A Session Diary

For some time now, as followers of this little blog will know, I have been bemoaning the dwindling attendance at Irish Traditional Music Sessions and pondering on innovative ways of getting more players in.

We have now, very sadly decided to cancel the Wednesday night Irish session as it never makes critical mass, so never really becomes a session. The same is true of one of the Sunday Irish sessions as well – the Ship at Ospringe will probably be cancelled too.

I suspect that it’s a law of diminishing returns which started when the session began its nomadic wander in the wilderness after the George on Stone Street closed. When a session is large and vibrant, it attracts more players both good and beginners. The beginners can hide better and learn, and the good ones are glad to be part of a ‘good’ session. As the numbers decrease, musicians are lost from both ends of the spectrum. The beginners have nowhere to hide, feel intimidated and go away. The good ones feel they are keeping it going or that it just isn’t ‘good’ any more – doesn’t have the buzz of a large session, and are less motivated to come out and play.

Before you know it, you’re down to a few dedicated players who try not to let the music die. In the end it ‘s probably kinder to put it out of its misery. 

The nomadic ways haven’t helped but the smoking ban and change of ownership of many pubs have taken their toll. The recent change of venue may have been a move too far. 

Thank you to all those who supported the Irish Session over the years at whichever session  you pitched up in – Wednesday or Sunday (George Stone Street, Hop Pocket Bossingham, Chequers Selstead, Geeorge Stone Street (2)Rose and Crown Stelling Minnis, Anchor Wingham, George Molash, Anchor Wingham (2)Shipwrights Oare Creek, Compasses Crundale, Anchor Faversham, Prince Albert Deal, Sportsman Dover, Olde Beverlie Canterbury, Chequers Challock and I’m sure there are some I’ve forgotten).

Two extremes last week. The regular Irish Session in the Well Known Spoonerism ….. didn’t happen. One of the sessioneers was poorly. They give a lift to another. A third sessioneer was at choir practice and three regulars are hors de combat or disenfranchised by virtue of distance or illness. I do hope this week that we can play some Irish tunes. The session is still too small for a real session with that take-off feeling but what can you do? Maybe the bottom has dropped out of the Irish Session market, or the Riverdance bubble has burst. Paradoxically, English and mixed sessions are springing up all over.  Still, it’s all we’ve got.

Liz Davenport (long story, more later) suggested I could make a lot of noise on my own but somehow, it just isn’t the same.

By contrast, the Thursday session at the Unchained Melody was excellent. Really good. No, really really good. Everone enjoyed it, everyone contributed and two hours flew by. At one point there were 5 fiddles! 

This week will be a St George’s entertainment event with roast beef and possibly wenches and definitely ale and a lot of Merrie England. Huzzar!

After a long time of thinking social networking sites were for very pale adolescents with join-the-dot complexions and a fear of real human contact, I found that Facebook can be a most rewarding place. Not only have I discovered many musicians and friends from around Kent (and hence discovered their names!) I have also found another folky from Derby called … Paul Slater.

I also discovered my old Morris squire and his wife who many of you might know as they tour folk clubs and festivals – Paul and Liz Davenport. Small world.

If anybody would like to join Fans of the Bear Session or Friends of “The George” Irish Session on Facebook, please do!

I will now wait for the proof reader to send me the corrections I need to make.

Well here we are safely on the other side of St Patrick’s night. It’s a bit like the proverbial bus. Some years there are none and then the next year two come along at once.

That’s what happened this year. Both the regular sessions held a St Patrick’s night ‘do’. Both with Irish Stew (yes, fill in the joke to which this is part of the punchline. All together now…). So it was a traditional Irish night at the Startled Stoat – and the last for it hath movéd – back to the Unfortunate Spoonerism in Ingham where it hath been these two weeks since. Not entirely sure that this was a good move as we’ve now lost John the flute as well as Ian the piper (while he’s studying) and Andy the banjo (hopefully only temporarily – get well soon and come back playing!).

The session in the Well Intent (or Shackled Yak) was a different beast. More Irish music than I imagined coutesy of Chris, Graham, Shelagh, Barbara, George and myself (sorry if I missed anyone) and accompanied by the other regulars. More songs this time too which is fine for a Paddy’s night entertainment. 

Well, numbers are still low at the Irish session whether it be the regular Wednesday evening or one of the two Sunday slots (2nd Sunday Unicorn at Bekesbourne, last Sunday Ship at Ospringe) but it keeps going defiantly.

If anybody is interested, for a bit of social fun, there is a facebook page – Fans of the Bear Sessions. Please join and say hi. Add a photo, tune, comment – whatever.