Dress up, step out and let loose (From The Northern Echo)

Dress up, step out and let loose

5:29pm Friday 16th December 2011 in Folk By Jez Lowe, Folk Music Columnist

IT’S Christmas party time across the local folk club scene this week, where regular devotees are encouraged to dress up, step out and generally let loose, as musical boundaries, such as they are in folk clubs these days, become blurred and stretched, and a very good time is had by all.

Newcomers are welcome of course, but make sure you get there early, or even phone ahead to make sure there’s plenty of seats. Parties will be in full swing at Washington’s Davy Lamp on Saturday and on Sunday at Guisborough Rugby Club and Westoe Club in South Shields.

Other highlights this week include Vin Garbutt at Darlington Arts Centre tonight, and a special Wassail Saturday on Hartlepool Headland this weekend, with the proceedings being led by singer Graeme Knights and local heroes, The Young ‘Uns. Things start around tea-time at various pubs in the vicinity, and culminate in a semi-formal sing-around at The Fisherman’s Arms at around 9pm. Up at Cramlington Concordia on Saturday, my Bad Pennies and I will be presenting our annual Christmas show, along with our good friend Benny Graham, under the banner Humbug Bonny Lad. We’ve been having a lot of fun with this around the country in recent weeks, and this is your last chance to catch it before the big day.

Jim Mageean and Graeme Knights are at the helm at Newcastle’s Bridge on Monday, and Vin Garbutt is at Normanby Hotel in Middlesborough on Tuesday. Our final festive choice this week is on Wednesday, between The Albion Band’s Christmas show at Gateshead’s Sage, and a special Victorian Christmas at Bishop Auckland Town Hall. After all that, ye merry gentlemen, and ladies will need a bit of a rest before your own festivities begin in earnest.