Informal gatherings in South Hampshire and area
As well as the many groups that are regularly covered in Solent Waves, there are many other musical gatherings, informal and rather more formal/organised, going on, in and around our area. We hear about some of these and there is a network of movers and shakers who seek to avoid clashes and thus lose someone half an audience. With the help of the Editor we'd like to tell people about these events from time to time and this addition to the music web page contains the list with more detail than the printed mag where available. These informal gatherings are often free (although if based in a pub, the landlord might expect you to buy something to drink) and of an 'anything goes' nature with songs, instruments and poetry welcome. They often have an associated FaceBook page, but these are not always viewable by non-members.
By their very nature these more informal groups are often less organised than some other clubs on our website, so there are more likely to be changes and updates that do not get to us. Please let us know about omissions or mistakes and we'll try and correct things as fast as possible. In particular, we expect that there are lots of great sessions going on that we don't know about - please tell us and we can help spread the word.
The slightly more formal sessions are often for musicians who have reached a 'grade' with their instrument and are looking to improve as they play with others. Some of these may make a charge to participate, but where we can, we have included a contact name from whom you can find out more.
You can see where these various sessions are on our locate a club page.
Acoustic Singaround
8pm The New Wheel Inn, Bowling Green, Sway Road, Pennington, Lymington SO41 8LJ
Contact: Steve West stevewest82@btinternet.com 014 2561 9950
Sometimes at New Milton Memorial Centre, Whitefield Road, New Milton BH25 6DE, depending on darts matches at The Wheel. Pub 015 9068 8963.
The Doghouse Session
8:30pm The Guide Dog, Earls Road, Southampton, SO14 6SF
Contact: Nic Bradford nic@meltingpot.org.uk
Fourth Mondays Tunes with occasional song, hardly suitable for beginners - check with Nic. See also third Tue.
Live Traditional Monday Nights
8pm Lion and Lamb, 26 North Street, Pennington, SO41 8FZ
Irish, Celtic, Gaelic - Sing or Play. Instruments and voices encouraged!
Nightingale Session
7pm The Nightingale, Latimer Street, Romsey SO51 8DF
Contact: Sue Hatch suehatch1@outlook.com
Second and fourth Mondays Somewhat under the radar, by intention “We are not really a folk group”, but “an acoustic group with no unaccompanied singing”. “... a lovely friendly group and we welcome anyone new that would like to come along”.
Southampton Ukulele Group Jam
The 1865, Brunswick Square, Southampton SO14 3AR
southamptonukulelejam@yahoo.co.uk
Fortnightly Playing everything from folk to punk. All standards welcome. Spare ukes available for newbies.
Traditional Folk Session
7:30pm The Hyde Tavern, Hyde Street, Winchester, SO23 7DY
www.hydetavern.co.uk/all-events
Generally second and fourth Mondays
Alton Steady Sessions
8pm The Three Horseshoes, East Worldham GU34 3AE.
http://altonsteadysession.wordpress.com
Contact: David Johnson deejaysqueeze@gmail.com
First Tuesdays Aimed at beginners and improvers.
Concertinas Anonymous
The Elephant and Castle, White Hill, Lewes BN7 2DJ
Contact: Bryan Creer bryancreer@aol.com
Third Tuesdays Not winter months
English tunes session
8pm - 10pm Woodies, The Junction Inn, Priory Road, Southampton, SO17 2JZ
Contact: Cath Watkins cath@meltingpot.org.uk
Second Tuesdays Not August
"Euro" Session
8:30pm - 11pm The Guide Dog, 38 Earls Road, Southampton, SO14 6SF
https://www.facebook.com/groups/195796887273407
Contact: Helen Gentile
First Tuesdays More European-based than most trad sessions
Folk Sessions
8pm Nursling Men’s Shed, next to Saint Boniface Church, Church Lane SO16 0YB
Contact: Mike Bunce mike@mikebunce.co.uk / mikebuncewoodsiders@gmail.com 077 4295 7858
Mainly instrumental, only a few singers and that’s how they want to keep it
Green Man Folk Club
7:30pm The Wheatsheaf Pub, 7 Market Square, Alton GU34 1HD
www.facebook.com/people/Green-Man-Folk-Club/100069434223693/
Contact: Barbara Parry parry.barbara@btinternet.com
Second Tuesdays Relaxed singaround style, free, all welcome
Gypsy Swing ‘Steady’ Session
8:30pm The Guide Dog, 38 Earls Road, Southampton, SO14 6SF
Contact: Nic Bradford nic@meltingpot.org.uk
Third Tuesdays See also fourth Mondays
The Lamb Session
8pm The Andover Tap at The Lamb Inn, 21 Winchester Street, Andover SP10 2EA
Fortnightly Instrumental session “All welcome”. Pub offers real and craft ales and its home-produced gin!
Wickham Steady Sessions
7:15pm for 7:30pm The Hunters Inn, Cott Street, Swanmore, SO32 2PZ
http://altonsteadysession.wordpress.com
Contact: Pam Eastwood pamreastwood@gmail.com
Fourth Tuesdays “We use a tunes list, so my session suits people who like to read music. If you wish to be sent the list a week before, send a message”
Acoustic Jam Session
9pm The Black Swan, 159 High Street, Swanage BH19 2NE
Second Wednesdays
The Anchor Session
8pm - 10pm The Anchor Inn, North Warnborough Street, North Warnborough, Basingstoke RG29 1BE
www.facebook.com/events/2124512231274746/?active_tab=discussion
Contact: Paul Stone and Dave Webb
Third Wednesdays Lots of communal playing: all instruments welcome. Music is available on the FBk page, and on the night, but if you have a good song all can join in with, then great.
Folk and acoustic session
7:30pm The Steamtown Brew Co, 1 Bishopstoke Road, Eastleigh, SO50 6AD
Contact: Jim Shepperd
Bring your instruments and join us for acoustic folk, blues, country & pop. Relaxed informal sessions open to all, play a solo slot or just join in the jam. See also Sundays.
Irish Session
7:30pm - 10:30pm The Brewhouse and Kitchen, Parkwood Road, Southbourne, BH5 2BW
Second and fourth Wednesdays 10 mins walk from Pokesdown railway station.
Wessex Folk Nite
7:30pm - 11pm The Sailor’s Return, Saint Nicholas Street, The Quay, Weymouth DT4 8AD
www.facebook.com/roger.quigley.35
Contact: Roger Quigley www.facebook.com/wessexfolknite
Play-/Sing-around “Earlier you arrive, the better the seat”
Winchester Acoustic Club
8pm The Railway Inn, St.Paul's Hill, Winchester, SO23 7DY1 https://m.facebook.com/WinchesterAcousticClub/
Generally first Wednesdays
Acoustic Music Sessions
8pm The Golden Bowler, 122 Stubbington Lane, Stubbington PO14 2NQ
Contact: Jo Drew drewpartnership@gmail.com
Third Thursdays “If you sing or play an instrument (or even both at the same time!) come along and join in this informal mix of tunes and songs”
Acoustic Singaround
7:30pm The Gun Inn, Keyhaven Road, Keyhaven, Milford on Sea, Lymington SO41 0TP
Contact: Steve West stevewest82@btinternet.com 014 2561 9950
First and third Thursdays
The Angel Singaround
8:30pm The Angel and Blue Pig, 108 High Street, Lymington, SO41 9AP
Contact: Jon Ellis jonpardeshi@yahoo.co.in
All welcome.
Acoustic Blues Club
8pm The New Milton Memorial Centre, Whitefield Road, BH25 6DE
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1274780782731480
Contact: Peter Gabony / Steve West petergabony@gmail.com / stevewest82@btinternet.com 01425 619950
First Fridays
Acoustic Folk Night
8pm - 11pm The Foyer Bar of The New Milton Memorial Centre, Whitefield Road, New Milton BH25 6DE
Contact: stevewest82@btinternet.com
Third Fridays “Enjoyable entertainment for local amateur instrumentalists and vocalists in a relaxed atmosphere with the added advantage of a licensed bar, so come along and play or just listen”
Chichester Acoustic Music Club (Chi Pickers)
7:30pm - 11pm Village Hall, Barnham Road, Eastergate, Chichester PO20 3RP
https://www.facebook.com/chichester.pickers
Contact: Andrew Perry chipickers2016@gmail.com
Third Fridays Tea/coffee & small bar available. All skills and unplugged genres welcomed, “for the companionship and to share our music”. Open Mic format “but not as loud”: ‘cabaret’-style seating, small PA, single condenser mic, so no plugging in. 15-minute sets, “first come, first — well, I’ve never turned anyone away yet”. Pre-booking helps.
Forget-Me-Not Singing Club
2pm - 3:30pm Brockenhurst Methodist Church Hall, Avenue Road, Brockenhurst SO42 7RT
www.thesongwritingproject.co.uk
Contact: Amy Hopwood amy@thesongwritingproject.co.uk 075 9082 7887
Small charge includes tea and biscuits. "Aimed at those living with dementia and their friends, but anyone else who fancies a good sing on a Friday is very welcome!"
Free Folk Fridays
7:30pm The Lounge Bar, Amery Street, Alton, GU34 1HN
www.facebook.com/events/559660783034813/559660793034812/ www.instagram.com/p/DJrGY88qRLb/?hl=en
Contact: Barbara Parry / Pete Stephens parry.barbara@btinternet.com / stephens.peter@btopenworld.com
Third Fridays Relaxed singaround-style session. Free parking after 6pm, Bank car park, Amery Street. Relaxed singaround-style session. Run by Rough Ditch Folk.
Milton Ukulele Strummers Klub
7pm The New Milton Memorial Centre, Whitefield Road, New Milton BH25 6DE
Last Fridays All levels including beginners welcome.
Shanty Singers
7:30pm The Hyde Tavern, Hyde Street, Winchester, SO23 7DY
www.hydetavern.co.uk/all-events
Second Fridays
Acoustic Singaround
3:30pm - 5:30pm Lanes Restaurant, Ashley Lane, Lymington, SO41 3RH
Contact: Jonathan Klein klein.jonathan@rocketmail.com
Third Saturdays Not August and December. All kinds of unplugged music. Worth joining mailing-list, to keep abreast of occasional date-variations. Free. Should you arrive early and find people still dining, please DON’T occupy the space until the MC arrives - assemble in another part of the bar.
Chichester Pickers Acoustic Music Club “Song Circle”
1pm - 4pm Village Hall, Barnham Road, Eastergate, Chichester PO20 3RP
https://www.facebook.com/chichester.pickers.
Contact: Andrew Perry chipickers2016@gmail.com
First Saturdays Tea/coffee and small bar (sometimes home-made cake). Singaround format, welcoming “folk of all skill levels, and all are equally appreciated — it’s a sharing hobby!”
FASH cannot guarantee the accuracy of entries. Please send any corrections or other information to the Editor.