A listing of upcoming mediated NSW folk events for you to enjoy during your isolation

Events 11-17 May 2020

Although there are no 'live' folk events taking place, there are plenty of 'mediated' experiences for us to enjoy including community radio and more active Zoom on-line meetings/sing-alongs.  Do let me know of other such on-line meetings/sing-alongs that we should be telling people about. - Julie

Please Note - New items are in yellow and this week's calendar, starting with Monday 11 May, is at the bottom.

Balcony Concert

On the afternoon of Mothers Day, from about 2pm, Laura and Susie Bishop  gave a balcony concert, with PA set up by Susie's partner Jo Delin. (All three are in Chaika, whose gigs, from March on, were all cancelled) They had put notices in letterboxes along the street - and, on the Matson Crescent Facebook page, urged people to check their letterboxes for the invitation. At least 30 people brought chairs and set up across the road. One neighbour across the road left about an hour beforehand to bring his mother and stepmother back for the concert.

It started with Susie's operatic voice for the Flower Song from Lakme, wearing a glamorous blue operatic dress. For the rest of the show, she removed that dress, dramatically, in full view, for the more sedate dress underneath.Then 'Don't Dream It's Over' (Crowded House), followed by 'At Last' (Etta James); then Schubert's 'Ave Maria' (operatically), having said that they're non-denominational etc - they just love the song. Finished the songs with John Farnham's 'You're the Voice'. (We are not in a folky street.) Laura was on keyboard, with occasional vocal harmonies.

It was only folky at the end, with an instrumental set on fiddle and keyboard - begun with Neil Gow's Lament for His Second Wife, and followed by lively Irish tunes.

Everyone really enjoyed the concert - and want it to happen again! The girls have asked for requests in advance - they need to practise popular songs that they don't know so well.  

And people stayed and chatted afterwards, and made a fuss of the dogs that people brought; and a pinata was set up for the kids, a few houses down. It was a lovely, neighbourly afternoon.

Footnote
On Friday 22 May, Laura, Susie and Jo will be doing a Facebook concert at the Rhythm Hut, Gosford. More details later.

In case you missed it!

AusFolkus is a podcast created by Andy Busuttil built around interviews with Australia's folk greats. Its aim is to explore the people and stories behind Australian folk music and dance.  A recent edition consists of an Anzac Concert which has Danny Spooner as a special guest and songs by Eric Bogle. There are also Turkish songs plus a personalized narrative.  AusFolkus can be found on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and iHeartRadio.  You can also listen to it by going to Andy's web site.

Community Radio

1st Saturday every month - Focus on Folk, 5-6pm, Fine Music 102.5 FM, with presenters John Milce, Paul Jackson, Kate Delaney, Carole Garland, Gerry Myerson, Roger Fyfe.  These programs are pre-recorded.

Every Saturday - Worldwide Folk, 2-4pm, VOX FM 106.9, with presenters Russell Hannah, Roger Fyfe, Yvonne O’Grady, Rod Cork.

Every Sunday - Whirled Wide, 1pm, Fine Music 102.5 FM, with presenters Carole Garland, Ian Carswell, Linda Marr, Orli Zahava. These programs are pre-recorded.

Every Wednesday, 9-10pm, 2NURFMClassic Folk program, with Phil Bates and Jane Klein.

Online Meetings/Sing-alongs/Sharing

Friday Lunchtime Online Choir - 12.30-2pm, Fridays. 8 weeks starting Friday 8th May.  No previous experience necessary. All voices welcome.  Course run through North Sydney Community Centre and conducted by Scottish singer Mary Kiani.  Cost: $170/$127.50 (pensioners/full time students). You get to choose the songs - anywhere from 'A White Sportscoat' to 'Zippity Doo Daa'. And then join us for virtual coffee afterwards.

SongsOnLine

In these difficult times I think it is REALLY important for people to connect with each other, and especially for singers, songwriters and musicians to have an opportunity to perform, and to see and hear others perform.  Zoom allows you to connect with people all around the world FOR FREE! If you don’t know how to use Zoom, or have any technical problems, please let me know. I am more than happy to have a 1 on 1 session with you to sort it out, any time that is convenient for you.  I worked on an IT HelpDesk for 9 years, so I am pretty good at problem solving, and pretty patient, too! - Russell Neal

Here is how to join the sessions on your computer or your phone/tablet using Zoom:

  • If using your computer, just click on the meeting link for the session (see below) and Zoom will automatically install the software.
  • If using your phone or tablet, go to your app store, search for Zoom and install it. Then click on the meeting link for the session (see below) to enter the meeting.

For more information go to my Facebook page or to book in to play contact Russell Neal.

Corona Choir - Thursdays at 7.30pm. 9 week course presented by Rob Bullen.

World Music Singing for Mums & Bubs - Wednesdays & Fridays at 9am.  With Miriam Lieberman.  Carers & kids also welcome. Live streamed via Zoom, Launch week free!!  Email Miriam to register your interest. 

Newcastle's Acoustic Folk Lounge is now meeting on-line via Zoom with details on Facebook before the regular meeting time - first Wednesday of the month, 7-10pm. A circle style session where we take turns to sing a song or play a tune. All welcome. Further information, Catherine 0437 556 864.

The vibrant Newcastle Ukulele Community who used to attend ukestras has now quietly retreated to five Zookestra sessions a week, led by Mark & Jane. We've even got some international visitors!

Massive Singlets - In a Massive Singlet, you'll join up to 500 participants worldwide in warmups, the learning and singing of a song (or two), a little drink break, and then a bit of sharing: thoughts, knitted things, flags, or snippets of music from you, possibly finishing with a dance track. You'll see everybody, but mostly you won't be able to hear everybody, due to latency (delay). But sometimes you will, for a moment, be able to hear everybody. Stephen Taberner will take you through all the things, the warmups and the main song. This is what he's been doing for 27 years, only usually in the same room as people! You have control over what you see, and whether people see you (though they will see your name). Bookings (& donations). (If we go really well with donations, we’ll end up assisting covid work in the third world.)

SEASON PASSES are also now available for the Thursday ukulele and kid’s singlets for those people who are confident that they’re likely to come to most or all of these sessions . . . because they aren’t full, and because we’re noticing many of the same faces. we hope this will save you some kerfluffle!

Alone Together Choir - Mondays 1-2pm.  Time to sing!  A wide range of songs, great harmonies, free your voice. Presented by Christina Mimmocchi.  All welcome - no previous experience necessary. Email to register.

Choir on a Wire @ NSCC - 7.30-8.30pm, Mondays. 9 weeks starting Monday 27th April.  No previous experience necessary. Course run through North Sydney Community Centre and conducted by Christina Mimmocchi.  Cost: $180/$135

We celebrate the songs of the great songwriter and poet Leonard Cohen with the return of Choir on a Wire (a nod to his famous song "Bird on a Wire" which started here back in 2007).  

Part-choir, part joyous singalong, this course will bring together people from all walks of life who love to sing Cohen's wonderful songs that celebrate life and love and laughter.

Newcastle & Hunter Valley Folk Club Virtual Floor Spot

We can’t have in-person “Come All Ye” but that doesn’t mean we can’t connect.

The idea is to do something as if you are performing for a “Come All Ye". We’re not looking for pre-recorded and edited videos, or videos done for promotional purposes. Just use your phone, video camera or laptop.

We want to make it as easy as possible for people to participate and we’re looking for genuine performances.

  1. Go to our Facebook page and click on the photo/video icon under the "Create Post" button. Select your video to upload.
  2. Write a short description in the space about your video. Use the heading ”Come All Ye"
  3. Your floor spot should appear soon after it has finished uploading.
  4. Press "Post". That's it!
  5. "Follow" this Newcastle & Hunter Valley Folk Club Inc. Facebook page so that it appears in your own Facebook news feed.

We’re looking forward to seeing you in a Newcastle & Hunter Valley Folk Club Virtual Floor Spot.

Covideo Folk Club

The idea is to post self-filmed smart phone videos of folk club-going folkies singing the songs they usually sing at their local folk club - no studio produced videos or videos of gigs or live streaming you have previously recorded.  Hopefully this will create an online club which gives some of the feel of those real world folk clubs. Your video should include you providing the title and name of writer (just as you would have done in a real folk club). There are lots of folk club type performances, usually by a single performer, from different parts of the world, it seems, as well as from Australia.

If you'd like to participate, go to our Facebook page and join the group.

Monday 11 May

Alone Together Choir - 1-2pm. With Christina Mimmocchi.  Go to web site for info.

SongsOnLine Songwriters/OpenMic - 7-10.30pm. Zoom Session hosted by Russell Neal.  Contact Russell for more information or to book in to play!  Everyone is welcome to play, you don't have to be a member of SongsAlive! Australia. It's a good opportunity to play your original songs, if you have them!

Choir on a Wire - 7-10.30pm. Week 3 of a 9 week course. With Christina Mimmocchi.

Tuesday 12 May

Massive Singlet - 8pm. Bookings (& donations). Our prized regular guests Jack and Naomi will present the Triffids song “Bury me deep in love” . . the classic singlet . . . finishing with a dance song. Song suggestions, photo or video shares, at Facebook.

Wednesday 13 May

World Music Singing for Mums & Bubs, 9am.  Presented by Miriam Lieberman 

Newcastle's Acoustic Folk Lounge - 7-10pm. A circle style session where we take turns to sing a song or play a tune. All welcome. Details on Facebook. Further information, Catherine 0437 556 864.

Songwriting Society of Australia Showcase - 7-10.30pm. Zoom Session hosted by Russell Neal. Acts so far: John Maddox, Gavin Fitzgerald, John Chesher, Kenneth D'Aran, Russell Neal (host).

Classic Folk, 9-10pm, 2NURFM, with Phil Bates and Jane Klein. 

Thursday 14 May

Massive Kid’s Singlet - 7pm. The one where you need to be accompanied by a minor, or where they can even be unaccompanied by you. best, we think, for the 7-13 year old age group: songs, clapping games from Samoa, some bits where the kids have to make up things, a chance for the kids to show their musical skills . . . and crazy dancing to finish! Bookings (& donations).

SongsOnLine Songwriters/OpenMic - 7-10.30pm. Zoom Session organised by Russell Neal. Acts so far: Kenneth D'Aran, Russell Neal, John Chesher (host)

Corona Choir - 7.30-9pm. Week 3 of 9. Presented by Rob Bullen

Massive Singlet (ukelele version) - 9pm. Taberner dares to show his own particular ideas about ukelele strumming & non conventional but entirely logical nomenclature. We will SING SONGS. So you’re welcome to come for that. Ukelele wise, it’d be handy if you already knew 6 or 7 chords - this is not really a beginner’s class. Bookings.

Friday 15 May

World Music Singing for Mums & Bubs, 9am.  Presented by Miriam Lieberman 

Friday Lunchtime Online Choir - 12.30-2pm. Week 2 of 8.  Course presented by Mary Kiani.

Saturday 16 May

Worldwide Folk, 2-4pm, VOX FM 106.9, with Russell Hannah.

Sunday 17 May

Whirled Wide, 1pm, Fine Music 102.5 FM, with Linda Marr.

Massive Black Singlet - 5pm. This week we will (hopefully with a special guest), be taking on the beautiful Hirini Melbourne Waiata “Purea Nei”. Specially dedicated to my dear homeland . . . but people from everywhere are most welcome.   Bookings.

SongsOnLine Songwriters/OpenMic - 7-10.30pm. Zoom Session organised by Russell Neal. Acts so far: Kenneth D'Aran, Russell Neal (host)

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