Frittenden Festival

The Frittenden Old Fashioned Night Out will again take place this year – and the date is the 31st March 2012.

This follows a tremendous evening of old-fashioned dancing, songs and party games last year.

The formula for 2012 is largely unchanged. The evening will have the same mixture of entertainments as last time, with the multi-talented Rosie Davis calling to music provided by the Horsmonden Traditional Music Class and friends, and songs from a variety of invited guests. The only change is that this time we’re holding it in the Bell & Jorrocks function room, which we think will be cosier…

As last year, formal attire is encouraged (but optional).

Earlier in the day we’ll have the usual Frittenden-style traditional, old fashioned and entertaining session in the bar, followed by a mixed session and concert on the theme of Sea, Ships and Sailors with weekend guests, who include Frittenden regulars Andy Turner, Annie Dearman and Steve Harrison, Taz Tarry, and sea-song specialist Chris Roche. Rosie has kindly promised to chip in with a Sailor’s Hornpipe!

In the late morning and early evening we’ll also have a workshop in which Rosie will teach some of the old fashioned dances she’ll be calling in the evening.

We’ll post more details as they become available.

Frittenden Sessions at the Bell & Jorrocks

These take place on the last Sunday of  the month from September to April, from 8pm. (The only exception is usually at Christmas time, when it may have to be on a different night.)

The session itself is an entertaining old fashioned and traditional pub evening with songs and tunes, and plenty of variety and good humour. If you’ve got a song, a tune, a stepdance or story, enjoy joining in with a chorus or just like listening in the bar, please come along. We go on until it’s time to close with Nellie Dean the old way – just as people used to before the telly and the computer.

Guests for Christmas and 2011

29th December: Peter Collins with the wonderful Udimore Bell Ringers * (Note this isn’t a Sunday)
29th January: Chris Walshaw
26th February: Dan Quinn
25th March: Liam Robinson
29th April: TBA

For information see http://frittendenfestival.com or email gmatkin@gmail.com, tel 07985 522734

The Horsmonden Traditional Music Class is proud to present an evening of barn dancing and party games at Horsmonden Village Hall on the night of the 25th November, starting at 8pm! Details are to come, but the caller will be local boy Chris Rose, and we are planning a few surprise entertainments! One thing we can say is that there’s no bar but you are welcome to bring your own! Download our magnificent poster here.

We’re also planning the 2012 Frittenden Old Fashioned Night Out and it’s associated sessions, though we don’t yet have too many details. It’s to be on Saturday 31st March 2012. More information will appear at http://frittendenfestival.com as it becomes available.

All are welcome at the Horsmonden trad music class’s end of term session from 8pm on Wednesday at the Gun & Spitroast, Horsmonden, Kent!

We’ll be playing many of the tunes we’ve learnt in the class during the year, but there will likely also be stepdancing and few songs – we’re hoping to be joined by Rosie Davis, singer John Morgan and Morris dancing pals Weald of Kent after their regular Wednesday evening dance out.

It should be a fun, informal opportunity to find out what the classes are all about!

‘I think he is absolutely terrific – and so will you’ Shreds & Patches

‘One of the most endearing voices to emerge in recent times’ Folking.com

Credit: Barry Jones Photography

Talented young Devon singer Jim Causley will be appearing with friends Rosie Davis, and Julie and Gavin Atkin at the White Lion, in Tenterden’s picturesque High Street on the 22nd April 2011, starting at 8pm.

Jim’s a dynamic and engaging performer, with a great gift for telling the story of a song, and just happens to have one of the best baritone voices you’re likely to hear anywhere.

Rosie Davis is a highly respected musician and  singer with a beguiling mixture of British and American traditional songs, and also an outstanding dancer who will no doubt present both old fashioned Southern English stepdancing and Appalachian styles.

Julie and Gavin Atkin sing and play old fashioned and traditional songs and tunes. Gavin uses a concertina to accompany Julie’s singing of old popular songs, plays tunes on fiddle and melodeon, and does a bit of singing himself.

Download our poster: Jim Causley 22nd April show Tenterden

The show will take place in the Saddlery room, and is promoted jointly by the Frittenden Sessions (see the Sessions tab above) and Tenterden Folk Festival. Tickets are £6.00 in advance (tel 07985 522734, email gmatkin@gmail.com), and £7.00 on the door.

Tags: Jim Causley, Julie and Gavin Atkin, Rosie Davis

Invited weekend performers include Will Duke, Andy Turner, Annie Dearman and Steve Harrison, and Peter Collins.

STOP  PRESS – we’ve just learned that the pub will be doing meals from 7pm, which might well be useful to anyone who is staying through to the evening!

Saturday evening

An atmospheric and old-fashioned social evening at Frittenden’s Memorial Hall from 7.30pm including songs, music from the Horsmonden Wednesday night Traditional Music Class and friends, old-fashioned dances led by Rosie Davis, and party games, entry £7/£4

Saturday afternoon
•Tunes and songs at 12 noon at the Bell & Jorrocks featuring Frittenden session regulars, guests and friends

•Stepdancing with Kerry Fletcher and Rosie Davis at the Memorial Hall 2.30–4.00pm, entry £2.50/£1.50

•Learn old fashioned dances (eg, The Veleta, The St Bernard’s Waltz, The Heel & Toe Polka), Memorial Hall 4.30–6.00pm, entry £2.50/£1.50

Sunday evening

The regular B&J songs and tunes session with Peta Webb and
Ken Hall from 8pm, free