lindsmuse
If you're feeling a little Celtish tonight there are informal gatherings every Thursday night at 'Touch of Madness' in Obs - of folk who play Irish music. It's really nice. It's casual. Someone told me that sometimes there have been up to 20 musicians at a time - because they all know the standards. Mandolins, fiddles, tin whistles, guitars, bodhrans - really leka!
Fingerpicker
Hi Lindsmuse,
Do you know the street address for Touch of Madness?
I was down in CT a month ago and really blew as far as visiting the acoustic venues goes.
I will be down in about 6 weeks and want to get it right this time. What other places would you recommend?
lindsmuse
Just give me a chance - I have names but street addresses - not yet. Touch of Madness is restaurant/pub in an old house in Obs - don't know what happens on other evenings - the Irish music is totally informal - fairy music - lovely! 12 Nuttall Rd Obs 021 448 2266. That's Thursdays. And they don't even have an audience. Its people eating. They should have, but anyway. The other venue I went to and I'm just trying to get the address - it is so tucked away - also on that side of town - think in Kenilworth - called Barleycorns - saw Roger Lucey there about 4 months ago. This is in a Monday night and this is a pretty serious audience. They are there for the music.
I've been told about The Armchair Theatre and Mercury Live ... but this my son told me about - he reckons these may be for big gigs, and arrange to play there etc. And the other place I'm busy finding out - can't remember the name! Also over in Durbanville there's Die Boer but I have never been there and don't know what its about. We sorely lack acoustic venues here on the West coast -unless I'm missing something. There's a restaurant here in Melkbos called Seaside Blue which hosts the Afrikaans folksingers. Koos Kombuis and even Piet Botha play here from time to time and the other serious guys.
There's a nice restaurant that opened in an old building called Die Damhuis right across the road from the sea. It's an historical building, I think it has a thatch roof so I don't know how that would affect acoustics. If I had the know how I would love to try and turn this into a Sunday night venue ... It has the right vibe - old and woody, whitewashed walls etc.
And then in Stellenbosch it seems there might be a venue or two.
Will fill in the gaps later.
Fingerpicker
Many thanks LM.
I believe there's also a guy who runs a blues show once a month, in Kommetjie, Bill Knight at The Cottage Club. 021 785 5052.
I'll check that out as soon as I can.
AlanRatcliffe
Bill's still doing the Cottage CLub - he's just announced he's stepping up to twice a month from now on.
Fingerpicker
Thanks Alan, that'll make it easier to plan..
lindsmuse
Yes. Also found out about The Cottage Club. There's also The Alma Cafe - will get more on this. In the meanwhile found out a bit more about The Barleycorn Music Club. They have a Facebook page. Its seems this club has been going for 30 or 40 years! When I was there they were at the Rygersdal Sportsclub but it seems they are now gathering at Villagers Rugby Club, Lansdowne Rd, Claremont Contact people - Jasper Dick 072 500 2163 and Uta 071 680 8625. They seem to be going full steam. ?
AlanRatcliffe
Barleycorn was a shadow of their former selves last I looked. They used to pack out the Constantia Nek restaurant every Sunday, but then made a few unwise venue changes, suffered from "cliqueiness" and infighting amongst committee members and always had horrific monitoring. I haven't been in quite a while so it may have changed again now.
Speaking of Irish and Barleycorn - anyone know if Dave Nissen is still around? Great guitarist who is/was obsessed with all things Irish.
