James Keelaghan at The Canopy Theatre
JAMES KEELAGHAN – Saturday June 7th at 7.30 p.m. Canopy Theatre, Hungate Church, Beccles
James Keelaghan is an artist who has proven to be a man for all seasons. For almost a quarter of a century now, this poet laureate of the folk and roots music world has gone about his work with a combination of passion, intent and intensity, and curiosity. Fusing his insatiable appetite for finding the next unique storyline Keelaghan also forges his pieces with brilliantly defined craftsmanship and a monogrammed artistic vision, making him one of the most distinctive and readily identifiable voices of not only the Canadian scene, but as a member of the international singer-songwriter community.
Armed with a songbook that has been embraced, by audiences around the world, Keelaghan’s life as an artist is one that is a perpetual journey on so many levels. Most importantly it’s a journey that has invited fans of literate and layered songwriting to be a part of his artistic expeditions, some that weave their way through marvellously etched stories of a historical nature with underlying universal themes, and others that mine the depths of the soul and the emotional trails of human relations. His masterful story telling, over the course of ten records, has been part of the bedrock of his success, earning Keelaghan his share of nominations and awards, and acclaim from Australia to Scandinavia.
He has the ability to make an immediate connection with audiences in a live setting, and he has an ear for a memorable melody, and harmonies that make those melodies glisten. Contemporary folk songs, at their very best, offer an insight into the hardships, attitudes, and resolve of characters and events that shape our day-to-day lives.
Truly, throughout a career that now spans almost four decades, the Juno and Canadian Folk Music Award winner has created a repertoire of incalculable importance – a unique body of work, either inspired by or drawn from the folk tradition. Ten solo albums flush with enduring lyrical relevance.
He has collaborated with many great artists in the folk world including Karine Polwart, Jez Lowe, Catherine MacLellan, Lynn Miles and Cara Luft.
“Canada’s finest singer-songwriter” - Dave Marsh, Rolling Stone magazine
“A joy to hear, just beautiful” - Eric Bibb
For more info, music and video visit https://keelaghan.com/
Plus support from Peter & Jane www.peterandjane.co.uk
Tickets are £15 and can be purchased from www.ticketsource.co.uk/martello-promotions or by using the Ticketsource Telephone Box Office 0333 666 3366 T
Milkmaid Molly at Thornage Hall Camp Community
From Jill Parson
Towards the end of September Milkmaid Molly were invited to bring a team to Thornage Hall Camp Community - a specialist school near Holt in Norfolk. Seven of the Milkmaid team made the trip plus three musicians. Milkmaid Molly is an inclusive Molly side based in Bury-St-Edmunds in Suffolk. It comprises a good core membership of 'Mollies' (those who live with disabilities) and their 'Buddies' (volunteers who provide experise and support) with everyone linked by a common love and enjoyment of folk dance and music. On this occasion only the Buddies attended as it was our privilige to introduce members of the Camp Community to an afternoon of country dancing.
The workshop was led by Gill Bosley who is a founding member of Milkmaid and general head honcho. It was great! We were given a very warm welcome at the school and were joined by about a dozen students all raring to go. There were no problems getting people onto the floor and they were brilliant, quickly getting the hang of the dances whilst enjoying a good laugh. Dancing with a partner, proved to be so much fun for these young people and it was a pleasure to introduce them to a world of folk dance and music which they had never experienced before.
This event was kindly sponsored by Mardles with the money helping towards travel costs and MM club funds.
For those that may not know, the Mardles team is happy to consider any requests for any sort of help and support we can offer towards folk related projects in and around East Anglia. Visit the website at mardles.org and contact any member of the team if you have got something in mind you think we might help with.
Wickham Skeith Country Dance Club
A new Country Dance Club in Wickham Skeith, near Diss, Suffolk
I have danced all my life, various forms of dance including ballet, jazz, stage, tap, clog dancing, Argentinian tango and of course country dancing. I started calling for our own band about 35 years ago while our children were young and also called at times for various other bands. I formed my own ladies north west clog team, Black Bull Clog and my husband Stephen played melodeon for Blackmore Morris for many years. I wrote some dances for the clog team and taught the dances. I enjoy teaching the dances and very much enjoy calling as I love to see people enjoying dancing and having fun.
We moved to Suffolk about 3 years ago now and I have missed dancing and calling. So when I got asked to call for a barn dance in the village I was very keen to do it. Those who attended absolutely loved it and asked when I would do it again. So that’s when I had the thought of running a country dance club myself. I have helped call at Theydon Bois Country dance club and Thaxted in the past so I knew what I was letting myself in for! I would like this club to be open to everyone of any ability and age. This is going to be informal, friendly and great fun.