Past Events

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April 11th 2010 - 2PM

Les Barker

Book ahead!

Les Barker Tickets are for Sale NOW!! Book Early if you would like to see him!! Tickets can be purchased at the Troubadour Folk Club in February & March and at the Peninsula School of Music, cnr Ocean Beach Rd & Rawson Woy Woy. Monday to Friday 3pm to 6.30pm or Saturday morning 9am to 12noon

Les Barker A short biography from the age of three until nearly teatime. Les Barker writes strange poems and comes from originally from Manchester, but he's now Welsh. He was an accountant before he became a professional idiot. He's written 77 books, which sell in large numbers at his gigs because people don't quite believe what they've just heard. His poems have spawned a number of folk heroes: Jason and the Arguments, Cosmo the Fairly Accurate Knife Thrower, Captain Indecisive and Spot of the Antarctic, to name but two. Les began his career as assistant to Mrs Ackroyd, a small hairy mongrel who lay around in folk clubs, bit people and became famous. Mrs Ackroyd was the only dog ever to own her own record label. Since her sad demise, Les is mainly a solo performer, though he has taken to working with humans from time to time. The Mrs Ackroyd Band gradually evolved from an ever-changing who's who of the folk scene into a tightly knit, well-rehearsed group. Les has several solo albums to his credit: 'Dogologues', An Infinite Number of Occasional Tables', 'A Cardi and Bloke', 'Up the creek without a poodle', 'Arovertherapy' and 'The War on Terrier'. He has travelled the length, breadth and height of Great Britain, as well as Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, and - both solo and with the band - the United States and Canada; and he’s recently won 3 prizes for writing and performing in Welsh in the Learners’ Pavilion in the National Eisteddfod. The Mrs Ackroyd Band - supplemented by guest members such as June Tabor and Martin Allcock - has released five albums; Oranges & Lemmings', 'Gnus & Roses', 'Tubular Dogs' , 'Yelp!' and 'Dark side of the mongrel'. In addition there are five highly acclaimed albums of his serious work; the folk opera 'The Stones of Callanish', 'Some Love', 'The Wings of Butterflies', 'Airs of the Dog' and ‘Twilight of the Dogs, all involving a galaxy of talent. His serious songs have also featured on albums by Martin Carthy and Dave Swarbrick, and by June Tabor. June invariably includes a smattering of Mr Barker's serious and comic songs in her live performances. The Kingston Trio and Tom Paxton have also recorded Mr Barker's songs. Les and the Mrs Ackroyd Band burst furtively onto national radio with a series of six programmes for BBC Radio 2 entitled 'Mrs Ackroyd explores her roots'. A new, and much larger audience were led in ever decreasing circles by Mr Barker's strange mind. A growing number of radio programmes worldwide are featuring his recorded work. Dr Demento has included the Mrs Ackroyd Band's performance of 'Dachshunds with erections can't climb stairs' on one of his compilations, and 'Will the turtle be unbroken?' on another; and 'Reinstalling Windows' on the next one. There is also a double CD of Mr Barker's work performed by a vast number of TV & radio personalities, 'Guide Cats for the Blind' and a sequel, 'The Missing Persians File'. And 'The Mrs Ackroyd Occasional Table Book'; a collection of his greatest hits (up to about 1998) mixed with a selection of his photographs taken on his travels, followed by ‘The Mrs Ackroyd Periodic Table Book’. What else can one say about Les Barker? He was Old York Victoria's footballer of the year in the season when they finished top of the Altrincham League. He has run a marathon in two hours forty one minutes; but he was younger then. He's very difficult to describe. But there's only one of him. Go and see him (and buy some of his books).

February 27, 2010, 7pm

Double Performance!

Eclectic Grooves

'Eclectic Souls' features - Kate Landsberry, Cec Bucello, Dianne Butler, P.J. Whyte & Karen Clarke - presenting a range of covers and originals with 3, 4 and 5 part harmonies and instruments including acoustic and classical guitars, bass, banjo, mandolin, djembe, percussion and the Appalachian dulcimer! Songs you know, songs that are new, all with a twist - something different - and the chance for all to join the band and sing-along.Kate Landsberry (singer/songwriter/artist) was a regular with the band Saxy Jazz in the Noosa Hinterland, and in a duo with Piet Sanders.Karen Clarke (singer/songwriter/acoustic guitar/bass), a free spirit, who is passionate about music, the environment & creative expression.Dianne Butler (singer/songwriter/djembe,/percussion & vocals) Dianne works with spirit, healing, nature, love and the vibration and energy of sound.You may know Karen & Dianne performing as That's That.P.J. Whyte (guitar/mandolin/banjo/harmonica/blues harp/vocals) a wonderful musician who performed as a part of the Central Coast's Rough Diamonds at many local venues.Cec Bucello (guitar/mandolin/Appalachian dulcimer/vocals) performs with The Usual Suspects, with Frank and Marilyn Russell, and produces the wonderful publication Trad and Now - Australia's No 1 monthly mag for folk, blues, roots, alternative, bluegrass and world music.Together these five are 'Eclectic Souls' and look forward a great night in February with you all!

Slightly More Off

Slightly More Off is a new collaboration of old friends, combining to present a deranged cabaret-style of entertainment. They perform a mix of their own and other people's songs, all with their own special touch. They love to make the audience laugh and keep them wondering what will happen next. Tom Waits and Nick Cave are always hanging around in spirit. Slightly More Off are Carl and Leila Desborough and Frank and Marilyn Russell. Carl plays guitar and sings in a not-too-delicate style while Leila plays an assortment of instruments including the bowed banjo and musical saw, sings and just acts plain silly. Frank keeps everyone in line with his double bass, “Stanley”, while Marilyn adds highlights with her assortment of stringed instruments and tries to keep up with Leila's antics.They are working on an all new set and hope to have it ready for the night. After a number of recent highly successful peformances around the area they are excited to share their new performance with you! Our members have many connections in the music field. Carl has been a long time talented guitar player and singer. Leila has been involved but undercover with music her whole life and is a visual artist. She plays tenor banjo, musical saw and other odd instruments (the odder the better) as well as sings. Carl and Leila write many of the songs performed.Frank and Marilyn have run music lessons and are now owners of Peninsula School of Music as well as former owners of Peninsula Music in Woy Woy. They also play in the well known band "The Usual Suspects" who play more traditional music. Frank teaches guitar and is a very talented musician. He plays double bass in the band. Marilyn teaches children's lessons and Kindermusik. She plays violin, mandolin, ukulele and sings.Our members have played at many charity events, festivals, RSL's, Folk Clubs and wherever anyone will listen. Frank and Marilyn were two of the founders of the Troubadour Central Coast Folk and Acoustic Music group. We are all long time members of the Troubadour and play every month as well as being the main act a couple of times.

THE YOUNG TROUBADORS

Nina Haysler is a sixteen year old singer-songwriter from Sydney. Nina has been singing most of her life and started writing songs when she got her first guitar two and a half years ago. She enjoys putting her own twist on classic covers and writing her own compositions. Now in her final years at school Nina has enjoyed being involved in Rock bands, Jazz Bands and singing in the school choir. Nina has been influenced by a variety of artists and loves folk, rock, blues and alternative music.

Karise Higgins - With Influences as diverse as Joan Baez and Janis Joplin, Leadbelly and Led Zeppelin , Old Crow Medicine Show and Jimi Hendrix, Karise delivers a performance not easily forgotten. Still only sixteen and having played guitar for little more than two years, she is a still maturing artist but with a mature voice.

Cody Dillon is a story-teller blending the old and the new, from bluegrass to hip-hop. A traveller, a Terrigal boy, a troubadour, he plays guitar, banjo, ukulele, and piano accordian, and tries to share his state of mind everytime he steps on stage.

Michael Geaghan is 16 years old and in Year 12 at the Entrance Campus. He has been studying music for 11 years and plays the guitar, piano, trumpet and saxophone, as well as the harmonica. He sings and enjoys most styles of music including blues and jazz. He enjoys performing with friends with any opportunity can see music as a large part of his futu

Saturday 29th March 2008 - 7pm

Jeffery Schollar and Arch Bishop

Jeffrey Schollar... what can I say? He is an awkward man to say the very least. After being questioned on why he writes such degrading songs about his own life, he replied "I make fun of myself because I've got a low self esteem.. I also dislike my girlfriend." Jeffrey Schollar writes songs about his own troubles (or lack thereof), may they be about his unfortunate social life, paranoia about his own self worth, or his seemingly awful girlfriend. He is a singer/song writer that you will either love.. or inevitably hate. He is currently yet to decide.

Jeffrey's Myspace page

And THEN there is Arch Bishop. What more can we say? Poet extraordinaire, comedian and mad man all rolled into one big teddy bear of a man. Come prepared to go home with sore sides from laughter.

Saturday 25th August, 7pm

Chris Gillespie and the Wandering Hands

This is a great chance to see a rising star in the music industry. He is booked at the Basement as an example of the quality of Chris Gillespie & The Wandering Hands. They play various Sydney venues as well as music festivals across Australia. Their music has been heard on radio stations such as ABC Radio National, FBI radio in Sydney and various community stations around Australia.

"Chris Gillespie is a unique Australian voice painting local landscapes with mirth and melancholy. His gentle vocals overlay fine fingerpicking textures that draw you into the stories. Chris is a very generous and talented young man and this is a chance not to be missed. Gillespie's band, 'The Wandering Hands' play with sensitivity to his purpose laying haunting beds over which his yarns are spun" - Fred Smith (Frencham Smith) "Chris Gillespie tells stories of everyday Australian experiences, unrequited love, dogs and the cockatoo that owns the M2, all delivered with a bit of a country storytelling feel you might associate with Jeff Lang's vibe and an Australian singing accent akin to that of Darren Hanlon or Paul Kelly.The music is a perfectly relaxed country tinged acoustica, with excellent space created for the suspense and emotion that comes through in the songs

. Nice mandolin, slide guitar, harmonica and sparse backing vocals all help to create this space and the sort of feel that many artists could learn from. - Glen Mcvey ('The Stix' magazine) "His songs have a freshness and simplicity about them that makes him stand out from the mass of singer/songwriters out there." - Malcolm Fielding (92.1 FM Hobart Radio) You can listen to some of his music on his Myspace page at Chris Gillespie

Rose Turtle and Her Ukelele

Joined by her sister Liz Ertler on bass

Saturday 1st September, 2007 - 7pm At CWA Hall - Opposite Fisherman's Wharf The Boulevarde - Woy Woy -

Rose Turtle Ertler is a ukulele player based in Melbourne and is currently touring her solo act from Wollongong to Cairns. Her tour is supported by the Federal Government's Contemporary Music Touring ProgramROSE plays mainly ukulele (and FX) and singing, also bit of theremin, casios, old drum machines, piano, and this and that and whatnot. Performing her 'strange pop' songs live as the 'electrik ukulele lady' with FX pedals on the uke and sometimes a bass player or acoustic (nude) mode, with just her 1940s Gretsch ukulele. Rose performs oft in her current hometown of Melbourne and has supported acts including Kevin Blechdom (US), Scout Niblett (US), Tip Toe Topic (Belgium) and Ni-Hao! (Japan). She has toured twice to Europe (Belgium, Holland and Germany). Rose is also organizer of annual ukulele event held in Sydney called UKULELE LAND - the biggest uke event in Australia! (ww.ukuleleland.org) and is currently researching for a book about the Australian ukulele sceneYou can hear some of Rose's songs on her my space website www.myspace.com/roseturtleertler

July, 2007- 1:30 pm

Mothers Of Intention

Mothers of Intention Rosie McDonald ~ lead vocals and rhythm guitar. Lainey Balsdon ~ recorders, percussion. Penny Rankin Smith ~ vocals and bodhran Antoni Pyrzakowski ~ fiddle, viola, mandolin, vocals.

Mothers of Intention Mothers of Intention are a dynamic four piece folk band, reinterpreting the classic Celtic folk songs and tunes. Lush three part vocal harmony, driving guitar, fiery yet soulful fiddle , lilting recorder and the steady bodhran heartbeat define the mothers sound. The mothers also perform original songs, tunes and eclectic covers. www.mothersofintention.com.au

Saturday May 19th, 7:30 pm

Collector

There are bands that become essential in the labour of keeping the musical heritage of certain societies alive and in good health, researching and performing traditional music with acknowledgement and taste, while making it a lot of fun for the audience at the same time. There is such band in

Australia

, and that's Collector. They breathe new life into the old songs and dance tunes of their native culture. From lively tunes to heartfelt ballads to acapella singing, with well thought out and tasteful arrangements, Collector wins all plaudits for playing and re-creating the grand old music of the Australian Bush.

"Collector has sounded the death knell of the bush band. Finally someone has shown that real Australian music can be as interesting as any other. Played with verve, imagination and passion. Featuring vocals, fiddle, mandolin, button accordion, bouzouki, concertina, tenor guitar, tin whistle, guitar, electric bass, Bodhran and kit drums

With songs by Chloe and Jason Roweth and a dance display by Central Coast Bush Dance & Music Assoc.

Tickets available from Laycock Street Booking office on phone 43233233 or from Peninsula Music 38 George Street Woy Woy on phone 4342 9099 or from Troubadour on phone

TICKETS $25 GENERAL ADMISSION / $20 CONCESSION/$18 Members

Blackboard Concert and Session

April 15, 2007

A great Blackboard Concert and then fun Session afterwards. The Usual Suspects Gala CD launch will be the main focus of this concert so don't miss it!. At the CWA Hall in Woy Woy across from the Wharf starting at 1:30 pm. Come along and listen or sign up to perform. All welcomed. Tea, coffee and afternoon tea provided. Entry $ 5.00/3.00

January 20, 2006

Mic Conway's National Junk Band

Peninsula Theatre 7:30 pm

In this day of concerns for our environment and its future we all need to be recycling whatever we can and Mic Conway's Band does it with an extreme flair and a wonderfully wild musical sound. Even the kitchen sink has found a place of honour in this group and many more metallic items will show the magical sounds they can make. Perhaps you will come away from the concert with a whole new opinion of your cluttered garage shelves? Along with their concern for our environment the Junk Band will add their amazing style and humour so be prepared to have a lot of fun and even enjoy some great music.

The January 20th Performance will feature the wonderful Mic Conway and the National Junk Band. Expect the unexpected! These "virtuosos of the bizarre" create a live stage experience that must be seen and heard to be believed. The music and antics of the National Junk Band defies categorisation . Is this post-millenium cabaret or new vaudeville? No, it's the National Junk Band wielding National guitars, ukuleles, a sousaphone, a phono-fiddle, actual garbage cans and metal sinks. These rhythmagicians make venues rock. For more Information on The National Junk Band, visit their web site at http://www.nationaljunkband.com/junkband.html . Tickets on sale at Laycock St Theatre ticket office, Peninsula Music at Woy Woy or from the Troubadour by phoning 4341 4060 or 0417 456 929. Tickets $25 General Admission, $20 Concession.

Expect the unexpected! These "virtuosos of the bizarre" create a live stage experience that must be seen and heard to be believed. Wielding National guitars, ukuleles, a sousaphone, a phono-fiddle, actual garbage cans and metal sinks, these rhythmagicians make venues rock.The music and antics of the National Junk Band defies categorisation. Is this post-millenium cabaret or new vaudeville? No, it's the National Junk Band! The fans have described them as : "the Sex Pistols meets Bing Crosby" "bluesy with a touch of Monty Python" "extreme entertainment" "layer upon layer of insanity, lunacy, anarchy" Witness fire, illusion, passion, irreverent satire, singing saws, flying chooks and musical mayhem.

For four years the National Junk Band has had toes tapping and jaws dropping at festivals, pubs, joints, radio, and TV. With two death-defying albums to their credit, and the music to "Badcop Badcop" (ABC TV) in the can, they are about to kick over another with their latest CD "Tin Can Alley". A quantum leap of style and musicianship for the quirkiest band in the land that even performed for the Pope (Pope Alice's "Pacifica" at the MCA). What next - church music for atheists?

Stiff Gins are Nardi Simpson & Kaleena Briggs. In the 7 years since their first meeting at the Eora Centre in Redfern, Stiff Gins have performed at cultural institutes in New Caledonia, Vietnam, Spain, been part of cultural exchanges to Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Egypt & Cyprus, played festivals and shows throughout Canada, the US, Ireland and performed extensively throughout Australia. Stiff Gins are through harmony & song, reclaiming a derogatory term for Aboriginal women, instead declaring its meaning as proud, passionate & talented. Nardi Simpson From the Yuwaalaraay people with roots in Sydney's inner West and country NSW, Nardi Simpson began musical study in high school and is proud to carry with her both formal training and oral musical tradition from her family. Majoring in voice for her HSC, & after 2 years of a Bachelor or Arts degree at Sydney University, Nardi then enrolled at the Eora Centre in Redfern where she met Kaleena & started Stiff Gins. Here, Nardi continued on to study a Diploma of Contemporary Music, after which she then returned to uni to complete her Bachelors degree in 2003. Outside of music Nardi loves nothing better than listening to the cricket (she used to play competitively & even played a season in England in 1993 !), fishing & is starting to dabble in short film making. Earlier this year Nardi recorded with AUNTY WENDY’S MOB, helping to release children’s album ‘Happy to be Me’, the second from Wendy Notley & AUNTY WENDY’S MOB.

Kaleena Briggs

Kaleena is from the Wiradjuri and Yorta Yorta people, southern NSW & northern Victoria peoples, was born in Melbourne, Victoria in 1979 and resides in Marrickville, Sydney. Kaleena began musical study at high school, actively involved in school bands & vocal groups and continued that study through to her graduation in a Diploma in Contemporary Music at TAFE in 2000.

Kaleena was a featured vocalist on YABUN, Voices with a Beat, a joint Gadigal Information Services & Koori Radio produced CD released in 1999 & performs the vocals to the opening credits of the ABC’s Message Stick Program. A highlight for Kaleena was performing in a ‘Welcome To Country’ for the Opening Ceremony of the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000.

Stiff Gins are: Nominees Album of the Year, Band of the Year, Single of the Year, 2005 The Deadly’s, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Music Awards Winners Songlines Award, Australian Live Music Awards Best Indigenous Live Act 2002 Winners Best Single, The Deadly’s, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Music Awards, 2001 Nominees Best Live Act-NSW, Australian Live Music Awards 2001 Winners Most Promising New Talent, The Deadly’s, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Music Awards, 2000 Nominees Best Female Artist, Australian World Music Awards 2000 And: Recipients of the Centenary Medal in 2003 for ‘Services to the Community through Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Music’

Highlights include:

Bilarong Festival March 2006 Commonwealth games. Melbourne March 2006 Cairo Opera House January 2006 Ciaro Jazz Club Januarary 2006 Famagusta Gate Nicosia, Cyprus janurary 2006 Yaama Festival Bourke October 2005 Floriade Canberra September 2005 Ugandan National Theatre July 2005 Katoke TTC, Tanzania June 2005 Cockatoo Island March 2005 Orange Blossom Festival September 2004 Museums Open all Night April 2004 Singapore Arts Festival, June 2004 Guring-Gai Festival June 2004 Sydney Dreaming, 2003 Blue Mountains Festival, 2003 AFL Marn Grook Trophy, Stadium Australia, 2003 Apollo Bay Music Festival, Victoria, 2003 Message Sticks, Sydney Opera House, 2003 Homebake, Sydney Domain, 2002 Bellingen Global Carnival, Bellingen, 2002 Woodford Folk Festival, 2001/02, 2002/03 Edinburgh Festival, Scotland, 2001 Vancouver Folk Festival, Canada 2001 Amsterdam Roots Festival, Amsterdam, 2001 Womad, Adelaide, 2001 Millennium Party, Sydney Opera House, NYE 1999

September 3, 2006

Fathers Day Special

Singer/Songwriter folk collector and multi instrumentalist raconteur: Allan Musgrove teams up with master fiddler Bob McInnes for a captivating evening of songs and tunes, from traditional to original to Vaudeville and beyond…..

Alan Musgrove is one of Australia’s most respected folk performers and collectors of folk music and heritage. Alan has played in many successful bands including “Peg Leg Jack” and “The Harvest Moon Band” bringing to each his own unique repertoire and arrangements. His knowledge of folk music and “old time country music” in wide as his ability to entertain and audience, singing and playing guitar, fiddle, banjo, mandolin and lap steel.

Bob McInnis who is one Australia’s best fiddlers and has played in many bands over the years, and with Alan form an entertaining duo performing original and traditional tunes and songs along with vaudeville and old radio routines.

This club, formerly known as Macquarie Towns Folk Club is 31 years old. Now based at Richmond Neighbourhood Centre, we have been housed in various venues in Richmond and Windsor. We have a "round robin" format with others jamming at the request of the performer. We're pretty excited about our visit to the Troubadour on 13th August.

Performers will be as follows- Dez and Karen Williams- vocalists, guitar and bass guitar. Favourite old ballads from such as Bob Dillon, Gordon Lightfoot, Neil Young and Van Morrison plus traditional Australian bush music. Dez also composes original material.

Kath McMahon and Alex Nolf.- Alex's zither playing is a delight- and when combined with Kath's accordion is a unique experience. Although this combination sounds as if it won't work- it does. Kath has also been prevailed upon to sing and play some of the Newfoundland fishing songs that she has researched.

"Latitude", comprising Richard Galluzzi, Patrick Smith and Selina Rowe. A high energy band featuring, banjo, slide guitar, bodhran, harmonica, whistle, mandolin. They play an eclectic mixture of Irish, Blues, Folk and original material. All this and they sing too.

Jan and Lee Tame- banjo, mandolin, whistle, fiddle. This couple is heavily into Bluegrass and what they call "old timey" music.

Robert and Lois Lennard- reciters. Robert specialises in Bush Poetry and Lois delights with humorous works-in particular Pam Ayres.

Ben Scott performs the songs of the Sydney Cove Project in folk clubs, festivals and venues throughout the Blue Mountains and elsewhere, often assisted by the wonderful talents of Kathryn Bain (vocals, guitar), Garthe Jones (mandolin) and Chris Gillespie (guitar and double bass). Recent gigs include Illawarra Folk Festival and St Albans Folk Festival.