THERE’S a very busy week ahead for folk fans in the region, with a timely Christmas feel to most of the events, starting tonight when we bring our Winter Almanac show to Bishop Auckland Town Hall, featuring The Bad Pennies and myself, along with Benny Graham and Andrew Cadie, and a show-full of songs, instrumentals and buffoonery.
Tomorrow, we can choose between Vin Garbutt at Darlington Arts Centre, our Winter Almanac show at Henshaw’s in Knaresborough, a ceilidh dance at Yarm’s Fellowship Hall and Scots band Malinky at Reeth Memorial Hall, with Paula Ryan in support.
Saturday sees Mr Garbutt at Newby Village Hall, Steeleye Span vocalist Maddy Prior at Gateshead’s Sage with her Carnival Band in a show called Carols and Capers, and a Christmas Festival on the Moor at Danby Castle, with Richard Grainger and Steve Dawes and Helen Pitt headlining.
On Monday, the town of Stockton will be over-run by folkies, as there’s not only the muchanticipated Christmas Party at The Sun Inn folk club, but along the road at The Arc, Devon’s finest band Show of Hands will be making a rare Teesside appearance.
In Newcastle that same night, The Bridge Hotel will be shaking to the sonorous harmonies of The Tyneside Maritime Chorus. On Tuesday, Vin Garbutt will be still at it, this time at Middlesbrough’s Normanby Hotel, Marie Little will be at the Daleside Arms in Croxdale, The John Wrightson Band will be at the Christmas party for Newton Aycliffe’s Candlelight Club, and there’s a day of ceilidh dancing for all the family at Gateshead’s Sage.
Quite a week then, weather permitting. Next week I’ll be taking a brief look back across the last 12 months, as well as looking forward to a new year in folk, and all it might have to offer.
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