Woodman Folk Club - Newsletter

So here we are, April already or very nearly and who knows, it might just stop raining sometime this month ‘cos it certainly hasn’t in March! Still never mind the weather blues, Spring is just around the corner we hope, so drive those cares away and come on down to the club. As usual we have a packed exciting programme for April which begins on….

….Friday 5th which is another of our legendary Singers Nights. You must know the drill by now but as a memory jogger suffice to say get there early to book your spot as Singers' Nights are very popular and slots are limited Alternatively, to be sure, it would be best to book a spot in advance by contacting Debby & Derry - contact details are on the home page. Please note that Singers nights now begin at 8.00pm until further notice.

Then on the 12th we are welcoming back the fabulous Ranagri. Making their fifth appearance at the club this wonderful London based quartet with the unusual name that is pronounced Ra-na-gry (as in sky - Donal will explain the origin no doubt). The band consists of Dónal Rogers, a prolific songwriter and producer, who has joined forces with the exceptional skills of renowned flautist Eliza Marshall, harpist Eleanor Dunsdon and percussionist Jordan Murray. Together, they establish a fresh and modern sonic landscape within the folk genre, captivating audiences both domestically and internationally, an energetic festival band yet equally at home with their more intimate writing and thought provoking lyrics. To quote Les, (our esteemed reviewer from the first time they appeared) “Ranagri are quite possibly one of the best bands we have seen at the club. Their music is in the main self penned and lyrically has a folk feel to it, but the sound they produce is a mixture of music and rhythms from everywhere in the world. It is so very hard to find a genre to fit them into.” Well, they fit well at the Woodman and that sounds good to me!

Next we have Friday 19th, when once again, all the way from Statesboro, Georgia and enjoying his fourth appearance at the club, we are delighted to present, Brooks Williams. Brooks is now a UK resident although he still tours extensively and never fails to fit us in when he's here. Brooks is a master of the guitar - rated in the world’s top 100 - and an excellent singer songwriter. He records on his own record label and these days, seems more at home with blues and Americana styles. He has an enormous back catalogue of over 20 CD’s from his 25+ years of making music and he’s sure to travel home with a lighter load than he came with!

Finally on the 26th, we will once again be enjoying the return of old Woodman friends Cathryn Craig & Brian Willoughby. Last with us back in 2022, they always have a delightfully laid back, easy style, enchanting vocals and Brian’s dazzling guitar is a joy to hear, and tonight will I’m sure be no exception. With Brian originally hailing from Northern Ireland and Cathryn from the US of A, we can expect an evening of eclectic, largely self-penned music inspired by life on both sides of the pond. They are undoubtedly one of the folk genre’s best loved duos and we take pleasure in welcoming them back to the Woodman.

And that shallot as they say in allium focus groups! We have another packed and exciting month ahead for May when, who knows, we might finally get to meet David Starr all the way from the States – third time lucky!

Cheers folks,

Rob x