Brighton What's On Guide

SUSSEX FOLK GUIDE

Folk Music - Listings from April 24th until the end of May 2008

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 24th April
• *** AMERICAN SEASON*** ROSIE DAVIS, JOE LOCKER and BOB WINQUIST - Three very experienced and talented performers come together to perform Old Timey and Bluegrass music on banjo, fiddle and autoharp. Then there is Rosie’s dancing….. - THE ROYAL OAK, STATION STREET, LEWES Details: 01273 478124 or 881316 or email

Friday 25th April
• GUY DAVIS - ROOTS AROUND THE WORLD, THE ROPE TACKLE, Shoreham Details 01243 774641
• KATH TAIT - Behind the cheerful guitar and sweet voice lie lyrics of barbed wire. The ironies of modern life are her inspiration. New Zealand’s loss is our gain. - THE BEACHCOMBER, Dane Road, Seaford. - 

Saturday 26th April
• ROBERT BROWN - THE JENNY LIND, Hastings Phone 01473 724832 for details.
• HARVEYS BEER RESTORATION NIGHT - We celebrate the anniversary of the restoration of Harveys beer to the Lewes Arms with a night of songs & tunes in praise of beer. Choose your songs or tunes in advance & let us know by email or phone so that we can assemble a running order. We may perform some of the songs in bar as well. Proceeds will go to the Sasha Roberts Scholarship Fund. - LEWES ARMS, Mount Place, Lewes.   Details:- 01273 476757 or email
• HORSHAM DANCE - Edwin Hall, Chichester Terrace SUSSEX FOLK ASSOCIATION Phone 01403 790464 for details.
• BEXHILL SPRING DANCE - Ninfield Memorial Hall SUSSEX FOLK ASSOCIATION Phone 01342 718719 for details.
• FOLK MUSIC FOR ST. GEORGE -
10.00 - 10.30 EAST HOATHLY YOUNG FOLK MUSICIANS
10.30 - 11.00 ELECTRIC HOE DOWN
11.00 - 11.30 CHANCTONBURY RING MORRIS
11.30 - 12.00 THE COPPER FAMILY
12.30 - 13.00 EAST HOATHLY YOUNG FOLK MUSICIANS
13.00 - 13.30 SIMON RITCHIE
13.30 - 14.00 CHANCTONBURY RING MORRIS
14.00 - 14.30 THE COPPER FAMILY
14.30 - 15.00 SIMON RITCHIE
15.00 - 15.30 ELECTRIC HOE DOWN
THE ORCHARDS SHOPPING CENTRE, Haywards Heath

Sunday 27th April
• BRIGHTON SINGERS' CLUB - The Crown & Anchor, Preston Village (by Preston Manor) Phone 01273 692849 or 330192 for details.
• GINGER JUG BAND - A band bursting with vitality and humour. Instruments include fretless slide banjo, banjo, jugs, kazoo, big drum, violin, bottle neck guitar, washboard, harmonica plus a range of rumbustious vocalists! HORSHAM FOLK CLUB The Normandy Centre Denne Road.8pm Enquiries - 01403 251188 or 01306 875653

Monday 28th April
• THE KATHYN TICKELL BAND - ELECTRIC VOICES, THE MALTINGS Farnham Box Office 01483 871443
• SONG & MUSIC SESSION - THE BEACON, Nr Tunbridge Wells Details: 01892 782326

Tuesday 29th April
• ROBERT BROWN - CHICHESTER FOLK CLUB The Four Chesnuts, Oving Road, Phone 01473 724832 for details.
• OPEN MIC NIGHT - Folk, Blues, Jazz, Poetry, stories, in fact anything you feel like sharing with a live audience. - THE FIREMAN'S ARMS, Five Ash Down, Uckfield Phone 01825 732191 for details.
• HEARTREE - Eclectic mix from two excellent writers - CELLARFOLK SONG CLUB, ROUND GEORGES Sutherland Road, Kemp Town Brighton. Details 01273 509552 or email
• SINGERS AND MUSICIANS EVENING - THE SIX BELLS Chiddingly Enquiries - 01825 873337 or email
• MARTIN CARTHY - - AMBERLEY FOLK CLUB, Black Horse. Amberley, West Sussex Details:- 01798 875476 or email

Wednesday 30th April
• RUDE MECHANICALS - THE FERRY INN, Shoreham Details: 01273 452957 or 461950
• BRIGHTON SINGERS' CLUB - The Crown & Anchor, Preston Village (by Preston Manor) Phone 01273 692849 or 330192 for details.
• WOOD WIRE & WORDS - Performing a blend of folk, bluegrass and acoustic Americana, the combination of husband and wife Clare & David Rozzell with father/father-in-law Pat Francis makes Wood Wire & Words a true family band in every sense of the word! WILLOWS FOLK CLUB, Arundel Football Club, Mill Road Every Wednesday at 8.00pm Details: 07790 51105

Thursday 1st May
• *** AMERICAN SEASON*** CLAUDIA GOULD & BEN PALEY - Another mother and son combination. Amongst other accomplishments, Claudia is a great interpreter of the traditional song of the Appalachians. Ben is a very talented and hugely popular fiddler. - THE ROYAL OAK, STATION STREET, LEWES Details: 01273 478124 or 881316 or email

Friday 2nd May
• SID KIPPER - ELECTRIC VOICES, THE GUILDFORD INSTITUTE Box Office 01483 871443
• WIZZ JONES - With his unique acoustic guitar style, eclectic repertoire and a 'right hand worthy of Broonzy' Wizz is our second featured artist. - THE ECLIPSE FOLK & BLUES CLUB Montgomery St. Hove. Details: 01273 822695 or 736514 or email
• EASTBOURNE FESTIVAL - SUSSEX FOLK ASSOCIATION
• JOHN MORGAN - John is one of the best traditional country singers in Kent and accompanies himself on guitar and melodeon. Mainly traditional but a few modern songs.. - THE BEACHCOMBER, Dane Road, Seaford. - 

Saturday 3rd May
• STANLEY ACCRINGTON - Stanley writes countless knicker-wettingly funny songs & a few serious ones which have been recorded by top performers as well. He doesn't often visit the south, so this is a rare treat. - LEWES ARMS, Mount Place, Lewes.   Details:- 01273 476757 or email
• EASTBOURNE FESTIVAL - SUSSEX FOLK ASSOCIATION
• SHOREHAM DANCE - SUSSEX FOLK ASSOCIATION Boundstone College. Details 01273 415557
• ELIZA CARTHY BAND - - FOOTLIGHTS, West Chiltington Village Hall Details 01798 812661

Sunday 4th May
• BRIGHTON SINGERS' CLUB - The Crown & Anchor, Preston Village (by Preston Manor) Phone 01273 692849 or 330192 for details.
• ELIZA CARTHY & FRIENDS - SPYBOY, PAVILION, Hailsham Details and box office 01323 841414
• OPEN STAGE NIGHT - A chance for you to have a go! All acoustic musicians, singers, poets, storytellers welcome, or just enjoy listening - HORSHAM FOLK CLUB The Normandy Centre Denne Road.8pm Enquiries - 01403 251188 or 01306 875653
• EASTBOURNE FESTIVAL - SUSSEX FOLK ASSOCIATION
• HORSHAM WORKSHOP - SUSSEX FOLK ASSOCIATION Guide HQ Denne Road 2.30pm Details 01403 790464

Monday 5th May
• KEITH WILLSON - Keith Willson plays and sings his own great songs, and also sings and shouts the blues. It’s his turn to sing and play seven songs of his choice. Should be a really good night. THE WHITE HORSE Bodle St. Green Nr. Herstmonceax. Details: 01435 812201 or 01435 864271
• MUSICIANS' & SINGERS' NIGHT - CROYDON FOLK CLUB Ruskin House, 23 Coombe Road, Croydon. 8pm Enquiries - 020 8698 5322 or 0770 3210 795
• CHRIS WOLFERSTAN - - Masterly guitar playing from this local singer-songwriter. - THE NELSON Trafalgar St, Brighton (100 yards from Brighton Stn.) Enquiries - 01273 776014 or email
• EASTBOURNE FESTIVAL - SUSSEX FOLK ASSOCIATION

Tuesday 6th May
• SINGAROUND - CELLARFOLK SONG CLUB, ROUND GEORGES Sutherland Road, Kemp Town Brighton. Details 01273 509552 or email
01825 873337 or email
• MICHAEL PICKETT - - Canadian Bluesman AMBERLEY FOLK CLUB, Black Horse. Amberley, West Sussex Details:- 01798 875476 or email

Wednesday 7th May
• RUDE MECHANICALS - THE FERRY INN, Shoreham Details: 01273 452957 or 461950
• BRIGHTON SINGERS' CLUB - The Crown & Anchor, Preston Village (by Preston Manor) Phone 01273 692849 or 330192 for details.
• ERIC ANDERSEN - A rare chance to hear a legendary songwriter who emerged from the Greenwich Village folk scene alongside Bob Dylan and Phil Oches in the early 1960s. Eric’s songs, such as “Violets of dawn” and “Thirsty boots”, have been recorded by artists all over the world, including Johnny Cash, Judy Collins and Peter, Paul and Mary. With 25 albums and a career spanning 40 years, Eric has proved to be a unique and enduring artist with a broad and ageless audience.- EASTBOURNE FOLK CLUB, The Lamb, High Street, 8.30pm Details: 01323 728268 or 638811
• MARTHA TILSTON - Folk princess makes a welcome return to Komedia, joined by several members of The Woods and a new piano section. - KOMEDIA, Gardner Street, Brighton. Details:- 01273 647100
• COME ALL YE - OPEN STAGE NIGHT - WILLOWS FOLK CLUB, Arundel Football Club, Mill Road Every Wednesday at 8.00pm Details: 07790 51105

Thursday 8th May
• *** AMERICAN SEASON*** BAYOU SECO - From Silver City, New Mexico, Ken and Jeannie are acknowledged experts on a range of the traditions of the south and they perform them with enthusiasm and great style - THE ROYAL OAK, STATION STREET, LEWES Details: 01273 478124 or 881316 or email

Friday 9th May
• RAY BONNEVILLE - ROOTS AROUND THE WORLD, THE BULL'S HEAD, Main Road, Fishbourne. Details 01243 774641
• SIMON HOPPER BAND - Simon produces satisfying songs with bite, edge and contemporary relevance. He has been described as the new Richard Thompson. - THE BEACHCOMBER, Dane Road, Seaford. - 

Saturday 10th May
• THE BEACHY HEAD BANGERS - American old-time songs & tunes skilfully performed on banjo, fiddle, mandolin, acoustic bass & guitar by Max Fisher, Steven Harvey & Colin Meadows, who adds his own material in the same style. - LEWES ARMS, Mount Place, Lewes.   Details:- 01273 476757 or email
• RANDOM caller WILL HALL - MELTDOWN CEILIDHS, Clair Hall, Perrymount Road, Haywards Heath. Details: 01273 541453 or email
• HORSHAM DANCE - SUSSEX FOLK ASSOCIATION Edwin Hall, Chichester Terrace. Details 01403 790464
• HASTINGS DANCE - SUSSEX FOLK ASSOCIATION Ninfield Memorial Hall Details 014242 753684

Sunday 11th May
• BRIGHTON SINGERS' CLUB - The Crown & Anchor, Preston Village (by Preston Manor) Phone 01273 692849 or 330192 for details.
• LYNNE HERAUD & PAT TURNER - Lynne and Pat perform a wide range of musical material: moving traditional songs, Victorian, Edwardian, contemporary, rude, silly and self-penned - all delivered with their unique blend of harmony, humour and experience. - HORSHAM FOLK CLUB The Normandy Centre Denne Road.8pm Enquiries - 01403 251188 or 01306 875653

Monday 12th May
• JOHNNY COPPIN - One of the great songwriters performs for the first time at The Beacon. THE BEACON, Nr Tunbridge Wells Details: 01892 782326
• PETE & LES BIG NIGHT OUT - CROYDON FOLK CLUB Ruskin House, 23 Coombe Road, Croydon. 8pm Enquiries - 020 8698 5322 or 0770 3210 795

Tuesday 13th May
• KIMMO POHJONEN'S EARTH MUSIC - ROOTS AROUND THE WORLD, MANOR FARM, Cocking (off A286 between Midhurst & Singleton) Details 01243 774641
• DENISE & STUART SAVAGE - CELLARFOLK SONG CLUB, ROUND GEORGES Sutherland Road, Kemp Town Brighton. Details 01273 509552 or email
• SINGERS AND MUSICIANS EVENING - THE SIX BELLS Chiddingly Enquiries - 01825 873337 or email
• ALEX, ANNIE & JON - - New Country trio AMBERLEY FOLK CLUB, Black Horse. Amberley, West Sussex Details:- 01798 875476 or email

Wednesday 14th May
• RUDE MECHANICALS - THE FERRY INN, Shoreham Details: 01273 452957 or 461950
• BRIGHTON SINGERS' CLUB - The Crown & Anchor, Preston Village (by Preston Manor) Phone 01273 692849 or 330192 for details.
• THE TANNAHILL WEAVERS - A real coup for the Willows, as we prepare to welcome one of Scotland’s very finest folk bands of the past 30 years! “The Tannies”, as they are known, are acclaimed all throughout Europe and the world for their awe-inspiring performances of Scottish folk music, with a powerhouse of sound that will take your breath away! WILLOWS FOLK CLUB, Arundel Football Club, Mill Road Every Wednesday at 8.00pm Details: 07790 51105
• MID-SUSSEX FOLK SINGERS CHORUS AND HARMONY NIGHT - THE FOUNTAIN INN, Ashurst near Steyning. Details: 01444 443280

Thursday 15th May
• *** AMERICAN SEASON*** DANA & SUSAN ROBINSON - From Asheville, North Carolina, they purvey a selection of songs and tunes on guitar, fiddle, banjo and mandolin. “...rural America explored with elegant simplicity.” - THE ROYAL OAK, STATION STREET, LEWES Details: 01273 478124 or 881316 or email
• THE TANNAHILL WEAVERS Support CELTISH - The Tannahill Weavers' diverse repertoire reflects the duality of Scotland's musical heritage. It embraces both the mystical quality of the Highlander's Celtic music, and the rollicking, sometimes even brawling qualities of the Lowlander's Anglo-Scots tunes. - ACOUSTIC SUSSEX CHEQUER MEAD East Grinstead 8pm. Details: 01342 714810 or email

Friday 16th May
• BAL FRANCAIS, CEILIDH - with THE DRIFT caller RACHEL ROBERTS The Royal Oak, Station St Lewes Details 01444 455484 or 242492
• ROY CLINGING & NEIL BROOKES - Roy and Neil both hail from Cheshire. Traditional music, songs and dance are in their blood & influence their unique blend of sounds and material.. - THE BEACHCOMBER, Dane Road, Seaford. - 

Saturday 17th May
• CARL & LEON HOGSDEN - Carl & Leon shed new light on traditional songs while demonstrating a deep respect for their sources, with guitar, bouzouki & mandola accompaniment. - LEWES ARMS, Mount Place, Lewes.   Details:- 01273 476757 or email
• ROY CLINGING & NEIL BROOKS - Another first visit to 'Elsies'. Songs and tunes from Cheshire. - ELSIES, Details: 01732 862862

Sunday 18th May
• BRIGHTON SINGERS' CLUB - The Crown & Anchor, Preston Village (by Preston Manor) Phone 01273 692849 or 330192 for details.
• OPEN STAGE NIGHT - A chance for you to have a go! All acoustic musicians, singers, poets, storytellers welcome, or just enjoy listening - HORSHAM FOLK CLUB The Normandy Centre Denne Road.8pm Enquiries - 01403 251188 or 01306 875653

Monday 19th May
• MANLOUCHE - Wonderful French gypsy music from these four guys who played a few songs for us last year and everybody loved them. THE WHITE HORSE Bodle St. Green Nr. Herstmonceax. Details: 01435 812201 or 01435 864271
• MUSICIANS' & SINGERS' NIGHT - CROYDON FOLK CLUB Ruskin House, 23 Coombe Road, Croydon. 8pm Enquiries - 020 8698 5322 or 0770 3210 795

Tuesday 20th May
• SINGAROUND - CELLARFOLK SONG CLUB, ROUND GEORGES Sutherland Road, Kemp Town Brighton. Details 01273 509552 or email

Wednesday 21st May
• RUDE MECHANICALS - THE FERRY INN, Shoreham Details: 01273 452957 or 461950
• BRIGHTON SINGERS' CLUB - The Crown & Anchor, Preston Village (by Preston Manor) Phone 01273 692849 or 330192 for details.
• COME ALL YE - OPEN STAGE NIGHT - WILLOWS FOLK CLUB, Arundel Football Club, Mill Road Every Wednesday at 8.00pm Details: 07790 51105
• TERRY FOUGERE - Laid back and classy folk and blues incorporating some excellent self-penned material.- EASTBOURNE FOLK CLUB, The Lamb, High Street, 8.30pm Details: 01323 728268 or 638811

Thursday 22nd May
• *** AMERICAN SEASON*** JEFF WARNER - From New Hampshire, Jeff is one of North America’s outstanding singing folklorists. His repertoire is full of songs with interesting lyrics and lovely melodies. - THE ROYAL OAK, STATION STREET, LEWES Details: 01273 478124 or 881316 or email

Friday 23rd May
• TRISKEL with CLARE BOOTH - - LITTLEHAMPTON FOLK & ROOTS FESTIVAL 8.00pm The New Inn, Norfolk Road Phone 01903 732063 for details.
• BOB KENWARD - Bob is best known for his prolific writing of songs and poems about Kent which have been taken up by many local singers.. - THE BEACHCOMBER, Dane Road, Seaford. - 

Saturday 24th May
• ON A MAY MORNING - An opportunity to sing those glorious songs celebrating the return of summer.. - LEWES ARMS, Mount Place, Lewes.   Details:- 01273 476757 or email
• PAUL WARD - - Local guitarist and poet LITTLEHAMPTON FOLK & ROOTS FESTIVAL 12 noon The Dolphin, Surrey Street Phone 01903 732063 for details.
• IRISH SESSION - - LITTLEHAMPTON FOLK & ROOTS FESTIVAL 2pm The Crown, High Street Phone 01903 732063 for details.
• NO WAY OUT - - LITTLEHAMPTON FOLK & ROOTS FESTIVAL 8.30 The Crown High Street Phone 01903 732063 for details.
• FESTIVAL FOLK CLUB with CLAIRE DUBOWL - - LITTLEHAMPTON FOLK & ROOTS FESTIVAL 8.00pm The New Inn, Norfolk Road Phone 01903 732063 for details.

Sunday 25th May
• BRIGHTON SINGERS' CLUB - The Crown & Anchor, Preston Village (by Preston Manor) Phone 01273 692849 or 330192 for details.
• SONG & DANCE - Another popular evening of dancing to the club’s own ceilidh band, interspersed with songs and tunes from the floor - HORSHAM FOLK CLUB The Normandy Centre Denne Road.8pm Enquiries - 01403 251188 or 01306 875653
• SARAH SAVILLE and friends - - LITTLEHAMPTON FOLK & ROOTS FESTIVAL 3pm The New Inn, Norfolk Road Phone 01903 732063 for details.
• THE FRANKIE DANN BAND - - LITTLEHAMPTON FOLK & ROOTS FESTIVAL 8pm The New Inn, Norfolk Road Phone 01903 732063 for details.
• IRISH SESSION - - LITTLEHAMPTON FOLK & ROOTS FESTIVAL 2pm The Crown, High Street Phone 01903 732063 for details.
• OPEN MIKE - - LITTLEHAMPTON FOLK & ROOTS FESTIVAL 8pm The Crown, High Street Phone 01903 732063 for details.
• BANJAXED - - LITTLEHAMPTON FOLK & ROOTS FESTIVAL 8pm The New Inn. Norfolk Road. Phone 01903 732063 for details.

Monday 26th May
• SONG & MUSIC SESSION - THE BEACON, Nr Tunbridge Wells Details: 01892 782326

Tuesday 27th May
• OPEN MIC NIGHT - Folk, Blues, Jazz, Poetry, stories, in fact anything you feel like sharing with a live audience. - THE FIREMAN'S ARMS, Five Ash Down, Uckfield Phone 01825 732191 for details.
• SINGAROUND - CELLARFOLK SONG CLUB, ROUND GEORGES Sutherland Road, Kemp Town Brighton. Details 01273 509552 or email
• SINGERS AND MUSICIANS EVENING - THE SIX BELLS Chiddingly Enquiries - 01825 873337 or email
• TRISKEL - - Irish music at its best. AMBERLEY FOLK CLUB, Black Horse. Amberley, West Sussex Details:- 01798 875476 or email

Wednesday 28th May
• RUDE MECHANICALS - THE FERRY INN, Shoreham Details: 01273 452957 or 461950
• BRIGHTON SINGERS' CLUB - The Crown & Anchor, Preston Village (by Preston Manor) Phone 01273 692849 or 330192 for details.
• J.D. WALKER - Back because you demanded it, we once again welcome this truly outstanding singer, guitarist and all-round entertainer to our stage! J.D. is an enchanting professional musician who’s played in folk clubs on-and-off throughout his life - his easy, relaxed style, coupled with a wide and eclectic repertoire of songs from his long and successful career, have made him a firm favourite for many. Scottish by birth, J.D. performs folksongs from right across the board, both traditional and contemporary - Burns meets Buddy Holly and all points in-between!WILLOWS FOLK CLUB, Arundel Football Club, Mill Road Every Wednesday at 8.00pm Details: 07790 51105

Thursday 29th May
• *** AMERICAN SEASON*** BEVERLEY SMITH & CARL JONES - Doyens of the American traditional music scene, they are gentle but utterly convincing with their singing and instrumental playing on mandolin, fiddle, banjo and guitar - THE ROYAL OAK, STATION STREET, LEWES Details: 01273 478124 or 881316 or email

Friday 30th May
• THE 2008 PIG'S EAR KENTISH HORSE FOLK ALE - The Young Coppers, The Singing Loins, Wasps In the Woodshed, The Wilderness Family, Roger Digby, John Barden, Pig's Ear Markbech, Edenbridge, Kent Phone 01732 869901 or email for details.

Saturday 31st May
• MUSIC HALL NIGHT - Master of Ceremonies: KENNETH HOBBS (Lieutenant-Major, First Foot & Mouth, Retd).Impresario: DON MORGAN (Captain, The King’s Own, but not for keeps). Prepare to be wafted back on wings of song to a more gracious age. We respectfully request you to let Mr. Morgan know your choice of song in advance so that a balanced programme of delights may be prepared. Please dress suitably for the occasion if possible. - LEWES ARMS, Mount Place, Lewes.   Details:- 01273 476757 or email
• THE 2008 PIG'S EAR KENTISH HORSE FOLK ALE - The Young Coppers, The Singing Loins, Wasps In the Woodshed, The Wilderness Family, Roger Digby, John Barden, Pig's Ear Markbech, Edenbridge, Kent Phone 01732 869901 or email for details.
• LEWES SACRED HARP SINGING DAY - . - South Malling Parish Church. Details: 01273 476837 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 issue
Next update of this page will be on May 22nd