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Keeping Folk Live in Scottish Theatres

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Encouraging Acoustic/Folk music to develop in our theatres.Giving local artists,as well as better known performers the chance to showcase their talents and to build on theatre audiences who might not otherwise have this great oportunity.

Location: South Lanarkshire/Glasgow/Dumbartonshire
Members: 18
Latest Activity: Oct 12

Re keeping live folk/acoustic music in Scottish Theatres.

I was so pleased with members comments and interest...What I think I failed to do,was to get accross that I already have such events up & running,since 2006. I put twice yearly concerts on in Rutherglen Town Hall " Live Folk @ The Town Hall". They mostly showcase local artists,of varying experience,and sometimes I have artists eg, Ben Sands, Ciaran Dorris,Cameron Brothers and so on. I'm showcaseing the 2nd Young Acoustic /Folk performers on Live Folk in Nov; this year. This event is also being covered by Celtic Music Radio...Live Folk@ The Fort Theatre has started this year and was a great success.I also via the East Kilbride Folk Club,put on 2 ticket events yearly in the Arts Centre Theatre. I have secured a deal with the local councils and the artists do indeed get paid ( except if charity event). I have found that advertising far and wide,via radio,newspapers,the net,posters,flyers... help to build audiences...however, the events are now known and with a mailing list and regular audience members.....I am very clear that to have success with this,we have had to be very flexible re genre boundaries and we find that this also encourages young performers to eventually explore Folk music.....we also encourage Songwriting and our young performers ,in the last show @ Rutherglen,wowed the audience wi' the quality songwriting....as you can see , at best,I'm passionate re this,and at worst, I prattle +++ Thanks for listening and I look forward to your views,ideas and questions, Aw Ra Best, Anne

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17 Comments

Comment by Ben Sands on October 12, 2009 at 10:44pm: Very happy to be associated with this project and honoured to have taken part in one of Anne's Rutherglen Town Hall concerts.
All the very best in the future - warm support from across the waves.
Ben
www.bensands.com

Comment by Anne Gomez on August 25, 2009 at 12:16am: Thanks to all with welcomed comments and Maria..WELL DONE YOU..fab result.Your poster is also brill. I must have a wee chat wi you re Elgin, Aw Ra Best, Anne

Comment by Andrew McMillan on August 24, 2009 at 2:23pm: We live and learn!!!

Comment by Maria Hall on August 24, 2009 at 2:14pm: Oh btw, I decided on the night to offer the tickets at only £5, as I chickened out of asking the full £8 as detailed on the posters, as we never managed to get ANY of the posters out, so people coming in to the Theatre had no idea how much they'd be paying!! For the benefit of the Venue and the Artists, I probably should've stuck to the original higher price..

Comment by Maria Hall on August 24, 2009 at 2:08pm: I think you may be interested here on how my Showcase of Local Talent went in The Red Shoes Theatre, Elgin?
We had 4 Acts, a young singer songwriter, 'Charis Edward', a young trio, 'Shall', my own 'Maria Hall Band', featuring a totally unplanned (and unrehearsed!) appearance on one song by my 9yr old son, Fabian, and finally the very popular young popsters, 'Be Like Pablo' (formerly Dan Against The World).
The event was not terribly well pulicized by the venue (due to holidays etc) and I was also arranging a full day FREE Festival for the very next day, just 2 miles away, so I really didn't think it would attract much audience, especially as it was on a wednesday and midweek events are never so well attended! I have to admit I really was a bit heavy hearted, feeling it was somewhat doomed!!
However, I was completely wrong! There was a capacity audience seated at tables and we had to bring in more chairs and still there were a few standing at the back!
The artists had all agreed to playing for 50% of the £5 ticket sales (they took £445 in total) split between each musician (there was 14 in all) so it worked out as they were all local that they had expenses paid plus a bit extra.
The audience were very appreciative, the Theatre did a good trade in the Bar and all the Artists had a blast.. so I'd say a resounding success, where I hadn't expected it! : ))
I've attached the Poster for the event and I hope it gives encouragement to others to try the same thing in their local Theatre. Please feel free to use my example in your approach to other venues.

Comment by James E. Stotts on July 15, 2009 at 3:23pm: Hi Anne: Jim Stotts was here- I'm a fan.I can see you are a very busy musician with keen insight. jim

Comment by Ramon Ruiz on July 9, 2009 at 5:20pm: hi anne, i'm 100% behind on keeping folk live in scottish theatres. if you need any help to promote or wanting me to play or even organising any events, just let me know.
All the best, Ramon

Comment by Glen Bramblett on July 5, 2009 at 1:37am: Well its a little far for me to travel.lol.But I did want to offer my support.Wish you the best and Hope you"Anne" and everyone are having a wonderful weekend.
Glen

Comment by Andrew McMillan on July 2, 2009 at 7:59am: Oh! Well done you!! It is great that you have the insight and drive to push forwards your ideas into action. Winning over younger people to listen to, and perform is no doubt the only way forward. Wishing you continued succsess with all your future projects
Andrew