ONE-OFFS, IRREGULAR DATES & CONCERTS - This page lists the events which are one-off concerts, or ceilidhs or held infrequently, irregularly or fortnightly. Other events, which have a 'formula' eg every 3rd Monday in each month, for when they occur can be found on the REGULAR EVENTS pages, and Festivals on the FESTIVALS page.
Hatton Arms, 14 Arnhill Rd, Gretton, Northants, NN17 3DN
Songs & music evening - 8pm till 11pm - fortnightly on Wednesdays (this event runs alternate weeks to Collyweston Slater's Monday folk evening) - this is a great folk night so please bring your instruments, or sing, or just come and listen - Andy Butterworth 07949 624012
Dates – Wednesdays 2023 - 6 Dec, 20 Dec, 2024 - 3 Jan, 17 Jan, 31 Jan, 14 Feb, 28 Feb, 13 Mar, 27 Mar
Slater's Arms, 87 Main Rd, Collyweston, Stamford, PE9 3PQ
Collyweston singaround / folk club - alternate Mondays - singaround style - 8 to 11pm - Bob Bakewell 0116 2593395. This event runs alternate weeks to the Gretton Wednesday folk nights
Dates – Mondays 2023
Dec 11th, (probably not 25 Dec), 8 Jan, 22 Jan, 5 Feb, 19 Feb, 4 Mar, 18 Mar
9A North St, Stamford PE9 1EL - Pennyless - http://pennyless-music.co.uk/ - at Mama Liz's - 4pm to 6pm – free
Dates – Sundays 2024 - 7 Jan, 4 Feb, 3 Mar, 7 Apr
Wednesday 6 December - South Holland Centre, Market Place, Spalding, PE11 1SS
Spalding Folk Club present Kelly's Heroes - http://www.kellysheroes.co.uk/about - Great entertaining Celtic band from Nottingham, Christmas celebrations can start here - for upcoming guests, see https://www.spaldingfolkclub.co.uk - doors open 7.45pm, music 8-11pm - entrance fee usually £10 (£8 if you join)
Thursday 7 December - Exeter Arms, Leicester Road, Uppingham, LE15 9SB
Irish traditional music session - run by Jon Nix with the One Too Many irish band - 6.30pm - https://www.facebook.com/jon.nix.71
Falcon Inn, 1 London St, Whittlesey, PE7 2BH
Whittlesey folk session - every couple of months, on a Friday - 8.00pm - organisers: Sandra & Martin Green 01733-206627 or sandragreenmartingreen@gmail.com
Dates – Fridays 2023 - 8th Dec
Friday 8 December - 3At3 Real Ale & Craft Beer Cafe, 3 Three Cups Walk, Ely CB7 4AN
Our annual outdoor Christmas Shanty Shindig at the wonderful 3At3 Real Ale & Craft Beer Café in Ely - its a wonderful venue in the shadow of the cathedral, outdoor on the terrace! Worry not though, there are patio heaters, blankets, mulled wine and hot toddies available - all creating a lovely warm atmosphere - Isle 'Ave A Shanty - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1212410285600984/?hoisted_section_header_type=recently_seen&multi_permalinks=2547376565437676 - will be performing a full show from 7.30pm - Entry is FREE and You can book your tables on 01353 659 916 [This event has sold out for the last few years, so don't leave it long!]
Saturday 9 December - Fulbeck Artisan Craft Xmas Market, just off A17 opposite the Leadenham turn
From 10.15am - Singing from Andy Lenton, Tim Almond, Keith Collishaw, Andy Tymens, Tom Lane and who knows who else
Saturday 9 December - All Saints Church, 14-16 Church Lane, Brington, Huntingdon PE28 5AE
Frumenty - https://www.facebook.com/Frumenty/ - present a mix of religious, secular, happy and sad words and music with a chance to join in - 7pm - tickets: adults £10, under 18 £5, under 12 free - from Marion 07967 581809, or The Gables, Brington, or on the door
Saturday 16 December - 123a Station Rd, Bardney, near Lincoln, LN3 5UF
Bardney Heritage Centre tune session - 1pm to 3pm - one Saturday a month but variable date - eoinmac61@gmail.com - or ring the Heritage Centre on 01526 397299
Sunday 17 December - Old Ship Inn, 22 High St, Pointon, Sleaford NG34 0LX
Dean & Co - folk, country, etc - appearing 3pm to 6pm - free
Wed 20 Dec - Stamford Arts Centre, 27 St Mary's St, Stamford PE9 2DL
Kellie While, Simon Care and Simon Nicol join founder of Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span and The Albion Band, Ashley Hutchings, on stage for an evening of traditional English Christmas music, song and celebratory readings - 7.30pm - £22 ( £20) from boxofficestamfordartscentre@southkesteven.gov.uk or 01780 763203
Wed 20 Dec - The Shared Church, Ringstead, NN14 4DA
Jackie Oates & John Spiers - https://www.jackieoates.co.uk/live/ - “‘Oates & Spiers left the gaudy, commercialised crass-ness at home ... theirs is a hristmas for all’”- doors open 7.00pm - tickets 07756 015615 or https://raundsfestival.com/tickets
Thursday 21 December - The Barn (Baston Village Hall), Main Street, Baston, PE6 9PA
Jackie Oates and John Spiers - https://jackieoatesandjohnspiers.bandcamp.com/ - Multi award-winning contemporary folk duo Jackie Oates and John Spiers meld together their love of English traditional folk tunes and songs with their voices and acoustic instruments, resulting in a fresh sound that is uplifting, joyful and poignant - 8pm - admission £15 - reservations can be made with Alan or Maggie on 01778 560497- find out who's on at https://bastontradmusic.org/concerts/ - if going, ring as sometimes sold out - website: https://bastontradmusic.org
Sunday 31 December - Welbourn village hall, 38 Beck St, Welbourn, Lincoln LN5 0LZ
New Year's Eve Barn Dance/Ceilidh with Banter - doors open 7.30pm - free dram at midnight - whisky roll - morris dancing - food available - tickets adult £15, up to 10 years £5, under 5's free from https://www.banter.band/
Friday 12 January - Whittlesey Indoor Bowls Complex, 194-198 Station Road, Whittlesey, PE7 2HA. This is the ceilidh/barn dance of the Whittlesea Straw Bear - see the FESTIVALS page in the Diary for full details of that.
BARN DANCE/CEILIDH - Fri 12th
The Public dancing returns this year on Friday 12 January at a new venue - Whittlesey Indoor Bowls Complex, 194-198 Station Road, Whittlesey, PE7 2HA - doors open 7.30, ceilidh from 8pm to 11pm - this barn dance/ceilidh will include some singing spots as further entertainment.
The band is a good one; Frog on a Bike, one of Cambridgeshire’s most popular ceilidh bands, presenting for a festival that is probably closer to their hearts than most. With repertoire steeped in the English tradition, a distinctively big folk-rock sound and their signature foot stomping performance, you won’t be disappointed that you came along for the ride!
Master of ceremonies for this evening of music and dancing will be Strawbearian Ollie Simons. Local Peterboroughian Ollie is one of the most charismatic up and coming callers on the scene today, he also dances with more Morris sides than you could shake any hankie or stick at.
Tickets will be £12, available shortly from the Whittlesea Straw Bear main website at https://strawbear.org.uk/
Friday 12 January - St Andrews Hall, 5 Parkinson's Lane, Whittlesey, Peterborough PE7 1BZ
Pig Dyke Molly will do what it does every year to celebrate the start of the 2024 Straw Bear festival, the best weekend of the year. As every year for about 25 years (so far) we will run our fringe event (not in the Straw Bear programme – be part of our secret club if you come) - an informal, friendly evening.
STRAW BEARS ON THE STREETS - Sat 13th
STRAW BEAR DAY kicks off at 10-30 am on SATURDAY 13th from the Manor Leisure Centre with two Bears, Musicians, Decorated Plough, and lots of invited dance teams who will display the wide variety of traditional dance forms from the UK. The entourage will circumnavigate the town until 3-30pm approximately. Our only guarantee will be, “it will be cold” but we hope, not wet, at it was in ‘23. Please note that there is no public parking at the Manor Leisure Centre - please use the Park and Ride from Sir Harry Smith Community College. There will not be a Saturday Barn Dance/Ceilidh this year; it takes place on the Friday.
STORYTELLING - Sat 13th
Storyteller Marion Leeper at 12 noon, 1pm and 2pm in the afternoon of Sat 13 Jan 2024, at Queen Street Methodist/United Reformed Church, 24 Queen St, Whittlesey, Peterborough PE7 1AY. She is a weaver of words, teller of legends, fables and tall tales, with surprises galore in her coat of many pockets. She has toured her shows for grownups The Kitchen Cat and Women and Power (with singer-songwriter Jessica Law) around the UK and has stories for children of all ages, from bloodthirsty myths and legends for brave young people, to enchanting Stories in the Dark for under-5s. Marion's sessions are free.
Saturday 13th January - St Mary's Church, Whittlesey town centre, PE7 1TF - https://www.peterboroughchurches.com/whittlesey-st-mary
Shamrock Shindig with the irish band One Too Many - featuring live covers of classic irish songs like Galway Girl. Tell Me Ma, Irish Rover, Seven Drunken Nights, Wild Rover, Whiskey in the Jar and many more - guest singers made welcome - licensed bar - 7pm to 10pm - tickets £5 each from Bob's Records, 16 Broad St, Whittlesey, PE7 1H or 01733 204353
Sunday 14 January - BURNING THE BEAR (see the Whittlesea Straw Bear entry on the FESTIVALS page for full Festival details
The BURNING will be at mid-day on SUNDAY14th, will be open to the public this year and free and will take place at Decoy Lakes, Drybread Road, PE7 2AD - refreshments available
Thursday 25 January - The Barn (Baston Village Hall), Main Street, Baston, PE6 9PA
Mossie Christian and Megan Wisdom - https://www.facebook.com/MossyAndMegMusic/ - grass roots traditions of Eastern England from new traditional singers and players - 8pm - admission £15 - reservations can be made with Alan or Maggie on 01778 560497- find out who's on at https://bastontradmusic.org/concerts/ - if going, ring as sometimes sold out - website: https://bastontradmusic.org
Friday 9 February 2024 - Ely City Golf Club, 107A Cambridge Rd, Ely CB7 4HX
Dinner and an Evening with Isle'Ave A Shanty - https://isleaveashanty.com/ - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1212410285600984 - 7.00pm - Isle'Ave A Shanty are a 6 piece male harmony acappella group based on the Isle of Ely - they specialise in traditional songs from the sea and country in a folk style, as well as putting a folk twist on some modern classics! They are a rarity in being a sea shanty band from a landlocked county, but they bring their own style to traditional songs, and unique songs they made up themselves - Their live show is all about cameraderie, fun and interaction - be ready to sing along heartily and join in with the actions as they take you on a journey across the oceans, through the countryside, with maybe a few songs about grog, noggins, and even a drop of Nelson's Blood - 01353 662751 to reserve your table - enquiries@pheasantcateringcambridge.co.uk
Thursday 22 February 2024 - The Barn (Baston Village Hall), Main Street, Baston, PE6 9PA
Sherburn, Bartley & Sanders - https://www.sherburnbartleysanders.com/ - Chris (Concertina), Denny (Vocals and Guitar) joined forces with Emily (Fiddle and Vocals) blending vocal harmonies and strings to their unique sound. Their soulful songs, exhilarating tunes and quick-witted banter ensures no two concerts are ever the same - 8pm - admission £15 - reservations can be made with Alan or Maggie on 01778 560497- find out who's on at https://bastontradmusic.org/concerts/ - if going, ring as sometimes sold out - website: https://bastontradmusic.org
Wednesday 13 March - Priory Church of St James, Church Gate, Deeping St James, Peterborough PE6 8NP
Show of Hands - https://showofhands.co.uk/ - Show of Hands is an English acoustic roots/folk duo formed in 1986 by singer-songwriter Steve Knightley (guitars, mandolin, mandocello, cuatro) and composer and multi-instrumentalist Phil Beer (vocals, guitars, violin, viola, mandolin, mandocello) - Known for their songs with rousing choruses that address contemporary social issues, (notably their "singalong attack on the bankers", Arrogance, Ignorance & Greed) these often illustrate current concerns through historical narratives and have earned Knightley the label the 'Gravel voiced spokesman of the rural poor'. Rooted in English traditional music the songs are shot through with diverse influences from music across the world, including the blues, Americana and Latin rhythms - doors & bar from 6.30pm, show 7.30 to 10.30pm - Parking is very restricted in the village, please share transport where possible. Church Hall car park for disabled parking only - tickets £28 (unsighted £14) from https://www.trybooking.com/uk/events/49511/sessions/324352/sections
Tuesday 19 March - The Talbot Hotel, New St, Oundle, Peterborough PE8 4EA
McGoldrick, McCusker & Doyle - Folk music’s legendary triumvirate of musical magpies are on tour again, bringing you their own blend of top-class folk songs, tunes and charming bonhomie. All three musicians have won global acclaim: John Doyle (Dublin – vocals, guitar, bouzouki, mandola) is an Irish music linchpin and a founder member of acclaimed group Solas, who has worked with Joan Baez, Linda Thompson and Mary Chapin Carpenter. BBC Radio 2 Folk Award Winner John McCusker (Glasgow – fiddle, whistles, harmonium) has played with The Battlefield Band, Mark Knopfler and Bob Dylan, recorded with Paul Weller, and recently produced albums for Eddi Reader, Heidi Talbot and Kris Drever. Mike McGoldrick (Manchester – flute, whistles, Uileann pipes, bodhran, clarinet, congas) is a BBC Radio 2 Folk Award winner, founding member of Lúnasa, and current member of Capercaillie, who has worked with Mark Knopfler, Eddi Reader, John Cale. And that's just for starters - With their vast repertoire, this will be an evening to remember. Described as the masters of flute, fiddle, song and guitar they have worked with the biggest and brightest and bring you a night of beautifully crafted music. Having shared stages and recording studios with everyone from Bob Dylan and Mark Knopfler to Paul Weller, Joan Baez and Linda Thompson, Mike, John & John are a rare musical treat you’ll savour for a very long time - doors 7.00pm, start 7.30pm - £22.00 + booking fee £2.20 from https://www.wegottickets.com/event/596749
Thursday 23 May - Stamford Corn Exchange Theatre, Broad St, Stamford PE9 1PX
The Fureys - http://www.thefureys.com/ - in concert - When The Fureys make their eagerly awaited return, they will treat their audience to one of popular music’s richest legacies - They are one of Ireland’s all-time most acclaimed and influential middle of the road, folk and traditional bands. Furey’s classics like I Will Love You, When You Were Sweet 16, Red Rose Café, Leaving Nancy, The Old Man, From Clare to Here and The Green Fields of France have become the soundtrack to the lives of fans all over the world - The Fureys are responsible for some of the most stirring music ever to capture the public imagination. Their folk based music has received standing ovations in some of the biggest concert halls of the world and they credit their musical ability to their parents, Ted and Nora, who were well known musicians themselves - - 7.30pm - tickets £25.00 from https://www.stamfordcornexchange.co.uk/the-fureys-2024/
Thursday 28 November 2024 - The Barn (Baston Village Hall), Main Street, Baston, PE6 9PA
Granny's Attic - https://www.grannysattic.org.uk/ - With exceptional musicianship and boundless energy, Granny’s Attic are going from strength to strength. Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne (melodeon, anglo concertina, vocals), George Sansome (guitar, vocals) and Lewis Wood (violin, vocals) have honed their skills touring the UK and Europe - The trio have been heralded for their lively performances and skilled delivery of traditional material, playing with verve, energy and their own inimitable style. Though grounded in tradition, they are keen to push new boundaries by exploring fresh approaches and writing their own compositions - 8pm - admission £15 - reservations can be made with Alan or Maggie on 01778 560497- find out who's on at https://bastontradmusic.org/concerts/ - if going, ring as sometimes sold out - website: https://bastontradmusic.org - this one is the The Barn's 20th Anniversary Show.