Christmas at the SUNRAY FOLK CLUB

A lovely way to end the year for the club. An exciting turnout for our fun night of Carols, Mince Pies, Nibbles, Mummers Play, a Quiz and a lot of fun.

There was a winner for the Quiz (by a whisker) who will soon receive his prize money.

Happy Christmas to one and all.

Dorset ECHO features the SUNRAY FOLK CLUB

Friday 5th December 2008, the local newspaper the "Dorset Echo" featured a large article about the Sunray Folk Club.

It included several pictures of local singers as well one of our guests "CLOUDSTREET".

BELSHAZZAR's FEAST

The Sunray Folk Club had arguably it's best night ever when Belshazzar's Feast were the guest. The evening started with Vicki and then the main supporting artist Nicola Clark did an excellent set, making way for the main guest.

The music, song, humour and general rapport thrilled the capacity audience, who with their enthusiasm asked for more and more.

All in all a wonderful evening.

Big Guns at the Sunray Folk Club

Exciting times in this doomy climate we are in.

Expecting to be "SOLD OUT" for the next three well known artists....

Belshazzar's feast will estound everyone....

Tim Laycock is simply a treasure.....and

Martin Carthy is a phenomena.

All have and still are influencing people.

Come and enjoy

MUDCAT thread

A really interesting thread here about Folk Clubs, Floor singers, Support artists and people being economic with the truth making out they are supporting Main Guests when they are really traveling in the hope of getting a floor spot.

It is in actual fact quite tough to secure opportunities to sing and the amount available is decreasing, making it even harder to be above the crowd.

But you have to remain honest- esp to yourself.

Sessions

Went to the Elm Tree last night. Advertised in the Echo as a Folk Evening.

For a start the pub had no customers.

The Folk evening was four enthusiasts and a few interested people.

Why isn't this like it used to be. Only a few years ago you couldn't move in there.

How do we get this back on track?

Ron Trueman-Border at the Sunray Folk Club

A newcomer to the club and little seen in the area, Ron provided us with a good night of music, with support from the wonderful Alex and Noeleen, as well as Ray Mitchell and Mike Jones.

And next up we have BELSHAZZAR'S FEAST, who are sure to give us a night to remember. Nicola Clark is our main support for the evening.

2009 Calenday

The year ahead is full with a wonderful mix of artists. Some returners, which we like, and some new names for both the club and the area.

See the full calendar on the web site:



Come and see us sometime....

BELSHAZZAR'S FEAST

It would appear this gig is gaining quite a bit of interest. These are a fantastic duo and not to be missed.

Sunray Folk Club, In Concert

Happy to announce MARTIN CARTHY at the Club on Saturday 31Jan09. This will be an excellent concert.

The support has yet to be announced.

Tickets at £5 for non-members should sell quickly.

In Concert

Just able to confirm FLOSSIE MALAVIALLE appears on Saturday 11Apr09. It is Easter Saturday.

Again the tickets are subsidised, at £3 for members and £6 for others.

CLUB NIGHT, 25Sep08

A wonderful night, full of quality. New spot lights on the stage too. A surprise number of new performers.
The whole night was so much fun, and enjoyed by everyone.

Over too quickly.

Kerr & Fagan

A super night with this duo last night. Their stage performance is so mature these days.

And it was only a few months ago I was worried that clubs were on a decline. Seems it didn't last too long, with so many clubs offering first class entertainment.

Boo Hewerdine 2

Well it's now on YouTube [ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xNxOUbTN88 ]

youtube video

And a few comments we have recieved...

"many thanks for a really enjoyable gig - just like having Boo in your own front room - a rare privilege!"

"Thanks to you and your staff for a lovely, warm, friendly welcome and a brilliant nights entertainment (Boo) at the Sunray folk Club and for organising everything"

"We all really enjoyed the gig. My friends said today how much they had also enjoyed your club.
Its the first time i have seen Boo do a set without a p.a. system and really enjoyed the experience. Once again, keep up the excellent work."

"The whole event worked well, with Lou Brown, yourself and of course the
guest blues guitarist all adding to the feel. The lighting, the bar,
everything pitched just right."

BOO HEWERDINE

The "In Concert" last night was simply awesome. A capacity crowd enjoyed an intimate night with Boo.

Ably supported by the lovely LOU BROWN.

Acoustic music at it's best.

Swanage Folk Festival 2008

What a wonderful weekend. A tad moist, but a quality event nevertheless.

And of course the Church concerts were superb, culminating in a Festival finale with the stunning New Scorpion Band. Everyone without exception wanted this to go on and on and on.

What a pity such good things have to end.

But then there is next year!

BUNKFEST

I was called late friday afternoon and so set off at the crack o'dawn for Wallingford to compere 3 concerts, as the person booked to do them didn't appear.

Good to see this festival back to almost full strength. I was looking after several concerts that included Tom Bliss and Martin Carthy.

Back home now recovering.

A busy month

Been very busy. Enjoyed Gaunts House and I hope I left it as i found it!!!



Derek & Kitty on Thursday who are sure to give us a good night, as usual.

Introducing "Frequent Folker Awards" at the club on Thursday- come along on 9 nights and get a free nights drinks.

And Derek & Kitty will be inducted into the Sunray HALL OF FAME on Thursday.

And of course we have Boo Hewerdine on 13 Sep "In Concert". The support has now been agreed. We have LOU BROWN- a superb performer.

And also Swanage Festival is fast approaching.

So much going on.

Sidmouth Sunday 03Aug08

Well I made the annual day-trek but for the first time in a while the weather was not kind. Loads of friends there, but not as many as usual.
Sang at the Acoustic Cafe, but the rain had kicked in by then, so it was less than easy.

Did manage to walk the seafront for a few hours, but the afternoon was a washout.

An interesting beached whale, who later turned up at the pub I walked into. Mmmmm.

And a rainy journey home.

EVOLVE FESTIVAL

What a wonderful start for this new Festival. A great ambiance- lovely grounds. The line up wasn't bad, and there were lots of old friends and now a whole host of new friends.

I enjoyed my 45 minute song spot. Quite relaxing and several compliments received.

The workshop was interesting, in that half way through 30 young girls burst in! No more to say on that!

Look forward to the next Festival. The organisation was professional and augers well for the future. I hope Weymouth does more in the way of help and support.

4th THURSDAY at Stikkers

Well, what a strange evening last night. I played host as Chas wasn't available. A fair turnout and a good mix of songs, including a couple of my favourites. But...

it was obvious from the start that the new Landlord had other plans, and they were soon revealed. The Thursday is no longer available. Not only that, but the change is immediate with no chance of re-arranging things in an orderly fashion. A poor way of conducting affairs, but the new landlord is not my sort of guy. And his food is very poor. So many of the folk gathering used to turn up early to eat there- but not any longer.

Thank goodness the Sunray is not at the mercy of others!

STIKKERS

Woken last night at 1032pm with a request to run the next session here (thursday).

Always a fun time, though I have to say it has not been quite the same since Dave n Steff left. But it could be just me.

I will try to make it a good night.

"In Concert" at the Sunray Folk Club

The Sunray Folk Club moves onward which sees concerts throughout the year, The first concert features BOO HEWERDINE in Saturday 13Sep at 815pm.

Not the usual club, but a concert setting.


http://www.bobkirkpatrick.co.uk/Sunray%20In%20Concert.htm

Licenced bar, fun and friendliness,
Check the web site for more details.

Tickets £3 for members and £5 for others

Bram Taylor

What a great night. Bram was on form and was well supported by Woman Wants Tall Man, and Tim Laycock. Ray chose two songs as only he can do.

New members have swelled our numbers, and everyone enjoyed the whole evenings entertainment.

Sadness

Graham Proctor has been a folk-friend for some time now. He has recently lost a son through the most tragic of circumstances.
A lovely service today for his son. He must now learn to move on.

He will be mentioned at the Sunray Folk Club this Thursday.

A song will be sung for him.

Wimborne Folk Festival, 08

What a fantastic weekend. Great concerts, loads of friends to catch up with, and so much more.

And this year I had the priveledge to handle two afternoon concerts, as well as getting a couple of Folk Club spots, and I managed one song at Derek's singaround.

The sound was v good, the stewards friendly, the bar had the usual friends who were simply great.

And then there was Boo!! WOW!

All in all, despite the rain on Sunday and the usual town center no-go areas, one Festival not to miss.

Weymouth in June

Well the weather gave us a great weekend. Met lots of friends and had a whole load of fun. Good beer and an unfortunately smokey burger stall!

This is the start of whole load of music with Wimborne and Evolve coming up soon. Can't wait.

Evolve Festival Tickets up for grabs

The Sunray Folk Club has Two weekend tickets in their Special draw which is open now. For £1 get one of two tickets. The draw will take place 24Jul.

Evolve Festival, Weymouth Competition final

What a fun night. Good to see really young people enjoying their music so much. Pity more passes-by didn't breeze to witness the talent.

Glad I wasn't a judge- tough work! And my choice wouldn't match with the chosen winner, but that's because I favour and support folk as a music genre.

I hope to see some them at the Sunray- they would be very well received.

First Year of the Sunray Folk Club

Well what a night- full of fun and just as wanted it. And Paul Downes with Mick Ryan a superb guest for us. all in all a good mix.
And the "Committed Band" performed their own thing!!

It was great.

Can't wait for the next two months- superb guests.

Stikkers

A wonderful night in one of the friendliest gatherings around. A good mix of abilities and a good mix of folk.
So nice to be a part of it. Loads of laffs and loads of fun- the way it should be!

Folk moves in mysterious ways

Some very interesting stuff going around recently. And SadFolk (such a pity the branding is not more attractive, as Folk shouldn't be seen as "sad"!) is now up to date.

Lots of stuff happening...in the run-up to Summer. The line-up at many Festivals is impressive and I do so hope they are all supported well. I see one has already decided to call it a day due to poor pre-sales.

And the down-turn in the economy is bound to have an impact.

Didn't win

The Songwriting competition in Wells has been and gone, and though I didn't win, I had a very interesting time, meeting some good friends and making some new ones. And we all witnessed a broad mix of styles.
And a supporter of the Sunray Folk Club was "runner up"- Nicola Clark.

Songwriter competition

Well, it seems I have been shortlisted (now one of 15) in the competition associated with Priddy Festival. Finals on Sunday 04May, in Wells.
Should be a nice day out anyway- Wells is very nice.

I see I know two of the judges too! Old friends from Bristol.

So what's going on

Well it seems "ROGER's RANT is progressing nicely and the plans are getting firmed up. And it's all for charity. Could be something that grows into something significant, yet friendly.

And I am trying Gaunts house this monday....see what goes on!

And Thursday sees Pete Castle at the Sunray...a great night in prospect.

Crediton in the rain

I usually visit Crediton- a small get together in Devon. I meet friends from Dorset and the Midlands, so it's good fun for me. The weather didn't help this year but the beer was good.

Fifehead

Well I went to this club and it was a packed house, which was useful as it was in aid of charity. All levels are given the chance to sing, so there is plenty of variety.
Looking forward to Wessex (Vicky Swan+) and Stikkers.

Fifehead, SP8 5RR

Making the long trek to the wilds of Fifehead, this friday. Apparently it's in aid of a charity. Haven't been for years for several reasons, so we'll see how it goes.

More sad news, Phil Lacey

I was called tonight by Mo, who explained that Phil had passed away.
I am terrible at names and was not sure who this was.
However, Geoff Payne emailed me also, and that enabled me to recognise him. Actually, I hadn't seen Phil for some time now. He always seemed to have that cheeky smile. And he loved his music.

Festivals local to the Sunray Folk Club, and supporters of!!!

So many to choose from this year, and after last years flooding it will be good to see them all well attended....

Sorting out my MC responsibilities for Wimborne Festival. I am taking care of the Sat and Sun afternoon concerts. Also looking forward to Dereks session- usually a good mix.
Weymouth's Festival EVOLVE has me included and it will be interesting to see how the start up year goes- I wish them well as they have a wonderful line-up. It was good to see the organisers at the Sunray Folk Club.

A bit of a way to go yet, but I am so looking forward to Swanage Festival. I am taking care of all the Church concerts. A large, and acoustically challenging but superb venue. The final concert of the weekend with the New Scorpion Band at 7pm sunday. Wow!

Many more Festivals on offer too: too many to name!

Going around in April

Visiting FIFEHEAD and GAUNTS HOUSE during April. Plus the usual Stickland. It will be nice to see some places I haven't seen for a while.
Barron-Brady did the Sunray Folk Club well on the 27th March. A good turn out too.

Ray Sargent

and what a loss! A wonderful man, so talented. Happily he graced the stage at the Sunray and we can cherish that memory.
These times are so tough.
Details of the funeral and a celebration ceilidh can be found from the web site link.

So much going on

So now we have two festivals in Weymouth- one with a couple of major headliners...Show of Hands no less.
So now you can see them at their famous Abbotsbury family day supported by Martin Simpson and then at the Weymouth Folk Festival 25-26July. Not to mention Trowbridge on the friday!

Folk in the area

Dorset has such a wealth of Folk Music on offer. Pay-to-get-in clubs, free sessions, some very friendly so stick with it, get in there and enjoy folk.
And the Festival season gets under way, Weymouth, Wimborne, Swanage are all recommended, but others are there that are further afield.
Good monthly gatherings include Winterborne Stickland (2nd thursday) Gaunts House (3rd monday) Dorchester 3rd Wednesday at Kings Arms Hotel....and loads more

Welcome

Well, the next club night is less than two weeks away, and it should be a cracker, with guests BARRON BRADY!
They will be supported by a select number of floor singers.