Mad March 2022 – Isle of Wight Folk Music

Posted on March 1, 2022 by folkonwight

Quay Arts Rocks

Around 150 people enjoyed a fabulous performance from Peter Knight and John Spires at Quay Arts Centre on the last Friday in February. The two superb musicians kept the audience enthralled with an amazing series of strong folk tunes, expert variations and a superb mix of styles .

If you missed it, you might like to know about the other high quality folk concerts coming up soon at Quay Arts. On Thursday 7th April, Rachel McShane and the Cartographers pay a return visit https://www.quayarts.org/event/rachael-mcshane-and-the-cartographers/ , Cara Dillon’s original concert was postponed, the new date is Saturday 30th April 19.30. Cara Dillon | (quayarts.org) , Singer songwriter Boo Hewardine visits the Quay on Thursday May19th https://www.quayarts.org/event/boo-hewerdine/ and finally, the much postponed evening with Martin Carthy, Angelina Grimshaw in support, has been rescheduled to Thursday 26th May. https://www.quayarts.org/event/martin-carthy/

St Patrick’s Day,

Thursday 17th March is awash with events this year. The Traveller’s Joy Folk Club reopens after its winter break at13.30. Later, an Irish themed ‘come all ye’ folk session takes place at a new venue, The Star Coffee House, in Ryde’s High Street. This may herald the start of a new folk club. Irish music can also be heard at The Steamer Inn, Shanklin, The Spyglass, Ventnor and Monkton Arts Centre in Ryde.

An Irish music session at The Porter Club

Storytellers on the move

The Island Storytellers have a special evening on Wednesday 16th March at Boojum and Snark, Sandown, starting at 7pm. when the theme is ‘ Traditional Tales’. Booking is essential, https://www.eventbrite.com/e/an-evening-of-traditional-tales-tickets-271140256807 . The storytellers plan to move their regular meetings to the third Tuesday of the month in future.

Storyteller Monty at a dramatic point in a story

February 2022- Isle of Wight Folk Music

Posted on January 31, 2022January 31, 2022 by folkonwight

The morris sides are brushing up their dances ready for the long summer season. Clubs and Folk Nights are filling up as Covid recedes, it appears. More one-off events are being planned, like 2nd Time Around entertaining at the Lord Louis Library this month and a concert by Slainte Va at the Mountbatten Centre early in April.

The omicron wave did result in one or two postponements so there is more to look forward to later on. Quay Arts put back the Cara Dillon date to April 30th and Outside Track to 29th June and they are bringing Rachel McShane and the Cartographers over for a return visit.

If comedy is your bag, don’t miss Steve Love’s Island Songs as you sip your morning coffee at Monkton Arts Cafe, Ryde. Steve performed there fortnightly last year and it looks like his ‘world tour’ is back on again.

See Events for details of all these happenings and many more.

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

Posted on January 1, 2022 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…….

Morris dancer Dilys at Arreton Barns, Boxing Day

December 2021 – Isle of Wight Folk Music

Posted on December 1, 2021 by folkonwight

Keep Safe and Carry on!

There are lots of festive folky treats to look forward to this year, including many which take place out of doors. The following events had been announced by the start of December, but keep an eye on the Events page for any updates.

On Sunday 5th December, the colourful Oyster Girls bring dance and music to the banks of the Medina as they process along the cycle path from Island Harbour to Newport Quay AND BACK to raise money for the very worthwhile charity, Shelter. They set off from Island Harbour at 10.30. Look out for lots of bemused cyclists en route. Here is the link for donations. I’m fundraising for Shelter!

Thursday 9th is the date for Ruth’s annual Christmas Reflections Concert at the Salvation Army Hall in Pyle Street, in aid of the Army’s Christmas Appeal for the homeless. Ruth has organised this lovely concert for many years and it is always a heart warming treat. Tickets must be reserved, full details on the Events page. Folk Night at the Porter Club’s usual Christmas mayhem has been shifted to Thursday 16th to give Ruth’s event a clear run.

Saturday 18th is looking rather busy. It first sees the traditional pre-Christmas morris dancing event organised by Men of Wight in St. Thomas’s Square, Newport, starting at noon. Then, as darkness falls, Bloodstone Border Morris light the beacon on Culver Cliff and dance, weather and Covid permitting. Finally, The Dance Preachers take over the cafe at Quay Arts. Doors open at 7 o’clock.

The Quay Folk Club’s popular Christmas event is on Sunday 19th. The ever-popular Festive Folkies take centre stage, ably supported with merriment and music from the Quay Cabal and The Christmas Boys.

A performance of The Christmas Boys’ Mummers’ Play

Hearty carol singing is the plan for December 23rd at The Traveller’s Joy, starting at 1.30. The Christmas Boys pop up again at 11.45 on Boxing Day at The Dairyman’s Daughter. Finally, the Gallybagger Folk Night at Chillerton is going from strength to strength to help us make the most of the run up to the New Year.

Other events may be announced later, or circumstances may change, so see Events for updates.

November 2021 – Isle of Wight Folk Music

Posted on October 31, 2021 by folkonwight

November – month to look forward to

November is looking good. Peter Knight, formerly of Steeleeye Span and a superb fiddle player, is due to bring his trio, Gigspanner, to perform at Quay Arts Centre on Wednesday 3rd. The bargain ticket price is only £16. Also coming up this month – The Watch and Rug Band at Monkton Arts, the annual Playford Ball, Irish-themed songs and poetry in Ryde, ‘Classical meets Folk’ in Ventnor and a fundraiser for the Foodbank. See Events for details and links.

Helping a good cause

A fantastic result from a fantastic weekend. The organising committee of The Yarmouth Sea Songs and Shanties Weekend presented a cheque for £3000 to Needles Coastwatch Institute. The money was collected through car parking fees and donations. Also after much in-depth discussion, the date has been announced for 2022. Next May, the green at Yarmouth will resound with shanties and forebitters between 27th and 29th May, 2022.

Slainte Va at the Yarmouth Sea Songs and Shanties Festival

Good news

The Quay Folk Club Cabal met recently to discuss the feasibility of occasionally bringing over a top-quality band or performer from the Big Island. Watch out for announcements…..

October 2021 – Isle of Wight Folk Music

Posted on October 1, 2021September 26, 2021 by folkonwight

Caroline Giles

It was very sad news to hear that Caroline Giles died recently, in mid September. Caroline was an accomplished musician who joined in at play along sessions on a variety of instruments, guitar, violin, banjo and, most frequently, flute, recorder and whistle. In the 90s, Caroline played in the local band ‘Well Oiled’. She regularly visited the Dairyman’s Daughter Folk Night and her tunes were always a highlight of the evening.

Yarmouth Sea Songs and Shanties, 2021

The ever-popular Brighstone Barnacles produced a humdinger of a set at Yarmouth

Here are some random comments from enthusiastic audience members at the Yarmouth shanty festival. “The best so far”, “When is the next one?”, “That was a really enjoyable weekend”, “Very well organised”, ” Amazing quality of musicianship”, “We are so glad we came along”.

Great Expectations

There has been so much interest about the future of the Tuesday weekly folk night at the Dairyman’s Daughter. Unfortunately, it is unable to restart at the moment. Keep watching for announcements, as soon as a date is set it will appear in Events and the Clubs etc. page.

Following the success of a one-off Cajun jam session at the Porter Club last month, there are hopes of a monthly Irish jam session at the same location. A meeting has taken place between a potential session leader and the club secretary. Watch out for further announcements.

Meanwhile, rumours are coming out of West Wight. The possibility is being explored of a new folk night at Dimbola. The previous folk night was very successful, full to capacity and more for a number of years. Perhaps there may be pent-up demand for a singaround with a guest spot.

Andy Jackson Variety Concerts

So, after a year’s delay (side effect of Covid) and many, many changes of name, Ruth Lockyer’s series of concerts in aid of The Salvation Army’s Christmas Appeal for the Isle of Wight’s homeless will finally go ahead. The first concert is in Wellow on Saturday 2nd October, followed by Shalfleet at the end of the month, Ryde in November and finally the usual annual concert in Newport in December.

Sheshells, who will be performing at Wellow

Amazing August 2021 – Isle of Wight Folk Music

Posted on August 1, 2021 by folkonwight

Love is in the air

The Oyster Girls formed a fabulously colourful guard of honour outside St Mary’s Church in Brading for the wedding of Pam Matthews, one of their dancers.

John Bentley and Karen Butcher chose Quay Arts Centre for their wedding venue. The Quay looked at its most attractive and atmospheric. Garlands and lights hung in festoons from the ceiling and the chairs were covered and decorated with bows. Part of the entertainment was, you guessed it, folk music from their many friends, followed by a mega jam session.

Congratulations to both the happy couples!

More song venues open up

The Gallybagger Inn Folk Night reopened on the last Thursday in July with Sham organising the evening, ably supported by other Barnacles. The refurb. has greatly improved the acoustics and the decor. The locals who put in so much effort during lockdown have done an excellent job. Plus, the new committee are doing all they can to ensure the event is as Covid- safe as possible.

Unfortunately, The Trinity Folk Club in Ventnor was unable to start at the end of July, as planned. A new date of 20th August has been announced.

The Spyglass Inn in Ventnor is resuming live music in August.

Dancing is back

Several sides are out dancing now. Men of Wight have a full programme for the summer, Moonshine, Bloodstone and the Oyster Girls have all performed too. Whitgar and Wight Bells are brushing up their heys. The Playford social dance group is setting and turning single with gusto. Only Guith are lagging behind, in urgent need of a (temporary) musician .

Jaunty July 2021 – Isle of Wight Folk music

Posted on July 1, 2021July 11, 2021 by folkonwight

Sheshells

Sheshells are a newly formed all-female singing group. They can be heard at Ventnor Fringe on Sunday 25th July, when, weather permitting, they plan to make the bandstand in Ventnor Park ring from 1pm with a salty selection of shanties and sea songs. Stick around that afternoon and a little later you can enjoy the music of the ever-popular Second Time Around, who take to the stage at 2pm.

The Sheshells, pictured below, recently performed for the first time at The Porter Folk Night, Ventnor.

Morris on

At last, the Island’s morris sides are finally able to revisit their dances in a socially distanced outdoor way. Some are now planning to perform in front of real crowds once more. On Sunday 18th July, The Highland Gathering descends on the Steam Railway at Havenstreet. As well as the electrifying Bloodstone Border Morris, the entertainers include Scottish Country Dancers, Pete’s Sake and Wight Hot Pipes. Not a bad line-up for just £10. Phone 07779794103.

Will they or won’t they?

Clubs planning to open up this month are Island Storytellers on Monday 19th, Chillerton Folk Night on Thursday 29th and Trinity Folk Club, Ventnor on Friday 30th, see Events page for details. Of course, all this depends on our new Health Secretary and a small collection of molecules so tiny they cannot function alone.

Jolly June 2021- Isle of Wight Folk Music

Posted on June 1, 2021 by folkonwight

Open Mic Monday on Zoom is still going

With the return of live music, most music Zoom sessions are closing down, but Open Mic Monday on Zoom is continuing as a permanent feature of the Island’s music calendar.

It is hosted from the Isle of Wight by Steve Love, pictured above with his latest CD all ready for launch. Steve’s Open Mic zoom welcomes all kinds of music, poetry and other performance, as well as watchers. Most of the participants are from the Island, but there are some from the North Island and around the world. Steve has decided to keep it going because he has noticed that a number of the participants like music but for medical or domestic reasons can’t go out to pub events, with or without a lockdown – while others (like himself) just have to have their extra fix of music every week.

The format will be familiar to Isolation Row and folk club participants – the host ‘goes round the room’ to give everyone a song/spot, then goes round again if there is time or if not draws names from a hat.

Open Mic Monday takes place every Monday from 8pm till 10.15pm on Zoom , Anyone is welcome, either regularly or as a drop-in, or bring-a-friend, to perform or watch. The links are all on the folkonwight Events page.

Zooming into the past

There have been 61 Isolation Row zoom sessions, run by John Hacker or, very occasionally, by John Bentley. These have now come to and end, but the Monday Open Mic zoom is continuing, see above. John Hacker’s contribution to the lockdown folk music scene has been immense. Apart from the regular committment of the zooms, he produced three days’ worth of festival and several Quay Folk Clubs too. What a star!

Just a few

Some folk clubs have been able to restart whereas others are still waiting. The problem is space, of course. Those with suitable outdoor areas or a good sized indoor room are now up and running. All eyes are fixed on June 21st! Meanwhile, the morris sides are getting organized again. Men of Wight met in (almost) secret to dance in the May. Bloodstone Border Morris are about to resume their practice nights and Moonshine assembled outdoors for a dance and catch -up, see below.

Merry Month of May 2021 – Isle of Wight Folk Music

Posted on April 30, 2021May 1, 2021 by folkonwight

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.)

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…..