New bookings for the Showcase/Buffet Nights (on our third thursdays) in 2008 are:-
BRIGHT and HIGH on SEPTEMBER 18th 2008
RAG MAMA RAG on OCTOBER 16th 2008
INU on NOVEMBER 20th 2008
RITZ XMAS BASH with FALLEN APPLES on DECEMBER 18th 2008 (open to members and one guest only)
DOORS OPEN AT 8.00pm and there are normally two Open Mic sets before the guest band comes on at about 9.45pm.
The Club will be open every Thursday night as usual with the normal three sets of Open Mic. Please get there early (before 8.30pm) to book your slot. THIRD THURSDAYS are Buffet/Showcase Nights as detailed below. If you want to play on a third thursday in the two available sets, then e-mail us or phone us to book a slot.
If you’ve never played on a stage before or used a PA System, come along early at about 7.45pm and ask to have a quick practice on stage before the audience comes in. We guarantee a warm reception for new players and those who are just starting out, this could be the start of a bright career or just something you’ve always wanted to do!
The Committee is as follows:
Chairman: Greg Aylmer
Vice Chairman : Bryan Counsell
Secretary: Debbie Beckett
Treasurer: Doug Liles
PR and Acts: Dominic Wills
Fundraising: Trish Liles
Membership: Caroline Boyce
Webmaster: Graham Cook
Equipment Mgr: Graham Cook
Members without Portfolio:
Don Counsell
Harry Boyce
Pete Beach
Thursday 16th August saw Eddie Martin at his very best, with an enthusiastic crowd of 130 at the Ritz enjoying his every strum and blast on the old “Gob-Iron”.
I’ve seen Eddie quite a few times, but there seems to be something extra in his performance now that connects his music to the audience in a way I’d not seen before. The guitar playing was authentic, and the harmonica exquisite. His vocals created a truly american blues feel, and unlike many other British Blues Players, he delivered the songs as they should be delivered, with joy and expression. Thanks Eddie for great night, come back soon.
Thursday 19th July 2007 saw Jackie Oates take to the Ritz Stage ably accompanied by brother Doug (Jim Moray) on Guitar and Vocals.
Jackie produced an accomplished performance with an enchanting traditional vocal and polished viola and an interesting harmonium accompaniment, and we look forward to seeing her again at the Folkfest on Sunday 2nd September, when she will be appearing in Manor Gardens at about 1.15pm. Jim also delighted us with a couple of self-penned numbers, with strong vocal and excellent guitar playing.
It’s nice to see younger people playing traditional songs with feeling, and delivering them in a style that is appealing to all ages.
Check out Jim Moray’s music at Jim’s Myspace
Check out Jackie Oates’ music at Jackie’s website or
Jackie’s Myspace
One of the great things about the club is that every week, we normally end the evening with an impromptu jam session, normally lead by Pete “guess what chord I’m playing now” Beach. Here’s a photo courtesy of Caroline from our normal weekly club night (3rd May 2007), with the aptly named “Jock Strap Ensemble”
Another great performance from this high energy quartet, the Rats brought their melting pot of traditional styles to a packed audience at the Ritz Acoustic Club on Thursday 16th Feb. To try and describe or categorise their music is difficult, blending traditional Irish and Northern Working Class Folk Music into driving Punk, Ska and Jazz Rhythms. They really look like they are enjoying themselves, and the audience certainly did. We can’t wait to see them again at the Folkfest in September when they will be performing on both Saturday and Sunday.
Great support also from newcomer Mike Stafford from Yeovil, our own Steve Brown, Greg Aylmer and Dave “Busker” Harris. The Night was finished off in style with excellent performances from the “rejeuvenated” Gordon Cambell, and the welcome return of Pete Stearn and Kate Riaz. What an evening for only £3.50 including a buffet!!
This is becoming a very popular event in the month, and has seen local artistes and acts from afar; Boys from Melbourne St, Pete Quin and Debbie and Phil Beckett, “Siren” (Steve Brown and Juliet Blackburn), Diana Johnstone, Bag of Rats, Kevin Brown, Jackie Oates, Eddie Martin, Ember, Tiny Tin Lady. All have been excellent nights with good audience attendance. These nights are designed to showcase local acts and individual club members or club members collaborating, so here’s your chance to get up and do a 45min set in front of an appreciative audience.
As usual, the showcase set is between 9.10 and 10.00pm with normal Open Mic Club Sets from 8.30 - 9.05pm and 10.05 - 11.00pm.
Every third Thursday of the month we have these excellent Buffet/Showcase nights and the cost increases to £3.50 for members, £4.00 for non members and £2.50 for Students and Children.
A Big Thanks to Ashley and Deborah Dow from Rag Mama Rag for putting in a fantastic performance at the Club’s Christmas Bash. Their mix of Blues and Ragtime from the 20’s and 30’s brought the house down. Ashleys great mix of styles and tones from his wide collection of acoustic guitars, provided the perfect variety of textures to the evening (the lap steel was my favourite). Debororah provided the perfect accompaniment with metronome-like playing of a wide variety of percussion and spoons, and some haunting blues harp. The packed audience wouldn’t let them get off the stage until about 11.50pm … fantastic night, great music (the support acts are also worthy of a mention, namely Steve Brown and his awesome collection of Xmas Songs plus Curly, Dale, Richard and Dave Chave providing a soulful start to the evening), great food (thanks Sarah), great Raffle (thanks Trish) and great sound (blowing my own trumpet)
16th November - CATFISH KEITH AT THE RITZ
Catfish provide an excellent evening of Stomping Blues in front of 91 paying guests at the club. His laid back Iowa style connected with the audience, and his guitar styles of pinched harmomics, percussive strumming and excellent slide playing, kept a distinctive “Catfish” style to all of his music. The crowd bayed for more and after elongated encores, we had to let him off the stage …. some 30 minutes after he should have finished. The support was ably supplied by club members Graham Cook, George Birt and Chris Elswood. Another great Guest Night at the Ritz Acoustic Club.
Check out Catfish Keith’s Official Website
and check out some Catfish Keith Sound Bites
