Brighton What's On Guide

SUSSEX FOLK GUIDE

Folk Music - Listings from June 18th until the end of July 2009

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 18th June
• DUCK SOUP - A fascinating and different way of interpreting traditional song and dance tunes with some instruments that you would not expect to hear in a folk club with Adam Bushell, Ian Kearey & Dan Quinn. - THE ROYAL OAK, STATION STREET, LEWES Details: 01273 478124 or 881316 or email

Friday 19th June
• MIRIAM BACKHOUSE - Miriam Backhouse started singing and accompanying herself on guitar in British folk clubs in the mid seventies and quickly gained a big reputation as a new young performer of traditional material. She has started touring again after thirty years living abroad.- SEAFORD FOLK CLUB, CONSTUTIONAL CLUB, Crouch Lane, Seaford BN25 1PU Details email
• SHOW OF HANDS with MIRANDA SYKES - sold out - cancellations only - ACOUSTIC SUSSEX THE RAVENSWOOD, Sharpthorne. Details: 01342 714810 or email

Saturday 20th June
• SANDI TOKSVIG - - SEVENOAKS FESTIVAL Enquiries - 01732 450305
• ELKIE BROOKS - - SEVENOAKS FESTIVAL Enquiries - 01732 450305
• EASTBOURNE DANCE - Lunda Merchant & Moira Underwood with recorded music SUSSEX FOLK ASSOCIATION . Details 01273 515557
• PETER COLLINS - Wonderful singer, glorious songs, plenty of choruses. - LEWES SATURDAY FOLK CLUB(at Elephant & Castle, White Hill, Lewes BN7 2DJ),   Details:- 01273 476757 or email
• CHRIS WOOD - A long-time favourite at Elsie's. - ELSIES, Details: 01732 862862
• ROBIN & BINA WILLIAMSON - St. Thomas a Beckett Church Hall, Cliffe, Lewes BN7 2AH. Details 01403 259706 or 07506 740982

Sunday 21st June
• SAX APPEAL - - SEVENOAKS FESTIVAL Enquiries - 01732 450305
• BEN SANDS - . - HORSHAM FOLK CLUB The Normandy Centre Denne Road.8pm Enquiries - 01403 251188 or 01306 875653
• SUMMER CEILIDH - - Rottingdean Public Hall Enquiries - 07737 783582

Monday 22nd June
• MUSICIANS' & SINGERS' NIGHT - CROYDON FOLK CLUB Ruskin House, 23 Coombe Road, Croydon. 8pm Enquiries - 020 8698 5322 or 0770 3210 795

Tuesday 23rd June
• SINGERS AND MUSICIANS EVENING - THE SIX BELLS Chiddingly Enquiries - 01825 873337 or email
• CELLARFOLK SONG CLUB - ROUND GEORGES, Sutherland Road, Kemp Town, Brighton. Details 01273 509552

Wednesday 24th June
• BRAM TAYLOR - It’s been many years since this great entertainer last stood on the Willows’ stage, but he’s finally back! Bram is widely regarded as one of the best in the business by folk fans across the UK - throughout the course of his career he has recorded many albums for legendary folk label Fellside Records, and has worked and recorded with many of the folk scene’s greatest musicians. WILLOWS FOLK CLUB, Arundel Football Club, Mill Road Every Wednesday at 8.00pm Details: 07790 51105
• RUDE MECHANICALS - THE FERRY INN, Shoreham Details: 01273 452957 or 461950
• NORTH BRIGHTON SINGAROUNDS - The Crown & Anchor, Preston Village (by Preston Manor) Phone 01273 692849 or 330192 for details.

Thursday 25th June
• THE NEW DEAL STRING BAND - One of the legendary figures of the revival of interest in Old Timey music, Tom Paley, is joined by his son Ben and long-time associate, Joe Locker. - THE ROYAL OAK, STATION STREET, LEWES Details: 01273 478124 or 881316 or email

Friday 26th June
• CRAWLEY FOLK FESTIVAL - OYSTERBAND * STEVE KNIGHTLEY * ELIZA CARTHY BAND * TOUCHSTONE * MARTIN CARTHY & DAVE SWARBRICK * ENGLISH CEILIDH WORKSHOPS * ADRIAN EDMONDSON & THE BAD SHEPHERDS - ,The HAWTH Crawley Details: 01293 553636

Saturday 27th June
• THE CLAQUE - Breathtaking, powerful, almost dangerous vocal harmony from Tom Addison, Barry Lister, Dave Lowry & Sean O'Shea on a rare visit from Devon. Trained in the Songwainers, Isca Fayre & Hollinmor. Unmissable. - LEWES SATURDAY FOLK CLUB(at Elephant & Castle, White Hill, Lewes BN7 2DJ),   Details:- 01273 476757 or email
• CRAWLEY FOLK FESTIVAL - OYSTERBAND * STEVE KNIGHTLEY * ELIZA CARTHY BAND * TOUCHSTONE * MARTIN CARTHY & DAVE SWARBRICK * ENGLISH CEILIDH WORKSHOPS * ADRIAN EDMONDSON & THE BAD SHEPHERDS - ,The HAWTH Crawley Details: 01293 553636

Sunday 28th June
• KATE RUSBY - with DONALD GRANT and the RED SKIES STRING ENSEMBLE - SEVENOAKS FESTIVAL THE SEVENOAKS CENTRE, Sevenoaks School Sevenoaks, Tonbridge Road TN13 1HU Enquiries - 01732 450305
• CRAWLEY FOLK FESTIVAL - OYSTERBAND * STEVE KNIGHTLEY * ELIZA CARTHY BAND * TOUCHSTONE * MARTIN CARTHY & DAVE SWARBRICK * ENGLISH CEILIDH WORKSHOPS * ADRIAN EDMONDSON & THE BAD SHEPHERDS - ,The HAWTH Crawley Details: 01293 553636
• SONG & DANCE - . - HORSHAM FOLK CLUB The Normandy Centre Denne Road.8pm Enquiries - 01403 251188 or 01306 875653
• NORTH BRIGHTON SINGAROUNDS - The Crown & Anchor, Preston Village (by Preston Manor) Phone 01273 692849 or 330192 for details.

Monday 29th June
• CLUB NIGHT WITH FLOOR SINGERS - 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 30th June
• PIGGIE'S OPEN MIC ROOM - THE PIG & BUTCHER Five Ash Down, Uckfield Enquiries - 01825 767206
• CELLARFOLK SONG CLUB - ROUND GEORGES, Sutherland Road, Kemp Town, Brighton. Details 01273 509552

Wednesday 1st July
• OPEN STAGE - Free to performers, good value for the audience.. - 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
• NORTH BRIGHTON SINGAROUNDS - The Crown & Anchor, Preston Village (by Preston Manor) Phone 01273 692849 or 330192 for details.
• RUDE MECHANICALS - THE FERRY INN, Shoreham Details: 01273 452957 or 461950

Thursday 2nd July
• GORDON TYRRALL - Gordon has been deeply involved in traditional music since the 1970s as a mesmeric singer, an outstanding guitarist and an immaculate flute player. - THE ROYAL OAK, STATION STREET, LEWES Details: 01273 478124 or 881316 or email
• THE OTHER BAND * DAVE & DANIELLE * PORCHLIGHT SMOKER * GREG HARPER * THE MAYPOLE BAND - Bass player Gary Holder presents his musical guests in a new live music club for central Sussex. GARY'S LIVE MUSIC CLUB COOLHAM VILLAGE HALL RH13 8QN Enquiries - 01403 785674

Friday 3rd July
• PETE LONG'S ORCHESTRA - - SEVENOAKS FESTIVAL Enquiries - 01732 450305
• CHRISTINE COLLISTER - Christine Collister grew up on the Isle of Man. Her professional recording career began in the mid 1980’s but she first came to national attention singing the 1987 theme for the BBC Television series The Life and Loves Of A She Devil. Following a fruitful association with The Richard Thompson Band, Christine enjoyed a period of critical and commercial success in a seven year partnership with Clive Gregson. She also toured and recorded with the female super group Daphne’s Flight. Her 7 previous solo albums have seen her convincingly interpret Smoky Robinson, Nick Drake, Robert Wyatt, Tom Waits, Paul Simon, U2 and Lal Waterson, amongst many others - whilst with every year her own self penned or co-written compositions have developed a distinctive quality - one which connects on a very personal level. Playing with Christine tonight will be Rob Cross. - BRIGHTON FOLK & BLUES CLUB The OPEN HOUSE (formerly The Springfield) Springfield Road, Brighton. Details: 01273 822695 or 736514 or email

Saturday 4th July
• 'THE DAY WAR BROKE OUT' with ROGER BRASIER - An evening of humour, nostalgia and pathos to mark the 70th. anniversary of the start of World War Two. Featuring Roger Brasier (Yes! it's That Man Again) and Full Supporting Programme. Book your floor spot in advance if you want to do a particular song from the period. - LEWES SATURDAY FOLK CLUB(at Elephant & Castle, White Hill, Lewes BN7 2DJ),   Details:- 01273 476757 or email
• SHOREHAM FOLK DAY - The Bridge Inn, Shoreham-by-Sea, High Street. -

Sunday 5th July
• JOHN GILL - - SEVENOAKS FESTIVAL Enquiries - 01732 450305
• NORTH BRIGHTON SINGAROUNDS - The Crown & Anchor, Preston Village (by Preston Manor) Phone 01273 692849 or 330192 for details.
• CHRISTINE COLLISTER - With a gravity-defying voice and impressive live performances, Christine Collister (singer of the theme song of the popular BBC Television series The Life and Loves of a She Devil) is one of the most respected female vocalists in the contemporary music scene. - ACOUSTIC SUSSEX THE RAVENSWOOD, Sharpthorne. Details: 01342 714810 or email

Monday 6th July
• JOHN COPPER - Another full house is guaranteed for John after his barnstorming solo performance here last year. Brighton Acoustic at THE NELSON Trafalgar St, Brighton (100 yards from Brighton Stn.) Enquiries - 01273 776014 or email
• BAND OF TWO - CROYDON FOLK CLUB Ruskin House, 23 Coombe Road, Croydon. 8pm Enquiries - 020 8698 5322 or 0770 3210 795

Tuesday 7th July
• SINGERS AND MUSICIANS EVENING - THE SIX BELLS Chiddingly Enquiries - 01825 873337 or email
• CELLARFOLK SONG CLUB - ROUND GEORGES, Sutherland Road, Kemp Town, Brighton. Details 01273 509552
• VILLAGE HARMONY - Last concert of their 2009 tour of England. - WALBERTON CHURCH, **** Note change of previously advertised venue **** Details: 01243 551635

Wednesday 8th July
• HUW CHIDGEY & CATHERINE HANDLEY - Quite possibly one of the finest undiscovered folk talents in the country! Journeying from South Wales, Huw & Catherine are both fine musicians and perform a sensational blend of exciting traditional folk alongside material by songwriters such as Kieran Halpin. Both are excellent singers, Huw especially so, and their prowess on guitar & flute is awe-inspiring, able to veer from subtle backing to a driving set of jigs & reels. WILLOWS FOLK CLUB, Arundel Football Club, Mill Road Every Wednesday at 8.00pm Details: 07790 51105
• NORTH BRIGHTON SINGAROUNDS - The Crown & Anchor, Preston Village (by Preston Manor) Phone 01273 692849 or 330192 for details.
• RUDE MECHANICALS - THE FERRY INN, Shoreham Details: 01273 452957 or 461950
• MID-SUSSEX FOLK SINGERS CHORUS AND HARMONY NIGHT - THE FOUNTAIN INN, Ashurst near Steyning. Details: 01444 443280

Thursday 9th July
• LEON ROSSELSON & ROBB JOHNSON in "THE LIBERTY TREE" - Not an ordinary club night, Leon and Robb’s show on Tom Paine will take the entire evening. Part of the "Thomas Paine & Lewes Festival". - THE ROYAL OAK, STATION STREET, LEWES Details: 01273 478124 or 881316 or email

Friday 10th July

Saturday 11th July
• DANCE WORKSHOP - St Peters Chapel, Upper Belgrave Road, Seaford Led by Katie Easton. 10am - 3.30pm. SUSSEX FOLK ASSOCIATION . Details 01323 492310
• HASTINGS DANCE - Ninfield Memorial Hall. Margaret Browning with recorded music. SUSSEX FOLK ASSOCIATION . Details 01424 753684
• WILL DUKE: THE TUNES OF SCAN TESTER: WORKSHOP for ANY INSTRUMENT - 10.45 a.m.- 4.45 p.m. Teaching is by ear. All profits after expenses go to the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library at Cecil Sharp House. - LEWES SATURDAY FOLK CLUB(at Elephant & Castle, White Hill, Lewes BN7 2DJ),   Details:- 01273 476757 or email
• WILL DUKE - Evening performance by the workshop leader. - LEWES SATURDAY FOLK CLUB(at Elephant & Castle, White Hill, Lewes BN7 2DJ),   Details:- 01273 476757 or email
• BARRIE & INGRID TEMPLE - A first time at Elsie' and we look forward to some Geordie magic. - ELSIES, Details: 01732 862862

Sunday 12th July
• NORTH BRIGHTON SINGAROUNDS - The Crown & Anchor, Preston Village (by Preston Manor) Phone 01273 692849 or 330192 for details.

Monday 13th July
• THE ANDY SMYTHE TRIO - THE WHITE HORSE Bodle St. Green Nr. Herstmonceax. Details: 01435 812201 or 01435 864271
• SINGERS AND MUSICIANS NIGHT - CROYDON FOLK CLUB Ruskin House, 23 Coombe Road, Croydon. 8pm Enquiries - 020 8698 5322 or 0770 3210 795
• THE BIG PETTOS - Harmony with a touch of boisterous energy. Work Songs, gospel, quiet traditional songs and the occasional surprise THE BEACON, Nr Tunbridge Wells Details: 01892 782326

Tuesday 14th July
• CELLARFOLK SONG CLUB - ROUND GEORGES, Sutherland Road, Kemp Town, Brighton. Details 01273 509552

Wednesday 15th July
• KAREN TWEED - Highly respected for her collaborative work, this is a rare solo appearance from one of our most celebrated accordion players. Exploring the beauty and magic of the music of England, Ireland and Scandinavia with remarkable touch and musicality! - 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
• NORTH BRIGHTON SINGAROUNDS - The Crown & Anchor, Preston Village (by Preston Manor) Phone 01273 692849 or 330192 for details.
• HARMONY GLEN & WASPS IN THE WOODSHED - UCKFIELD FESTIVAL Weald Hall, Civic Centre, Civic Approach, Uckfield Details 01825 765555
• RUDE MECHANICALS - THE FERRY INN, Shoreham Details: 01273 452957 or 461950

Thursday 16th July
• THE MAGNOLIA SISTERS - An amazing coup for us as we present the leading female Cajun band from Louisiana - Ann Savoy, Jane Vidrine, Anya Burgess, and Lisa Reed. - THE ROYAL OAK, STATION STREET, LEWES Details: 01273 478124 or 881316 or email

Friday 17th July

Saturday 18th July
• BONNIE SHALJEAN: IRISH HARP WORKSHOP - 10.45 a.m.- 4.45 p.m. Music available in advance. - LEWES SATURDAY FOLK CLUB(at Elephant & Castle, White Hill, Lewes BN7 2DJ),   Details:- 01273 476757 or email
• BONNIE SHALJEAN - Evening performance by the workshop leader. - LEWES SATURDAY FOLK CLUB(at Elephant & Castle, White Hill, Lewes BN7 2DJ),   Details:- 01273 476757 or email

Sunday 19th July
• NORTH BRIGHTON SINGAROUNDS - The Crown & Anchor, Preston Village (by Preston Manor) Phone 01273 692849 or 330192 for details.

Monday 20th July
• VIN GARBUTT - CROYDON FOLK CLUB Ruskin House, 23 Coombe Road, Croydon. 8pm Enquiries - 020 8698 5322 or 0770 3210 795
• IAIN MATTHEWS - When some artists are referred to as "legends" it is usually measured in years, or based on the quality of their music. Few are measured in both time and quality. One artist that has been judged by both is Iain Matthews. - ACOUSTIC SUSSEX THE RAVENSWOOD, Sharpthorne. Details: 01342 714810 or email

Tuesday 21st July
• SINGERS AND MUSICIANS EVENING - THE SIX BELLS Chiddingly Enquiries - 01825 873337 or email
• CELLARFOLK SONG CLUB - ROUND GEORGES, Sutherland Road, Kemp Town, Brighton. Details 01273 509552

Wednesday 22nd July
• EWAN WILKINSON & SANDY BRECHIN - An amazing duo from Scotland who make a sound guaranteed to make you sit up and take notice - offering the sublime blend of Ewan's powerful yet melodic vocals and guitar work with Sandy's electrifying accordion, these two take Scottish folk music to high levels of excitement and entertainment! Arguably the best known of the duo, Sandy is widely regarded as one of Scotland's finest accordion players, having extensively toured both in the UK and internationally with several groups including The Sandy Brechin Band and the superbly-named The Sensational Jimi Shandrix Experience! - WILLOWS FOLK CLUB, Arundel Football Club, Mill Road Every Wednesday at 8.00pm Details: 07790 51105
• NORTH BRIGHTON SINGAROUNDS - The Crown & Anchor, Preston Village (by Preston Manor) Phone 01273 692849 or 330192 for details.
• RUDE MECHANICALS - THE FERRY INN, Shoreham Details: 01273 452957 or 461950

Thursday 23rd July
• JERRY EPSTEIN & RALPH BODINGTON - Jerry has been involved in traditional music for 40 years and was director of the New York Eisteddfod. Ralph is a superb performer of banjo tunes and ballads from the old-time Southern mountain culture. - THE ROYAL OAK, STATION STREET, LEWES Details: 01273 478124 or 881316 or email

Friday 24th July

Saturday 25th July
• BONNIE SHALJEAN: IRISH HARP WORKSHOP - 10.45 a.m.- 4.45 p.m. Music available in advance. - LEWES SATURDAY FOLK CLUB(at Elephant & Castle, White Hill, Lewes BN7 2DJ),   Details:- 01273 476757 or email

Sunday 26th July
• NORTH BRIGHTON SINGAROUNDS - The Crown & Anchor, Preston Village (by Preston Manor) Phone 01273 692849 or 330192 for details.
• SUMMER CEILIDH - - Rottingdean Public Hall Enquiries - 07737 783582

Monday 27th July
• CLUB NIGHT WITH FLOOR SINGERS - THE WHITE HORSE Bodle St. Green Nr. Herstmonceax. Details: 01435 812201 or 01435 864271
• SONG & MUSIC SESSION - THE BEACON, Nr Tunbridge Wells Details: 01892 782326

Tuesday 28th July
• PIGGIE'S OPEN MIC ROOM - THE PIG & BUTCHER Five Ash Down, Uckfield Enquiries - 01825 767206
• CELLARFOLK SONG CLUB - ROUND GEORGES, Sutherland Road, Kemp Town, Brighton. Details 01273 509552

Wednesday 29th July
• ERIC BOGLE & JOHN MUNRO - **** This event is sold-out **** - WILLOWS FOLK CLUB, Arundel Football Club, Mill Road Every Wednesday at 8.00pm Details: 07790 51105
• NORTH BRIGHTON SINGAROUNDS - The Crown & Anchor, Preston Village (by Preston Manor) Phone 01273 692849 or 330192 for details.
• RUDE MECHANICALS - THE FERRY INN, Shoreham Details: 01273 452957 or 461950

Thursday 30th July
• GRAND END-OF-SEASON OPEN NIGHT - Free Admission. All welcome, particularly performers who have not been at the Royal Oak before - then we are closed for the month of August. - THE ROYAL OAK, STATION STREET, LEWES Details: 01273 478124 or 881316 or email

Friday 31st July

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:
June 30th for the August/September issue.
Next update of this page will be on July 23rd