Admission:
£7 in advance or
£8 on the door

Wednesday 14^th May 2008

Isambarde

http://www.isambarde.co.uk/index.shtml

It is very exciting when a new group appear on the folk music scene - especially when they are obviously very talented and destined for great things. Isambarde played at the festival a couple of years ago and did a splendid set. Since then they have gone from strength to strength. We were delighted when Phil Beer brought them along to the club as his guests last year and were so impressed with their set that we felt they deserved a gig in their own right. So, here they are, all the way from Coventry, Chris Green (Vocals, Guitar, Bouzouki), Jude Rees (Oboe, Whistle, Vocals), and Emily Sanders (Vocals, Fiddle, Viola) aka Isambarde.

Support

Martin Kaszak

http://www.myspace.com/martinkaszak

Martin plays his own songs and a wide range of material from his guitar heroes including Blind Blake, Blind Boy Fuller, Ralph Mctell and Jim Croce. Martin’s smooth vocal style and distinctive finger-style guitar playing has drawn admiring attention from other musicians as well as his public. He plays an Avalon guitar and a genuine 1930s National Steel. He opened the 2007 Ely Folk Festival and has appeared regularly at the Golden Hind PH, Cambridge Folk Club as well as appearances at The Bun Shop and CB2 in Cambridge.

Admission:
£16

Monday 26^th May 2008

Fairport Convention (Acoustic)

http://www.fairportconvention.com/

Yes, you read that correctly... Fairport Convention are coming to Ely Folk Club! This is one of our special extra events. Fairport are one of the best-known and best-loved folk-rock bands. Formed back in 1967, the band has seen many changes of line-up over the years. Founder member, Simon Nicol, is in the current Fairport, as is Dave Pegg, who has played with the band for more than 30 years. The other members of the band are Ric Sanders, Chris Leslie and Gerry Conway. This will be a very special concert, and tickets are likely to sell very fast, especially as this is their only gig in Cambridgeshire.

The concert will take place at the Arkenstall Village Centre, 7 Station Road, Haddenham, Ely, CB6 3XD on Bank Holiday Monday. Doors (and bar) open at 7.30pm. The seating will be numbered. Click here to view the seating plan and here for a map of how to find the Arkenstall Centre. Tickets may be reserved by calling 01353 740999.

Admission:
£10 in advance or
£11 on the door

Wednesday 18^th June 2008

Downes and Beer

http://www.pauldownes.co.uk/

http://www.philbeer.co.uk/

Those of us who were frequenting the folk clubs in the 1970s will remember this stunning duo...and those who weren't will also be familiar with them. Phil Beer has become one of the best-known musicians in recent years, as half of Show of Hands and also for his work with the Phil Beer Band, Arizona Smoke Revue, Albion Band, etc. An absolutely genius when it comes to playing the guitar, fiddle, cello-mandolin, ukulele...in fact just about any instrument that has strings. Paul is also a fantastic guitarist - one of best in fact. Add to that mix two great voices and you have a perfect recipe for a great night's entertainment. This is a very rare chance to see Phil and Paul together, and guaranteed to be a very special night.

Support

Kiss the Mistress

http://www.myspace.com/kissthemistressuk

Kiss the Mistress is a trio whose dynamic and exciting sound is rooted in Gaelic tradition. The unique combination of ’cello/voice (Ginny Davis) and chromatic button accordion (John Ramirez) underpinned by the driving rhythmical counterpoint of bodhran (Roy Jones) creates a sound that is both unique and engaging. Always searching for ancient resonances, they give voice to the tunes and songs that draw them. With skillfully crafted arrangements they celebrate the breadth of pan European music and perform their own self penned material.

Admission:
£7 in advance or
£8 on the door

Wednesday 16^th July 2008

Suntrap

http://www.suntrap.org/

If you want performance ranging from sweet melancholy to out and out power; if you want to be wooed, thrilled, moved and above all entertained then you must see this band. Featuring some of England’s strongest young singers, Suntrap will dazzle you with their big harmony sound. Sometimes spiky edged, sometimes achingly beautiful. Their material ranges from the richly textured to stripped back solo a cappella. This is handcrafted music played by a double fiddle section, guitars, accordion, bodhran, whistles and harmonica, carefully woven around shimmering, slipsliding vocal harmonies. Suntrap perform a mesmerizing array of music including their own material and the best of the traditional and contemporary folk repertoire. The songwriters (Sara Byers and Paul Hoad) create original, innovative works drawing on English song tradition and American Folk and Country.

Admission:
£7 in advance or
£8 on the door

Wednesday 17^th September 2008

Steve Ashley

http://www.steveashley.co.uk/

For nearly 40 years Steve Ashley’s songs have won the respect of critics and fellow-performers alike with cover versions by Fairport Convention, Anne Briggs, Dave Pegg and PJ Wright, Martin and Jessica Simpson, Maggie Boyle, Phil Beer, Grace Notes, The Arizonas and The Bushwackers. His debut album ‘Stroll On’ is a folk-rock classic and his latest for Topic, ‘Time and Tide’ was described by fROOTS as ‘a modern day masterpiece’. Steve also has what New York’s Variety magazine described as ‘one of the funniest of dry stage raps’. Don‘t miss this rare treat.

Admission:
£8 in advance or
£9 on the door

Wednesday 15^th October 2008

Mawkin:Causley

http://www.myspace.com/mawkincausley

When we heard that Essex band, Mawkin, who went down so well at the club last year, had joined forces with talented young singer Jim Causley, we couldn't resist inviting them back to the club. This comes hot on the heels of their appearance at Ely Folk Festival in July. A unique collaboration not to be missed!

Admission:
£7 in advance or
£8 on the door

Wednesday 19^th November 2008

Megson

http://www.megsonmusic.co.uk

The combined talents of northerners Stu Hanna and Debbie Palmer make the award winning duo Megson. Their 2007 album ‘Smoke Of Home’ received critical acclaim across the board with a host of strong reviews and resulted in lots of radio airplay. The biggest strength of Megson, however, is their stunning live performances. The duo have played at numerous folk festivals including Shrewsbury, Sidmouth, Gosport and Fareham, Wimborne and Cambridge, as well as touring with Seth Lakeman and Show of Hands, both in the UK and in Germany, and they are rapidly gaining a strong following.