After the unprecedented success of Pete’s Sea Shanties workshop last month we decided to organise a sea shanty singing choir.  To test the water (as it were) the first run is going to be six weekly session at Chats Palace, Hackney, starting this Thursday 18th.  The choir meets at 7:00 so come down and bring your finest singing voices. There’s more info here.

Folk tunes course at Chats Palace – Thursdays at Chats

There’s also two sessions of the tunes course left, so if you’re more comfortable playing an instrument why not come down and join us for an evening and learn how to play a traditional folk tune in our friendly class.  Tunes course also runs on Thursdays from 7:00 at Chats Palace and again there’s more info here.

Fire in the Mountain Festival – Friday 31st May to 2nd June 2013

The wonderful Fire in the Mountain festival returns next month for it’s third glorious year and the Trad Academy are very proud to be hosting the workshop area again.  Workshops all take place in a 20ft yurt in the beautiful dingly dell.  There’ll be daily workshops in Appalachian Flat Foot Dancing, Singing and Banjo Playing as well as special one-off workshops including Fiddle, playing in a String Band, Ham Boning and Klezmer.  It was just amazing last year so come up and join us.

Just to prove it, here’s a couple of photos of Dolly May’s brilliant singing workshop and Alice Cade and Jo Bowis’ flat footing classes.

You can buy tickets through the link on this website and more information about the festival follows below.

Forward this on to your friends and look forward to seeing you all there!

Bands (in alphabetical order)…

A&E Old Time Stringband, Ali Anwar, Allan Yn Y Fan, Andy Hickie, BARD, Barker Band, Bruce Molsky, Bonnie Pilgrim, Cakes and Ale, Christine Cooper, Cowbois Rhos Botwnnog, Cut A Shine, Dan Korn and the Choppy Waters, Dave Owen, Dolly May, Ed Hicks, Finikity Chaos, Fitty Gomash, Flamin’ Mamies, Flutatious, Harlequin Dynamite, Heal The Last Stand, Hittites, Jimmy Lions, John Langan Band, John Lawrence, JS Mabon, Kidnap Alice, Meilir, Medince Creek, Old Dance School, Orchard Twnpath (Corelw), Quercus Burlesque, Ramshackle Union Band, Richard James, Rosie Sleightholme, Santa Mozarella, Sidney Baileys No Good Punchin’ Clowns, Sheelanagig, Stompin’ Dave and his Bluegrass Band, The Gentle Good, The Harrison Brothers, The Loose Moose Stringband, The Turbans, Tir Eolas, Vera van Heeringen Trio, Wara, White Blacula.

Other attractions…

• Wood Fired Cob Ovens, providing fresh pizzas and fresh bread.
• Communal Central Kitchen; all day food and large communal banquets every evening.
• Healing Area, Sauna, cold river plunge pool and bathing, and contemporary therapies
• Local Ales and Ciders from our Barn Bar
• Tons of Workshops in the workshop tent: singing, flat foot, dance, etc
• Kids Activities: Face painting, treasure hunts, circus skills
• Jam Sessions galore!
• Camp Fire Sing Songs.
• Acoustic Marquee with hot drinks and chai + open stage for bands and jams
• Sunday 2nd June is Welsh Culture Day. A celebration of Welsh Music and Arts, Food and Heritage.