May Music Magic

On 2nd and 3rd May there is a load of music making in Bishops Castle.  IN particular the Alphabet Band will be playing from 3-4pm on Saturday in the Methodist Hall and we'd like everyone to come along and dance.
The whole weekend is organised in aid of Amnesty International

Second annual music day 29th June 2014

After the resounding success of the 2013 music workshop for playing for dance we are now getting to grips with organising the next.  Whilst out walking we bumped into Brian Stone who is a well known fiddler playing and leading groups such as Hoe Down, Junction 24, and Fiddlegang.  He previously lived in the south-east but is now based in Church Stretton.  Whilst mostly playing fiddle, Brian is also adept with guitar and double bass.

The focus of the day will be on playing an instrument within a folk dance band - getting started, finishing together, keeping a rhythym etc as well as enjoying a variety of different key signatures, tempos and repeat structures.

Brian will take you through playing for dancing as a group - with emphasis on Folk Dancing - culminating in you playing for a late afternoon tea dance. The whole day is from 10am to 7pm and to make it easier for people a baked potato with filling lunch, together with sandwich & cake tea as well as frequent drinks are all included in the price of £25.

Sheet music will be provided in advance, so please book by 13 June by sending your name, address, email and instrument details, together with a cheque for £25 made payable to P Davis to Music Day, Lower Farm, Shelve, SY5 0JF, Minsterley, Shropshire.  We will be sending music out in advance via an email attachment in pdf format - if that will cause a problem let us know.

As part of the musician's day we have Joe Hodgson from Bromyard calling for the dance which will run from 4:30 to 7pm. Cost for dancers or listeners is £5 and includes refreshments. Joe has been calling for 45 years with a great wealth of experience from Barn Dancing, English Country Dance Manuals, American style and Playford English.

This promises to be a great day and places will be limited, so do book early - cut-off is 13 June for musicians so we can organise sufficient food :-)

Venue for the workshop is Lydham Village Hall. The postcode for Lydham VH is SY9 5HB, but it is really easy to find as it is literally on the junction of A488/A489 just north of Bishops Castle, and about 100 yards south of Harvest Wholefoods.

Music workshop 2014

Our second annual musicians workshop will be held at Lydham Village Hall on Sunday 29th June with leader Brian Stone and caller for the dance of Joe Hodgson - all Shropshire residents :-)

Christmas break

After the fantastic evening on 13th December when we had 32 people dancing at one stage with 7 people playing we will be back at Lydham on 10 January - so we are missing that week between Christmas and New Year.  On 10th Jan we will again have the band playing, and already we've worked out a programme with some of the old tunes and some lovely new ones.

For those around Bishops Castle on Boxing Day (26th December) Shropshire Bedlams and Martha Rhodens Tuppenny Dish will be at the Three Tuns pub from 12 noon - or slightly after if the Hunt is late moving on!  Upstairs in the function room if wet - outdoors if it's just cold :-)

Hope to see you at Lydham on 10th if not before

Dancing 13 September

Yes folks, we are back at Lydham dancing on 2nd and 4th Fridays through to Christmas.  That gives us 13 and 27 September - special on 27th when we have some superb local musicians playing for us, then October 11th with a lovely guest caller, Oct 25 and Nov 8th again we have music.
More details as we progress, but 8pm start at Lydham VH.  Come alone , as a couple or a group

Sunday 9th June at Lydham

We're all set for the musicians day at Lydham on Sunday - we could possibly squeeze in one more musician for the day - starts at 10am with Paul Hutchinson as tutor. We have a lively programme with some old, some new, some English, some American in style or nationality of composer.  So a great evening dance (4:30-7) in anticipation with Maggie Hosking calling and explaining the moves and 20 odd musicians playing.

We're almost at our budgetted catering capacity, so if you are thinking of coming to dance call 01743 891117 so we have enough sandwiches & cake. You're welcome to just turn up but you may just get tea and biscuits.

All profits go to "Hands up for Uganda" and we'll be having a raffle so bring a few spare pennies

Dancing 26 April, 10 May

Our last few meetings before the summer are Fridays 26 April and 10 May (8-10), then dance with the workshop musicians on 9th June from 4:30-7pm.  All at Lydham VH, SY9 5HB