THERE’S a complete crosssection of the current UK folk music scene on display around the region this week, with something for every taste and persuasion.

Highlights start tonight with multi-instrumentalists Lyra Celtica at Darlington Arts Centre, and a choice tomorrow between South Africa-based songstress Miriam Backhouse at Guisborough Golf Club, talented Midlands band Isambarde at Reeth Memorial Hall with York’s Stan Graham in support, and the start of a weekend of folksong on Hartlepool Headland with traditional singer Graeme Knights at The Cosmopolitan Hotel.

There are singarounds and sessions all day Saturday too, as a fund-raising prelude to this summer’s Tall Ship’s Festival, which has Hartlepool as it’s host port. Saturday also has American singer Jeff Warner at Washington’s Davy Lamp, and a performance of Brian Childs folk operetta The Visiter at The Ship in Middleston Village.

Monday is a busy evening with Miriam Backhouse at The Foresters in Coatham Munderville, Megan Makepeace at Newcastle’s Bridge and a double bill at Gateshead’s Sage with Emily Portman and Anglo American duo Dave Newey and Kristi Andropolis. That same night at The Sage, there’s a rare chance to hear legendary American singer-songwriter Don MacLean, some 40 years since he took his gentle acoustic songs across the world with hits like Vincent and American Pie. He is currently in the middle of a sell-out European tour, so please book seats in advance.

Tuesday has the aforementioned Dave and Kristi at Cramlington’s Hind, and then on Wednesday, local stalwart Pete Wood is at Birtley Catholic Club. My cynicism about last week’s BBC 4 programme about sea songs proved to be unfounded, by the way, with cameos from the likes of Jim Mageean, Pete Wood and Kimber’s Men making it all worthwhile after all. Mea culpa!