TASC was formed in 1994 as the outreach arm of the Mid Wales May Festival (1989-1998). It aims to promote and encourage traditional and tradition-based work
CLUBS & SESSIONS
WHAT IS FOLK MUSIC?
People argue about what folk music actually is, and have done since the term was first used.
One of the main characteristics of it, however, is that it is music, song and dance made and owned by ordinary people. Folk music has informality as one of its keynotes, though it can also be transformed in the right hands into something of power, beauty and majesty.
The informality of folk music means that a folk club is a very friendly place, as is a session or a dance club.
SESSIONS
A session is where musicians gather together to play tunes they have in common, to share old tunes or learn new ones.
Folk singers are sometimes welcome im musicians sessions, but not always.
FOLK CLUBS
A Folk Club often has a professional or semi-profesional guest singer who will be supported by 'floor-singers' who will make up part of the evening.
This is a good way for people to learn to perform in public, and many of
the world's best folk singers have cut their teeth in this way.
Ian Gulley runs a club in
Aberystwyth at the The Coopers Arms. Contact him on (01970)890321.
There is a regular folk club in Clun at the Sun on the last Wednesday of every month - Folk at the Sun.
DANCE CLUBS
Dance clubs are a good way to new dances, make friends and keep yourself fit.
Many of the clubs feature live music, so it can be a good place to learn about playing dance music, too.
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DANCE CLUBS
Fest Noz
A series of evenings, usually with live music, with the early part of the evening
devoted to teaching dances and the latter part to a lively social dance.
For more information. Annette 01970 611458 or
Cynthia 01970 828709 festnoz@taliesin.co.uk Meets at Llanbadarn Church Hall, every 6-8 weeks on Friday, 7.15pm.
Llandovery
Folk Dance Group
Slowly but surely, Kim Turtle is developing a very successful Folk Dance Group down in Llandovery. More information on their
website, or by contacting Kim directly:-
Kim Turtle
email: Kim
website:click here
Nearer Home
TASC members have been very active in this area: Jill and Alan Payne ran the very successful Caersws
Dance Club for many years; Pam Knight organised the Rhayader & District Dance Club; the Severn Suite team of dancers
met throughout 2006, and dance workshops have been a feature of Seed Weekends of Vive la Dance and of Day of Welsh Dances.
However, at the moment there is no regular activity planned, so we'd love to hear from anybody who'd like to organise something.
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SESSIONS
Where to Play
Sessions change very quickly. They grow, shrink or disappear rapidly.
Make sure they are on before travelling any distance. These are the ones we know about at
the moment (November 07)
Grapes, Welshpoollast Thursday of every month. Rees Wesson (01938 552309)
Lion Hotel, Llandinam occasional sessions. Philip Freeman 01686 688102
Mount Inn, Llanidloes - every Thursday.
Andy Warren 01686 413316
Laughing Dog, Howey - (just outside Llandrindod Wells) first Wednesday of every
month.
The Coopers Arms [aka Y Cwps], Aberystwyth
has occasional sessions, and there is also a session every
Wednesday at the Ship and Castle in
Aberystwyth. For more details contact
Andy Cairns by phone: 01970 820068 (day)
or 01970 820068 (eve) or click here
to e-mail.
Lion Hotel
Tunes People Play
If you want to play folk music but don't know where to start, there's no
better place than this handy
book. Not only will you hear the tunes, both at the normal speed and at a
slower practice pace, but
also have the dots to read from.
There's also fascinating background notes on all 15 tunes featured - Welsh,
Breton, French, Italian, Irish, Scottish & English. Best of all they are versions being
played around mid Wales, so when you've learned them you can go out and take part.
The tunes were recorded live at the Mount Inn (Llanidloes) the Laughing Dog (Howey) and
Llandinam's very own Lion Hotel.
Philip Freeman
Administrator
01686 688102
to email: click here
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