Below are details of the artists booked for the 2012 Festival.
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Martin Simpson Sunday Afternoon Concert
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There is no doubt that after 35 years as a professional musician Martin is, right now, better than ever. Widely acknowledged as one of the finest acoustic and slide guitar players in the world, his interpretations of traditional songs are masterpieces of storytelling. His solo shows are intense, eclectic, spellbinding and deeply moving. There is no-one who has more successfully combined the diverse elements of British, Afro-American and old-timey music than Simpson. His 15 years living in the US were well spent. In addition his own songwriting has produced some real gems, from the truck-stop epic, “Love Never Dies” to the profoundly moving “Never Any Good” and "One Day". His career includes collaborations on stage and record with Richard Thompson, June Tabor, Kelly Joe Phelps, Jackson Browne, Danny Thompson, Danú, Martin Carthy, Cara Dillon, David Lindley, Roy Bailey, Martin Taylor, David Hidalgo, Steve Miller, Dick Gaughan and many more. Whether playing American old-time music, blues, a Dylan song or his own material, Martin Simpson is unpredictable, individual and a guitarist of immense subtlety. Visit his website at www.martinsimpson.com. |
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Tim Edey & Brendan Power Saturday Evening Concert
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New Zealand virtuoso harmonica player Brendan Power, who played lead harmonica in Irish smash-hit spectacular Riverdance, and breathtaking button accordion and storming guitar player Tim Edey have won the Best Duo award in the Radio 2 folk awards - and Tim has won Musician Of The Year.
"Tim Edey and Brendan Power were the buzz of Celtic Colours 2010! Their sheer virtuosity and the genuine joy with which they deliver their music took audiences by surprise, and invariably resulted in standing ovations" - Joella Foulds, Celtic Colours Festival Director, Cape Breton |
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Anthony John Clarke Saturday Afternoon Llantrisant Folk Club guest
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"He storms it every time he gets on a stage. Brilliant!!! He had our audience eating out of his hand every night on the Fairport Convention Tour" (Dave Pegg, Fairport Convention) "We were waiting to see Fairport Convention... then this softly spoken, fast talking, amusing man came on. After his first song we were smitten. He stole the evening for us - his songs made us sit up, listening to each and every word, thinking about the tale behind those words. Now, nine CDs later, we still love his voice, his songs - Irish songs, storytelling songs with an edge, songs of love and social comment on everyday life" (Two adoring fans) |
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The Hut People Saturday Evening Concert Support Act
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Champions of the standing ovation, The Hut People are rapidly gaining more and more of reputation as one of the hottest and most entertaining world/folk acts touring today. Accordionist Sam Pirt also performs with 422 (previous Radio 2 Folk awards winners) and has performed alongside Kathryn Tickell, The Dubliners, Sharon Shannon, Jez Lowe, Brian Finnegan, Brian McNeill and many others. He is also the founder of Ethno England. Percussionist Gary Hammond has for the past 12 years recorded and toured with The Beautiful South. He has also worked with Nina Simone and has frequently been a part of many other groups and collaborations within the World, Jazz and Pop genres. |
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The Infinite Cherries! Saturday Evening Concert Support Act
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The Infinite Cherries! are Sam Mabbett (15) and Dylan Cairns-Howarth (14) who play English, Irish and French folk Music. Dylan lives near Aberystwyth, in west Wales. He has played fiddle since he was 5 and is current Junior Welsh Celtic Fiddle Champion. He also plays Hurdy Gurdy. Sam is an ace melodeon player from Didcot in Oxfordshire. He plays numerous instrument. So far he can play Melodeon, Fiddle, Mandolin, Harmonica, Jaw harp and, unexpectedly the Bassoon! Drawn together through Folkworks and the NYFTE (National Youth Folklore Troupe of England), they have accumulated a large repertoire of English, Celtic, European and original music which they play with humour and youthful gusto. With a talent that is growing as fast as their hair they are increasingly evident on the UK festival scene, having performed at Oxford, Chippenham, Garway, Banbury, Upton upon Severn, Towersby, Warwick and Bromyard Folk Festivals. See and hear them on YouTube. |
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D n A Sunday Afternoon Concert Support Act
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Mother and daughter Delyth and Angharad Jenkins play their debut spot at the festival. Harper Delyth, an ex-member of original trio Aberjaber, has recorded her third solo CD, Aros. Angharad, fiddler with young five-strong band Calan, who have just released their second CD, recently took her place as project officer for trac, the all-Wales folk development organisation.
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Loxley Friday night concert sponsored by Newport Folk Club
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Loxley are Sally Stamford, Arthur Hyde and John Eyre.
“Loxley are a harmonic, contemporary, progressive folk trio who have a collection of songs and music that is beguiling and intriguing. If Loxley were a book, it would be one far from easy to put down. The material sweeps and sways – most gently – from traditional to contemporary folk, from the 16th to 21st century. ” Folk on the Lawn Music Festival
Loxley Website www.myspace.com/shotdogs |
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BarlowCree Friday night concert sponsored by Newport Folk Club
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BarlowCree (Liam Millinship and Jonny Matthew) is a Cardiff based folk-acoustic duo performing original material and adaptations of traditional and contemporary folk songs with incredible energy and skill.
Both Liam and Jonny are really making waves in their quest to get their names recognised, and their magnetic stage presence has left its mark on two border folk festivals, the prestigious Shrewsbury and Bromyard, and they were the main guests Rumney Folk Club Festival too. They even did a Showcase at Llantrisant Folk Club, and were booked immediately – the way in which they attract a whole new audience says a lot, too. |
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Cardiff Canton Singers Main Marquee, Sunday 3.35 - 3.50
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The Cardiff Canton Singers have been going for around 7 years and have a real love of singing in harmony. Lead by Laura Bradshaw, they will be singing this Sunday in the afternoon with friends from the Chapter singers, a selection of folk songs from sea shanties to African chants. They regularly perform within the South Wales area but have been known to perform in London as part of the Thames Festival and Sing for Water charity event on the banks of the Thames. |
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Below are some of the teams performing at the 3012 festival |
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Visiting Teams |
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Applejacks (Bristol)
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Applejacks are an Appalachian Dancing team based in the west of England- around Bristol, Somerset and Gloucestershire. They choreograph their own group dances and perform with Old Time musicians who play foot stomping traditional fiddle tunes and songs |
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Belfagan WomEn's Morris (Cumbria)
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Belfagan is an all-female side, established in 1981. They are based in Cockermouth, an attractive, lively market town just outside the Lake District National Park in Cumbria. Their members, however, live in many of the local villages and towns. Belfagan follow mostly the North West Morris tradition, and some of their dances are named after places in their area, like Keswick, Wigton, Eaglesfield or the Cumberland Crown. They also have their own dance, named, with great originality, Belfagan. They have a happy, relaxed attitude to what they do, and never take themselves too seriously. |
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De Kegelaar (Belgium)
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“Volkskunstgroep De Kegelaar vzw" of Wilrijk was founded in 1965. Singing, dancing, flag throwing and music were brought together under the name "expressions of folk art". De Kegelaar lets Wilrijk and its neighbourhood enjoy their Flemish and historically Brabant's cultural identity, and taste the diversity of other cultures. Every year, during the Pentecost weekend (this year on 30th and 31st May 2009), the group organises the successful folklore festival WIVO at which about 3 European guest groups together with De Kegelaar steal the show. Over the years the group has evolved a lot as to quality. The traditional costumes became more authentic and were playfully extended by various attributes. Dance suites are composed expertly and the performances are accompanied artistically. Each performance tells a story, visually intensified by the use of original properties, adding to the value of the show. This evolution has resulted in obtaining the title "Ambassador for folklore dance in Flanders 2006", something they are rightly proud of. The old-fashioned image of folk dance is refuted by De Kegelaar. As soon as you enter the group's rehearsal place you can see there a strikingly big number of hip youth. With enthusiasm they enjoy folk dances, rehearsals and performances at home and abroad. Rehearsals take place every week to guarantee a good basic knowledge and a smooth flow within the group, so that the dancers are able to pay more attention to the artistic finishing touch. The group also often participates in national course days to learn new dances. Although folk dancing is not always appreciated at home, their enthusiasm, dynamics and creativity can always fascinate the audience abroad. At the Folklore Festival in Edegem and at the World Festival of Folklore in Schoten De Kegelaar has proved itself with a purely Flemish, dynamic, youthful and very various programme, and this among spectacular dance groups of Curacao, Colombia, Greece and Chuvashia. As well as the WIVO festival, the Europeade is also a high point for de Kegelaar. This annual festival for European popular culture aims to propagate and support the unity between the peoples of Europe. By means of folk art it forges ties from national community to national community, so that every nation, in this diversity, keeps its own cultural identity. From the beginning our group has participated in this yearly feast of popular culture. De Kegelaar visited the Tredegar House Festival in 2006 and we are delighted to see them again. |
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Kemysk (Cornwall)
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Kemysk meaning ‘mixture’ in Cornish, are a group of friends from the length and breadth of Cornwall with a passion for Cornish dance, fishnet tights, and partying. Originally formed for a one off to tour to Sidmouth Folk Festival and the Festival Interceltqiue in Lorient in summer 2010, they decided they were having way too much fun to leave it there. They have since danced at Wadebridge Folk Festival, the Eden Project, Lowender Peran Celtic Festival in Perranporth, Montol Festival in Penzance and Cwlwm Celtaidd in Wales. Visit their Facebook page. |
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MATENIK (Czech Republic) |
Matenik is not only a dance, but is also the name of the Prague folklore group which was founded in 1991 by leader and choreographer Peter Tužilová. The group follows the tradition of classical folk dance. Matenik works with different folk musicians, and is able to perform a wide range of folk dances from the Czech Republic, from Moravia to Slovakia. Since the group was established, they have organised a range of concerts, regularly participate in festivals at home and abroad, organise charitable and ceremonial appearances and co-organise an annual folk festival. Matenik currently has eight pairs of dancers and continues to add new members. |
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VEselka
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This Ukranian dance group from Coventry have performed at the festival in previous years. |
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Zonne (Belgium)
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Dance team from the north Belgium town of Zonne |
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Festival Regulars |
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Al Rakas
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Al Rakas started as 3 bellydance classes in Newport and Cwmbran, and when the chance to perform first presented itself at a venue in Cardiff, the ladies willingly set to and rehearsed. The big night came, and with it the first snow of 2010...but not one missed the performance! Now meeting together in one group as often as possible, they have danced at different venues and events and are looking forward to performing a set for the first time at THFF. There are still places available for the beginners class, so for more information, please contact Catherine on 07906 190 608 or via the website www.al-rakas.webs.com |
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BRANDYWINE
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Brandywine is an Appalachian Bluegrass dance team from Llantarnam. They are regular visitors to the festival. |
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CARDIFF LADIES MORRIS (Cardiff)
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Cardiff Ladies Morris have been dancing since 1973 so heading for our 40th birthday. We are proud of being one of the founder members of the Women’s Morris Federation. Our Llareggub dance tradition was created by Cardiff Ladies and is solely danced by them. Look out for the distinctive crossed hands which reflect the style of the Welsh Morris dances of Nantgarw. The name is taken from Dylan Thomas's famous play Under Milk Wood, but we don't take ourselves too seriously - read Llareggub backwards! Other dances in our repertoire originate from the Cotswolds and the Welsh Borders.
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CLOCS CANTON (Cardiff)
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Clocs Canton dance North West style morris dancing, wearing clogs and using garlands & wavers. They have been dancing in and around Cardiff since 1986. They are distinctive in the Welsh colours of red, white and green, and unusual in kit with stripy trousers which always makes them stand out from the crowd. New dancers and musicians are always welcome. They meet in Canton on Thursdays. |
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COBBLER'S AWL
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Cobblers Awl are based in Cardiff and perform clog steps from both Wales and England. They have tried to keep both the Welsh and English clog-step traditions alive for the past thirty-five years, since the group was first formed in Cwmbrân.
Their repertoire includes English steps with routines from Lancashire, Lakeland and the North-east of England, and over the past decade they have developed Welsh stepping, embedding traditional elements within a contemporary polyrhythmic framework. They wear wooden-soled leather clogs, all handmade by one or other of the few craftsmen still creating such traditional footwear.
They practice at St Catherine's Scout Hall, Pontcanna in Cardiff on Monday nights, and if you are interested, please contact them. |
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DAWNSWYR AR DAITH
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Dawnswyr Ar Daith began life as Dawnswyr Aberesc, a group formed from members of various other Welsh Dance teams to perform at the Whitby Folk Festival in 2010. Whitby was such a success that the group decided to get together again last year for a visit to Schull in West Cork, where they took part in the Ballydehob Traditional Music Festival. They enjoyed this so much that they felt the group should perform again, so invited themselves to Tredegar House! Taught by Alan Maxwell, the group performs a variety of Welsh folk dances and aims to enjoy Welsh dancing whilst producing a high quality performance. |
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Elles Belles
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Having made their THFF debut in 2011, ‘Elles Belles were delighted to be invited to perform again this year. The group started when three of the dancers cajoled the others into joining them in learning Line Dance, and began to create their own choreographies to perform together. And over the last year, the dances have become more challenging and more enjoyable for both performers and audience. Dubbed ‘Sassy Ladies’ by Dave Parsons, we hope to bring a smile and tapping toes to those watching us dance. If you would like to join in our classes, contact details can be found at www.al-rakas.webs.com
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ESPIRITA DU SALSA
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Tim Morgan has been teaching salsa for over 12 years at the Irish Club Newport and more recently every Wednesday at Whiteheads Sports and Social Club, Bassaleg. Tim and his wife Debbie spent many years going to and from Cuba, learning and experiencing the Cuban style of dance. If you fancy trying out salsa, there is a beginners class every Wednesday 8pm at Whiteheads. Give it a try, it's great fun, very informal and easy to follow! Bring a Tredegar House program with you and the first class will only cost £3.50! |
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GWERINWYR GWENT
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Gwerinwyr Gwent is a Welsh folk dance team aiming to keep alive the culture and tradition of Welsh music and dance. The team was formed in 1976 by eight people from the Gwent area who were interested in Welsh folk dancing. The name of the team can be translated as “folk-people of Gwent”
Gwerinwyr Gwent's repertoire of dances varies from slow, courtly dances to lively fair dances. They dance just for pleasure, although they take part in festivals and demonstrations both in Wales and Europe. They are regulars at the Tredegar House Folk Festival.Practice night is Thursday 8-10pm at the Graig Community Hall, Bassaleg, NP10 8LG and the team welcomes new members. |
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ISCA MORRISMEN
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The Isca Morrismen were formed in 1976 by three experienced dancers, taking their name from the Roman Fortress of the Second Augustan Legion which once stood on the site of the town of Caerleon in the old county of Gwent in South East Wales, UK. They wear the national colours of Wales (red, white and green) and the kit includes a red sash on which is mounted a Roman helmet badge. Isca Morrismen practice in Cwmbran, and are regular visitors to the Festival. |
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JAWAHIR
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Dancing all styles of middle eastern dance from Egyptian to Turkish, Jawahir specialise in folk styles and North African dance. They are a local side and regulars at the festival |
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SHOOSTRING
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Shoostring are a dynamic and energetic dance group who are sure to amaze you with their synchronised and unique approach to Appalachian dancing. The side choreograph all their own dances, bringing to life the toe tapping rhythms of American Bluegrass music performed by the fantastic Shoostring Band. Shoostring have performed at many events and folk festivals, including Newport's own Tredegar House, Wadebridge, Chippenham and Pontardawe. They have also toured County Cork in Southern Ireland. |
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TWO STEP
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Jean Smith and Ian Craigs started their clog dancing careers with the Newcastle Cloggies. They were later involved in the collection of dance steps with the Instep Research Team and also performed as members of the dance group Instep. In recent years, they have focussed on developing their own repertoire bringing together traditional steps from a variety of sources as well as creating their own contemporary pieces. Jean and Ian are experienced teachers of clog dancing who regularly run workshops from absolute beginners to advanced stepping. The music is provided by Mike Greenwood on melodeon using traditional tunes and those of his own composition. |
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WIDDERS MORRIS (Chepstow)
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Described as 'the Punk Rockers of Morris' or 'Drinkers with a dance problem' The Widders dance mainly for fun and for the pleasure of knowing they are helping to keep a great dance tradition alive in South Wales.
Widders dance traditional and contemporary Border Morris Dances and in order to continue in the tradition they write dances about local people and their work. Their name and motto comes from the infamous Black Widow spider. 'Feared throughout the land', they are nice people really! They hope you all enjoy their performance. |
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Dr Price's Fire Band with caller Mic Spenceley
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Dr Price's Fire band consists of Mike Greenwood (melodeon), Olly Price (fiddle) and Mick Tems (tabwrdd). The three are experienced musicians, playing Welsh dance tunes together at festivals in Fylde and Whitby (England), Tredegar House in Newport (Wales), Ireland, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Finland and Latvia.
Mick and Olly are musicians for the Welsh dance team Gwerinwyr Gwent, in Newport, Wales, but Mike plays for assorted Welsh, clog and morris teams and still "deps" in the Gwerinwyr Gwent Big Band. Mick, Olly and Mike play for Dawnswyr A'r Daith, the all-Wales dance team. Proud, fiery, beautiful Welsh tunes are their first love, but their travels far and wide have led them to believe that all traditional dance music cuts the mustard pretty finely - Quebecois reels, Scottish jigs, and Yorkshire rants... you name it and they'll enjoy playing it.
Mic Spenceley is an experienced twmpath caller calls a wide variety of dancesand you can rest assured that the ceilidh will be fun! |
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Juice with caller Dave Parsons
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Juice originated in the 70s as Juice of Barley when Jenny and Gil Kilbride started their Ceilidh band. At the time their boys Danny, Bernard and Gerard were playing punk music for no fee. The idea of playing for money, even folk music, seemed very attractive and slowly but surely the boys were hooked, bringing with them their electric bass player (Dean) and forcing him to play the upright bass.
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