Stony Live 2003 News Page
Big George.. of Radio and TV fame, is going to be doing a warm up spot in the Town Barn Dance in the Market Square.
Every year on the last Saturday of the festival the infamous Gabelunzies get the whole town dancing with their unique blend of traditional music. This year (June 15th) Big George, will get you singing long to his fun filled set to get you in the mood for those dose does (I have no idea if that’s how you spell thatJ I await the emails. The barn dance is FREE. Bring your dancing shoes
Many Folk treats on Sunday 8th June
Sunday at Stony Live brings many treats from the folk world. Firstly you must take a trip up to the Vaults Bar, in the Bull Hotel at lunch time, either to play or to listen. This is when under the watchful guidance of Mat Armour, people come from miles around to do their thing and or join in with other people doing their things as well! . If you perform sometimes there is even an odd beer or two available to you.
In the evening you are spoilt for choice. In the Marquee, Cock Hotel starting at 08:30pm (tickets £3.00) you can see Penders Fen. They play music that touches your soul, heart and spirit. With original songs by Richard Dwyer to a Celtic Rock beat you will be in for a pleasant surprise. See if you recognise the lead guitarist????
Speeding hastily on, as an alternative you should go to the Fox and Hounds at 08:30, where you can see a rare free treat of synchronised chorus singing from the inevitable Five Men Not Called Mat. It is true no one in the band is called Mat. Come and find out why folk singers put their fingers in heir ears and join in the many traditional folk songs that they sing.
Stony Live in Full Swing on Monday 9th June
Hellzaboppin swing into town on Monday the 9th of June at the Marquee in the Cock Hotel. With its own brand of foot tappin jump jive, you sure will be dancing to these guys. It kicks off at 08:30, tickets are £7.50.
In the same venue but upstairs in the Oak Room you can see Pagan Chalice. Cathy and Trevor have been busy setting an ordinary day from dawn to dusk is set to words and music. With a stunning backdrop and appropriate lighting, this will be a production that any West End Theatre would be proud of. Tickets are £3
Finally, come and stretch your vocal chords and join in an ACAPELLA Session in the Crown. A voice, a song and maybe some beer is all that is required. You will be amazed how much musical fun you can have without instruments. Kicks Off at 08:30pm and it is Free!!!
Ah will you be dancing? Tuesday June 10th
Dust off those dancing shoes because the annual Traditional Dance is coming to the Cock Hotel’s Marquee suite on Tuesday 10th June. This is the annual excuse to put on your best Tuxedo and / or ball room gown and waltz (and other dances) the night away with the Dave King All Stars. Dancing starts at 08:30 and tickets are £7.
But if you fancy a something a little more Irish, its worth going up to the Vaults Bar, in the Bull Hotel to see Ah You Will, who do a fine mixture Celtic tunes and songs, with strong vocal harmonies , flute, guitar, bodhrán and keyboard. Entrance is Free and it starts a 9pm.
Before you choose any of these two events why don’t you meet up in the Market Square at 7:30pm for a guided walk around Stony Stratford with Paul Woodfield. Stony Stratford is a very historic town and Paul gives a good incite into it’s history and takes you to some parts of the Town that perhaps you didn’t even know existed. This event is free.
I am going to do Wednesday as well because I am away, for a couple of days.
Can you see who it is yet? Wednesday June 11th
This one is going to be a tough one for me to decide as there is so much on. Music, Art and traditional Dance as well.
So lets start with some traditional dance at the Fox and Hounds with the Stony Steppers, Old Mother Redcaps and the Rose and Castle Morris, who put there best foot forward at 7:30pm in garden of the Fox and Hounds.
If you fancy a bit of Jazz while you eat, why not pop down to The Darjeeling Restaurant and catch Blue Jam with the Tandori Chicken. Moving away from music for a second, If you go along to the Library at 7pm, you will hear local author Carole Matthews talk about her career as a writer of international best-selling novels, and the highs and lows of having a book adapted for the big screen. Tickets are £2 and you get some refreshments as well. The Arts are well covered tonight with Local Artist, Derek Daniells talking us through creating a painting in the Oak Room at 7:30, tickets £3 on the door.
Back to the music now and you can see a fantastic show of Barber Shop singing with No Strings in St Mary and St Giles Church it starts at 08:30 and it is free, but donations to the Church Fund would be appreciated. In fact Abbey National have said that they will match any donations up to £500!!! Making their debut at Stony Live we have Elles Belles at the Plough, an eclectic mix of musical styles borne of the fusion between two very different musical disciplines - guaranteed to entertain you from 8pm onwards at it is Free!!!
And yes can you see who it is yet?. It’s the Headline act of Martin Carthy and the Watersons (The whole Family) will be in the Marquee suite of the Cock Hotel from 08:30 onwards ticket £10.
The observant one (That would be Ant!!) among you may have noticed I put the wrong link to the Helzaboppin web site the other day. You can catch Helzaboppin on www.helzaboppin.com
Any way thank you for supporting Live music in Stony Stratford.
Spirits Sore With the Eagles Thursday 12th June.
Thursday is something I can speak with some authority, on account I’m in it!!! At the Fox and Hounds at 9pm. Two local Country Rock bands combine to play a selection of Songs from the giants of the genre, the Eagles. My band Memphis Plates and the well renown Bullfrogs are combining to bring Hotel California to Stony Stratford. Wear your Hawainan shirts and sandles and come and see and hear all your Eagles favorites. We are calling our selves The Spread Eagles in reflection of our respective girths!!! Entrance is free.. come early.
A surprise hit last year, Humdrum with Saskia are back in the Oakroom, Cock Hotel at 08:30 tickets £5. They combine suttle drum beats with beautiful music and incredible surroundings. A very uplifting musical experince was had by all.
Saddle Up To Some New Country, Cussin’s allowed!!!– Friday 13th June.
When Irene Taylor gave me a ring and said, I want you to do a few songs at my new country night.. I said no problem, I know loads of country. No she said I choose the songs… They arrived, she put the band together and we have a very entertaining evening. As well as me you will see, Malcom Jones, from the Bullfrogs.. The wonderful Karen Grace, Roddy Clenaghan, Michelle Welborne, Sue Gray, Ian Entwhistle, Claire Barber, Irene herself as well as an incredible band, With Mike Dore, Pete Grove, Chris Jewell, and Clive. It starts at 08:30pm in the Marquee Suite of the Cock Hotel, tickets are £3.50. Bring your own Cowboy Hat.
Upstairs in The Oak Room, You can see Tinkers Cuss. Tinkers Cuss are Bill Reed and John Bentley who have appeared in various guises in the Milton Keynes area both individually and as a duo. Bill has appeared in many bands including Pitchblende back in the 90’s and before that as half of the resident duo at Olney Wine Bar. John has survived two incarnations of the duo High and Dry (The first one was with me!!!). Tinkers Cuss are known for there sensitive arrangements, using guitars, acoustic bass, mandolin and harmony vocals. There repertoire includes well known classics from the likes of Janis Ian and Cat Stevens through to Stan Rogers and Jim Croce together with a rich vein of original songs by Bill. Tickets are £3.50 and it kicks of at 08:30.
Finally… a few corrections from previous emails. Derek Daniels tickets for Can You See What it is yet on the Wednesday are also available from Odells and the Fox and Hounds and the money all goes to local charities. Also on Wednesday, I must also point out that No Strings repetoire is more than just Barbershop it includes…. Bach, Byrd, Tallis to the Beatles.. either way I know it’s going to be great. I also think its prudent to point out which members of the family are with Martin Carthy. It includes Norma Waterson, Martin Carthy (plus Eliza Carthy, & Tim Van Eyken). I have know idea what you guys are going to do on the Wednesday… It’s all good. Decisions… Decisions.