Brighton What's On Guide

SUSSEX FOLK GUIDE

Folk Music - Listings from April 19th until the end of May

The listings on this page are taken from the paper magazine The Folk Diary. This paper magazine is now also available on line and each issue will be on-line as soon as it is prepared. As well as the listings, The Folk Diary has lots of useful adverts for folk festivals, shops and services as well as pages of reviews of recent folk and world music albums. Click on the symbol to go to the on-line version

Click HERE for details of the free, regular sessions of tunes, songs (or both!) in this area. Generally these are weekly or monthly sessions, but the webmaster will also help to publicise one-off sessions.

Thursday 19th April
• JIM MacFARLAND & JERRY O'REILLY - Two of Ireland's finest singers come over for a short tour. They feature a range of the very best in the Irish repertoire from the pastoral to the political.- THE ROYAL OAK, STATION STREET, LEWES Details: 01273 478124 or 881316 or email
• BLACK TWIG PICKERS + EWAN D.RODGERS - WILDWOOD PROMOTIONS The Prince Albert, Brighton

Friday 20th April
• STEVE KNIGHTLEY - St. Thomas a Becket Church, Framfield. TN22 5NH Details 01825 890685 or email
• ROY CLINGING- A strong vocal style and adept use of the English concertina and acoustic guitar have confirmed Cheshire-based Roy as a highly respected performer and interpreter of traditional music - SEAFORD FOLK CLUB , The British Legion, Claremont Road BN25 2BJ; Details: phone 01323 899405 email

Saturday 21st April
• STACEY EARLE & MARK STUART - A SPYBOY promotion at the 2012 Eastbourne Festival Upstairs at the Lamb Details 01323 841414
• DAVE MIDDLETON - Traditional songs, many from Gordon Hall's repertoire, in a fine, authentic tenor voice and monologues from Bernard Miles. - LEWES SATURDAY FOLK CLUB (at Elephant & Castle, White Hill, Lewes BN7 2DJ),   Details:- 01273 476757 or email
• TEA DANCE - SUSSEX FOLK ASSOCIATION Alfriston. Details 01273 516668
• ROY CLINGING - Cheshire's Champ. - ELSIES, Details: 01732 862862

Sunday 22nd April
• SCOLD'S BRIDLE - Scold's Bridle has long been established as one of the leading female folk duos in the country. A relaxed approach on stage, wonderful harmonies and infectious humour provide the audience with a truly memorable experience. The duo are Sue and Liz who have honed their stagecraft to perfection over several years and this is evident through their seemingly effortless enjoyment of every performance. Their warmth, friendliness and remarkable virtuosity provide a wonderful evening's entertainment. Liz, with her guitar, quietly gets on with it occasionally adding her comments whilst Sue takes any opportunity to be side tracked by the audience, which often leads to very funny ‘not in the script’ situations! - HORSHAM FOLK CLUB The Normandy Centre Denne Road.8pm Enquiries - 01403 251188 or 01306 875653

Monday 23rd April
• ROY CLINGING - CROYDON FOLK CLUB Ruskin House, 23 Coombe Road, Croydon. 8pm Enquiries - 020 8698 5322 or 0770 3210 795
• LES SULLIVAN - Les has written some very moving songs. He has the passion that tells the stories in his songs with great feeling and just the odd touches of humour. THE BEACON, Nr Tunbridge Wells Details: 01892 782326
• ENGLISH SONGS FOR ST. GEORGE'S DAY - THE WHITE HORSE Bodle St. Green Nr. Herstmonceax. Details: 01435 812201 or 01435 864271

Tuesday 24th April
• CELLARFOLK SONG CLUB - ROUND GEORGES, Sutherland Road, Kemp Town, Brighton. Details 01273 509552
• HICKMAN & CASSIDY - AMBERLEY FOLK CLUB - ***NEW VENUE*** George & Dragon, Houghton. Check website for details or phone: 07740 710765
• PIGGIE'S OPEN MIC ROOM - THE PIG & BUTCHER Five Ash Down, Uckfield Enquiries - 01825 765779
• DAVE TOYE & FRIENDS - OPEN MIC - Folk, blues, plus almost any other genre of music with a bias towards acoustic folky stuff.- The Coach House, Cowfold Details: 07710 412118
• DAVE BURLAND - What more could we ask for. The man himself is travelling down from his hallowed Yorkshire to celebrate our anniversary. Dave has been a great supporter of the club and has been one of our favouritest guests consistantly for a vast chunk of our fifty years of existence. A doyen of the folk scene who has had a big influence on so many folkies, his guitar style, his songs, his great manner with audiences, all have inspired and entertained us. Come and share the magic this Tuesday.- CHICHESTER FOLK CLUB, The 4 Chesnuts, Oving Road. Details: 01243 781866 or email

Wednesday 25th April
• RUDE MECHANICALS - THE FERRY INN, Shoreham Details: 01273 452957 or 461950
• JAMES BLACKSHAW + THOMAS WHITE - WILDWOOD PROMOTIONS Green Door Store. Brighton.
• PHIL BEER - A SPYBOY promotion at the 2012 Eastbourne Festival Details 01323 841414 Underground Theatre
• THE VILLAGE BAND - One of the south coast's most popular Irish / Celtic bands, featuring an entertaining array of well-known chorus songs to set an audience singing and every foot in the room tapping! Performing songs such as "The Black Velvet Band", "The Galway Shawl", and other well-known favourites (and some rather more obscure songs and tunes thrown in for good measure), it's not difficult to see why the Village Band are so popular with audiences across Sussex and the south! Guitar, mandolin, whistles, flute, fiddle, bass and great vocals - whatever you do, don't miss them! - WILLOWS FOLK CLUB, Arundel Football Club, Mill Road Every Wednesday at 8.00pm Details: 07790 51105
• BRIGHTON SINGERS CLUB - The Pond, Gloucester Road, nr. Brighton Station Every Wednesday 9pm Phone 01273 692849 or 383056

Thursday 26th April
• MIKE GULSTON & BLANCHE ROWEN - Two excellent singers who draw their material from English, Welsh and French sources. Mike is a talented multi-instrumentalist on a range of string instruments.- THE ROYAL OAK, STATION STREET, LEWES Details: 01273 478124 or 881316 or email
• CHICHESTER PICKERS - Our friendly, informal club welcomes all acoustic musicians and listeners. We feature the best local pickers and singers - singer/songwriters, blues, bluegrass, old-timey, country, jazz and folk. - The Gribble Inn, Gribble Lane, Oving, Chichester PO20 2BP Details: 01243 776391 or email

Friday 27th April
• JAMES HICKMAN & DAN CASSIDY - One of the hottest duos on the folk/folk roots scene. - FOLK ON THE COAST Bognor Regis Town F.C. Nyewood PO21 2TY 8pm Enquiries - 01243 820187 or 07751 594285
• BARBER & ARMER- The Brilliant duo from Brighton. Wonderful musicianship and harmonies - SEAFORD FOLK CLUB , The British Legion, Claremont Road BN25 2BJ; Details: phone 01323 899405 email
• HANNAH JAMES & SAM SWEENEY - ELECTRIC VOICES, The Guildford Institute GU1 4LH Box Office 01483 871443

Saturday 28th April
• ZULU - A SPYBOY promotion at the 2012 Eastbourne Festival Underground Theatre Details 01323 841414
• CLOUDSTREET: VOCAL HARMONY WORKSHOP 10.45 a.m.- 4.45 p.m. - Discover & explore vocal harmony. Warm-ups for body & voice, useful techniques to enhance your tone, breathing, pitch, phrasing & rhythm, enjoyable songs in parts, & improvisation & harmony development. - LEWES SATURDAY FOLK CLUB (at Elephant & Castle, White Hill, Lewes BN7 2DJ),   Details:- 01273 476757 or email
• CLOUDSTREET - From Australia, Nicole Murray & John Thompson offer hot harmonies with spellbindingly precise delivery. They add humour, vitality & excitement to traditional & modern Australian, English & Celtic songs & tunes with guitar, flute, fiddle, whistle & concertina. John is also a member of The Spooky Men's Chorale & has an excellent blog, An Australian Folk Song A Day. - LEWES SATURDAY FOLK CLUB (at Elephant & Castle, White Hill, Lewes BN7 2DJ),   Details:- 01273 476757 or email
• LUCY WARD + ELLE OSBORNE - THE ROYAL OAK, Station Street, Lewes. Promoted by UNION MUSIC STORE

Sunday 29th April
• JUAN MARTIN'S MUSICAL ALHAMBRA - A SPYBOY promotion at the 2012 Eastbourne Festival All Saints Chapel, Meads. Details 01323 841414
• SONG & DANCE - Songs, tunes and poems from members & guests plus dancing to our excellent ceilidh band. Beginners and experts alike are welcome and our experienced callers ensure everyone can work their way through the dances with enjoyment- HORSHAM FOLK CLUB The Normandy Centre Denne Road.8pm Enquiries - 01403 251188 or 01306 875653

Monday 30th April
• SINGERS & MUSICIANS' NIGHT - CROYDON FOLK CLUB Ruskin House, 23 Coombe Road, Croydon. 8pm Enquiries - 020 8698 5322 or 0770 3210 795

Tuesday 1st May
• CELLARFOLK SONG CLUB - ROUND GEORGES, Sutherland Road, Kemp Town, Brighton. Details 01273 509552
• OPEN MIC - with a session from SAFFRON SUMMERFIELD. - AMBERLEY ACOUSTIC MUSIC CLUB George & Dragon, Houghton. Check website for details or phone: 07740 710765
• DAVE TOYE & FRIENDS - OPEN MIC - Folk, blues, plus almost any other genre of music with a bias towards acoustic folky stuff.- The Coach House, Cowfold Details: 07710 412118
• SINGERS' NIGHT - THE SIX BELLS Chiddingly Enquiries - 01825 873337 or email

Wednesday 2nd May
• RUDE MECHANICALS - THE FERRY INN, Shoreham Details: 01273 452957 or 461950
• TERRY FOUGERE - Fine finger-style guitar and vocals from our folk and blues specialist. - EASTBOURNE FOLK CLUB, The Lamb, High Street, 8.30pm
• COME ALL YE - OPEN STAGE NIGHT - - WILLOWS FOLK CLUB, Arundel Football Club, Mill Road Every Wednesday at 8.00pm Details: 07790 51105
• BRIGHTON SINGERS CLUB - The Pond, Gloucester Road, nr. Brighton Station Every Wednesday 9pm Phone 01273 692849 or 383056

Thursday 3rd May
• MANDY MURRAY, BEN PALEY & JIM BURCH - A really memorable evening in prospect with the most vibrant local musicians in Irish music and song with Mandy on concertina, Ben on fiddle and Jim on guitar.- THE ROYAL OAK, STATION STREET, LEWES Details: 01273 478124 or 881316 or email

Friday 4th May
• SINGERS & MUSICIANS- Come and enjoy the great atmosphere at another Singers and Musicians night, either as a performer or as part of the audience. - SEAFORD FOLK CLUB , The British Legion, Claremont Road BN25 2BJ; Details: phone 01323 899405 email

Saturday 5th May
• FAIRPORT CONVENTION - SPYBOY, Hailsham Pavilion. Details and box office 01323 841414
• MAY SONGS with Maids of Honour - Bring May songs & tunes. The Maids are little tarts (made with cream cheese, lemon, almonds, currants & eggs). - LEWES SATURDAY FOLK CLUB (at Elephant & Castle, White Hill, Lewes BN7 2DJ),   Details:- 01273 476757 or email
• THE TWAGGER BAND - A Benefit for The Old Meeting House. -Ditchling Old Meeting House BN6 8UJ. Details:- 01273 843699 or email
• SHOREHAM DANCE - SUSSEX FOLK ASSOCIATION St. Helen's Church Hall, Hove. Details 01903 208851
• THE CLIMAX CEILIDH BAND with caller KEITH LEECH - - plus display by The Knots of May. Lewes Town Hall

Sunday 6th May
• JIM McLEAN - In the true style of the troubadour Jim McLean brings songs to life through the art of performance as well as giving original and sympathetic interpretation to the music. Whether he’s inspiring you with his own material, making your feet tap with Country Blues, moving you to song with Celtic and Traditional folk, or re-inventing fellow artistes’ material, Jim McLean brings any club to life with pure entertainment and passion. Jim has developed his own distinctive guitar style: a blend of Celtic and American styles with the addition of banjo-techniques based on the banjo playing of Derroll Adams and Appalachian Mountain music. A talented songwriter and an unabashed worshipper of Bob Dylan, Jim’s ability to re-interpret and breathe new life into traditional songs has gained him the reputation of a true folk performer. Through popular request, his own material now makes up the main part of his gigs. His songwriting covers the whole genre from hard-hitting social comment to the tenderest of love songs. This, together with his passion and love for the music shines through every performance and audiences leave knowing they have witnessed something unique. The mix of Jim's Celtic and contemporary influences, together with his self-penned material led to the album "Hear The Call", which has been a favourite of the fans and critically acclaimed by the Folk and Roots fraternity.- HORSHAM FOLK CLUB The Normandy Centre Denne Road.8pm Enquiries - 01403 251188 or 01306 875653

Monday 7th May
• SINGERS & MUSICIANS' NIGHT - CROYDON FOLK CLUB Ruskin House, 23 Coombe Road, Croydon. 8pm Enquiries - 020 8698 5322 or 0770 3210 795
• CAROLINE KENDALL - Already with two self-penned albums to her name Caroline is currently working on a long-cherished project to record a collection of traditional songs from both sides of the Atlantic. During an Italian tour one local review described her guitar technique as “incredible” and her voice as “dizzyingly mind-boggling” - and it’s hard to disagree. - Brighton Acoustic at THE NELSON Trafalgar St, Brighton (100 yards from Brighton Stn.)
• CLUB NIGHT WITH FLOOR SINGERS - THE WHITE HORSE Bodle St. Green Nr. Herstmonceax. Details: 01435 812201 or 01435 864271

Tuesday 8th May
• CELLARFOLK SONG CLUB - ROUND GEORGES, Sutherland Road, Kemp Town, Brighton. Details 01273 509552
• REG MEUROSS . - AMBERLEY ACOUSTIC MUSIC CLUB George & Dragon, Houghton. Check website for details or phone: 07740 710765
• DAVE TOYE & FRIENDS - OPEN MIC - Folk, blues, plus almost any other genre of music with a bias towards acoustic folky stuff.- The Coach House, Cowfold Details: 07710 412118

Wednesday 9th May
• RUDE MECHANICALS - THE FERRY INN, Shoreham Details: 01273 452957 or 461950
• SHOWCASE SPECIAL featuring CLIFTON-JANMAN & Co. and SOMETIMES THEY COME BACK Skiffle Band - Another of the Willows' Showcase Special evenings, featuring two great local acts each performing a 40-minute set! CLIFTON-JANMAN & Co are a great new acoustic blues outfit with a difference, blending classic blues sounds with jazz and other genres to create an exciting, high-class sound! Fronted by local singer-guitarists Peter Clifton and Chris Janman, who both switch from rhythm to lead guitar with ease, the lineup for this evening also features John Wyatt on bass, Graham Baldey on percussion, and guest vocalist Micky Janman, who brings some great jazz songs and flavourings into the band's sound. A great new group and an exciting Showcase! SOMETIMES THEY COME BACK are a fun-filled skiffle band with a "feelgood" sound, performing classic hits on acoustic guitar, tea-chest bass, mandolin, harmonica and percussion. The band specialise in bringing some of the best-known and most popular skiffle songs to a whole new audience - songs such as "Does Your Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavour", "Freight Train", "My Old Man's A Dustman", "Putting On The Style", and more! - WILLOWS FOLK CLUB, Arundel Football Club, Mill Road Every Wednesday at 8.00pm Details: 07790 51105
• BRIGHTON SINGERS CLUB - The Pond, Gloucester Road, nr. Brighton Station Every Wednesday 9pm Phone 01273 692849 or 383056

Thursday 10th May
• ROSIE DAVIS, JOE LOCKER & BOB WINQUIST - An English woman, a New Yorker and a Canadian combine to bring us the very best in bluegrass, old timey and early country music on fiddle, banjo, bass and guitar. - THE ROYAL OAK, STATION STREET, LEWES Details: 01273 478124 or 881316 or email
• CHICHESTER PICKERS - Our friendly, informal club welcomes all acoustic musicians and listeners. We feature the best local pickers and singers - singer/songwriters, blues, bluegrass, old-timey, country, jazz and folk. - The Gribble Inn, Gribble Lane, Oving, Chichester PO20 2BP Details: 01243 776391 or email

Friday 11th May
• SINGERS & MUSICIANS- Come and enjoy the great atmosphere at another Singers and Musicians night, either as a performer or as part of the audience. - SEAFORD FOLK CLUB , The British Legion, Claremont Road BN25 2BJ; Details: phone 01323 899405 email

Saturday 12th May
• SO LAST CENTURY STRING BAND - American Jug-band songs, square-dance tunes, gospel, weird crooked tunes & crunchy harmonies with fiddle, banjo & guitar from a popular local band. - LEWES SATURDAY FOLK CLUB (at Elephant & Castle, White Hill, Lewes BN7 2DJ),   Details:- 01273 476757 or email
• HASTINGS DANCE - SUSSEX FOLK ASSOCIATION Ninfield Memorial Hall. Details 01424 753684

Sunday 13th May
• LUNASA - "The hottest Irish group on the planet" New York Times - SPYBOY, Hailsham Pavilion. Details and box office 01323 841414
• DENISE & STUART SAVAGE - Denise and Stuart will be performing their affectionate multimedia tribute to Henry Hills of Lodsworth, comprising spoken material and 14 songs, overlaid throughout with complementary photographic images. Henry Hills was a Lodsworth farmer whose vast repertoire of local songs was collected by W. Percy Merrick in the last two years of Henry’s life. Henry was born around 1829 at which time his father Charles was the tenant farmer on Moorlands Farm, Lodsworth. His family had been farmers in the area for more than 200 years. His songs were learned from family, local people, popular songs of the time, songs from carters and canal bargees on the Rother Navigation and give a fascinating glimpse into local life and leisure of the time. “Credit has been given to many folk singers and songs by collectors, while Henry Hills has been almost ignored,” says Denise. “To redress the balance we have produced a CD of Henry’s songs and turned them into a presentation of his life and his music.” Denise and Stuart Savage are a much admired local duo, singing solo or in harmony either unaccompanied or to their own accompaniment. Denise plays the English concertina and octave mandolin, and Stuart plays guitar. - HORSHAM FOLK CLUB The Normandy Centre Denne Road.8pm Enquiries - 01403 251188 or 01306 875653

Monday 14th May
• OPEN NIGHT - SANGBOC FOLK CLUB The Royal Oak, Wineham BN5 9AY 07957 433894 or email
• JOE TOPPING - CROYDON FOLK CLUB Ruskin House, 23 Coombe Road, Croydon. 8pm Enquiries - 020 8698 5322 or 0770 3210 795
• STEVE ASHLEY - THE BEACON, Nr Tunbridge Wells Details: 01892 782326

Tuesday 15th May
• CELLARFOLK SONG CLUB - ROUND GEORGES, Sutherland Road, Kemp Town, Brighton. Details 01273 509552
• JOHNNY COPPIN - AMBERLEY ACOUSTIC MUSIC CLUB George & Dragon, Houghton. Check website for details or phone: 07740 710765
• DAVE TOYE & FRIENDS - OPEN MIC - Folk, blues, plus almost any other genre of music with a bias towards acoustic folky stuff.- The Coach House, Cowfold Details: 07710 412118
• SINGERS' NIGHT - THE SIX BELLS Chiddingly Enquiries - 01825 873337 or email

Wednesday 16th May
• RUDE MECHANICALS - THE FERRY INN, Shoreham Details: 01273 452957 or 461950
• STRANGEWORLD - Back by demand and using a unique combination of instruments including cittern, oboe, cello and accordion, this talented four-piece produces a vibrant and colourful sound inspired by folk sources from around the globe.. - EASTBOURNE FOLK CLUB, The Lamb, High Street, 8.30pm
• MIKE SILVER - A welcome return from one of the finest acoustic singer-songwriters in the UK! Mike has been a mainstay on the British folk & acoustic music scene for many decades, and is much loved by audiences everywhere for his rich, golden vocals and fluid, melodic guitar style. However, arguably his greatest skill is his care and craftsmanship as a songwriter, writing songs that appeal to a wide array of music listeners. All of these great qualities were brought to national prominance in the mid-2000's, when Mike's song "Not A Matter of Pride" began receiving large amounts of radio airplay, leading to numerous TV appearances and a whole new legion of Mike Silver fans. Don't miss your chance to see this superb performer in concert! - WILLOWS FOLK CLUB, Arundel Football Club, Mill Road Every Wednesday at 8.00pm Details: 07790 51105
• BRIGHTON SINGERS CLUB - The Pond, Gloucester Road, nr. Brighton Station Every Wednesday 9pm Phone 01273 692849 or 383056

Thursday 17th May
• JOHN KIRKPATRICK - One of the most talented and popular performers that we are able to present at the Royal Oak, John is a master of a range of free reed instruments and the outstanding singer of English traditional songs.- THE ROYAL OAK, STATION STREET, LEWES Details: 01273 478124 or 881316 or email

Friday 18th May
• MARTIN CURTIS- New Zealand Singer and Songwriter who has been writing and singing songs about his adopted country for well over 25 years.- SEAFORD FOLK CLUB , The British Legion, Claremont Road BN25 2BJ; Details: phone 01323 899405 email

Saturday 19th May
• SINGING FOR BEGINNERS DAYTIME WORKSHOP - We are running a singing workshop for beginners in the daytime with professional singing coach Hayley Stevens. - LEWES SATURDAY FOLK CLUB (at Elephant & Castle, White Hill, Lewes BN7 2DJ),   Details:- 01273 476757 or email
• ROBIN & THE MERRY GREENWOOD - We will be singing songs & ballads of Robin Hood & general woodland activities (poaching, nutting, hunting disposal of by-products of crime, etc.) Bring songs & tunes on the theme; email to reserve a song or tune in advance if you like. - LEWES SATURDAY FOLK CLUB (at Elephant & Castle, White Hill, Lewes BN7 2DJ),   Details:- 01273 476757 or email
• LES ONIONS - ELSIES, Details: 01732 862862

Sunday 20th May
• NAMARA - Paul McNamara (Guitar and vocals) and Rob Garcia (Guitar, mandolin and mandola) will be introducing a truly Celtic flavour at Horsham Folk Club on 20th May when they will be performing songs and tunes from the British Isles, Brittany, France, Quebec, Asturias and Galicia, as well as self-penned songs in traditional style. French traditional folk music is their passion and forms one of the major themes of their work. Na-mara has explored music from all corners of the Celtic diaspora, in particular Brittany and Asturias with one of their specific projects being to take songs from the French speaking world and translate them into English. They use their music to tell stories in a manner which draws the audience in and compels attention. Their music supports the beat of the narrative beautifully with guitars, mandolin and mandola laying down a firm foundation. They are becoming increasingly known for their self penned songs which are heartfelt, warm and full of historical and emotional integrity. - HORSHAM FOLK CLUB The Normandy Centre Denne Road.8pm Enquiries - 01403 251188 or 01306 875653

Monday 21st May
• CROWNSTREET - CROYDON FOLK CLUB Ruskin House, 23 Coombe Road, Croydon. 8pm Enquiries - 020 8698 5322 or 0770 3210 795
• MID SUSSEX CHORUS & HARMONY NIGHT - THE CHEQUER INN, Steyning 01444 443280
• CLUB NIGHT WITH FLOOR SINGERS - Featuring BRIAN COPE - THE WHITE HORSE Bodle St. Green Nr. Herstmonceax. Details: 01435 812201 or 01435 864271

Tuesday 22nd May
• CELLARFOLK SONG CLUB - ROUND GEORGES, Sutherland Road, Kemp Town, Brighton. Details 01273 509552
• JOANNA CHAPMAN SMITH & MATT MARTIN - AMBERLEY ACOUSTIC MUSIC CLUB George & Dragon, Houghton. Check website for details or phone: 07740 710765
• DAVE TOYE & FRIENDS - OPEN MIC - Folk, blues, plus almost any other genre of music with a bias towards acoustic folky stuff.- The Coach House, Cowfold Details: 07710 412118
• PHIL DRANE - TONBRIDGE FOLK CLUB The Foresters Arms 52 Quarry Hill, Tonbridge TN9 2RT 8pm Details: 01892 822945 or email

Wednesday 23rd May
• RUDE MECHANICALS - THE FERRY INN, Shoreham Details: 01273 452957 or 461950
• COME ALL YE - OPEN STAGE NIGHT - - WILLOWS FOLK CLUB, Arundel Football Club, Mill Road Every Wednesday at 8.00pm Details: 07790 51105
• BRIGHTON SINGERS CLUB - The Pond, Gloucester Road, nr. Brighton Station Every Wednesday 9pm Phone 01273 692849 or 383056

Thursday 24th May
• BAYOU SECO TRIO - We are delighted to be able to welcome back Ken and Jeanie from Silver City, New Mexico bringing us their superb range of music and song from the south east of the USA. On this tour they are joined by their godson, fiddler Tomás Wentz. - THE ROYAL OAK, STATION STREET, LEWES Details: 01273 478124 or 881316 or email
• STEVE TURNER - Superb songs & tunes with concertina and Cittern. - FOLK ON THE COAST Bognor Regis Town F.C. Nyewood Lane PO21 2TY 8pm Enquiries - 01243 820187 or 07751 594285
• CHICHESTER PICKERS - Our friendly, informal club welcomes all acoustic musicians and listeners. We feature the best local pickers and singers - singer/songwriters, blues, bluegrass, old-timey, country, jazz and folk. - The Gribble Inn, Gribble Lane, Oving, Chichester PO20 2BP Details: 01243 776391 or email

Friday 25th May
• HOME SERVICE - SPYBOY, Hailsham Pavilion. Details and box office 01323 841414
• VICKI SWAN & JONNY DYER- Although best-known for their instrumental skills with Scottish smallpipes, accordion and even Swedish nyckelharpa, the duo are well recognised for their songs arrangements too. With their blend of traditional material and contemporary interpretations, they have developed a sound that is both familiar and fresh.- SEAFORD FOLK CLUB , The British Legion, Claremont Road BN25 2BJ; Details: phone 01323 899405 email

Saturday 26th May
• JIGJAW: SINGING FOR DANCING WORKSHOP - There will be song & dance each part of the workshop, and an option for step dancers to learn a routine. Concentrate on singing or dancing, or have a go at everything - just have fun. - LEWES SATURDAY FOLK CLUB (at Elephant & Castle, White Hill, Lewes BN7 2DJ),   Details:- 01273 476757 or email
• JIGJAW - Janet Russell, Rosie Davis, Kerry Fletcher, Frances Watt combine the percussion & passion of dance traditions with vocal harmonies. They use step-dancing, social dancing, mouth music, nonsense rhyme & songs from Britain & beyond for a highly distinctive performance, rekindling the links between dancers & singers. - LEWES SATURDAY FOLK CLUB (at Elephant & Castle, White Hill, Lewes BN7 2DJ),   Details:- 01273 476757 or email
• THE ALL-STAR ENGLISH CEILIDH BAND Caller SHEENA MASSON - Nina Hansell, Gareth Kiddier, John Spiers. - GBH CEILIDHS, Borough Hall, Bridge Street, Godalming GU7 1HR

Sunday 27th May
• OPEN FLOOR NIGHT - Songs, tunes and poems from members & guests - HORSHAM FOLK CLUB The Normandy Centre Denne Road.8pm Enquiries - 01403 251188 or 01306 875653

Monday 28th May
• SINGERS & MUSICIANS' NIGHT - CROYDON FOLK CLUB Ruskin House, 23 Coombe Road, Croydon. 8pm Enquiries - 020 8698 5322 or 0770 3210 795

Tuesday 29th May
• CELLARFOLK SONG CLUB - ROUND GEORGES, Sutherland Road, Kemp Town, Brighton. Details 01273 509552
• SARAH McQUAID - AMBERLEY ACOUSTIC MUSIC CLUB George & Dragon, Houghton. Check website for details or phone: 07740 710765
• PIGGIE'S OPEN MIC ROOM - THE PIG & BUTCHER Five Ash Down, Uckfield Enquiries - 01825 765779
• DAVE TOYE & FRIENDS - OPEN MIC - Folk, blues, plus almost any other genre of music with a bias towards acoustic folky stuff.- The Coach House, Cowfold Details: 07710 412118
• SINGERS' NIGHT - THE SIX BELLS Chiddingly Enquiries - 01825 873337 or email

Wednesday 30th May
• RUDE MECHANICALS - THE FERRY INN, Shoreham Details: 01273 452957 or 461950
• BARBER & TAYLOR - Excellence is a trademark for this superb Brighton-based duo, an act who always leave audiences wanting more! A perfect musical match since they began working together in 2002, Kevin & Mark have established themselves as an act of world-class quality, setting standards of excellence in contemporary folk and acoustic music in the South. With interweaving guitar parts underpinning immaculate vocal harmonies, and with a vast range of influences from the realms of folk, blues and acoustic Americana, the duo make music of a quality to rival many of the folk world's finest, and over the years have proved to be consistent crowd pleasers whenever they've played the Willows. Over the years, Kevin & Mark have also established themselves as fine songwriters, releasing several CDs of all original material, and mix these in with a number of excellent covers both obscure and well-known. Please come along and support these two great modern-day troubadours! - WILLOWS FOLK CLUB, Arundel Football Club, Mill Road Every Wednesday at 8.00pm Details: 07790 51105
• BRIGHTON SINGERS CLUB - The Pond, Gloucester Road, nr. Brighton Station Every Wednesday 9pm Phone 01273 692849 or 383056

Thursday 31st May
• DENISE & STUART SAVAGE - An evening with these two great local favourites who are able to present a varied evening that is both interesting and delightful. - THE ROYAL OAK, STATION STREET, LEWES Details: 01273 478124 or 881316 or email

To book a barn dance or ceilidh band for events in this area, contact The Sussex Pistols - email here or have a look at their website.

Credits

This page has been produced by VIC SMITH, email here

Most of the information is from the (paper) The Folk Diary , which is edited and produced by: Jim Marshall, 3 Chester Terrace, Brighton BN1 6GB (Tel/Fax: 01273 559750) and Vic Smith, 26 Ferrers Road, Lewes BN7 1PZ (Tel/Fax: 01273 478124) The Folk Diary is free and is available at most of the events listed here, plus information centres, libraries and tourist information offices. If you have difficulty in obtaining a copy, send an SAE to either Jim or Vic.

Copy date for next issue of The Folk Diary:
April 30th for the June/July 2012 issue.
Next update of this page will be on 24th May 2012