CVFolk invites you to get Up Close with local Folk talent

CV Folk is to launch a series of intimate and interactive music events, where audiences can discover more of the ‘inside story’ of leading acts on the local folk circuit. Billed as ‘Up Close and Acoustic’, the concerts will feature established and popular folk performers from Coventry and Warwickshire who will not only play some of their repertoire but also talk about anything from techniques to experiences, and from influences to inspirations for their music.

CVFolk organiser, Pete Willow says, “There will be a chance for audience members to ask questions about the artists’ backgrounds and experiences. I’m also hoping that they’ll feel free to invite other musicians they’ve worked with in the past to join them on stage and perhaps play some material together.”

Kev Dempsey. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Three dates have already been fixed for these shows, all featuring artists with strong and fascinating tales to tell. These are:

Friday, 27 June - Rob Halligan, Coventry’s acclaimed singer-songwriter who has worked alongside several leading folk and rock musicians in the UK and USA. His band, Homeward Hie is proving a powerful outlet for his material. Rob’s own involvement in charity work for children has put him in direct contact with the fight against Third World poverty.

Friday, 11 July - Kevin Dempsey, whose guitar expertise and compositions have been the driving force of many influential line-ups including Dando Shaft and Dave Swarbrick’s Whippersnapper. He’s also toured widely with such popular acts as Mary Black, Joe Broughton and Pentangle’s Jacqui McShee.

Friday, 10 October - Marion Fleetwood, singer, violin-player and multi-instrumentalist par excellence. Marion was a key member of Warwickshire folk-rockers Meet On The Ledge and now tours regularly with the mighty Feast of Fiddles ensemble as well as the Sandy Denny Project and TRADarrr. This year has also seen her performing with master songwriter, Reg Meuross on his Fire And Dust tour, a much-praised celebration of Woody Guthrie.

Marion Fleetwood. Photo courtesy of the artist.

These shows – and others to be announced – will take place in either the Albany Theatre’s Spotlight Studio (former venue of CVFolk’s 2nd Sunday events), or the recently opened Courtyard Studio. Tickets will be available soon from the theatre’s Box Office.

The CVFolk project is now in its seventh year, promoting, supporting and celebrating the vibrant local folk scene. For more information and updates on CVFolk activity, visit www.cvfolk.com or join their monthly mailing list by emailing culture@cvfolk.com