THE LOADED DOG and TRADEWINDS FOLK EVENTS.
A tale of two folk clubs 1990 -2015
Two weeks ago, while cleaning up
after the painters had finished, I came across a faded copy of a sequence of
events sheet. Sandra Nixon, current
‘Minder’ of the Loaded Dog Folk Club in Sydney had nailed me down and made me
recall the events and guests I had organised (along with the Loaded Dog itself)
all those years ago. It is down as
having opened its doors Saturday 27th September 1990.
Here I am, twenty-five years later,
having just put the final (??) details together for the opening of TRADEWINDS
FOLK EVENTS next month on 30th
January 2015 coming up. I am just as
nervous obviously, but I am also intrigued to ponder the differences between
then and now. Why not the same model
again?
I had arrived in Sydney, from the
North of England, still in the grip of Thatcher’s reign of Terror, in
1985. I returned for a year to sell up,
then came, in a state of gratitude and bliss, to settle in 1987. Largely unwelcome in the Sydney folk scene I
decided to take the passive way round the problems, and found a British-style
folk club. On a morris trip to
Melbourne, playing concertina for the Sydney Morrismen, I came across the pub
known as The Loaded Dog. I became much
amused by the tale of the two men, the stick of explosive, and Nemesis in the
shape of a playful dog. So I pinched the
name.
Among the principles I worked with
were:
No More Pubs! - there are not the back rooms there used to
be. Landlords are voracious and will double book you without blinking. Sound bleed is an awful problem, and number
97 is always needed in the snack bar, and more.
Nice halls are hard to come by, and
cost rent, so reluctantly I was going to have to go commercial.
Music will always go to where music
is –look around. Avoid the seedier
places however cheap, ‘cos people won’t go.
Forget the places with too strong a religious or political connection as
it will spoil the atmosphere. Not too
posh either, as the carpets and curtains will muffle your music. Parking space is important too.
Atmosphere is not a dirty word! It doesn’t take much to make a
difference. For TRADEWINDS I have some
lovely candle goblets, and we can soften the atmosphere in other ways.
In spite of Sara Lee having made a
takeover of the world’s taste buds, people appreciate a bit of home baking, and
we did! Three of us baked cakes and made
savouries every Dog night. This nearly
paid the rent. In other places they
charge membership fees, which covers a lot of financial ground, but I have
never been a fan of that.
Alcohol has never been a
problem. Most folkies are not in the
first flush of youth and can largely be left to self-regulate. Let them drink wine! And those awful dip
things if you wish. We will have
café-style seating for your convenience.
Just take away your empties chaps!.
Most people know I have been Bookings
Officer for Newcastle Hunter Valley Folk Club for a few years. Although I have made a few changes, I
reluctantly came to the conclusion that I was pushing in a way that they felt
contrary to their identity. So about
Easter last year I assessed all factors and decided I had one more big push in
me. By this time I could see a ‘hole in
the market’ and knew some wonderful people that would help me fill it. Time will tell, but:
The nice hall I needed was THE DUNGEON at Adamstown Arts. The Uniting Church Minister, Dr. Rod
Pattenden, has given us a wonderful and supportive welcome there. Providing patrons behave themselves (you
will! won’t you?) you may bring your own
drinks and nibbles. Take away your
empties please.
We will still be a non-profit making venture, although quite a lot of
money has been needed to start it all. I
am about to broach the third thousand dollars of my own money in set-up
costs. Please don’t object if I ask
commercial rates for things like coffee and cake.
We are, however, rich in talent.
Peter Allsop and Nicola Ross have hearts like lions, as well as making
superb music together. Peter will be
front-of-house man, as well as taking over organisation of sound. Nicola is doing website, photography and
other things. Adrian Hill has done
website, and may be persuaded to sing.
My musical sidekick, Michael Fine, will not be able to come every month,
but will generally look after money and administration details. Michael is highly valued by me for his lovely
guitar work and the fact that he uses his great voice in harmony, as easily as
lead vocal. I love singing and will
still be trying to warble as they nail down the lid on my box. Until then I will do Bookings and look after
the kitchen side. We need more help, but
experience has taught me that the right person will come forward in their own
time.
We can do nothing without the
artists. In sympathy I noted Kavisha
Mazzella saying, that at the end of every night you are unemployed. The least we can do is provide an
appreciative atmosphere, and the best financial deal we can manage.
So that’s what we promise
folks!! We will try the best we can to
make this venture a vibrant part of the Newcastle music scene, at a very
affordable price. After Bob Fox in
March, we will settle down to the 2nd Friday of the month. There are already, some interesting plans for
April -
all on the website folks. www.tradeswindfolk.com
Check in regularly
to see what’s coming.
Carole