mummers play

Isle of Wight Folk Music – Happy New Year 2023

Posted on by folkonwight

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Some January Highlights

Celebrate Epiphany with The Crew at Ryde’s ‘folk hub’, The Star Coffee and Ale House, 7pm. This delightful little venue is also home to the Star Folk Club on the second Tuesday each month.

On the same date ( Friday 6th), Giddygander have their first outing at the First Friday Figgy Gig, in CHOYD, Yarmouth, 7pm start.

Monday 16th sees music afternoons resume at the Unity Hall, Newport, after a long break, 2.30pm, also on zoom.

Lovers of traditional songs and tunes will be pleased to see a new monthly singaround start at The Bugle, Brading, on Sunday 22nd at 7pm.

Finally, West Midland’s storyteller Peter Chand visits Cafe Isola, Newport, on Friday 27th. This is a ticketed event, details awaited.

What a wonderful December!

January 2022 – Isle of Wight Folk Music- Happy New Year

Posted on by folkonwight

Folkonwight wishes you all a happy and music-filled New Year!

Boxing Day at Arreton Barns was quieter than usual but there was plenty of dancing

Quiet start

Not surprisingly, recent uncertainty means fewer gatherings at the start of 2022, but there are plans under discussion for possible new clubs and folk nights later in the year……

Or perhaps not so quiet

Meanwhile, there are two major events at Quay Arts Centre to look forward to. Vibrant five-piece band The Outside Track visit on Friday 28th January. The Outside Track’s blend of Canadian, Scottish and Irish music and song has brought them an enthusiastic following. Expect an energy-packed mix of fiddle, accordion, harp, guitar and flute plus step dance and vocals delivered by virtuoso musicians. Not to be missed! https://www.quayarts.org/event/the-outside-track-2/

On Friday February 25th, Peter Knight and John Spires, two of the most gifted musicians on their chosen instruments, the violin and the melodeon. Together they create inspirational performances based on musical folk traditions, particularly the rich heritage of dance tunes. This will be a night to remember, well worth spending your Christmas present money on! https://www.quayarts.org/event/peter-knight-and-john-spiers/

Christmas went ahead

Tony Nicol in the ‘Christmas Boys’ Mummers Play at Arreton Barns, Boxing Day

Here are a couple of highlights…….

The Festive Folkies
Morris dancer Dilys at Arreton Barns, Boxing Day
Men of Wight, Boxing Day, Arreton Barns

Merry Month of May 2021 – Isle of Wight Folk Music

Posted on by folkonwight
Travellers Joy Folk Club

At Last!

Finally, live folk is able to start up again. The Travellers Joy Folk Club is in full swing fortnightly on Thursday afternoons. Their first performance resulted in a splash by the County Press, valuable publicity for the Island’s folk scene. Evenings in a marquee at the Waverley have started up. Folk at the Porter Club is planned to re-start on 10th June, with a possible earlier date at the end of May. Exciting news is expected soon about the Chillerton Folk Night, too.

On the gig scene, Second Time Around already have a number of dates listed on the Events page and Andy Roberts is offering live music plus refreshments most Saturdays in Freshwater (see Clubs etc.)

Second Time Around

Morris dancing activity may take longer to resume as a spectator sport, but the Men of Wight were rumoured in January to be discussing a possible programme for this summer!

May Day morning at the Longstone before the virus struck

New projects

Paul AT Wilson, a scriptwriter with BBC credits to his name, is starting a mumming and storytelling performance troupe on the Isle of Wight, called, appropriately enough, Wight Mummers.

Now that live outdoor practising is possible again, several new musical collaborations are rumoured in the pipeline…..