Welcome to Cambridge Folk Club
Intimate roots and acoustic music
Cambridge Folk Club presents Open Stage, Showcase and Guest Nights. Buy your tickets on-line from this website or phone 01638 603986
We are a live music club offering all styles of acoustic and folk music. We support local and national artists in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Before the coronavirus lockdown, we used to meet every Friday night at 8.00pm in the upstairs function room at The Golden Hind, Milton Road, Cambridge, CB4 1SP. This easily accessible pub offers a wide selection of draught lagers, beers and ciders, and a great range of pub food, and there's parking too. When the lockdown finishes, come along to enjoy creative, talented and original performances.
During the lockdown, we were hosting Virtual Concerts. As lockdown eases we will reduce the number of Virtual Concerts and increase the number of live concerts. See the details below and on the Programme at a glance page .
For the safety of artists, audiences, and volunteers we are introducing some extra requirements to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Friday 24th September:
Joint Virtual Concert
with North Reading Community Coffee House
8pm (3pm EDT in Boston)
Meeting opens at 7:45pm(2:45pm EDT)
Joint Virtual Evening
With musicians from Cambridge Folk Club and North Reading Community Coffee House, North Reading, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
This evening’s line up is:
8:00pm Michelle Abadia (NRCCH)
8:10pm David Youngs (Cambridge Folk Club)
8:20pm Randy Emmons (NRCCH)
8:30pm Sheri Kershaw (Cambridge Folk Club)
8:40pm Texas Dave Hardwick (NRCCH)
8:50pm Gemma Khawaja (Cambridge Folk Club)
9:00pm Mary Ann McAllister (NRCCH)
9:10pm The Larks (Cambridge Folk Club)
9:20pm Bob and Diane Kordas (NRCCH)
9:40pm Kelly and Woolley (Cambridge Folk Club)
Michelle Abadia
Michelle is a soprano vocalist and acoustic guitarist. Though classically trained, she specialises in musical theatre, in American composers such as Gershwin and Porter, and in covers of such greats as Barbara Streisand, Stevie Wonder and The Beatles, among others. Her three albums are available on iTunes, Amazon Music, Google Play, CD Baby and Spotify.
https://www.facebook.com/sopranofantab
David Youngs
Originally a jazz drummer, recently David has been focusing on his acoustic guitar playing, developing a percussive, finger-style approach to produce works full of depth and atmosphere, which often feature unusual time signatures and scales. He also plays the Halo tuned steel pan - a very special instrument indeed. He released his debut album 'Transience' in 2011; this was followed by 'Halo 165' in 2012, and 'InBetween Silence' in 2016. In 2020 he collaborated with another local musician, Sam Inglis, on an album of rocked-up traditional folk songs, 'I Have Committed Murder'.
"David's unique style of guitar playing isn't folk, jazz, classical or new age - it is just plain mesmerising" -Taplas magazine.
Randy Emmons
Randy Emmons is a classical guitarist/singer-songwriter whose performances include both original instrumentals and songs that range from the humorous to the poignant. His compositions have won numerous awards and he has shared the stage with talents such as the renowned guitarist Richard Smith, and the veteran singer-songwriter David Roth. Randy lived in Western Connecticut for many years and currently resides in Osprey Florida. This evening's concert will focus mostly on original, funny, and poignant songs delivered all on nylon string guitar. He was one of the winners of last year’s Connecticut Folk Festival Grassy Hill Songwriting Competition.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100007104488671
Sheri Kershaw
A musician, songwriter and teacher, originally from Canada, Sheri has been writing, singing and playing her own songs since she was 17. Though known for her long marriage to the English singer/songwriter and producer Nik Kershaw, and for backing him both musically and professionally, she has since returned to her own inimitable musical style and creativity. Whether this is Americana, balladic or jazz-influenced, often the Blues comes through, but Sheri always follows her creative inner world allowing her natural musical soul a place to fly and to be heard.
Texas Dave Hardwick
David Hardwick (also known as Texas Dave) is a singer/songwriter/guitarist from Fort Worth, Texas who has been writing songs and performing them, along with an eclectic mix of cover songs, at bars, open mics, human rights events, and benefit concerts for decades. His repertoire and influences include folk, classic rock, classic western, and standards from the past couple of centuries. He welcomes people to sing, dance, or hum along.
Gemma Khawaja
A singer and guitarist now based in Norfolk, Gemma plays and sings traditional songs of the British Isles, and also creates her own songs inspired by rural poets, mythology and folklore. Her arrangements of traditional songs emphasise the universal human emotions and the stories and themes found in folk traditions, as well as sensitively drawing out the richness and beauty of the old melodies.
"powerful, unpretensious and rooted" - Mike Harding.
https://gemmakhawaja.bandcamp.com/
Mary Ann McAllister
Mary Ann McAllister was singing as soon as she could talk: her first word was "downtown". She started figuring out chord diagrams with her father's guitar in grade school and sang with groups and as a solo act through high school and college. In the course of working, marrying and raising two children, she put away her own music interests and concentrated on them, supposing she was done. She's not - and got a music degree in 2018. Grateful for the opportunity to sing songs that bring back memories of youth, she developed a full schedule playing the standards she loves for senior groups - until the pandemic closed things down. At that time, she moved into a cabin on a wooded slope in farm/horse country, grateful for the virtual open mics as she happily isolates.
https://www.facebook.com/MaryAnnMcAllisterMusic/
The Larks
Accomplished duo Liz Miller and Chris Wilbraham, familiar faces at the Folk Club, draw on a wide range of influences and themes. Their thoughtful arrangements of covers and original songs, sung to mandolin and guitar accompaniment, are often enhanced by great harmonies.
http://www.thelarks.me.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/thelarkslizchris/
Bob and Diane Kordas
Diane Kordas grew up in a musical family, listening to big band swing and singing and learning harmony with her mother and siblings – country and bluegrass standards from Grand Old Opry to pop songs and more. She started writing songs as a child just for fun, and was awarded a Children’s Music Web award for her Dinosaur Stomp recording when in her 30’s. She writes songs for all ages, from folk to bluegrass, blues and Americana. Bob Kordas grew up hearing world music and inherited his grandfather’s banjo, propelling him into the folk and bluegrass genre. Bob co-arranges and co-produces Diane’s songs; his tasteful dobro playing compliments Diane’s soulful vocals and guitar. They have played in various New England bluegrass and swing bands for over 40 years, at various venues. Previously released recordings include Late Night Radio Midnight Airwaves and Bluegrass and Beyond, as well as 2 children’s music CDs. They are currently working on a recording and Diane is busy making up new songs for all to enjoy.
Kelly and Woolley
Kelly and Woolley are an acoustic duo who have been playing on the East Anglian live circuit for ten years. Both musicians have been performing since their teenage years and draw on a wealth of influences. Multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Matt Kelly has been playing Cajun, bluegrass and folk music for more than 30 years; and guitarist Gary Woolley draws on decades of playing songs from the English and North American folk and singer/songwriting traditions. Their live performances take you on a journey to and fro across the Atlantic, from heartfelt English ballads to footstomping Cajun and Zydeco; they steadfastly refuse to be put into a musical category.
"Fine songwriting, excellent musicianship, delightful harmonies" - Les Ray, Cambridge 105 Radio.
https://www.kellyandwoolley.co.uk
Please support the performers taking part in this Virtual Concert by buying merchandise or giving donations using their links above. Thank you.
If you would like to make a donation to a performer who doesn't have a suitable link on their website, you can now make a donation to the Cambridge Folk Club Tip Jar at https://paypal.me/cambridgefolkclub
When you make a donation, please add a note to let us know which performer or performers the donation is for. Any donations received without a note will be shared between all the performers in this concert.
Thank you to all who have made donations to the performers in our previous virtual concerts.
Anyone who would like to be in the audience is welcome. Joining instructions will be emailed to performers and those on the Cambridge Folk Club mailing list. If you would like to be in the Zoom audience and are not on our mailing list, please email enquiries@cambridgefolkclub.co.uk
This Virtual Concert will also be streamed live on the Cambridge Folk Club Facebook page from 8pm as an alternative to Zoom.
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Virtual Open Stage
If you would like to perform at a future Virtual Open Stage, please contact us via our Facebook page or at enquiries@cambridgefolkclub.co.uk
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Tip Jar
If you would like to make a donation to a performer who doesn't have a suitable link on their website, you can now make a donation to the Cambridge Folk Club Tip Jar at https://paypal.me/cambridgefolkclub
When you make a donation, please add a note to let us know which performer or performers the donation is for. Any donations received without a note will be shared between all the performers that evening.
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Become a Member of the Cambridge Folk Club
You are welcome to show your support for the Cambridge Folk Club by becoming a member for just £15 per year. If you choose to become a member, your year's membership will run from when we return to the Golden Hind.
You can buy a year's membership here.
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Unicorn Magazine's Blog
Production of the paper Unicorn Magazine is currently suspended due to the hammer blow dealt to the folk world by the Covid-19 pandemic. So why not sign up to the Unicorn Magazine's Blog here – it’s a great way to keep up to date with what’s happening in the folk world, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
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Cambridge Folk Club Autumn Programme and Return to Live Gigs
Here at Cambridge Folk Club, we are just as keen as many of you to return to live gigs. However, given the current rise in Covid cases, the number of people who are being asked to self-isolate, and the possibility of another lockdown in the Autumn, we know we must keep our musicians, audience and volunteers as safe as possible. So, rather than return to a weekly programme of live events at the Golden Hind, we're planning to put on one live concert in September, and keep our remaining events on line.
The live event will be socially distanced, and therefore, rather than using the upstairs room of the Golden Hind, we will be using the NCI Club which is a larger venue .
In October we will return to the Golden Hind for our live concerts. More information will be available about this nearer the time.
We will be using the following Covid-safe measures:
- The live concert will be ticketed only, with tickets available in advance from the website.
- A NHS QR code poster will be displayed so that you can check in.
- We will ask you to use hand sanitiser on entry.
- Seating will be at tables, and in groups of not more than two households.
- Unless you are exempt, we will be advising you to wear masks when moving around inside the venue.
- We will also be asking you to keep a suitable distance from others who are not in your 'party'.
- We would recommend that you take a lateral flow test in the 48 hours before the event.
- Please do not come along if you have a temperature or Covid symptoms, or if you have been asked to isolate by NHS test and trace.
If you develop a temperature or Covid symptoms, or if you are asked to isolate after you have bought a ticket, we will refund you the cost of the ticket in full.
We're hoping that this first face-to-face concert goes well, and that it will be the start of a safe return to more live music.
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Stay safe and healthy, and enjoy listening to the music we all love so much.
With best wishes from all of us at Cambridge Folk Club.