CVFolk News

Stylusboy, aka Steve Jones. Photo courtesy of the artist.

CVFolk’s Second Sunday shows at the Albany Theatre, Coventry continue on Sunday 11 February with the excellent Coventry singer and songwriter, Stylusboy, aka Steve Jones. Pete Willow from CVFolk says that Stylusboy puts on an awesome show. “I guess ‘indie folk’ is as good a category as any for his music,” says Pete. “He’s basically a great voice and accomplished acoustic guitar with a collection of songs that are incredibly moving and full of appeal for all ages. Steve has a sound and style that’s very engaging and entirely his own.”

During Coventry’s reign as City of Culture in 2021, one of Steve’s notable projects focused on the Good Neighbours charity which supports lonely and isolated people over 50. He met and spoke with several people in the city, and heard some remarkable stories, which he turned into a set of amazing and captivating songs. 

Tom Robinson has described Steve as “A leading light among today’s new generation of DIY digital troubadours”, while curator of Coventry’s Music Museum, Pete Chambers BEM has commented “You just have to stop, put everything down and listen”.

Starting at 7.30pm, the evening also features the lively and talented US-influenced line-up of The Stationary Wilburys, and the first public performance by a group of experienced singers and musicians who call themselves The Hoarse Whisperers, specialising in ‘Raw, rootsy, goodtime music’.

Doors open 7pm and admission is free, but please – as always - give generously to CVFolk’s ‘caddy’ collection.

Sunday, 10 March sees Birmingham’s incredible acoustic rockers, The Lost Notes headlining the evening, with support acts so far including ace singer-songwriter Paul Gibson. Again – free admission.

Lauren South. Photo courtesy of the artist.

And tickets go on sale this week for CVFolk’s ‘Celebratory Cruise on a Tiny Boat’ with Lauren South on Sunday, 14 April. Brilliant singer, writer and multi-instrumentalist, Lauren will have already given her critically acclaimed debut album, Tiny Boat, its official launch at Temperance in Leamington and tickets for that have completely sold out. Lauren's performance will also include the full complement of guest artists on the album, i.e. Keith Donnelly (guitar), John Parker (double bass), Ben Haines (percussion) and folksinger extraordinaire Ellie Gowers who is now available to join the line-up on that date. Lauren has also invited both support artists – two more highly popular and talented female singers, Maria Barham and Becky Syson. Tickets are only £11.

CVFolk Freshers Workshops

As of Saturday, 3 February CV Folk are presenting a series of specialist folk-related workshops at the Albany Theatre, Coventry on the first Saturday morning of each month. From 11.30am till 1pm, you can build your expertise in a range of instruments and performance styles. Whether you are novices or improvers, here’s your chance to gain and develop your music-making and performance skills under the guidance of leading musicians and performers from the local folk circuit.

Kevin Dempsey. Photo courtesy of the artist.

And who better to host our inaugural event than the world-renowned guitarist, Kevin Dempsey who will be running an acoustic guitar workshop for improvers in the Albany Theatre’s newly built Clive Benfield Studio.

Not only has Kev played guitar for such leading lights as Mark Black, Pentangle’s Jacqui McShee, Dave Swarbrick, and even Percy Sledge, he is noted as an experienced and inspiring tutor. Whatever stage of guitar-playing you’re at, he’ll be there on Saturday, 3 February to welcome you and help you extend your abilities further.

Kevin will be back in June, but for the March workshop Lauren South hosts the 2 March Scratch Fiddle workshop. If you’re a complete beginner or only have limited experience, why not pop along and have a go at the fiddle? Bring your own if you have one, although there will be a small number of instruments available to borrow. Again, it starts at 11.30am and Lauren aims to have you playing by the end of the session.

Bob Powell of The Harvesters presents his slide guitar for beginners workshop in April, and a team from Coventry Singer Songwriters hosts a songwriting session in May.

Pete Willow adds, “Workshops are aimed at all ages and we’re very keen to encourage younger generations to take up the folk performing arts. That way, we’ll be able to keep the folk flag flying for years to come.”

CVFolk at Temperance

A reminder that CVFolk takes over Leamington Folk Club at Temperance on Thursday, 8 February and tickets are already selling briskly for what should be a superb night of home-grown music.

For CVFolk Saturday Morning workshops at the Albany Theatre, admission is £5 and you can book your place in advance at: https://www.albanytheatre.co.uk/shows/cvfolk-improvers-acoustic-guitar-workshop/  or phone the Box Office on 02476 998964 or just turn up that morning with your guitar and a fiver and they’ll try and fit you in!