Sessions at The Ship

Folk music sessions start at Irvine’s Ship Inn on Tuesday 1st April and it’s no April Fool ruse! The Ship Sessions start on April 1st and will continue weekly thereafter. The starting time is 8pm and as with all such Sessions, there is no admission charge.
The new development came about when Joyce Hodge and Anne Clarke of Irvine Folk Club were discussing plans for this year’s Marymass Folk Festival with Chris and Jamie Murray of The Ship where Festival Sessions take place.
Anne said, ‘In the course of conversation, it quickly became obvious that The Ship would be an ideal venue for Sessions on a regular basis. Chris and Jamie were keen on the idea and we were confident that singers and musicians would be equally keen. We’re delighted that Folk Music Sessions will be a weekly fixture on the Irvine calendar.
The weekly Sessions at The Ship at Irvine’s Harbourside are open to folk musicians and singers from all parts and, once established, you just wouldn’t know who might drop in! Budding musicians are welcome and of course everyone who would rather listen than participate.

Bob Wood – 2nd April

The guest at Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 2nd April is Bob Wood. He is described by Ian McCalman as ‘one of Scotland’s best kept secrets’ and Bob’s debut album remains as one of Ian’s ‘most played’. Not a recommendation to be sniffed at!
Although a native of Ayr, Bob moved to the bright lights of London a number of years ago and there he has remained. He is a founder member and organiser of The Ram Folk Club in Surrey and it is in and around London and the Home Counties that Bob has established himself as a very accomplished finger style guitarist and an excellent singer. With artists of the calibre of Tom McConville, Steve Tiltson and Jez Lowe all waxing lyrical about Bob’s expertise, the Irvine audience can look forward to an entertaining evening.
Bob has played at countless Clubs and Festivals throughout the UK and has contributed to a number of albums by other artists. His deft guitar picking skills make his guitar workshops much sought after. The workshops focus on alternative guitar tunings and song accompaniment. His extensive repertoire of songs includes traditional material as well as more contemporary songs. As well as his solo career, Bob does regular gigs with Benny Gallagher of Gallagher & Lyle fame and it’s a partnership they they both very much enjoy.
Therefore to hear the much respected Bob Wood from Ayr make his debut appearance at Irvine Folk Club, get along to Vineburgh Community Centre in Quarry Road on Wednesday 2nd April for 8pm. It’s BYOB and there’s a very good café too.
Looking ahead, the 40th Girvan Folk Festival celebrations take place from Friday 2nd to Sunday 4th May. Altan, Arthur Johnstone & The Stars Band, Chris Miles, The Tattiehowkers Ceilidh Band are just some of the impressive guest list. Bookings for events are available online at www.girvanfolkfestival.co.uk

Colum Sands 19th March

‘Whatever you say, say nothing, when you talk about you know what’ is a line from one of the seemingly endless flow of original songs by Colum Sands and he is the very welcome guest at Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 19th March. An internationally acclaimed songwriter and a hardworking and successful performer and a record producer – Colum packs a lot into each day.

Colum has been singing for 30 plus years, having started out as part of the renowned Sands Family way back in the early 70s. It was then that The Sands first played in Irvine and a close and lasting friendship has endured with the Irvine Club since then. Colum, like his brothers has carved out a very successful solo career in the last 25 or so years and is much respected among his peers as a gifted songwriter. As a result, his songs have been recorded by a number of household names.

Colum is from Newry and is a gentle fellow. He has been described as a universal storyteller and has a warm, moving and funny on and off stage presence. His songs record life past and present and some of his work in recent times has helped break down cultural barriers particularly in places like Israel where he has been working with other musicians.

Having learned to play the fiddle from his late Father, Colum also plays concertina and is also a fine guitar player. When he first played in Irvine he played the double bass too – but travelling with it had its difficulties!

Colum takes his music all over the world and has played in over thirty countries. As well as smaller venues like Irvine Folk Club, Colum has played in New York’s Carnegie Hall. In addition, for the last 20 years Colum has presented BBC Radio Ulster’s Folk Club from Belfast. And somehow he manages to record albums. His most recent one being Turn The Corner.

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear one of the folk scene’s most accomplished and entertaining performers Colum Sands when he plays Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 19th March. The Club meets in Vineburgh Community Centre, starts at 8pm and it’s BYOB.