Mardles

On-Line Folk Concerts and Virtual Sessions

Due to the on-going Corona virus situation, a huge number of Folk Concerts and Festivals have unfortunately had to be cancelled resulting in a huge loss of income for musicians and performers. Many are finding innovative ways of taking their music on-line. Some of these are ticketed, some are free and some invite donations.

Here are some of them:-

Folk on Foot Front Room Festival - Easter Bank Holiday Monday 13th April from 2pm for over six hours of unique music.
Donations welcomed

"Half the money we raise will go to the charity Help Musicians UK – which supports musicians undergoing financial hardship – and the other half will be divided equally between the artists who take part in the Festival. Music is hugely important in lifting our spirits and salving our souls in these troubling
times, so please make a donation to support the talented people who make it."

Folks at Home

25 Acts - 100 musicians
27 hours of film footage plus market stalls, guitar workshop, merchandise and interviews
The gates are now open in case you haven't yet checked in
Buy your ticket now for just £25 and it's all there for you. Watch as many times as you like.
Enjoy our music and keep safe and well

Folk Weekend Oxford 17th-19th April

Ticketed events via Zoom (priced much less than a normal concert)
Free events via Facebook
Virtual sessions

John Spiers is doing "Isolation Pub Sessions" in his shed

Simon Care - Simon Care's Musical Jukebox.

"I've had a lot of people messaging asking where they can donate etc ... I am incredibly touched by your offers of generosity. I have decided that i am going to try to do 2 live shows a week on Sunday and Wednesday evenings at 6.30 -7.30pm, and I am going to introduce a tip jar for those kind souls that wish to donate. However, as i have already stated, luckily i am in a fortunate position financially at the moment, so at the end of each month I will donate what ever I collect to someone less fortunate than myself. I will continue this for as long as possible, or until i become that less fortunate person. I hope that is ok. See you on wednesday night. Please keep sending your requests of Morris/English ceilidh tunes. Stay safe."

Keep an eye on his FaceBook page HERE Donations can be made HERE

Please keep an eye on Mardles Facebook page as some Artistes are putting details of virtual events direct on there

If you can manage it, please consider buying a CD direct from your favourite artistes website. This will help to support them through this difficult time. Buying direct results in more going to the artiste as streaming websites pay a very small amount per play.

Finally, If you know of any virtual events that could be listed here, please send details to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Earache 2020 April (for those with their finger on the pulse...)

Earache

Well you can't beat a good old AGM to dampen the ardour, and the one at Norwich Folk Club on (Friday) 21st Feb was no exception. Fortunately enough people showed up to form a quorum, and amazingly there were the required number to fill the committee. Even better the lumpen mass didn't ask too many questions and the whole thing was bundled up in 40 minutes flat. “That's the way to do it!!” said Mr. Punch.

A harmony trio called the Notts Alliance happened to be passing and brightened up the the subsequent song session considerably.

Dave Cooper 1939 – 2020

Received from Peter Twitchett

The passing of Dave Cooper marked the end of an era in the world of Folk Music, I first knew him in 1967 when he was running the “Phoebus Awakes” Folk Club in Catford, South London. There are many stories, some of which he shared himself, that can be told about Dave. He travelled the world in his early days, ran radio stations and encouraged folk music wherever he found it from the Albert Hall to the village pub. Below is a YouTubeof Dave singing at the Steamboat Folk Festival 2011

I wrote this song for him as a birthday present on a notable birthday. It says it all really!

As I was a-walking down Thetford one day,
I spied young Dave Cooper all on the highway.
He said, “Come to a folk club.” I said, “Righty-Ho!”
And off to the Brewers we boldly did go.

Sing it here, sing it there
Of his love of folk music we’ve all had a share!

In South London, in Catford, I’ll tell you the truth,
In his folk club the choruses lifted the roof.
He booked world famous guests, but you all know the tale.
So over Paul Simon we’ll draw a quiet veil.

Then in fair Nottinghamshire Dave ran a new club.
It was a success for the olde worlde pub,
Though the floor was a little insecure, so it’s said;
And you mustn’t sit under the old moose’s head!

The tales of his cars are varied and true.
It would take far too long to recount them to you!
But we all remember the one we like best!
Don’t borrow his car if you’re passing your test!

In his youth our brave hero he travelled the world.
His love of folk music to all he’d unfurl.
From East Europe and Italy tales he can tell
And stories from other strange places as well.

And now in East Anglia his songs they ring out.
From Cromer to Colchester and all round about.
With the sessions, the radio and Gallery Quire,
This is the Dave Cooper we love and admire!

Sing it here, sing it there
Of his love of folk music we’ve all had a share!

Set to the tune of Vilikins & his Dinah

Stringfillies at The Acoustic Lounge

STRINGFILLIES – THE ACOUSTIC LOUNGE, HUNGATE CHURCH, BECCLES – FRIDAY 20TH MARCH -7.30 p.m. - £10

Stringfillies

StringFillies featuresXenia Horne (harp, vocals), Hattie Bennett (cello, vocals) and Emily Bennett (fiddle, vocals) who will present a fully acoustic and intimate evening of tunes and songs

The trio formally launched at Folk East in 2015, although they have played together for many years in theatre productions and for different concerts. Their love of traditional music making brought them together in this new format.

About Suffolk Folk

Suffolk

ABOUT SUFFOLK FOLK

Suffolk Folk was initially a branch member of the English Folk and Song Society (EFDSS) which was founded by Cecil Sharp in 1911. The earliest reference found to the Suffolk District Branch, as it was known at the time, appears in the EFDSS handbook dated February 1941 although there can be no doubt that folk dance in Suffolk was thriving for many years before that. There is mention of the Norfolk and Norwich District in an earlier edition – March 1937 – but it could well be that Suffolk was an active member at that time and the Secretary had simply failed to send in a report. Further research is needed if anybody wants to dive deeper than the level required for this simple homage to Suffolk Folk.

The 1941 edition of the handbook records seven centres in Suffolk ranging from Exning to Woodbridge and it is clear that there was a lot happening at club level. The actual name ‘Suffolk Folk’ came about in 1995 when ‘districts’ were abolished by EFDSS and so Suffolk Folk became an independent organisation with its own constitution and the stated aims of publishing the magazine entitled Mardles and of organising an annual folk dance – the Playford Ball.

On-Line Folk Concerts and Virtual Sessions

Folks at Home

Earache 2020 April (for those with their finger on the pulse...)

Dave Cooper 1939 – 2020

Stringfillies at The Acoustic Lounge

STRINGFILLIES – THE ACOUSTIC LOUNGE, HUNGATE CHURCH, BECCLES – FRIDAY 20TH MARCH -7.30 p.m. - £10

About Suffolk Folk

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Mardles

Suffolk Folk

Norfolk Folk Association

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