or click here for our current leaflet. Please duplex [print both sides, creating 4 copies] and distribute at will: thanks.
To read what FOCSLE Music co-Organizer Jon Ellis has been up to in the sub-Continent, check this out.
WEDNESDAY 24 Apr 2019 8:00pm | Guest: HEATHER BRADFORD & LEWIS WOOD Smoky-toned vocalist HEATHER BRADFORD has been in several line-ups, esp. noted for being one third of the late lamented all-female a cappella group Hen Party (with Sarah Morgan & Alison Muir). A long-time Focsle supporter, she brings with her the talents of fiddler LEWIS WOOD. He was Vice-President of the University Folk Society, whose instrumentalists meet most Mondays in "The Doghouse" to play what they've practised in a room on campus earlier that evening. Half of clarinet/fiddle duo Gentile & Wood, he can also be found at some Doghouse Sessions, every fourth Monday, playing along with (or occasionally leading) many other semi-pro musicians in an informal session. Intense energy, and a relaxed bowing technique (reminiscent of Ben Paley), are among his hallmarks. M.C.: Jon Ellis. Support to include Robbie Williams [the less household-name one], a regular at Woolston & Burseldon F. C. |
WEDNESDAY 8 May 2019 8:00pm | SINGAROUND M.C.: most likely our new third co-Organizer, ALAN SLIPPER. |
TUESDAY 14 May 2019 8:00pm |
We’re trying the rare tight squeeze of a four-piece in The Doghouse tonight, with BEGGAR’S BELIEF, drawing personnel from points around the city’s hinterland. Ali Campion (vocal, ukulele), Mary Lee (vocal) [both formerly of Three’s Company], Ann Stonehouse (vocal, fiddle, accordion) & Barry Wake (vocal, guitar, banjo) have previously combined multiple talents [along with others] in White Star Line-up, convened to perform Look Out!, Southampton's Titanic musical story. |
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Most 2nd & 4th Weds., and
– NEW for 2019 –
most 1st & 5th Tuesdays
FOCSLE Music runs live music events
usually at The Guide Dog pub, on corner of Earls & Ancasta Rds. (Also usually) alternate meetings feature local or national guests (otherwise home-made music*), almost all unplugged acoustic.
Performers and audience equally welcome.
* currently along “singaround” / song-circle lines (i.e. working round the room, anyone who wishes to is invited to do a ‘turn’, with others joining in where suitable). References to ‘song’ also include tunes played; ‘music’ includes stories, poems, etc. being delivered.
Paul Clarke (& Jon Ellis in absentia)
paul@focsle.org [TEXT only] 073 8040 1951 or 023 8046 2723 (ans.) / jon@focsle.org 077 7598 2908 / [mainly for singarounds] alan@focsle.org 023 8089 4987 (ans.)
The Calendar shows dates of all our planned evenings, beyond those visible here. Venue is The Guide Dog, unless stated otherwise. Re-visit periodically or, if you sign up (see below), you’ll be sent reminders of upcoming events. The diary, on this page, highlights any breaks to this pattern (date-shifts due to Saints matches, the odd venue-switch for higher-profile guests). Singarounds may morph into other formats, hence suggesting you check back here every so often.
“Cosy”, “Lovely pub”, “Good subdued lighting”, “Best beer in Southampton”, “So enjoyed myself at the gig: lovely group of people, so welcoming and friendly”: some comments about us and The Guide Dog, FOCSLE Music’s civilized Real Ale venue. Mainly a conversation space, with newspapers, books, board games, and no jukebox.
For our info-list, e-mail us with your choice of: performer nights; ‘home-made’ music; or both [edit the pre-written message to suit]. We’ll add you to the relevant one. We hope to have a third contact very soon, just for home-made evenings. On an event day, for any late contact try Paul’s mobile, as above. The main post is usually updated by about noon on the day to confirm that the event is happening (if its first line has no such message, please check in again later; or ring, if planning to travel a distance).
See links at bottom for other pages, all viewable with no login or profile (needed only for administrators).
On “Photos” page, buttons below event-details point to next / previous dates. To reach a date directly, use the online calendar on the Homepage.
Jon Witcher
Good to see Jon Witcher drop in at the club (9 Dec '16). A former stalwart of the club, and the lead singer with Hampshire Union, Jon moved to Wales in 1989. Somewhere down the intervening 27 years he shaved off a magnificent beard!
Paul Clarke
7 October
Mesmerizing evening with Lee Collinson: my favourite of the year. Since his last Focsle visit (when Debra Chesman was in charge!), he hasn't lost a drop, not in vigour, fluidity, wit or authority (he claimed afterwards to be less sharp, but you wouldn't have known). The (enviable*) banjo-playing could provide him with a living on its own, yet that's a sort of sideline for him. Keep a lookout for his occasional (3 or 4 times yearly) intimate gigs like this. Top dollar.
* inevitable jokes notwithstanding
John Licqorish ("Meon Rose")
(25 November)
Had a great night at the Collaborations singaround on Friday - great club - great people - community singing - kazoos - what more could you ask for - look forward to goin again soon
Reg Meuross - 18 November 2016
"Thanks for a lovely night!" (Reg Meuross)
"We had a wonderful evening, and made very welcome by @FocsleFC" (Adrian Harris)