Locked In With the ‘Lifers..’

One of the reasons I love this place is because as an ex-Sydney-sider -  where I was underwhelmed by the number of people who were actually involved in folk music - I found a thriving folk community here in the Hunter.   There is continuity that goes back to 1967 here in Newcastle which is worthy of recognition. 

And this is the main reason for our focus at the Folk Club in August on our Life Members  - we're calling it Locked in with the Lifers.
 

This will be quite a pleasant sentence to serve since our Life Members are made of the finest stuff, and are good company to boot.

This is their night when they get to sing, say or play, or get someone else to do it for them.  The Club has a reasonable accumulation of talented and dedicated members since we appoint two a year, and this is our way of saying “Thank you”.  The Folk Club has been serving the Newcastle Area since 1967, in one incarnation or another.

You can expect a fair degree of informality since these people know each other very well, and there will be no standing on ceremony.  Not all members become ‘Lifers’ and not necessarily because of their performance skills, so they are entitled to ask for someone else’s  voice to do it for them.  For newer members of the club, or members of the community who are keen to reflect on the last 55 years of local folk in Newcastle, here is an opportunity to travel down memory lane with members who have lived the journey.

As well as the concert, we will have a sticky bun tea for fun, and some photographs and memorabilia to ponder over.  This is the Newcastle area at its best, and the Club would not be here without the selfless dedication of these people.  Join us for a warm, friendly evening of songs, poems, stories and ‘craic’ – it will be one to remember. Oh, and I will be making a special cake - with a file in it!

 Catch the Lifers on:

4^th August 2012, at 7.30.

Newcastle and Hunter Valley Folk Club, Inc.

Wesley Centre Hall, 150 Beaumont St.  Hamilton.

For more Information:  Carole Garland, Bookings and Publicity Officer, 02 4929 3912

Newcastle and Hunter Valley Folk Club, Inc.

30 Years without a proper job!

  PAT DRUMMOND

30 Years without a ‘real’ job!

 

Is  he ‘Folk’? or is he ‘Country’?

Pat Drummond is that man, who with more than 30 years of trekking the Country making music, is probably all the above and much more.  He is impossible to pigeonhole as a seasoned observer of human nature should be.  It is easy for him to drop into another persona with wit and humour, and to make their joys and sorrows open to all.

Did I mention he is a consummate musician and writes award-winning songs?  His life is littered with awards for his country music, and achievements on stage both as a soloist and with others.

It’s old age that’s slowing him down.  He says he wants to go into semi-retirement as he has hit the big six-oh. However before, he slips into his dotage, he is going to make time for us on 7^th July, at the Folk Club, in the Wesley Centre hall, at 150 Beaumont St. Hamilton, at 7.30 p. 

Retirement? Don’t you believe it!  He is so active and sprightly he looks only half his age and besides, the Australian music scene won’t let him.  Read more at www.patdrummond.net

Anyway he is thoroughly upstaged in that respect by our support artist, Douglas Stewart, who tops Pat’s record by more than twenty years.  At the age of 82, Douglas has spent almost sixty years on the stage, mostly in Britain.  He specializes in musical comedy, but has a marked flair for bush poetry, Flanders and Swan, bits from Gilbert and Sullivan, and more.  He is amazing, and has had the Lakeside Folk Circle in stitches since he arrived last year. 

Tastes Good to Me -

On Sunday 19th Feb. the Newcastle/Hunter Valley folk Club is featured in  TASTE OF HAMILTON FAIR in Beaumont St.and we are taking to the streets.
The happy cosmopolitan atmosphere of this renowned street fair will be the setting for 2 hours of local folk from 11.30am.  Stage and sound will be provided so it will be easy to find us.
We will soon be able to confirm which performers will be featured so watch this space.!!

COMING SOON!

 The Ukulele Orchestra of  Great Britain is making the journey to Newcastle on Wednesday 7th March at City Hall.

...also, Martin Pearson is playing at the Gallipoli Club in Hamilton on February 17th starting at 7.30pm.  Tickets $25/$15 contact Bev on 4962 2160 for details