These events take place once a month. Details of which week are given with the individual entries. Details of, for example, guests at folk clubs are usually given on the weekly emails.
As always, it's a good idea to check before making a special journey
Mondays Tuesdays Wednesdays Thursdays Fridays Saturdays Sundays
Gentle, relaxed, folky session
This is a regular event held on the second Monday of every month.
Very laid back!
Led by Mike Cox of Sydling Stompers fame. Visiting singers and players, or just listeners are very welcome indeed!
Use your gps to find us at DT2 0JH
Chris Slade 01300 320777 email
monthly Session
DT2 0JH — West Dorset
Entry last updated on: 12th Jul 2008
The session runs every 2nd Monday of the month from 8.00pm onwards. A wide range of music is welcomed including singing. Whilst continuous Irish is discouraged, occasional worthy pieces are of course very welcome. Styles are wide ranging and musicality is the objective, not always achieved.
And yes people can sing; they will get a full folk orchestral accompaniment but a quality one.
Martin & Vera email
monthly Session
— Poole
WARNING: this information has not been confirmed recently and may be unreliable
Third Monday of every month, 8pm.
If you feel like playing an instrument, telling a story, reciting a poem, here\'s your chance in front of an audience. Ballroom.
Entrance fee: £3.50, free for performers.
Performers should book in with the MC on arrival.
Daphne / Stewart 01202 841522 email
monthly Singaround
— East Dorset
WARNING: this information has not been confirmed recently and may be unreliable
Open Acoustic Session
Runs every first Monday evening of the month, from 8.30.
Hosted by Mezzo, (4 piece a capella group)
All music styles welcome, singers, poets, storytellers and audience.
Annelie 01305 775802 email
monthly Session
DT6 3DS — West Dorset
Entry last updated on: 3rd Feb 2009
Fourth Monday of the month
8 p.m. until last bell
John Smith or Jason Hinchey 01202 720630 or 77315 22515 email
monthly Song club
BH1 4RN — Bournemouth
Entry last updated on: 1st Sep 2009
Irish session
First Monday of the month
Laurie Phillips email
monthly Session
TA12 6NS — South Somerset
Entry last updated on: 5th Jul 2009
Last Tuesdays
Session
Jonathan Farey 01460 234335 email
monthly Session
— South Somerset
WARNING: this information has not been confirmed recently and may be unreliable
Session - song, tunes poems, plus plus
The Elm Tree has started again at the request of the new Owners. First one was 03 May 05. Next one is 7th June 05 and on the first Tuesday of every month. The first one was quite quiet so who knows what will happen here.
First Tuesday of the Month
monthly Session
DT3 4HU — West Dorset
WARNING: this information has not been confirmed recently and may be unreliable
Second Tuesdays
This new club is now going well! Singers and musicians welcome.
Val 01308 421252
monthly Song club
DT6 3NZ — West Dorset
Entry last updated on: 12th Aug 2008
A traditional session where we encourage not only Irish, english, welsh, scottish but would love to hear cajun, bluegrass,french, Breton etc music. A welcome to musician, singers ... come and enjoy a nice pint of real ale which is made on premises. Session held LAST TUESDAY of each month.
8.30 (ish) start.
Trevorr Mills 07743 165432 or 01373 466988 email
monthly Session
— Mendip
Entry last updated on: 11th Jul 2008
Third Tuesdays
All welcome
Tony Woollard 01823 660969 email
monthly Song club
— Taunton Deane
WARNING: this information has not been confirmed recently and may be unreliable
Song and music session
Second Tuesday of the month
from 8.30
lthough non-folk music isn't banned, it's a folk evening in practice as everyone who turns up is a folky!
monthly Session
TA3 6SG — Taunton Deane
Entry last updated on: 1st Sep 2009
SANCTUS meets the first Tuesday of each month (but not in August).
Come and sing sacred songs from different cultures and traditions with two remarkable and popular Dorset voice teachers. Gilo and Sarah have been teaching together for 7 years, and teach songs in parts that everyone can join in. No need to read music or even think of yourself as a 'singer'.
Cost: £5 / £4 conc. Please bring your own bottle of water.
01308 455749 email
monthly Singaround
— West Dorset
Entry last updated on: 11th Jul 2008
Open Folk Night.
8.15 third Tuesday of the month
All musicians welcome to play and sing
monthly Session
DT6 6JD — West Dorset
Entry last updated on: 5th Jul 2009
2nd Tuesday of the month, 8.30pm.
Song & music session.
Tony or Rod 01823 480414 or 01823 481253
monthly Session
TA3 6SG — Taunton Deane
Entry last updated on: 26th Aug 2009
Last Wednesday of every month
8.30pm.
Informal sessions playing traditional tunes and songs from Britain and Ireland.
Phil
monthly Session
BH23 1DT — Christchurch
WARNING: this information has not been confirmed recently and may be unreliable
Second Wednesday of every month 8.30pm.
Informal sessions playing traditional tunes and songs from Britain and Ireland.
Phil
monthly Session
BH23 1BN — Christchurch
WARNING: this information has not been confirmed recently and may be unreliable
First Wednesdays
The session is for musicians, singers and absolutely anyone else who is happy to join in - it\'s all free apart from the beer! Start time 8.45 p.m
Anna Piechna 01963 370749
monthly Session
BA8 0EF — South Somerset
Entry last updated on: 10th Nov 2009
Third Wednesdays
Dorchester Folk club is a lovely, easy going, relaxed club. No fee and no guests. It is run on 'folk club' lines, however, people are invited to 'join in' on occasions. This means that you can have some 'items' that are almost, but not quite, a 'session'.
Annelie Talbot 01305 775802 email
monthly Song club
DT1 1HU — West Dorset
Entry last updated on: 22nd Dec 2008
8-10.00 pm. Entry £3.00
Long Room, all welcome, held at Halsway Manor National Residential Centre for Traditional Music, Dance and Song. Tutor and resident caller is Ron Rudd with occasional guest callers and resident band is Meltdown, led by Alan Corkett, accordion,
with Sue Rivett, fiddle, Linda Byrt fiddle, and Hazel Ridd, keyboard, playing live music each month on the 2nd Wednesday (No meeting in August)
Over the last FOUR years we held over 40 successful meetings including special nights with outstanding USA guest callers: Lisa Greenleaf, Cis
Hinkle and Diana Silver. Also UK callers have called for us; Mike Courthold, John Turner, Pete Hendy and Ray Goodswen. Instruction is given and all those who feel they would like to give this new dance-form a try are welcome.
Trust me! You'll find it is most enjoyable and very sociable - No need to bring a partner. Have a dance with everybody, ladies can ask gents to dance too!
Alan Corkett 01278 732202 email
monthly Dance club
TA4 4BD — West Somerset
Entry last updated on: 22nd Dec 2008
Last Wednesday every month 8pm - 10.30 pm. at Halsway Manor in the Long Room.
Gerald Stowell 01984 640577
monthly Dance club
TA4 4BD — West Somerset
WARNING: this information has not been confirmed recently and may be unreliable
rd Wednesday of the month, 8pm – 10pm. £3 for singers and £4 for listeners. Mostly unaccompanied singing but acoustic accompaniment instruments are welcome. Hosted by Nancy Kerr with some help from Louise Baxter (from Inu), Jennifer Crook and Sue Hart (from Baka Beyond).
“They are all singers with a wealth of experience behind them and will be using this night to share songs and traditions and to get everybody singing together. It\'s a nice, friendly, clean venue with a really nice sound and cheap beer.”
The money raised will go towards the running costs of Bath Folk Club.
Louise 078339 41982 email
monthly Session
— Bath and North East Somerset
WARNING: this information has not been confirmed recently and may be unreliable
Jam Session
Folk/Bluegrass
Meets on the 4th Wednesday of the month
We usually play in a local "Bridgwater" pub every wednesday. but this changes from week to week, so enyone interested to call me for details.
Drew Simcox 07774 968455 email
monthly Session
— Sedgemoor
Entry last updated on: 11th Jul 2008
Meets 1st Wednesday evening of every month 8.30 pm, upstairs at The St James Wine Vaults pub off the Julian Road, behind the Royal Crescent in Bath.All types of acoustic music encouraged, singer-songwriters, musicians, soloists etc. Folk and home-penned songs, covers as long as the instrument/s you play are acoustic as we have no sound system. Celebrating being in Bath for 10 years. Hope to see you soon:)
Mary English 01225 315718 email
monthly Song club
— Bath and North East Somerset
Entry last updated on: 11th Jul 2008
Folk and Kindred Session
Open to all musicians and singers.
Fourth Wednesday of the month
No fee but those who wish to listen are encouraged to pass the hat in aid of the RNLI.
Although we have a good sized car park, it often gets full very quickly particularly when the local branch of the RNLI are in session as they use us as their HQ for meetings. So for info, there is a large car park Opposite Haddon House Hotel just 70 yards away. Also, the X53 bus stops almost outside the door, so you might not even have to drive!
We are situated on the right hand side immediately before the bend leading to the old slipway at the Bay.
Sessions are very friendly and laid back and comprise a mix of contemporary and Traditional, serious and humourous, Instruments and vocals. No parrots allowed!! The only one in residence is stuffed!
Chris 01308 423307 email
monthly Session
— West Dorset
Entry last updated on: 22nd Jul 2008
Second Wednesdays of the month.
All types and abilities of Acoustic Music welcome. Poets too!
8 to 11p.m. £ 1 entry.
Good food available if you want to have a meal too! (tel. 01749 880302)
Maggie and Bill Johnson 01749 346494 email
monthly Session
BA4 4LA — Bath and North East Somerset
Entry last updated on: 7th Apr 2009
1st Wednesday of the month, 8pm.
American old time mountain music, run by Eve Morris, bass player with Buffalo Gals.
Just a get together of friends to enjoy folk music, very laid back about 8 musicians currently doing their thing
“Not a totally 'open' session, although we're unlikely to turn musicians away if they play 'our stuff'. Generally speaking, it's for competent musicians in that genre, not beginners. Anyone is welcome to listen - and try to keep up if they wish!”
Helen Ryall 01823 432234 email
monthly Session
TA4 3BW — Taunton Deane
Entry last updated on: 22nd Jan 2009
Traditional music session.
Second Wednesday of the month.
Grahame Upham 01458 834192 email
monthly Session
BA16 0SA — Mendip
Entry last updated on: 5th Jul 2009
1st Wednesday every month at 7.30pm.
Fun dancing suitable for beginners and the more experienced who want to improve
Caller Ray Goodswen.
Brian & Kathryn Jeanes 01823 490623 email
monthly Dance club
— Bath and North East Somerset
Entry last updated on: 5th Jul 2009
A 'Beginners and Improvers' dance club.
Known as the 5th Wednesdays plus club as it will meet at the Manor on the 5th Wednesdays plus any other free Wednesday nights. Leaders will be Graham Knight and Ray Goodswen. Starts at 8.00pm.
(Note: doesn't happen every month!)
Halsway Manor office or Ray Goodswen 01984 618274 (office) or 01278 email
monthly Dance club
TA4 4BD — West Somerset
Entry last updated on: 5th Jul 2009
Song sessions (mostly - but musicians welcome)
Third Thursday of the month (Not June, July or August)
All musicians and singers are welcome and, contrary to popular belief, John does not lynch anyone who sings non-traditional stuff!
John Waltham 01963 362890
monthly Singaround
DT10 2JW — West Dorset
Entry last updated on: 5th Jul 2009
BAC - Bridgwater Acoustic Club!
Third Thursday of the month, all musicians and audience are welcome to join us in the theatre, mic and PA supplied, for an informal acoustic evening hosted by Gary French and Steve Kenniston. All styles welcome, beginner to accomplished, let’s hear your stuff! Arrive early or call Gary to book your spot on 01823 698626. No charge – donations on exit.
Dates: 15 Jan, 19 Feb, 19 Mar, 16 Apr.
Gary French 01823 698 626 email
monthly Song club
TA6 3DD — Sedgemoor
Entry last updated on: 21st Jan 2009
Second Thursdays
This session runs every second Thursday of the month, every month of the year.
Folk Club format - ie everyone does a solo spot - but very kind to beginners. Wide variety of music. Some first class regulars, including Graham Moore and other members of Endangered Species.
monthly Song club
DT11 8ED — East Dorset
Entry last updated on: 1st Jan 1970
Last Thursdays
Irish Session
(01823) 284993
monthly Session
TA1 4EX — Taunton Deane
WARNING: this information has not been confirmed recently and may be unreliable
All are welcome to this new folk and acoustic night which is run on the first Thursday of the month. Although billed as a folk night, all forms of music are accepted as long as it is acoustically based. No drum kits.
Anne and Dave Rickard fr0m String Whistle
John Baker 01308 421255 email
monthly Session
— West Dorset
Entry last updated on: 5th Jul 2009
Come all Ye folk and roots session on the fourth Thursday of the month
01258 472484
monthly Session
DT10 1HB — North Dorset
Entry last updated on: 2nd Feb 2010
Fourth Thursday of the month.
Friendly folk club with licenced bar at attractive prices.
Why not come along and sign up as a member- or sign up at anytime. Membership is £1 for a year. Phone or email or come along on a club night.
Free admission, but there is a jug collection (suggested donation £2)
8.15 start.
Bob Kirkpatrick 07786 654 074 email
monthly Song club
DT2 8EW — West Dorset
Entry last updated on: 11th Jul 2008
informal folk nights on the first Thursday of every month from approximately 8.00 p.m.
All are welcome. We would like to get as wide a selection of music as possible.
Jill 01747 830288
monthly Session
SP7 9AS — North Dorset
Entry last updated on: 27th Jul 2009
Musicians & singers of any ability welcome plus anyone interested in supporting LIVE music.
A Last-Friday-monthly acoustic session of BLUE GRASS, Old-time, American Folk, Roots & C&W.
Start time: 8:00 pm
Two guys, Lynn & Bill 01258 880039 or 01305 784463
monthly Session
DT3 4EA — Weymouth and Portland
Entry last updated on: 22nd Dec 2008
Song, Music & Story Session
Come along and play a tune, sing a song, tell a story, recite a poem or just sit and enjoy the company.
3rd Friday of every month
voluntry contribution - £1.50 suggested
8.00 - 11.30
Roger Harrall 01258 837371 email
monthly Session
— North Dorset
Entry last updated on: 22nd Dec 2008
First Friday (not August)
Start 7.30 prompt!
Come hear to enjoy yourself. Play, sing or just join in or listen. The music is a mixture of traditional and modern folk. Everyone who wants to have a spot gets one and any musos are mostly welcome to "jam" along. Don't worry if you are just starting, we all had to start and we are very supportive to newcomers. Sorry but if you don't bring a drink you'll be dry, unless you drink water, as we don't have the facilities.
Entrance £2.00 or annual sub £10.00
Kate or Peter 01963 32125 email
monthly Song club
SP8 5RR — North Dorset
Entry last updated on: 11th Jul 2008
JOIN THE AUDIENCE or play and sing at Milverton Music Club on the First
Friday of every month from 8-00 till 11-30. Bring your own tipple apart from
guest nights when we always have a bar. Everyone who plays and sings uses the
excellent club PA : 4 mikes, 4 DI's, fold back, lights. Sound quality is
assured by our sound engineer on the mixing desk. We welcome musicians and
singers from six to sixty + and a wide range of musical styles. Enjoy playing
to a friendly and supportive audience.
Come early if you want to play, sing, or listen. We get very crowded. Phone
to book a spot if travelling a distance.
(01823) 400416 or 400538 email
monthly Song club
TA4 1JU — Taunton Deane
WARNING: this information has not been confirmed recently and may be unreliable
Second Fridays
All welcome, musicians and singers
Starts 8:30. This is a singaround/instrumental club and was started in the mid seventies as a weekly club, but closed in 1998. Two years later it reopened on a monthly basis run by George Ody. It takes place in the games room. Each month there
is a raffle, the proceeds from which will go to pay for an artist at the club in the future.
Since starting up again this club has taken off well, with many performers coming back from the original club.
The Royal Oak 01984 640319
Sue Bone 07970 116816
monthly Song club
TA23 0SH — West Somerset
WARNING: this information has not been confirmed recently and may be unreliable
Acoustic instruments and singers welcome
First Friday of the month 8pm
Alex Cumming 01560 54559
monthly Session
— Taunton Deane
WARNING: this information has not been confirmed recently and may be unreliable
We meet at The Old School, Church Street, Sturminster Marshall, near Wimborne, Dorset, once a month, on the dates listed on web site, from 7pm to 10.30pm.
The purpose of the sessions is to allow novice folk musicians to practice at a nice slow pace (as slow as necessary). Learning on your own at home is good but sooner or later you\'ll want to step out and play with other musicians.
The Old School Session is a halfway house between home and the pub sessions.
You can practice the art of playing tunes in a session environment, have some
fun, and hopefully learn a few things along the way.
There\'s no audience, just your fellow musicians. Even though there are a lot of tunes on the list, you only need to learn one to start with. Just sit
out the tunes you don\'t know and listen. Your personal tune list will
soon grow, and in time you\'ll be playing along with more tunes and putting sets together.
Look at the website before coming along!
monthly Session
— East Dorset
Entry last updated on: 2nd Feb 2010
Second Friday of each month (with very occasional exceptions) all year round.
We are guided through the dances, with great patience and humour, by our caller Peter Bolton and dance to live music, with John Pudduck and the excellent Jubilee Band.
As well as our regular dancers, we welcome those who would like to come and join us. You will be most welcome.
You do not need a partner or need to be an experienced dancer. We meet for good company and lots of laughter.
Deirdre or Julie 01749 860594 or 01749 860397
monthly Dance club
— Mendip
Entry last updated on: 5th Jul 2009
First Saturdays
Live music session (mainly folk)
Musicians and singers welcome
8:30
monthly Session
TA7 9PZ — Sedgemoor
WARNING: this information has not been confirmed recently and may be unreliable
The Acorn Folk Club meets in the Pier Room at the Old Ship Aground, Quay Street, Minehead each first Saturday from 8 pm. Everyone is given a warm welcome, whether to sing, play, recite or listen. Club Nights, when a local artist has an extended feature and plenty of floor spots, (entry £1.50), are alternated with GUEST NIGHTS, when a professional guest is booked and performers need to come early to be sure of a floor spot. For guests, ticket prices are £4.50 in advance or £5.50 on the door (you can buy tickets on line for guest nights -- www.WeGotTickets.com/evenue/1468
Forthcoming guests during the Seventh Season September 08 - July 09 include Mike Nicholson, Tom McConville, Ian Bruce, Belchazzar's Feast, and Martin Wyndham Read, and features from Stephen Snow, Pat (Spoons) Smith & Ned Clamp, Barron Brady and many others. Please visit www.acornfolkclub.co.uk to read all about it, or email acornfolkclub@googlemail.com. You can also buy tickets on line.
Eileen Ann Moore 07811 744158 email
monthly Song club
TA24 5UL — West Somerset
Entry last updated on: 2nd Sep 2008
Third Saturdays (September to May, inclusive)
Singaround
monthly Singaround
TA10 9QT — South Somerset
WARNING: this information has not been confirmed recently and may be unreliable
Everyone welcome - all ages, styles and abilities are encouraged, but arrive early to be sure of a slot. We also welcome those who just want to come and listen.
Includes the famous cake break - delicious home made cake for sale during the break!
Last Saturday of each month at 8pm
£2
Nicki 01749 672944 email
monthly Song club
— Mendip
Entry last updated on: 5th Jul 2009
Every 3rd saturday of the month, from 8-8.30ish. Lovely pub, great food if folks want to have a meal first.
monthly Session
TA22 9HJ — West Somerset
Entry last updated on: 2nd Feb 2010
Monthly session organised by The Mendip Association of Folk and Entertaining Arts
3rd Saturday of the month,
(except for September when it will be on the 26th so as not to clash with the MAFEA launch weekend)
Anyone can come along. Musicians bring your instruments, singers your voices, and stand by for a great evening in a great pub which has plenty of
room, good food, great beer, and a large car park!
monthly Session
TA7 8NU — Sedgemoor
Entry last updated on: 26th Aug 2009
1st Sunday every month except August
Halsway Sunday Club at Halsway Manor in the Lounge bar at 8pm till 11pm.
Hosted by Deryck Deane and Roger Phipps, all performers are welcome to come and play, sing, read their poems or recitations or just sit and enjoy the beer.
We usually have a social break in the middle and go round the circle twice, depending on numbers attending. (ave attendance 27)
monthly Song club
TA4 4BD — West Somerset
WARNING: this information has not been confirmed recently and may be unreliable
Folk Club
4th Sunday
monthly Song club
BA6 9NE — Mendip
WARNING: this information has not been confirmed recently and may be unreliable
Third Sundays
8:00 pm
beginners, experienced and musicians welcome
Ring for details before travelling
01225 332025
monthly Dance club
BA1 1QR — Bath and North East Somerset
WARNING: this information has not been confirmed recently and may be unreliable
Sing - say - play
Music, songs, poems, comedy, "indoor street theatre"
on the last Sunday night of the month.
24th September, 29th October, 26th November
7pm to 10.30pm
Performers and supporters welcome
Sam will host the first one on September 24th
Performers please contact Sam on 01935 872622
to make sure that you get a spot.
A small PA will be provided for those who wish.
A bar will be available
There will be a £3 charge to cover costs.
Sam 01935 872622
monthly Session
— South Somerset
WARNING: this information has not been confirmed recently and may be unreliable
First Sunday of the month, 2.00-5.00 pm
(Except December when we will meet on Sat 2nd at 7.30 for a Christmas Party.)
Nunney Village Hall, Nunney, Nr Frome.
£3 for adults, children free.
Bar, teas, newspapers, activities for children.
Open mic session and featured guests. Email or turn up early to book a spot.
monthly Song club
— Mendip
WARNING: this information has not been confirmed recently and may be unreliable
2nd Sunday of the month
A venue for any acoustic musician and we have all sorts playing from Folk to blues to world music.
3:30ish onwards till late. No charge. A great venue for any budding acoustic bands or musicians to get up and do their own thing. Welcome all standards and levels.
Trevor Mills 07743 165432 or 01373 466988 email
monthly Song club
BA11 3DB — Mendip
Entry last updated on: 11th Jul 2008
2nd Sunday of the month, afternoon. Acoustic session - all styles.
Steph and Ken Turner 01749 345931
monthly Session
BA4 5JG — Mendip
Entry last updated on: 2nd Sep 2008
Sunday of the month, 9pm. Open mic, all styles. Upstairs (wheelchair access, lift). Proceeds in aid of RAMP (Realizing Music Potential), a charity for disabled people.
Starts 12th October 2008.
Paul Monaghan 07502 046725, 01823 259024 email
monthly Session
TA1 2PD — Taunton Deane
Entry last updated on: 2nd Sep 2008
4th Sunday of each month, from 8pm,
Emphasis will be on tunes rather than songs. All welcome, to join in or listen. Sessions will be led by Nick Dunkley. Contact: Nick, 01963 363003, or Mandy Waltham 01963 362890.
Nick Dunkley or Mandy Waltham Nick, 01963 363003, or Mandy 0
monthly Session
DT10 2JW — West Dorset
Entry last updated on: 22nd Jan 2009
1st Sunday of the month Kangaroo Half Moon host an Irish and Scottish Session
8pm. Free. All welcome.
monthly Session
BA22 7EX — South Somerset
Entry last updated on: 2nd Feb 2010