THERE’S lots to report this week, as the local folk scene continues to offer us a grand variety of acoustic music, featuring artists from near and far.

Tonight’s choice is between popular Humberside songstress Edwina Hayes, at The Copper Beech, in Darlington, leading singer-songwriter and guitarist Steve Tilston at The Portland, in Ashington, and a solo gig from me at Blaydon’s Tynefolk, which meets weekly at The Black Bull. Tomorrow, Scottish singer Eddi Reader and her all-star band are at Gateshead’s Sage. On Saturday, our choice is between top-class duo Cathryn Craig and Brian Willoughby at Washington’s Davy Lamp, fiddling and fun at The Witham, in Barnard Castle, with Tom McConville and Andy Watt, and an amazing display of instrumental dynamism at Gateshead’s Sage from Baltic Crossing, the multi-national band that includes local lads Andy May and Ian Stephenson, alongside their virtuoso Scandanavian pals.

This week I’m also pleased to welcome some friends of mine from America, who will be playing a few local gigs and are well worth catching up with. Collectively known as The Short Sisters, this trio of ladies have been wowing audiences across the pond for quite a few years, and comprise of Fay Baird, Kim Wallach and Kate Seeger – the last of whom is a member of that most celebrated of American folk families.

They are appearing at The Iron Horse, in Newton Aycliffe, on Monday and at The Clef and Cask, in Cramlington, on Tuesday, so get along and take the chance to hear them on this very rare UK visit.

Finally, last weekend’s Headland Folk Festival, in Hartlepool, seems to have been quite a success, and tickets are selling fast for the next big local event, Bedale’s Bamfest, which starts on May 30. So don’t miss out on that.