Croydon Folk Club

26/10/2026

Hello Everyone,

Yes we've recovered from last weeks big gig.

Tonight we have the latest in the Open Mike Unplugged series.

Come and perform what you will, song, music, poems and other readings and get a sympathetic hearing.

Have a drink from the Ruskin bar which opens at 7.

Next week we have:-

Tog Faire

Simon is a flautist (specialising in folk but with a classical and jazz background) and a whistle player. He also sings in both English and Scottish Gaelic.
Jake is a contemporary guitarist and arranger from Brighton with a varied musical background. Having known each other for many years and worked together in various genres and larger ensembles, Jake and Simon began swapping their favourite folk tunes and exploring sets as a duo at the start of 2023.
They’ve now found their stride, with Simon’s love of the Scottish and Irish traditions and years of research as a Musical Director meeting with Jake’s contemporary background and fresher, funkier take. Simon is in Scotland as often as he can get away with, singing, playing and learning from whoever he can at festivals such as the Mòd and Fèis Rois. Both Simon and Jake can be found at sessions in Lewes, Brighton and London whenever they can find the time.

What an opportunity to enjoy a more contemporary sound, so make the time to come and see what all the excitement is about.

See you later

Brian Jenny and all the Croydon Team

27/09/2026

Hello Everyone,

Here we all are then, a bit earlier this week as Monday will be very busy, with a new stage and sound set up to be sorted.

Tomorrow we welcome Emily Portman with friends Louis Campbell and Lucy Revis. They are here to perform excerpts from
"Dominion of Spells"

"Dominion of Spells" is Emily Portman’s 2026 album exploring mythic realms, human creativity, and contemporary folk storytelling.

Album Overview

Released on May 1, 2026, "Dominion of Spells" is Emily Portman’s fourth album of self-written songs, available in digital formats, CD, and limited edition vinyl, including a deluxe illustrated album-book featuring lyrics, artwork, and folk tales that inspired the songs. The album invites listeners into a mythic realm guided by fairy queens, selkies, and owl goddesses, exploring transformation, wonder, and the heroine’s midlife journey through dark woods in search of meaning.

Themes and Inspiration

The album blends traditional folk storytelling with contemporary issues, including feminism, midlife change, and the intersection of human and supernatural realms. Songs like Fox’s Song draw on Siberian folk tales, portraying a shape-shifting woman-fox, while Owl Light references the Welsh owl goddess Blodeuwedd to highlight women’s safety concerns. Weary Spell evokes ancient balladry, featuring dialogue with a crow symbolizing depression and the natural world’s beauty.

However you look at it, we are in for a magical evening of contemporary storytelling in song and music.

The bar opens at 7pm for pre-drinks and there's a free drink for each in the audience come sign in and get your free drink ticket. We take cash or cards and pre-sales of tickets are available through:- https://wegottickets.com/f/18821

Doors at 8pm don't be late.

See you tomorrow keeping it live

Best regards

Brian Jenny and all the Croydon Team

Emily Portman & Friends Louis Campbell and Lucy Revis Emily Portman is an award-winning singer and songwriter with a passion for traditional songs, hailed as “one of the new British folk scene’s most beguiling presences” (Uncut). She has toured widely for over 15 years as a bandleader, with Th...

20/09/2026

Hello Everyone,

Sad news, I'm afraid "From the Workshop" have had to cancel due to ill health, we, obviously, wish them well asap.

In the meantime, next Monday, the 21st, will be a Open Mike Unplugged evening and all will be welcome. To show our gratitude to you who support us in these sort of eventualities, we have kept the "First Drink Free" offer and hope that, suitably lubricated, you will all join in with the performance.

Open Mike is our second stage of performance where people come to the front and face the audience. (It's not essential and you can still perform from your seat if more comfortable)

On the 28th we have our star guest for the month Emily Portman and Friends and information about that is on the website and Folk and Honey, tickets available via wegottickets.com

Help us keeping it live by turning up whenever you can and don't be afraid to take part.

See you all on Monday

Best regards

Brian Jenny and all the Croydon Team

16/09/2026

Monday 21st September -Due to illness From the Workshop have cancelled their appearance.
We will now have an Open Mike Unplugged night.

14/09/2026

Hello Everyone,
Here we all are then.
Back to the 9 to 5 or, rather 8pm on Mondays.
At last after the long vac we hitting the ground running with the welcome return of Les Elvin
Les, long time member of the club, has taken to retirement in a new way, he's busier than ever.
So it's great to see him back on stage at Croydon for a solo gig.
image.png
https://youtu.be/1zWXN2gKHuM?si=FwYlH16H1jdPmeTp
Les plays contemporary and traditional songs and tunes on guitar and harmonica, the material ranging from Blues and Country to Celtic and back again. Previous appearances have been at Broadstairs, Rochester Sweeps and Tenterden Folk Festivals as well as a variety of Folk Clubs, Acoustic Clubs and music related pubs. He has appeared on local radio programmes, in fact, if you are a folk regular, you will have come across him. He has, of late been playing bass for Andy Smythes band, but, throughout all his career, he has been a regular at Croydon Folk Club.
We're sure you will all wish to join in the welcome so we open at 8pm, bar at 7pm and tonight is a "first drink free" night so get you free drink ticket when you come to the club room. It can be used at any time tonight so don't wait to use the bar prior.
See you later.

More from Les ElvinFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/les.elvin.9...

14/09/2026

Hello Everyone,

Here we all are then.

Back to the 9 to 5 or, rather 8pm on Mondays.

At last after the long vac we hitting the ground running with the welcome return of Les Elvin

Les, long time member of the club, has taken to retirement in a new way, he's busier than ever.

So it's great to see him back on stage at Croydon for a solo gig.

image.png

https://youtu.be/1zWXN2gKHuM?si=FwYlH16H1jdPmeTp

Les plays contemporary and traditional songs and tunes on guitar and harmonica, the material ranging from Blues and Country to Celtic and back again. Previous appearances have been at Broadstairs, Rochester Sweeps and Tenterden Folk Festivals as well as a variety of Folk Clubs, Acoustic Clubs and music related pubs. He has appeared on local radio programmes, in fact, if you are a folk regular, you will have come across him. He has, of late been playing bass for Andy Smythes band, but, throughout all his career, he has been a regular at Croydon Folk Club.

We're sure you will all wish to join in the welcome so we open at 8pm, bar at 7pm and tonight is a "first drink free" night so get you free drink ticket when you come to the club room. It can be used at any time tonight so don't wait to use the bar prior.

See you later.

Just another couple of parish notices.

Next week we have the rearranged gig with "From the Workshop" and that will be another "first drink free" night so don't miss that.

On the 28th we have Emily Portman & Friends, in this case sought-after guitarist Louis Campbell and acclaimed cellist Lucy Revis (Before Breakfast). 8pm as usual tickets at:- https://wegottickets.com/f/18821

Now is the time to renew membership. This can be done at the club or scanning the QR code below £15 pr member and drop us an e mail saying what you have paid for and include the last 4 digits of the card used so we can get your card ready for your next visit.

If you are umming and arring just look at the website and the guests we've got coming before Christmas! And there's more to come in the Spring

Come and help us to keep it live at a small venue.

Best regards

Brian Jenny and all the Croydon Team



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Emily Portman & Friends Louis Campbell and Lucy Revis Emily Portman is an award-winning singer and songwriter with a passion for traditional songs, hailed as “one of the new British folk scene’s most beguiling presences” (Uncut). She has toured widely for over 15 years as a bandleader, with Th...