Steel Valley Beacon Folk Club

04/11/2022

We've got some real roots americana for you from playing for us on Monday the 7th of November, 8pm at Stocksbridge Rugby Club £10 OTD. Limited space, be early!

30/07/2022

We’re excited and overjoyed to be bringing you the very best in folk and roots music.

We do hope you’ll come along to our fantastic new venue at

Stocksbridge Rugby Club
634 Manchester Rd, Stocksbridge, Sheffield S36 1DY.

Our next nights entertainment is

McShane & Shaw
Wednesday the 14th of September 7.30pm, Bar will be open.
There is a door fee of £10 for this event.

An exhilarating and perfectly balanced performance of music and
comedy featuring tight harmonies, witty ad-libs and virtuoso
musicianship. It’s inspiring, it’s fun and guaranteed to raise a smile.
Chris McShane and Ralph Shaw are a match made in Pen*stone,
the Yorkshire market town where these two musicians grew up.
They knew of each other way back when but it wasn’t until Ralph
returned from a 30-year overnight stay in Vancouver, Canada, that
they finally ended up working together.

Chris, a multi-instrumentalist, has significant chops on guitar,
mandolin, bass guitar, ukulele and tenor banjo. His talents are a
perfect accompaniment to those of Ralph whose time in Canada
was spent singing, playing 5-string banjo, harmonica, ukulele and
leading the way as a forerunner of the ukulele movement which
included touring nationally and special appearances at international
festivals.

Musically, their approach and sound is impressively eclectic – they
perform a wide range of acoustic musical styles including folk-pop,
music hall, instrumental folk, doo w*p, tin-pan-alley, banjo rock and
disco ukulele! And it’s all served up with a warmth and skill that
comes from their years of experience.

Following in the tradition of variety shows they perform original
compositions and repurpose familiar song styles for today’s
audiences, all interspersed with witty ad-libs and banter.
Having eaten more than Chris when he was younger, Ralph
accidentally grew to be at least 12 inches taller which has led to
some commentators suggesting that they look like “a musical Little
and Large”. This may be a bit of an exaggeration but it does present
an interesting visual dynamic as soon as they hit the stage.

For more information about these musical geniuses please visit
https://mcshaneandshaw.co.uk/

16/11/2019

No club tonight. Sorry.

13/10/2019

Yes, it is hard to believe it but it is true, Andy Irvine is at The Venue Folk Club next weekend. (Yes, and we ARE back at The Venue for this one. )

ANDY IRVINE is one of the great Irish singers, his voice one of a handful of truly great ones that gets to the very soul of Ireland. He has been hailed as "a tradition in himself".

Musician, singer, songwriter, Andy has maintained his highly individual performing skills throughout his over 50-year career.

Andy has been at the helm of legendary bands like Sweeney’s Men in the mid-60s, to the enormous success of Planxty in the 70s, and then Patrick Street, Mozaik, LAPD and recently Usher’s Island. Andy has been a world music pioneer and an icon for traditional music and musicians.

As a soloist, Andy fills the role of the archetypal troubadour with a show and a travelling lifestyle that reflect his lifelong influence, Woody Guthrie. To quote the Irish Times, "Often copied, never equalled", his repertoire consists of Irish traditional songs, dexterous Balkan dance tunes and a compelling cannon of his own self-penned songs.
Same starting time – 8.15; Doors (and bar) open 7.30.

Hope you can make it!
Regards,
Martin

17/09/2019

This Saturday, "A world Class Folk Guitarist" (froots) Katie Spencer comes to Deepcar

Saturday 21st September
St Annes, Deepcar.
Start 8.15. Doors open at 7.45.
Bar available and you may also bring your own drinks.
Entrance £10.00

https://www.katiespencer.net/

Drawing on influences such as John Martyn, Roy Harper and Laura Marling, Katie Spencer creates modern progressive folk music which owes as much the songwriters of the 60’s acoustic music heyday as it does the East Riding landscape where she has always felt a strong spiritual connection. Her striking vocals and deft songwriting are backed by an evocative and complex guitar style that takes her music to places that are both esoteric and beautiful.

At just 21 years old, Katie has already built up an extremely respected profile within the national acoustic music scene, receiving praise from the likes of Ralph McTell & Ian Hunter of Mott The Hoople. She has shared the stage with world-class musicians such as Ted McKenna & Foss Paterson, and is due to be a part of next year’s Celtic Connections celebrations alongside Paul Weller & Eddi Reader playing at Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall.

With various releases already under her belt, Katie was awarded with the Yorkshire Gig Guide Outstanding Emerging Artist in 2018 and continues to receive glowing reviews of both her live performances and recorded works. Ralph McTell said “Katie’s guitar playing has echoes of my dear friend the late great Bert Jansch. Like a musical weaver she threads her poetic lyrics through the guitar’s strings and produces little tapestries of song.”

‘Weather Beaten’ is Katie Spencer’s debut full-length album, a flawless and flowing ten track journey that encapsulates her mesmerising live performance style, subtly embellished by the world-renowned instrumental dexterity of Tom Mason, Miles Bould and Martin Winning on double bass, percussion and woodwind. Produced by Spencer Cozens, long-time collaborator of John Martyn and Joan Armatrading, the sound of the album is clear and bright, bringing a precision and boldness reminiscent of the best ‘ECM’ modern jazz albums, which naturally pairs with the warm and hazy folk sound that envelops Katie’s style.

“Katie’s guitar playing has echoes of my dear friend the late great Bert Jansch. Like a musical weaver she threads her poetic lyrics through the guitar’s strings and produces little tapestries of song.”

06/06/2019

This Saturday's folk club at St Ann's this weekend is a singers night with Jim Darnill's Cocklebread as the main feature. Entrance is free! There will, however, be the usual raffle and also the opportunity to make a donation, the proceeds of which will be in aid of Weston Park Children's Hospital.

Usual times - 8.15 start, doors open at 7.45.
You may bring your own drinks. The club bar will be open from 8.00pm.

Hoping you can make it! It is looking to be a lively night!

Any extra floor singers will be most welcome - a good night to give it a go!

15/05/2019

Yes - it is FRIDAY night for the folk club this week.
And a welcome return for Ruth and Tony Dargan who, as some of you will remember, first came to the club as 'Blackwater.'

If you have seen them before you will also know that you will have a great 'song-packed' night.

And, 'yes, it is at St. Ann's church hall again.'

Usual open doors time of 7.45. The bar in the club house will be open from 8.00pm although you are welcome to bring your own drinks.
Entrance - £8.00

We look forward to seeing you - hope you can make it.
Regards
Martin.

PS - I promise to make sure the heating is turned on early so that the room will be nice and comfortable.

http://ruthandtonydargan.co.uk/

11/04/2019

Yes, in order to avoid the Easter weekend, the Folk Club is THIS Saturday the 13th of April with another first time visit to our club from Union Jill. (Having seen these at Crookes, I thought they were 'a must' for us.)

Union Jill consist of Helen Turner and Sharon Winfield. Helen and Sharon began performing together in 2006, after discovering a shared love of folk and acoustic music. In increasing demand across the UK, they have quickly gained a reputation for rich harmonies and distinctively written songs.

On stage, their presence is natural, funny and personable although their material touches on the darker side at times.

The pair have released three albums, the most recent, Respectable Rebellion was produced by Clive Gregson and they have previously collaborated with Andy Seward (Kate Rusby, Martin Simpson), Mark Boyce (The Durbevilles), Kate St. John (Van Morrison, Kathryn Williams, Marianne Faithfull) and Ric Sanders (Fairport Convention).

Helen and Sharon on Union Jill (from their own website) –
‘Union Jill is made up of the of Helen Turner and Sharon Jagger. Both are singer-songwriters and have brought together their distinct styles and voices to produce a rich and diverse sound - stunning harmonies, intelligent songs and banter you only get with two women sharing a stage!’

A really good night in prospect. If, as the emails suggest, you liked Edwina last month, you will love these two!

As usual, doors open at 7.45 for an 8.15 start!
Hope you can make it! There will be a bar on in the club house although you may also bring your own drinks.
Martin

Union Jill

12/03/2019

Venue Folk is once again at St Ann's this Saturday, 16th March, to welcome Edwina Hayes for her first ever visit to us. If you know of her, or have read about her you will know that we have a great night in prospect.

Start times are as always - doors open 7.45 for an 8.15pm start. Entrance is £10.00 payable on the door. There is a bar but you are also welcome to bring your own drinks. Although pints will be served in plastic glasses as we are not allowed to carry glasses out to the church hall anyone wanting to purchase other drinks can bring their own, nicer plastic glasses for wine, etc.
Edwina’s beautifully written songs, charming stage presence and voice of an angel have won her a reputation as a true natural talent of gentle folk-Americana. She has opened numerous shows for Jools Holland and Van Morrison as well as her own gigs playing stages everywhere from Glastonbury Festival to The Royal Albert Hall. Edwina numbers Michael Parkinson and Mike Harding among her fans and the title track of her album Pour Me A Drink was covered by Nanci Griffith who calls her 'the sweetest voice in England'.

Her cover of the Randy Newman song Feels Like Home was featured in the Cameron Diaz film My Sister's Keeper and has since had over eight million plays on You Tube.

Edwina is often invited to guest on studio albums and support major artists on tour and as well as touring with Jools Holland, Van Morrison and Nanci Griffith, Edwina has also toured with artists ranging from Loudon Wainwright and Roger McGuinn to KT Tunstall and Gretchen Peters.

Edwina was born in Dublin and grew up in Preston, Lancashire before moving to the East coast of Yorkshire as a teenager, where she has been based ever since. Dividing her time between the UK and America, Edwina's second home is Nashville where she is much loved as a songwriter and artist.

Having signed with Warner Chappell Publishing and with an eclectic range of influences from Bob Dylan and Carole King to Van Morrison and Gillian Welch, Edwina released her debut album 'Out on My Own' on Warner Brothers to critical acclaim. Produced by Clive Gregson and Nick Drake producer John Wood, the record featured Dr Hook's Dennis Locorriere as a guest vocalist and became a favourite on Michael Parkinson's BBC Radio Show.

Edwina released her second album 'Pour Me A Drink' independently to great success. Much more stripped down and acoustic, Nanci Griffith covered the title track and Edwina's version of Feels Like Home was played in full in the major motion picture 'My Sister's Keeper' starring Cameron Diaz and Alec Baldwin. Edwina followed in the same style with her third release 'Good Things Happen Over Coffee' and touring constantly continues to attract wonderful reviews and fans worldwide.

In 2015 Edwina began song-writing and performing with Kate Bramley and Simon Haworth and together they formed the trio The Mile Roses. Their debut album was released in July 2017 and for tour dates and info please look in at www.themileroses.com

Edwina toured as support with Fairport Convention on their UK Wintour in 2014, toured China a few months later, toured Australia in Spring 2015.

The Guardian - 'Edwina is a haunting honeyed solo songwriter'

Michael Parkinson - 'A very talented young lady'

Nanci Griffith - 'The sweetest voice in England. A wonderful young woman, so gifted and full of song'

Time Out - 'Sweet-voiced songwriter who has a fine line in gentle, country-tinged material'

Perez Hilton - 'Like a soft blanket'

www.edwinahayes.com

‘Edwina Hayes numbers Michael Parkinson and Nanci Griffith among her fans. Her beautifully written songs and charming stage presence have won her a reputation as a true natural talent of gentle folk ‘americana’ She has opened numerous shows for Jools Holland and Van Morrison and the title song of her album ‘Pour me a Drink’ was covered by Nanci Griffith who calls her, ‘the sweetest voice in England.’ Her cover of the Randy Newman song ‘Feels like Home’ was featured in the Cameron Diaz film ‘My Sister’s Keeper’ and has since had more than 6 million hits on Youtube.’

Edwina Hayes

12/02/2019

McShane and Shaw McShaw….

Chris McShane and Ralph Shaw are a match made in Pen*stone which is the Yorkshire market town where these two musicians grew up. They knew of each other way back when but it took till 2018 before finally playing music together. Ralph’s thirty tear move to Vancouver Canada was a big part of that and since his return the two have teamed up to form the exciting duo sound of McShaw. (McShane and Shaw.)

Chris, a multi-instrumentalist, has significant chops on guitar, mandolin, bass guitar, ukulele and tenor banjo. An experienced teacher, composer and band member you’re as likely to hear him calling the dances at a Ceilidh as leading a thirty-member folk ensemble or teaching ukulele workshops at a beautiful retreat centre. Chris’ talents are a perfect accompaniment to those of Ralph. His time in Canada was spent playing 5string banjo, harmonica, ukulele and learning to sing. A forerunner of the ukulele movement he named himself “King” of the Ukulele” in 1997 and has toured international festivals and ukulele clubs ever since.

For years both men have been running ukulele clubs in their respective homes. Their combined sound on both ukuleles and banjos is a joy to behold as they harmonize original and familiar songs. It’s a sound that’s a little hard to categorize as they enjoy acoustic musical styles covering folk-pop, music hall, instrumental folk, doo w*p, tinpan-alley, banjo rock and disco ukulele! And it’s all served up with a warmth and skill that comes from their mutual love of live performance.
After thousands of independent live shows we are finally blessed to see these two generous entertainers together for the first time creating feel-good experiences that brim with harmony, laughter, skilled musicianship and off the cuff wit. Audiences are left beaming.

17/01/2019

Reg Meuross at The Venue Folk Club
Saturday, 19th January. Start 8.15. Doors open at 7.45. Entrance £10 – payable on the door.

Described by Mark Radcliffe as a “brilliant singer-songwriter and true troubadour with a social conscience,” Somerset singer-songwriter Reg Meuross is now touring with new album 12 Silk Handkerchiefs and characters from 12 other superb albums. And it’s not all protest, as well as story songs which bring characters from history to life and comment on life around him, Reg also writes and sings some of the most heart aching love songs ever written, performed with depth and spellbinding delivery. “There’s something special about the way he writes and delivers a song” said Townes Van Zandt. Reg has that rare gift of being able to touch people through his songs and performance, on a human level, his words and music painting pictures that remain with the listener long after the song has been sung, accompanying himself masterfully on guitar and captivating audiences with his beautiful tenor voice.

“When you have 2000 people singing along, you’re doing something right.” Great British Folk Festival

“One of the most talented storytellers of our generation” Pennyblack Music

“Powerful and moving song writing” Martin Chilton, The Telegraph

“A mighty songwriter and an equally fine singer” Martin Carthy

PHOTO by Rachel Snowdon

Reg Meuross Music
Venue Stocksbridge