Founded | 1983 |
---|---|
Type | acoustic music organisation run entirely by volunteers |
Legal status | registered charity |
Focus | acoustic folk and roots-based music |
Location |
|
Method | concerts |
Revenue | ticket sales |
Employees | none |
Website | www |
TwickFolk (previously known as Twickenham Folk Club) organises acoustic music events in and around Twickenham, south-west London. A registered charity,[1] it is run, not for profit, by a small group of volunteers.[2] It was established in January 1983[2][3] and is now one of the best known and most highly respected folk clubs in London and the South East of England.[4]
TwickFolk organises gigs on Sunday evenings, usually at the Patchworks music venue at The Cabbage Patch pub in London Road, Twickenham,[5][6] featuring British and North American acoustic folk and roots-based music in a programme that includes blues, country music and Americana as well as traditional folk music.[7] The evening usually consists of a main "guest" preceded by a support act or several floor spots.
Occasionally TwickFolk organises singers' nights. These consist of either several performed floor spots or an unplugged singaround where everyone sits in a circle and those who want to sing or play an instrument can take turns to do so.[6][8] TwickFolk has also organised workshops on building a cigar box guitar[9] and on playing guitar and nyckelharpa.[10]
TwickFolk has also held charity fundraising nights benefiting national and local charities.[2][3]
In March 2014 BBC Radio Wales marked the Six Nations rugby tournament by broadcasting live, from Isleworth's Red Lion pub, a concert, Twickenham Heartbeat, in its folk roots and acoustic music programme Celtic Heartbeat. Hosted by Frank Hennessy and Bethan Elfyn, it featured performers from TwickFolk, and special guests including Ralph McTell.[11]
Noel Murphy's CD A Session was recorded live, with The Mahogany Gaspipes, in a folk session at The Cabbage Patch pub in 1997.[12]
Guests who have appeared at TwickFolk include Nels Andrews,[13] Les Barker,[14] Sally Barker,[15] Alyssa Bonagura,[16] Maggie Boyle and Paul Downes,[17] Chuck Brodsky,[18] The Carrivick Sisters,[19] Olivia Chaney,[20][21] Charlie Dore and Julian Littman,[22] Kris Drever,[23] Gareth Dunlop,[24] Ana Egge,[13] Carrie Elkin,[25] Mark Erelli,[26] Stephen Fearing,[27][28] David Francey,[29] Vin Garbutt,[30] Dick Gaughan,[31] Melissa Greener,[32] Jack Harris,[33] Hatful of Rain,[34][35] Rebecca Hollweg,[36][37] Luke Jackson,[38] Robb Johnson,[39] Diana Jones,[40] Kara,[41][42] Sam Kelly Trio,[43] Lau,[5] Sarah McQuaid,[44] Madison Violet,[45] Emily Maguire,[46] Iain Matthews,[47] Megson,[30] Jim Moray,[48][49] Jess Morgan,[50] Elliott Morris,[51] Pete Morton,[30][52] O'Hooley & Tidow,[53] Earl Okin,[54] Ellis Paul,[55] Rod Picott,[56][57] Rebecca Pronsky,[58] Kim Richey,[24][59] Justin Rutledge,[60] Southern Tenant Folk Union,[61] Sunjay,[62] Miranda Sykes,[63][64] Greg Trooper,[65] Kevin Welch,[66] Dan Wilde,[50] Brian Willoughby[67] and Chris Wood.[68]