerful voice and a deep respect for tradition to her performances of a huge repertoire of American versions of traditional songs and ballads.
The multi-talented Pete Coe is at Beverley, Cleethorpes, Sidmouth, Broadstairs, Towersey, Bromyard and Bedworth festivals this year plus appearances with Ryburn Longsword at the Sword Spectacular in Whitby on May Bank holiday ( May 23/24) ( Yes another Whitby festival!!)
Top Singing Trio Artisan are at the following UK Festivals:- Walton on the Naze 10th-12th April Hastings Jack in the Green (Stables Theatre) 3rd May Middlewich Folk and Boat 20th-23rd June Brampton Live 17th or 18th July Warwick 25th- 26th July Towersey 28th-29th August (Dates are actual appearance dates, not full festival dates)
We seem to have picked up a lot of North American subscribers to this newsletter very quickly. Hopefully most of you are planning your holidays at our festivals but for those of you who can't make it here is a bit of England coming your way in the form of Artisans American festival bookings. If you don't know Artisan you should check out the excellent article on them in the winter 1997 edition of "Sing Out" Turtle Dove Festival, Pennsylvania, 1st August Earth, Air Fire & Water, Goderich Festival, Ontario, Canada 8th - 9th August Bethlehem Musikfest 11th August One appearance only at the *Ice House* venue as a special Godfrey Daniels promotion during Musikfest Owen Sound Summerfolk Festival, Ontario, Canada 13th -16th August
Tanglefoot (Canada)a five-man vocal and instrumental group from Ontario are appearing in the UK at:- Striding man Festival, Ellesmere, Shropshire Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival Cleckheaton Folk Festival
William Pint and Felicia Dale (Seattle) are appearing at Four Fools Festival (Lowton, Lancs.)-a fantastic festival if your primary interest is song. Fylde Festival Bromyard Festival
Tania Opland and Mike Freeman (Alaska/UK) are appearing at Bromyard Festival (Sat) and Otley Festival (Sun) T.B.C.
VIEWS
Ed Harris writes "The list of festivals I would go back to year after year would include (in no particular order) Stainsby,Warwick,Cleethorpes,Walton on the Naze Redcar (note this festival has moved along the coast to Saltburn) and the late and much lamented Chedder and Coombe Abbey festivals."
Which festivals do you return to year after year? Why?
FESTIVALS
Caversham Charity Folk Festival 29th to 31st May, 1998 at Thameside Promenade,Caversham Bridge, (off Richfield Avenue),Reading, Berkshire.
The Weekend Folk Festival With A Difference - ADMISSION IS FREE - but please be prepared to give generously!
A full weekend of Concerts, Dance Displays and Musicians' sessions with Bartram / Holloway, Alan Burke (ex After Hours), Johnny Collins, Diz Disley, The Dolmen, Hickory Swing, The Huckleberries, Poachers Pocket, Mike Ruff, Three Pressed Men, Zvuk Bazaar, and many, many more....ALSO a Special READIFOLK Sunday evening concert (admission charge, proceeds to charity) with Coope Boyes & Simpson, Clann Lir (Belgium), Pot Belly PLUS Singarounds in the Boathouse plus Lunchtime Big Sing on Piper's Island Saturday night Ceilidh a Special concert featuring the best of local youth Fringe Blues Festival at The Crown (acoustic) & Three Men in a Boat (electric) Dance tour of Reading. Festival Walk in the beautiful Thames Valley "French Café" at Chronicles Riverside Restaurant & Wine Bar Musical River Cruises (see the actual locations used in 'Wind in the Willows') International display of dance and music for dance from six nations Fringe Bluegrass and Appalachian Dance Event at the Clifton Arms public house A programme of Children's Events as part of the Reading Children's Festival Red Cross supervised Creche facilities
Friends of CCFF - if you think you can help in the preparation or running of the Festival, or if your business can help in any way, please get in touch. We need our Friends!
Camping - Please get in touch to book as early as possible (small charge, proceeds to charity).
Contact - Colin Waters, 95 Hemdean Road, Caversham, Reading, Berkshire, RG4 7SS. Tel: 0118 948 3145. e-mail 100754.764@compuserve.com. http://www.roots.force9.co.uk
Contributions from donations, programme sales, raffles etc. are used to support Reading Area local Charities including; Berkshire Autistic Society, Berkshire Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre, Cystic Fibrosis Trust, Reading Cruse Bereavement Care, Didcot A.T.C., Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, Thames Valley Association for Mental Health, The Red Cross (Reddowns) Project, The Society for Mucopolysaccharide Diseases (M.P.S.).
LITTLE POT STOVE RECORDS
This newsletter is put out by by Little Pot Stove Records. We have a CD stall at many of the festivals mentioned. We also supply most independent label British folk CDs mail order at reasonable prices and put out a monthly list of collectors vinyl folk records. Contact us at Little Pot Stove or by snail mail at
213 Nursery Rd, Dinnington, Sheffield, S25 2QU
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