The Ritz Acoustic Club is about providing a stage for anyone to come along and perform in front of a live audience (normally quite forgiving too).
The club runs a first come first served basis and we recommend you arrive early if you wish to guarantee a spot (two songs per slot).
We provide all the equipment you should need and will also mix the sound for you.
It should be worth mentioning at this point that the quality and experience of the players varies dramatically and first timers are encouraged.
The club is a music club and to that end we ask people to be considerate to the players when they are on stage, however there is a bar and it’s not a library, common sense should apply.
We look forward to seeing you in the very near future.
If you can’t get to the club early and would like to book a spot you can always contact us in advance.
We run three sets, the first starting usually at about 8.30-9.10 p.m, the second 9.20-10.10 p.m and the third 10.20-11.00 p.m.
Also look out for Our Special Guest Nights.

A Brief Club History

After an acoustic concert,open mic night in Highbridge on the First of May 1999, organised by CADS (Burnham and Highbridge Cultural Arts Society), at which local players such as Dave Neville, Pete Beech and Jim Topping gave their best, it was thought it would be a good idea to have an open mike night once a fortnight where anyone could come along and play. So the ‘Home Brue Folk Club’ (as it was originally named) had their first night early in May 1999 and started in the skittle alley of the Crown pub in Burnham. The events were organised by Dave Neville with help from other locals such as Pete Beech, Nigel Snook, Dave Chave and Jim Topping. As its popularity grew it soon became necessary to find a larger venue.

A few short months later the club moved to the Jubilee room in the Ritz Social Club and became a weekly event. At this time it might be worth mentioning that the club had 4.50 in the kitty, and most, if not all the equipment was either owned by Dave Neville, or begged and borrowed. The club continued to grow with attendance increasing almost weekly, it soon became apparent that it would need to move again, so it moved to the main room in the Ritz where it still is today with a great stage, a cheap bar and plenty of seating.
The venue is perfect.

This author is unaware exactly when the club changed it name to ‘The Ritz Acoustic Club’ but assumes it was some time after the club moved to the Ritz.

Dave Neville who was involved from day 1 ran the club until 2002 when he decided it was time to move on. At that time a group of the members got together and formed the first committee. At the meeting Jim Topping was elected Chairman with Jack Cobb as vice chair. The club has continued to grow and now owns all the equipment and lighting and has regular attendances in excess of 60 people.

You can find us at:

The Ritz Social Club

Victoria Street

Burnham-On-Sea

Somerset

TA8 1AL

Link: Google Map

Every Thursday

8:00 p.m. -11:00p.m

Arrive early to guarantee a spot (two songs per spot) Tickets, Booking and Enquiries: Graham: (01278) 794414 Or if you would prefer to email then you can use our contact form. Check The Events Diary For Our Concerts, Showcases And Other Special Events Before Making A Long Journey. The club is a music club and to that end we ask people to be considerate to the players when they are on stage, however there is a bar and it’s not a library, common sense should apply. We look forward to seeing you in the very near future.

Club Membership

1. Only members of the Ritz Social Club are eligible to become members of the Ritz Acoustic Club.
2. The membership fee for new members of the Ritz Social Club is at present £11 per annum.
3. The renewal fee for existing members is currently £10 per annum.
4. The Membership fee for The Ritz Acoustic Club is £1.
5. Those people who are not members of the Ritz Social Club are only allowed to visit the Club once a month.
6. Bona fide Ritz Social Club members pay £1.50 entrance fee to the Ritz Acoustic Club on normal open mike nights and non-members pay £2.00 of which we pay 50p to the Ritz Social Club.
7. Students with valid Students Union Card are allowed in free of charge on normal Club nights (See Points 1 and 5).
8. On Buffet/Showcase nights (normally 3rd Thursday of the month) entry fee is £3.50 for members,£2.50 for students and children and £4.00 for non-members.
9. Entry fees for Guest Nights vary and are are advertised in advance on flyers and on the website.
10. The Membership Year for both clubs is from 1st October to the 30th September the following year

The above conditions (as any) are subject to change.

The Committee

We are run by a commitee, meetings are usually held on the first Monday of the month unless special circumstances occur (these are announced on club nights). Club members are also entitled to attend commitee meetings if they have some contribution or suggestion they wish to be recorded officially.Following the AGM on 14th September 2006, the new committee was elected as follows:

• Chairman: Greg Aylmer
• Vice Chairman: Bryan Counsell
• Treasurer: Doug Liles
• Secretary: Debbie Beckett
• Equipment Manager: Graham Cook
• Fundraising: Trish Liles
• Membership: Caroline Boyce
• Publicity and PR Officer: Dominic Wills
• Webmaster: Graham Cook

Officers Without Portfolio

• Harry Boyce
• Pete Beach
• Nigel Snook
• Don Counsell