Forthcoming Acts for the Showcase Nights (on our third thursdays) in 2012 are:-

MAMBO JAMBO on MAY 17th
Cuban, roots, bluegrass and folk: a mega good time!

WOODY MANN on JUNE 21st
Direct from NYC, one of the world’s finest purveyors of acoustic blues, jazz and more.
PYRATES! on JULY 19th
Buccaneering bawdiness from the baddest boys on the High Seas
DAN WALSH and CHRISTI ANDROPOLIS on AUGUST 16th
Banjo maestro and Appalachian roots star in special collaboration
RAG MAMA RAG on OCTOBER 18th
The eagerly hoped for return of Debbie and Ashley Dow…. enough said, I’m dusting off my blues hat!

DOORS OPEN AT 8.00pm and there will be an Open Mic set between 8.30pm and 9.45pm before the guest band/act comes on at about 10.00pm. We no longer serve a buffet on these nights More details on the events and artistes here

Chairman: Rob Brown
Vice Chairman: Ted Heath
Secretary: Bryan Counsell
Treasurer: Caroline Boyce
PR and Acts: Dominic Wills
Fundraising: Trish Liles
Membership: Sue Stent
Webmaster: Graham Cook

Officers without portfolio:
Greg Aylmer
Barry Sear
Bob Peel
Don Counsell
Harry Boyce
Doug Liles

The Committee bestowed the rare gift of Honorary membership to the outgoing Chairman Greg Aylmer, for his dedication, hard work, long service and continued high level of support for the club over many years.

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 every week, where anyone could come along and play. So the ‘Home Brue Folk Club’ (as it was originally named) had their first night the following Friday night on 7th May 1999 and started in the skittle alley of the Crown pub in Burnham, at which 12 people attended. 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 later changed its name to ‘The Ritz Acoustic Club’ after moving to its current venue at the Ritz Social Club.

A celebratory evening was held on Thursday 21st May, with many old friends attending and performing.

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!