Frankie reports the following squeezy opportunity….

“There is a weekend melodeon workshop with Issy Emeney being held in Grantham on  26th – 28th Feb.It’s full board and I can promise you the organisers know how to feed people! It’s an opportunity I would not miss if I were a melodeon player.

This is the website   www.jsarts.co.uk but it’s a bit lacking at the mo because they have just moved.  However, Jo’s phone no. and email are on there for you to enqire – mention Frankie told you to ring!”

The nominations for the BBC Folk Awards 2010 came out yesterday. In the past I’ve not exactly found the selection that inspiring but this year there are some that are absolutley spot on, in my opinion.

I’m particularly chuffed to see Jackie Oates nominated as best singer, Damien Barber and Mike Wilson as best duo and best of all our pals Mawkin:Causley who make the list twice, once for best trad song with Cutty Wren and once for Best Group. Well done guys and about time too!

Here’s the list:

FOLK SINGER OF THE YEAR:
Cara Dillon
Jackie Oates
Jon Boden
Martin Simpson

BEST DUO:
Belshazzar’s Feast
Damien Barber & Mike Wilson
Megson
Show of Hands

BEST GROUP:
Bellowhead
Lau
Mawkin:Causley
The Unthanks

BEST ALBUM:
Here’s The Tender Coming – The Unthanks
Hill of Thieves – Cara Dillon
Hyperboreans – Jackie Oates
True Stories – Martin Simpson

BEST ORIGINAL SONG:
Arrogance Ignorance and Greed – Steve Knightley (performed by Show of Hands)
Home Again – Martin Simpson
One Day – Martin Simpson/Martin Taylor (performed by Martin Simpson)
The Testimony of Patience Kershaw – Frank Higgins (performed by The Unthanks)

BEST TRADITIONAL TRACK:
Cutty Wren – Mawkin:Causley
Sir Patrick Spens – Martin Simpson
Spencer the Rover – Cara Dillon
The Isle of France – Jackie Oates

HORIZON AWARD:
Hannah James and Sam Sweeney
Katriona Gilmore and Jamie Roberts
Nancy Wallace
Sam Carter

MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR:
John Kirkpatrick
John McCusker
Martin Simpson
Saul Rose

BEST LIVE ACT:
Bellowhead
Edward II
Lau
The Bad Shepherds

The Waltham Forest Guardian has a nice piece about our friends the Blackhorse Morris cutting a dash at the Rochester Sweeps festival.

http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/wfnews/4346478.WALTHAMSTOW__Morris_dancers_enjoy_sweeps_festival/

The club was contacted by Stratford Circus and offered discounted tickets for Kathryn Williams this Saturday 7th Feb

The text of the email follows which explains how to apply for the discount.

Dear Kevin,

It was great to speak to you today and I am very pleased to offer your members and guests a discount on tickets for our forthcoming Kathryn Williams gig on the 7^th of February.

Details of the gig are as follows:

Kathryn Williams

Stratford Circus Upfront East Artistic programme

Kathryn Williams, supremely talented mercury prize nominee with an unrivalled critical reputation, teams up with Neil MacColl, a great session player and member of a hugely influential musical clan. They will be performing songs from their debut album, “Two”.

Sat 7 February

8pm

Ticket Prices

£15 / £12

www.williamsmaccoll.com

Tickets can be purchased in person at Stratford Circus, online at www.stratford-circus.com or by phone on 0208279101.  To receive a discount please let your members know to quote ‘FOLK’ for which they will be entitled to a concession priced ticket.