IN a week that started with the glitz and glamour of the Oscars, folk fans now get a chance to see one of the more offthe- wall British films of the last few years at Darlington Arts Centre next Monday.

Morris – A Life With Bells On, set out to do for Morris Dancing what other uniquely British films like The Full Monty and Billy Elliott had done for the world of more mainstream hoofing and shoe-shaking.

I missed this movie when it first came out a couple of years ago, and I have to admit my experience of Morris Dancing is limited to having watched it from a safe distance at a thousand folk festivals over the last 30 years. But my informers tell me that this wacky look at life among the capers and the hankies is entertaining to both folkies and civilians alike.

Live music in the region this week starts tonight with Canadian shantyman Tom Lewis at Blaydon’s Tynefolk and folk-celebrity off-spring Lucy Wainwright-Roche at Newcastle’s Cluny. Tomorrow, current leading light Chris Wood and Spindrift are at Reeth Memorial Hall and Lancashire band Other Roads are at Guisborough Golf Club.

Saturday has a double bill of young blades Ewan MacLennan and Sean Donnelly at Washington’s Davy Lamp and a singaround at The Ship in Middlestone Village. Scots singer Dave Gibb is at Guisborough Rugby Club and also at Stockton’s Sun Inn on Monday.

On Wednesday, local lads Nebula are at O’Neill’s in Newcastle for a 3pm afternoon session, and Bishop Auckland Town Hall present Celtic rockers Steam Radio with Loose Connections in support.

Meanwhile we’re gearing up for Darlington Spring Thing next weekend, where my Bad Pennies and I will be joining the likes of Steve Tilston, Flossie Malliaville and Kieran Halpin and a legion of local performers for a weekend of frolics at the Arts Centre, details of which I’ll be giving you next week.