March

Use the Colour code to find events that interest you: SONG: folk clubs, singarounds & concerts IN RED, MUSIC: sessions IN GREEN, DANCING (social): ceilidhs, barn dances, scottish, irish set, french dancing & Playford IN BLUE, DANCING (team): morris, clog, longsword, rapper sword, molly & appalachian displays to watch, or learning sessions - IN PURPLE, FESTIVALS & other IN BLACK

Tue 1 Mar

Liz Padgett on Tulip Radio (listen live through the internet link or 107.5FM) - 7 to 9pm

Learn Morris Dancing (men only) - Peterborough Morris, Fletton Ex-Service & WM Club, 243a High St, Peterborough PE2 9EH - every Tuesday, 8.30pm, Sept to April - 01733 206627 or 01733 705786

Traditional music session - 8.30pm - Red Lion, 48 King St, West Deeping, PE6 9HP - email

Acoustic Session, Millstone Inn, Barnack near Peterborough PE9 3ET - 8pm - 1st Tuesdays - details: 01733 891860 - MySpace

Learn Morris Dancing with Kesteven Morris (men and women). New members welcomed - meet in Sleaford every Tuesday at 8.30 p.m - Men in the Scout Hut, Reform Place, off Westgate, NG34 7QR - Women in St Botolph’s Hall, Grantham Road, NG34 7NB - 01777 228303 or 01529 305186 or email

Irish set dancing - every Tuesday in term time, but not 2nd Tuesdays of the month - 9 to 11pm - £1 - Ebeneezer's Club, Grove St, Woodston, Peterborough, PE2 9AG - 01733 757286 or 01733 893417

Wed 2 Mar

94.9 FM Tom Lane's Folk programme on BBC Radio Lincolnshire includes a "What's On" rundown - 6.30 to 7pm every Wednesday - click here to listen live

Mike Harding's folk, roots & acoustic show on Radio 2 - 7 to 8pm every Wednesday or listen through BBC iplayer

Spalding Folk Club - guests this week: Brian Willoughby and Cathryn Craig - "sublime guitar work together with one of the finest voices around" - South Holland Centre, Market Place, Spalding PE11 1SS click here for map & car parking - 1st Wednesdays - 8.15pm - usually £6 (£5 members) 01406 380100 or email

Peterborough Folk Dance Club, Marholm Village Hall, Peterborough, PE6 7JA - partner not needed - 7.30 to 9.30pm - Wednesdays - 01733 266873

Learn english English Clog Dancing (women & men, as a team, not individual) - Crosskey Clog, Village Hall, Gunton's Rd, Newborough, Peterborough, PE6 7RT - every Wednesday, 8 to 10pm, Sept to April - 01778 393507

Thu 3 Mar

Fri 4 Mar

First Friday Folk, The Wishing Well, Main St, Dyke, Bourne PE10 0AF - singaround - 8pm - 1st Fridays (different venue in Dec) - 01778 570115 Dean Hardy or email

Hell said the Duchess - Karen Tweed, Becky Price & Hannah James in concert - This all-female accordion trio formed in 2009 for a one-off gig and enjoyed it so much, they decided to do some more - not least for the chance to wear lovely frocks and prove that the accordion can be a highly expressive instrument, capable of great beauty and subtlety, and not just a large noisy box designed to drown out bagpipes! The amazing Karen Tweed, Becky Price and Hannah James present an elegant, eccentric and effervescent concoction of traditional and original music, harnessing various influences featuring dance music and airs from Ireland, France, Scandinavia and 18th Century England plus songs and dances from the Northern English repertoire performed by clogstepping virtuoso Hannah. All absolutely wonderful! - 7.30pm - Hoby & District Village Hall, LE14 3DT (near Melton Mowbray) - 01664 434120

Start of weekend-long residential Melodeon course with tutor Issy Emeney - JS Arts, Grantham - contact Jo Smith on 01476 567021 or 07713 760266 or email

Sat 5 Mar

Potbelly Folk Festival - Kettering Arts Centre at St Andrew's Church, Rockingham Rd, Kettering, NN18 8RG - times, artistes & prices unknown, except Megson at some time today - email

Ceilidh/barn dance to the Waggonload of Monkeys - Lawrance Park Village Hall, Crown Lane, Thurlby, Bourne, PE10 0EZ - 01778 424717

Scottish country dance to Silver Cross Band - Queen Eleanor School, Green Lane, Stamford, PE9 IHE - 7.30pm - £8 - bring & share supper - this is a Scottish dance, so no walkthrough but a paper crib is supplied

Sun 6 Mar

Irish (mainly) music session - Palmerston Arms, 82 Oundle Road, Peterborough, PE2 9PA - every Sunday - 4pm to 7pm - 01733 896340

Potbelly Folk Festival - Kettering Arts Centre at St Andrew's Church, Rockingham Rd, Kettering, NN18 8RG - times, artistes & prices unknown - email

Pennyless performing for free - the back room of Mama Liz, 9 North St, Stamford, PE9 1EL - a casual and often unplugged musical performance for folks to sit back, drink beer, wine or coffee and nibble bar snacks to - 4 to 6pm

Mon 7 Mar

Learn Molly Dancing (women & men) with Pig Dyke Molly - every Monday - 8.15 to 9.45pm - upstairs in the Performance Theatre, Thomas Deacon Academy, Queen's Gardens, off Park Rd, Peterborough, PE1 2UW (as you come through the gate on Queens Gardens look to the right hand side of school and head down to the south entrance) - 01733 345883 or email

Tue 8 Mar

Traditional music session - 8.00pm - Red Lion, 48 King St, West Deeping, PE6 9HP - email

Learn Morris Dancing (men only) - Peterborough Morris, Fletton Ex-Service & WM Club, 243a High St, Peterborough PE2 9EH - every Tuesday, 8.30pm, Sept to April - 01733 206627 or 01733 705786

Open Mic - The Rose, Burghley Rd, Peterborough, PE1 2QB - 2nd & 4th Tuesdays - email

Irish set dancing - every Tuesday in term time - 9-11pm - £1 - The Swiss Cottage, Grove St, Woodston, Peterborough, PE2 9AG - 01733 757286 or 01733 751477

Wed 9 Mar

94.9 FM Tom Lane's Folk programme on BBC Radio Lincolnshire includes a "What's On" rundown - 6.30 to 7pm every Wednesday - click here to listen live

Mike Harding's folk, roots & acoustic show on Radio 2 - 7 to 8pm every Wednesday or listen through BBC iplayer

Peterborough Folk Dance Club, Marholm Village Hall, Peterborough, PE6 7JA - partner not needed - 7.30 to 9.30pm - Wednesdays - 01733 266873

Redmile Music singaround - Barnstone Country Club, Works Lane, Barnstone, Notts NG13 9JN - 8.30pm - free - fortnightly - everyone is welcome to play, sing, or relax and listen, where musicians of all abilities can get together and enjoy each other's music - for details contact Sairz on 01159 332225 or 07841 333315 or email

Bluegrass & Old Time session - Six Bells, 11 Covent Garden, Cambridge, CB1 2HS - 8.30pm - usually the 2nd Wednesday of the month, but may change week occasionally to avoid a fortnightly Open Mic session which runs at the pub - email

Thu 10 Mar

Music session - Lincoln Arms, Bridge Street, Spalding, Lincs, PE11 1XA - 8.00pm - 01775 723026

Backroom Acoustic Music Club - songs & music - The Jolly Sailor, 43 Great Whyte, Ramsey, PE26 1HH - 2nd & 4th Thursday of the month - email

Fri 11 Mar

Whittlesey Folk Evening - songs & tunes - The Bricklayer's Arms, Station Rd, Whittlesey, PE7 1UA - 8pm - free admission – 2nd Fridays excl. Jul & Aug - 01733 206627 or email

Music session - The Chequers, 7 Church Rd, Wimbotsham, Downham Market, Norfolk, PE34 3QG - 8.30pm - 2nd Friday of the month - 07949 977282 or email

Sat 12 Mar

The Coal Porters - described as "The Clash of Bluegrass", The Coal Porters are internationally recognised for their exuberant live shows - you don't want to miss them - Stamford Arts Centre, 27 St Mary's Street, Stamford PE9 2DL - 8pm - £14 (£12) - 01780 763203

Ceilidh/barn dance to the Waggonload of Monkeys - Corn Exchange, 3 Abbey Rd, Bourne, PE10 9EF - 01778 426820 or 01778 423203

Sun 13 Mar

Irish (mainly) music session - Palmerston Arms, 82 Oundle Road, Peterborough, PE2 9PA - every Sunday - 4pm to 7pm - 01733 896340

Haconby Unplugged, Hare & Hounds, Haconby, Bourne PE10 0UZ - 2nd Sundays - 8pm - 01778 425422 or email

Mon 14 Mar

Musicians and Dancers wanted. Learn Molly Dancing (women & men) with Pig Dyke Molly - every Monday - 8.15 to 9.45pm - upstairs in the Performance Theatre, Thomas Deacon Academy, Queen's Gardens, off Park Rd, Peterborough, PE1 2UW (as you come through the gate on Queens Gardens look to the right hand side of school and head down to the south entrance) - 01733 345883 or email

Tue 15 Mar

Liz Padgett on Tulip Radio (listen live through the internet link or 107.5FM) - 7 to 9pm

Learn Morris Dancing (men only) - Peterborough Morris, Fletton Ex-Service & WM Club, 243a High St, Peterborough PE2 9EH - every Tuesday, 8.30pm, Sept to April - 01733 206627 or 01733 705786

Wed 16 Mar

94.9 FM Tom Lane's Folk programme on BBC Radio Lincolnshire includes a "What's On" rundown - 6.30 to 7pm every Wednesday - click here to listen live

Mike Harding's folk, roots & acoustic show on Radio 2 - 7 to 8pm every Wednesday or listen through BBC iplayer

Peterborough Folk Dance Club, Marholm Village Hall, Peterborough, PE6 7JA - partner not needed - 7.30 to 9.30pm - Wednesdays - 01733 266873

The Rainbow Chasers with Ashley Hutchings in concert - Ashley Hutchings is one of English music’s most influential figures and a founder member of some of the greatest bands on the contemporary folk scene, namely Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span and The Albion Band. With Rainbow Chasers, Ashley has gathered around him three of the brightest young talents in today’s acoustic music scene – Joe Topping (guitar & vocals), Jo Hamilton (viola, guitar & vocals) and Ruth Angell

Learn Border dancing with Bourne Borderers - mixed English border dance - musicians also welcome - Wednesdays 8pm at Edenham Village Hall, 44 Church Lane, Edenham, near Bourne, PE10 0LS - 01778 346236

Thu 17 Mar

Irish Music session - Crown Inn, 8 Duck St, Elton, PE8 6RQ - 3rd Thursday in the month - 9pm

Pennyless folk trio playing a lively jiggety mixture of traditional Irish, English, Scottish and American tunes on Flute, Fiddle and Guitar. Also motley percussion, whistle and melodica and original songs from their first two albums with three part harmonies - Mama Liz's 9a North Street, Stamford, PE9 1EL 01780 765888

St Patrick's Night music session - White Swan, High Rd, Barrowby, Grantham, NG32 1BH - 8.30pm

Spalding singaround, Welland Yacht Club, River Bank, Spalding PE11 3AA (follow Cradge Bank next to BP station) - 3rd Thursdays - 01205 723884 click here

Fri 18 Mar

French dancing - waltz, mazurka, bourree, scottish, etc - dancers & musicians of any level welcome - Northwick Arms, High Street, Ketton (hall in the car park) - 8 to 11pm - 3rd Fridays, except July & Aug - details Adam or Mary 01780 720521 or email

Buffalo Gals in concert - "A feast of fiddle and banjo-led tunes and songs in the high lonesome sound of the South Appalachian Mountains. Led by Kate Lissauer, a champion American fiddler and dynamic singer, they mix ballads, blues and spirituals with soaring harmonies and dazzling displays of percussive step-dancing" - Walton on the Wolds Village Hall, LE14 4AG - 01664 822391

Sat 19 Mar

Buffalo Gals in concert - "A feast of fiddle and banjo-led tunes and songs in the high lonesome sound of the South Appalachian Mountains. Led by Kate Lissauer, a champion American fiddler and dynamic singer, they mix ballads, blues and spirituals with soaring harmonies and dazzling displays of percussive step-dancing" - South Luffenham Village Hall, LE15 8NW - 01780 720687

Sun 20 Mar

Irish (mainly) music session - Palmerston Arms, 82 Oundle Road, Peterborough, PE2 9PA - every Sunday - 4pm to 7pm - 01733 896340

Singaround - Marquis of Granby, 65 Westgate, Sleaford, NG34 7DA - some tunes - 4 to 8pm - 3rd Sun in the month - 01529 300277 or email

Grantham Folk Club, Blue Pig Inn, Vine Street, Grantham, NG316RQ - 3rd Sun in the month - email or 01572 789939

Mon 21 Mar

Haconby Hare music session - musicians & listeners welcome - Hare & Hounds, 2 West Rd, Haconby, Bourne PE10 0UZ - 3rd Mondays - 8pm - 01778 571563 or email

Musicians and Dancers wanted. Learn Molly Dancing (women & men) with Pig Dyke Molly - every Monday - 8.15 to 9.45pm - upstairs in the Performance Theatre, Thomas Deacon Academy, Queen's Gardens, off Park Rd, Peterborough, PE1 2UW (as you come through the gate on Queens Gardens look to the right hand side of school and head down to the south entrance) - 01733 345883 or email

Tue 22 Mar

Learn Morris Dancing (men only) - Peterborough Morris, Fletton Ex-Service & WM Club, 243a High St, Peterborough PE2 9EH - every Tuesday, 8.30pm, Sept to April - 01733 206627 or 01733 705786

Irish set dancing - every Tuesday in term time, but not 2nd Tuesdays of the month - 9 to 11pm - £1 - Ebeneezer's Club, Grove St, Woodston, Peterborough, PE2 9AG - 01733 757286 or 01733 893417

Open Mic - The Rose, Burghley Rd, Peterborough, PE1 2QB - 2nd & 4th Tuesdays - email

Music and song session - Shuckburgh Arms, Main St, Southwick, Oundle, PE8 5BL - 4th Tuesdays of the month - 8.30pm - 07732 169161 or email

Music session - Durham Ox, Church St, Orston, Notts, NG13 9NS - 8-11pm - fourth Tuesdays in the month - 01949 850059 or email

Wed 23 Mar

94.9 FM Tom Lane's Folk programme on BBC Radio Lincolnshire includes a "What's On" rundown - 6.30 to 7pm every Wednesday - click here to listen live

Mike Harding's folk, roots & acoustic show on Radio 2 - 7 to 8pm every Wednesday or listen through BBC iplayer

Peterborough Folk Dance Club, Marholm Village Hall, Peterborough, PE6 7JA - partner not needed - 7.30 to 9.30pm - Wednesdays - 01733 266873

Redmile Music singaround - Barnstone Country Club, Works Lane, Barnstone, Notts NG13 9JN - 8.30pm - free - fortnightly on Wednesdays - everyone is welcome to play, sing, or relax and listen, where musicians of all abilities can get together and enjoy each other's music - for details contact Sairz on 01159 332225 or 07841 333315 or email

Thu 24 Mar

Backroom Acoustic Music Club - songs & music - The Jolly Sailor, 43 Great Whyte, Ramsey, PE26 1HH - 2nd & 4th Thursday of the month - email

Fri 25 Mar

Baston concert: The Young Uns - One of the very few young folk groups to still sing traditional acappella music, Sean Cooney, David Eagle and Michael Hughes are three very fine singers who perform with passion and gusto. - Supporting artists : Tourdion - The Barn, Main St, Baston, near Bourne PE6 9PA - 8pm - bring own drinks - tickets from 01778 560497 (these concerts often sell out)

Richard Digance in concert - one of Britain's top comedy and music attractions - , a rare performer in that he's respected by comedians for his original material and by musicians for being an accomplished acoustic guitarist - Bourne Grammar School, South Road, Bourne, PE10 9JE - 7.30pm - tickets £12 from here or the School Office or Walker's bookshop, North Street Bourne, or from 01778 391647

Sat 26 Mar

Barn dance / ceilidh with The Castle Band - Little Bytham Village Hall, High St, Little Bytham, Stamford - 8.15 - £3

The Lesley Curtis Band in concert - the debut performance of popular local artiste Lesley and her new band - all proceeds will go to the Help the Heroes charity - a mix of country, folk rock and blues covers, Lesley will also sing a selection of original songs from her own albums - Singer-guitarist James Edmonds as support - Aslackby Village Hall, Folkingham Road, Aslackby, Sleaford NG34 0HL - Doors open 7.00 pm - tickets £15.00 including food, to be reserved in advance - details & reservations: 01778 440974 Christine Smith. Bring your own booze! Lesley has 2 websites: click here & click here

Dance workshop in the Swedish Polska - in Ketton, near Stamford - 2.30 to 4.30pm - £5 - email

Sun 27 Mar

Irish (mainly) music session - Palmerston Arms, 82 Oundle Road, Peterborough, PE2 9PA - every Sunday - 4pm to 7pm - 01733 896340

Start of week-long residential Fiddle course with tutor Stewart Hardy - JS Arts, Grantham - Sun 27 Mar to Fri 1 Apr - contact Jo Smith on 01476 567021 or 07713 760266 or email

Traditional song & music session - Castle Inn, High Street, Castle Bytham, NG33 4RZ - free - 7.30 to 10.30 - the 4th Sunday of the month - 01780 410563

Mon 28 Mar

Tue 29 Mar

Liz Padgett on Tulip Radio (listen live through the internet link or 107.5FM) - 7 to 9pm

Learn Morris Dancing (men only) - Peterborough Morris, Fletton Ex-Service & WM Club, 243a High St, Peterborough PE2 9EH - every Tuesday, 8.30pm, Sept to April - 01733 206627 or 01733 705786

Irish set dancing - every Tuesday in term time, but not 2nd Tuesdays of the month - 9 to 11pm - £1 - Ebeneezer's Club, Grove St, Woodston, Peterborough, PE2 9AG - 01733 757286 or 01733 893417

Wed 30 Mar

94.9 FM Tom Lane's Folk programme on BBC Radio Lincolnshire includes a "What's On" rundown - 6.30 to 7pm every Wednesday - click here to listen live

Mike Harding's folk, roots & acoustic show on Radio 2 - 7 to 8pm every Wednesday or listen through BBC iplayer

Peterborough Folk Dance Club, Marholm Village Hall, Peterborough, PE6 7JA - partner not needed - 7.30 to 9.30pm - Wednesdays - 01733 266873

Thu 31 Mar

Concert by Evening Star - European traditional music influenced by 21^st century sound. Blowzabella’s Paul James - bagpipes, saxophones, flutes, leads a world class line-up of Patrick Bouffard (France) - hurdy-gurdy; Carlos Beceiro (Spain) – bouzouki, bass guitar; Luke Daniels (UK/Ireland) – diatonic button accordion; Victor Nicholls (UK/Armenia) – bass and electric guitars, electronics, and Gigi Biolcati (Italy) – drums and percussion. Patrick Bouffard is Frances’s best known and most influential player of the hurdy-gurdy. Carlos Beceiro tours all over the world with Spain’s leading folk group La Musgana. Virtuoso accordionist Luke Daniels won the BBC Young Folk Musician of the Year Award and went on to tour with Irish music legends De Dannan, in Riverdance and with his own groups. Victor Nicholls has played with many jazz and folk legends and does things with a bass guitar and electronics that defy easy description. Gigi Biolcati can make a tambourine sound like a whole drum kit and plays with many leading Italian jazz and folk musicians including Riccardo Tesi. Apart from playing in Blowzabella (he also produces Blowzabella’s albums and organises the band) Paul James formed Evening Star with musicians he met while playing in various European bands. The idea is to play original material influenced by traditional music and traditional music influenced by contemporary sounds and styles. AnvilArts in Basingstoke made forming the group possible with a commission. The result is a bringing together of Mediterranean and northern European sounds with great tunes and fabulous rhythmic drive played by musicians completely on top of their game - 7.30pm - Sproxton Village Hall, LE14 4RE (between Colsterworth & Melton Mowbray) - tickets 01476 860293

Concert by Hot Fingers - This trio welcomes you to an eclectic mix of vintage acoustic string music. The trio visit the hot jazz of 1920s New York and sophisticated 1930s Swing. From the ‘French Coffee House’ sound of the king of gypsy guitar Django Reinhardt, the early blues of Lonnie Johnson, the syncopated rhythms of artists such as Argentinean Oscar Aleman and the Swing Guitar pioneer Eddie Lang. Featured vocals include earthy blues, sentimental ballads, novelty crooning and the Jump Jive style of Louis Prima. Although just a trio, the band can be seen removing three guitars, a double bass, a banjo, a mandolin, a ukulele, a clarinet, a sousaphone, a bass clarinet and a pair of castanets from the band van! Playing acoustically for a truly authentic sound, the band attracts audiences from all ages and musical tastes with their infectious enthusiasm and light-hearted approach; great chat and informative whilst entertaining. Individually, the members have toured the world with the likes of The Pasadena Roof Orchestra, Bob Kerr’s Whoopee Band, The Charleston Chasers and Tommy Burton’s Sporting House Quartet. ‘The Hottest Man In Town’ CD (with additional musicians) has been featured regularly on BBC Radio 2.- Wymondham Village Hall, Wymondham, Nr Melton Mowbray, Leics, LE14 2AB - doors open 6.45pm - - bar, free nibbles, raffle - tickets £8, £6 concs, £24 family (2+2) or £10/£8/£26 on door - 01572 787247 or 07792 756511

click here for April 2011