Monday 11 February 2013

Closures/Day Changes/New Venues + Plenty of News



Such really sad news to hear that the current “Fishermen’s Friends” Tour has been blighted by the dreadful death of their Tour Manager Paul McMullen and the serious injury to one of the ensemble members, Trevor Gill when a heavy metal door fell on them at the G Live venue in Guildford.   I’m sure the thoughts of the folk Community are with the families and all those associated with the Shanty singers. 

News of New Year session openings, closings, new venues and day changes.  Confused?  I was.

The return of an old friend gathering of musicians, “Hangman’s Corner”.  This is to be a regular Monthly event on the second Friday, at The Bridge.   Yes, you’ve missed the first one, although I did try to get news out in the catch up Emailing last week.  It’s a set programme of local artists doing their thing, and I guess (says he) that performance is by invitation.  In other words it’s NOT an Open Mic.  

My spies tell me that the first one The Bridge was packed out, mainly I’m told for the free Pork pie on offer, and to listen to a wild Tim Cleverley on guitar and beer glass.  But it’s great to be able to report yet another musical session success in 2013. 

In fact it’s currently all looking good.  The Thursday Bridge Session is currently doing brilliantly, with players and an audience coming in from all over the Borough, and the monthly session at The Butchers Arms, Braithwell had a near sell out attendance.

The Black Lion, Firbeck session is sadly no more.  Apparently the Land Lord was not making enough on the beer to cover the cost of the very nice chips he used to serve up.  This is a complaint I have heard many times recently, folkies are simply not drinking enough!    Could this be because we no longer appreciate good ale? Is it a comment on the price of a pint? Or is it simply we are financially wiped out by the Government?  Personally I think it’s because we’re having to travel by car to venues and thus, drinking is a no, no.   Good news for Black Lion supporters, Keith has found a new home for you at The Hadfield Arms at Laughton but be warned it’s now the 4th THURSDAY of the Month.

Paul Davenport’s Maltby Sword Dancers are currently looking for a new home for their practice as the White Swan has been closed and is up for sale.   I’m sure Paul is looking but I suspect he would appreciate a heads up to any available space in the Maltby area.  

Finally a change of day to report.   “Dermot’s – Ferry Folk”  a session hidden away in the wilds of outer Doncaster,  THE CROOKED BILLET, SOUTH STREET, OWSTON FERRY DN9 1RT now meets on the third Thursday of the Month. 

Those of a certain age will like this very strong rumour…………..   the word is on the Street that Rotherham’s Club area will soon have a Bar catering to mainly Northern Soul and other seventies / eighties music.    Stay tuned for details.

I think I’ve updated our listings page accordingly and of course thanks to Masher John for reporting his findings. 

Big news out of RAE / Acoustic Rotherham section is that our quarterly Acoustic Rotherham Showcase Events are to be re-launched.   We’re up to number 17 now (some of you may have seen number 18 banded about, it was a lie) and for the first time will be moving out of spiritual home of Rawmarsh to take this unique music experience into Rotherham……….    Hohoho.   So come on down to The Bridge on the 7th April.   I’m currently drawing up my list of folks who want to play so just to make sure that I’ve not forgotten you please drop me an Email HERE to give me a kick.  I’m told that Tony has heard rumours of the marathon nature of the event and has promised one of The Bridge’s super Buffets – worth putting in your Diary for that alone.    

Don't know about Acoustic Rotherham Showcase Events?  Where have you been?  find out more HERE

It’s great to report that the second Live At The Trades, featuring local band Tram 13 was another rip roaring, rocking success.   I was particularly interested in the two young acoustic indie solo acts who warmed the audience up, Del Scott Miller and Brandon Gray – names to watch out for in the future. 

Showing fantastic energy Tram 13 performed around two hours’ worth of  high tempo rock, with just a ten minute break to consume drummer Richard’s birthday cake, (he was 49) a true survivor having lived through years with Phil Murray and The Boys From Bury.  Another example of a local band providing excellent live and real music entertainment.   There were some fantastic comments from those who came along and help generate a great atmosphere again.

Live At The Trades moves on.  Our next promotion is the Manic, Mega, Music Riot Weekend, with The Psychedelic Warlords playing a special Concert on FRIDAY 1st March and an amazing six Band Indie Rock Night on SATURDAY 2nd March.     


 Fingers crossed, but I hope to be able to announce some really exciting news, well exciting for us, by the end of the week.  Just waiting for Official notification, before broadcasting to the World. 

Fantastic news for the real Folkies, or those who simply want to find out more about Folk Music.  Topic Records, who have been involved in the recording of working class grass roots music since their traced origins with The Workers Music Association since 1939, have released a catalogue of eighty digitalised albums, many of which have been unavailable for some time.  You can find it HERE.   For those interested this is a chance to discover the fantastic depth of folk in the UK and Ireland, and to catch up on some of the early recordings.  Well worth some your time.

While in Folk mode, it seems that Mike Harding has had to fork out £3K of his own money to buy all the Licenses that he has needed to launch his online Radio Programme.  It goes out fresh on a Sunday tea time, but is then looped like a podcast for the rest of the week.  Anyone wishing to donate a small sum to keep the show going can find a link HERE.

Funding for anything is not going to get any easier during 2013 and that applies to the Arts as much as to all public services.   The days of rich pickings have gone, as are the days of lazy project Management. 

Personally in some respects I don’t think this is a bad thing.   While it would be nice to have the Arts Council running around Rotherham and throwing money at us, I feel that the policies of the past have led to lazy Management, planning and thinking.   Arts Council Grants have been so taken for granted in the past that very little effort had been put into developing links with the business Community etc., with a view to developing projects and work that Commerce may be prepared to Sponsor.

Hey and don’t get wrong.  I have many issues with how Arts Council funds are used nationally, but that’s another essay.

In Rotherham we have several Independent Art organisations all of which will be seeking to dip into a dwindling pot, a pot I’m sad to say that might have run dry for some activities, Festival Performance being one of them.  

There is also a danger that once everyone has got their act together that local business will simply get completely fed up with organisations knocking on their door and asking for money.  Which is why I believe that groups like The Rotherham Culture Group and Rotherham Art Events and others should be joining forces in a co-ordinated fund raising attach.  

It won’t happen.  Why not?  Because there are few that truly recognise just how difficult it will be from here on in to raise Funds from public sources.   The politics will get in the way.   

That’s why RAE are not messing about.  We know that we have to come up with a Business Plan that does not assume grants or Management Fees, even of the pathetic levels of 2012, so we have appointed Beverley Casson who will be working in a Volunteer role to sale Sponsorship and Advertising.  It will clearly take Beverly a few weeks to get read in and set up, but she will become the new first point of call for Commercial Fund Raising for our Festivals and activities.

The Rotherham Culture Group will be looking to provide support to the Hindu Holy Festival; Black Culture Month and of course provide the music / performance stage at the Rotherham Show, better known as The Diversity Festival.   Donations can be sent HERE 

For what RAE are up to you’ll have to head HERE Where you will find Donate buttons he laughs.

Just heard that those well-known folkies Munford and Son have just won a Grammy. Congratulations.  

A fairly quiet week ahead, although as soon as someone reads that the Inbox will be full of important happening things.  

Just draw your attention again to the Rotherham’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans history month Exhibition currently on view at The Old Market Gallery, continues Tuesday to Saturday.  I’ve not seen it myself yet, but hope to pop in on Thursday. 

On Wednesday you’ll find that rumours that my old mate Phillip Hartley would be giving up singing for Lent are completely untrue, when he hosts The Crown Session.  That’s The Crown Albert Road in Heely, Sheffield. 

All the standard Sessions and Clubs will be meeting as usual.  

If this week is quiet the next week positively jumps with activity as previously reported.   On Friday 22nd Dave Berry will doing his stuff at The Rock, Maltby.  Always a good value evening of music.  For those with pockets that are not quite so deep there’s Makeshiftz and Friends at The Chequers in Whiston.    

Then on Saturday it’s a rush around Town.  From 4:00pm in The Bridge upstairs room there’s a Festival of Underground Heavy Metal Music, entry £4.  (For those not in the know, this is the Metal genre that seems very melodic in places but then goes into screaming breaks – sorry guys – just old man comment – I really must discover more about it).  At The Old Market Gallery, Stan Skinny and company will be performing their “Wordsmack Caberet” entry £5.   

At The Trades Venue Rotherham Trades Council are providing the finance to promote The Banner Theatre.  Promote might be too grandeur word.  I have tried to help things along by making sure the support Band The Hurriers from Barnsley had a PA, and by putting up an Event on Facebook, running a Poster ad on our listing page.  The result yet more pathetic Monty Python Life of Brian like comments about who is behind the event is the RAGC or the RAC, or RSNHSC  WHO CARES!!WE HAVE A WORLD CLASS THEATRE COMPANY COMING AND NO ONE KNOWS.   There’s not even a Poster in the Venue!!!    So I’ve told people and who knows someone somewhere might sort something out before they completely waste a whole bundle of money.  

And in Doncaster they have a really interesting line up for one of their splendid Folk Festival Fund Raising Concerts. 

All the details can be found of course on the Listings Page HERE

Tickets for the Wath Folk Festival and the line-up are now available HERE

Live at The Trades updates appear HERE

Rotherham Art Events News and updates HERE

I think we’ve bored you enough for another week, so we’ll leave it there.

So whatever you are doing this coming week, have great fun, support your local artists and KEEP IT LIVE. 

No comments:

Post a Comment