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Janet Russell is the guest at Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 3^rd October and if you like good singing it is strongly recommended that you put the date in your diary.   Scots born and raised and now based south of Hadrian’s Wall, Janet is blessed with a terrific voice and a gift for getting others to sing – irrespective of their vocal talents!

Janet has played on the folk scene professionally for more than twenty years and has previously appeared at the Irvine Club with her singing partner Christine Kydd – and what a talented duo that was!

Starting off singing in Edinburgh Pubs was Janet’s introduction to playing in public. From those beginnings she has since played in concert halls, church halls, village halls, folk clubs and arts centres all over the UK, Europe and the USA.  As well as being a solo performer Janet is a committed and enthusiastic promoter of participation in folk arts.   She is recognised as an accomplished vocal harmony workshop leader.

Clearly Janet is in her element organising, promoting and participating community singing events.  She is involved with the Silsden Singers, the Street Choirs Festival inSheffieldand a harmony workshop in Angus. Her workshops include Pub Carols and Street Choirs and this year, with a number of others, has been working on a show called ‘Celebrating Subversion: an anti-capitalist roadshow’ As well as all of this Janet still finds time to record albums.  Her third solo album Love Songs & Fighting Talk was long awaited and well received.  Such is her standing among her peers that musicians of the calibre of Tom McConville and Steve Tilston were happy to provide musical support on the album.

Therefore, to hear this singer, songwriter and general singing enthusiast, get along to Irvine Folk Club in Vineburgh Conmmunity Centre in Quarry Roadon Wednesday 3^rd October for 8pm.

Heather Heywood is the guest at the Girvan Folk Club this Friday 28^th September.

Heather Heywood is the guest at the Girvan Folk Club this Friday 28^th September.  Irvine Folk Club and Girvan have always had friendly relationships and Bobby Robb, the founder of the Girvan Club, has been a regular participant at the Irvine Folk Club and Marymass over the years.  If you fancy a trip, this Friday would be a great opportunity to experience a friendly club that has a lot in common with Irvine and to touch base with Bobby and the singers down there.   The club meets in the back room of the Queens Hotel at 8.30.  For those late birds among you, there is always an after hours session or you can wend your way home after the club finishes.

The Whistlebinkies at Irvine Burns Club and Folk for Heroes concert at Irvine Sports Club

Finally, you are reminded of two concerts in Irvine in early October. On Wednesday 10^th October in Wellwood home of Irvine Burns Club the very talented Whistlebinkies will be taking the stage.  Admission at the door is £10 and this includes a glass of wine.  Meanwhile on Friday 12^th October at Irvine Sports Club at Marress there will be a Folk for Heroes concert.  This fundraising night starts at 7.30pm and admission is £5 and features many local weel kent musicians.

Irvine Folk Club is very fortunate to have secured the booking of David Francey. The Scots born Canadian is revered in Canada and mentioned alongside such luminaries as Stan Rogers and John Prine.  Eric Bogle describes him as a truly gifted songwriter.  The date to hear David Francey in Irvine is Wednesday 5^th September.

Born in Ayrshire, David’s first job at 10 was as a Paperboy and he was an avid reader of his deliveries. It established a life-long interest in politics and world events whilst developing the social conscience that is the background to his songs.  At 12 his family emmigrated to Toronto. Through travel, his attachment toCanadagrew. David hitched across the country three times and thumbed his way to theYukon. His songs reflect this attachment to Canada and its people.

David  Francey has all the elements essential for a successful: a passion for the music he creates; great songwriting; amazing voice; and an engaging stage presence and sense of fun.   He has nine CDs to his name, the most recent being Late Edition. His song The Waking Hour  was the 2010 Grand Prize Winner in The John Lennon Songwriting Award.  He has won oodles of awards for his songwriting.

His warm and rich voice and his modest style are the perfect backdrop to his impassioned and searching songs about the world we live in, so acutely observed by David.  He has mastered the art of storytelling through song.

This former carpenter who now lives with his family in the Lanark Highlands in Southern Ontario is currently appearing at Denmark’s Tonder Festival. He then starts his UK  tour before going to Ireland for a nine day tour which is sold out.  Lots of reasons therefore to make sure you are in the audience on Wednesday 5^th September to hear one of Canada’s brightest musical lights David Francey.

Finally,  a date for your October diary. The Whistlebinkies, as described by  the late and wonderful raconteur Mick Broderick ‘ that damned band that keep following me around’ –  they are playing at Wellwood home of Irvine Burns Club on Wednesday 10^th October. More details nearer the time.

Irvine Folk Club meets in Vineburgh Community Centre in Quarry Road at 8pm.

We saw a photo from NAFCO – The North Atlantic Fiddle Convention – where we see Irvine folk Club member Dawn playing fiddle along with young people from various countries.  See if you can spot her smiling face in the photo. NAFCO was held in Derry this year.