Apr
12
Wed
Two workshops with Stewart Hardy
Wednesdays 29th March and 12th April
These workshops will be rehearsing arrangements of tunes written by Stewart to commemorate the tricentenary of Morpeth Town Hall, for a performance at the Golden Gala Concert. All bowed string players of intermediate standard and above are welcome.
Participation £6 (one or two workshops)
School age children are free.
Golden Gala Concert, Fri 21st April
Morpeth Methodist Church, 7.30 pm
Apr
21
Fri
The Morpeth Northumbrian Gathering is celebrating its big 50th Anniversary this year and there is lots planned. On the Friday night there will be the Golden Gala Concert in the Methodist Church, in which I will be playing with Bottle Band Band, Tyneside Fiddle Alliance and leading the Morpeth Community Strings group in their debut performance. On the Saturday there will be the usual competitions, and I will be supporting family and friends in the fiddle classes, and might even be persuaded to enter the instrumental duos! The Tyneside Fiddle Alliance plan to defend their title in the Concert Band category and there will be many other great things going on. Do come along and support this wonderful celebration of Northumbrian traditional music, song and dance.
“An exciting three-day annual festival of street entertainment, indoor events, music, dance, craft, dialect, heritage and traditional fun – held the weekend after Easter in the medieval market town of Morpeth, 14 miles north of Newcastle upon Tyne.
The festival is a true gathering of people who come together to enjoy the traditional culture of Northumberland and the wider NE region. It features concerts, dance, crafts, battle re-enactments, dialect, stories, drama, workshops, sessions, singarounds, competitions, stalls, bellringing, orienteering, tours, walks, talks and street performances which include a young people’s pageant as part of the Saturday morning Border Cavalcade.”
Jun
4
Sun
Music returns to Hartlepool Cricket Club in a big way. Local stars, Maddison’s Thread – Singer songwriter Lee Maddison joined by his band that features internationally acclaimed fiddler Stewart Hardy. They create an earthy, acoustic driven soundscape that perfectly complements the realism of Lee’s conscientiously crafted songs. Strongly melodic and unashamedly accessible songs. Rooted in folk whilst embracing elements of blues, rock and country. And don’t forget superb bassist Nige Spavin holding things together.
Get there early for a six o’clock pick-off….seats WILL be at a premium.
Sep
18
Mon
Woolsington Strings is a local string ensemble featuring fiddles and a viola. We delight in arranging folk tunes in harmony, and this is our second public performance. We are looking forward to providing music at the evening opening of a local art group’s exhibition.
Nov
24
Fri
Maddison’s Thread will be playing at Hartlepool’s Wintertide Festival this year, featuring the full 10 piece line-up that rocked the album launch in January. As well as Lee’s stunning vocals, I will be joining regulars Nige (bass) & Darren (drums), alongside Paul (guitars), Kieran (flute) and Suzy (backing vocals). I am absolutely delighted that the string quartet will be getting together once again, with Emma, Jill & Fiona bringing their glorious sounds to the string arrangements. Such a treat!
This will be a landmark performance as it is not often we can get a full line-up of such splendid musicians together! And all to support the wonderful tunes and lyrics that make up Lee’s enthralling songs. The event will be candlelit creating a very special atmosphere, with limited ticket allocation, so book your tickets now.
(and do you like the Wintertide poster? A spectacular piece of art by Amanda at Mandascat – check out her work on Facebook or her website)
Apr
1
Sun
Rescheduled date.
I will be joining Lee Maddison for another lovely evening of Lee’s songs at this relaxed and informal venue. The Ship Inn is one of our favourite venues in which to perform and we are delighted to have been asked back. Join us from 4 pm in the beautiful surroundings of the Northumberland coastline.
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Happy May Day!Looking back, April had some very lovely moments...
At the Morpeth Northumbrian Gathering illustrating Amélie Addison's wonderful talk on William Shield and with cracking performances by Tyneside Fiddle Alliance, our April Workshops on Zoom, a trip to see the amazing Dudok Quartet Amsterdam, a duo gig with Ali Say at the Phoenix Folk Ltd. Spring Thing, the start of Block 3 at North East Fiddle School, and our JSArts Advanced Fiddle course at Rydal Hall. Happy Spring everyone 🎻
We had a wonderful weekend at Rydal Hall with the JSArts Advanced Fiddle course! Thanks to all who came for your excellent company, hard work and fabulous playing of some rather lovely tunes! 😊Hope you enjoyed yourselves, and that we see you again soon 🎻
NEFS Block 3 starts this week!Sign up now 🎻We have a new block starting on Zoom this week!
Join us for our five weekly Wednesday evening Zoom sessions starting on 24th April with video tutorials on demand, and/or our in-person workshop in Wylam on Saturday 11th May. Bookings now open!
www.northeastfiddleschool.org.uk/shop/
More details are available on the Classes page of the NEFS website. Get in touch with Ali if you have any questions 😊
🎶 This block we have two more fabulous video tutorials, both English jigs collected in the middle of the nineteenth century from “Wheelwright Robinson” of Abbots Bromley, Flaxley Green Dance from Stewart Hardy Music and, of course, The Abbots Bromley Horn Dance, this one from Kevin Lees - Music. Grace Smith Music will be teaching alongside Stewart on our Zoom calls, and will be introducing a lovely Shetland jig as our new live tune.
We are also delighted to announce that Chris Meredith will be teaching with Stewart on our Saturday Workshop in Wylam on 11th May. Chris is a wonderful player and teacher, and was the force behind FiddleTutor.com with some wonderful online tutorials.
📣 Sign up now!