Edinburgh Folk Club celebrates 50 years with vibrant anniversary lineup
Edinburgh Folk Club is celebrating 50 years at the heart of the capital’s traditional music scene this year, with an exciting array of gigs and events lined up in the coming months.
Article Source: Edinburgh Folk Club
Last Updated: 29 November 2023 11:47
Every year from October to June, the beloved Club lights up Wednesday nights at Edinburgh’s Ukrainian Community Centre with an evening of vibrant folk music, and this year sees a jam-packed programme of 38 events to celebrate their landmark anniversary.
Made possible by the support of Creative Scotland, the programme focuses on bringing together performers from all generations and backgrounds to celebrate all things folk.
Since first opening in September 1973 in the basement of the Chaplaincy Centre in George Square, Edinburgh Folk Club has grown a large and loyal following of local music lovers, as well as attracting visitors from all over the world.
Welcoming emerging talent as well as established names, the Club’s weekly folk nights have been a platform for numerous musicians over the years, hosting over 2000 gigs with a total audience of around 100,000.
Among those on the lineup over the coming months are talented mandolin, guitar and vocal duo Jenn Butterworth and Laura-Beth Salter, renowned English musician John Kirkpatrick, celebrated folk outfit North Sea Gas, and esteemed Canadian duo Gordie Tentrees and Jaxon Haldane. Also performing are Edinburgh singer-songwriter Adam Holmes, acclaimed folk band The Poozies and Scottish-Danish duo The Quiggs, among many others.
The Folk Club will also host a number of open mic nights, including a Valentine’s Day special, as well as a special night for St Patrick’s Day, and their renowned Burns Supper, featuring Fiona Forbes.
In addition to their weekly folk nights, Edinburgh Folk Club holds an annual Songwriting Competition, which was established in 1976 and attracts up to 30 entries every year, offering wordsmiths from Edinburgh and beyond the opportunity to showcase and receive recognition for their work.
The Club also runs the Paddy Bort Fund, which offers financial assistance to folk musicians living in Scotland who are experiencing financial hardship, and has raised a staggering £20,000 in support to date.
Edinburgh Folk Club won Club of the Year at the 2017 Scots Trad Music Awards for its welcoming atmosphere and exciting programme, and is nominated in the same category this year, with the ceremony set to take place in Dundee on Saturday 2nd December.
Edinburgh Folk Club Chair, John Barrow, said: "The Folk Club has become a cornerstone of the Scottish folk scene, and we’re so grateful to all our members and everyone who’s supported us over the last five decades. We’ve had performers and music lovers coming from all around the world to perform here and get a taste of a real Scottish folk club, and we can’t wait to welcome even more people through the doors in the coming year.
“It’s fantastic to be overseeing the programme for Edinburgh Folk Club’s 50th anniversary celebrations. We’ve got an incredible array of performances lined up in the coming months, with even more details to be announced, to celebrate this milestone in suitable style, with thanks to funding from Creative Scotland. I would encourage everyone to take a look at the full programme and come along to see what we’re about!”
For more information on Edinburgh Folk Club visit: www.efc1973.com
Image: Gnoss
Image credit: Allan McMillan
Sponsored Links
Latest Edinburgh News
Dynamic Earth Expands Inclusive Access with New 2025 Relaxed Opening Dates
Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh’s Science Centre and Planetarium, is excited to announce two additional Relaxed Opening Hours sessions as part of its continued commitment to inclusivity.
READ MORE
Lost Shore Surf Resort to Launch Inaugural Wellbeing Month in January
Lost Shore Surf Resort, Europe’s largest inland surf resort in Ratho, Edinburgh, is kicking off the New Year with its first-ever Wellbeing Month, launching on 1st January 2025.
READ MORE
First Minister John Swinney launches the Doddie Aid 2025 campaign
Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney launches the Doddie Aid 2025 campaign at Murrayfield stadium.
READ MORE
The Edinburgh Gin Distillery At The Arches
World-renowned distillers, Edinburgh Gin, has opened the doors to its brand new distillery at The Arches.
READ MORE
Acclaimed Chinese art exhibit brings vibrant Chinese New Year celebrations to textile heartland of Scotland
A highly acclaimed textile exhibit celebrating part of China’s intangible cultural heritage will make its UK debut when it goes on display at the Great Tapestry of Scotland!
READ MORE
Back by popular demand: Murder on the Midnight Express returns to Somewhere By Nico
Back by popular demand, Murder on the Midnight Express is making its highly anticipated return to Somewhere by Nico in Edinburgh and Glasgow for a limited time only.
READ MORE
Fort Kinnaird confirms festive opening hours
Fort Kinnaird has confirmed its festive opening times for last minute shopping and anyone planning a day out with family and friends over the Christmas period.
READ MORE
Australian superstar Jason Donovan makes a much anticipated return to one of his most famous roles
Jason Donovan makes a much anticipated return to one of his most famous roles: playing Frank-N-Furter in Richard O'Brien's anarchic musical, The Rocky Horror Show at Edinburgh Playhouse.
READ MORE
Vault City toasts first ever supermarket listings for stout with major UK name
Jingle Brew: Edinburgh-based independent beer firm Vault City now has its Gingerbread Latte Imperial Stout stocked by Tesco in time for festive season.
READ MORE
Room to Recharge: Kimpton Hotels in Scotland launch new wellness program, Stay Well
Kimpton Hotels in Edinburgh and Glasgow have launched 'Stay Well', a new wellness-first initiative designed to help guests 'feel good, travel better, and stay well' while travelling.
READ MORE
Two Weeks Til Edinburghs Hogmanay First Footin
The countdown to the New Year has begun as Edinburgh’s Hogmanay prepares for four days of events to ring in 2025, running from December 29th to January 1st.
READ MORE
Wicked fans in Scotland invited to special Sing Along screenings at Vue this Boxing Day
After becoming one of the most popular big screen releases of 2024, Vue is excited to announce that an extra special sing-along version of Wicked is heading to the big screen this Boxing Day.
READ MORE
Funding win marks anniversary of Mackintosh acquisition
A generous package of funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund has been pledged to the National Trust for Scotland to celebrate the genius of Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Margaret Macdonald.
READ MORE
Win a year of free flights as Loganair invites Edinburgh residents to share the joy of reuniting
Loganair, the UK’s largest regional airline, is spreading the joy of Christmas as it gifts free flights for an entire year for reconnecting with loved ones.
READ MORE
Caledonian Sleeper announces winners of photography competition celebrating UK beauty spots
Caledonian Sleeper has announced the winners of its photography competition aimed at celebrating the country's most scenic locations on the overnight train's iconic route.
READ MORE
Johnston Carmichael clothing collection is the right fit for social mobility charities
Johnston Carmichael has collected over one hundred of items of new and lightly worn pre-loved clothing for charities that help unemployed men and women back into work.
READ MORE
Newtongrange Guerrilla Gardeners steam home to victory at the ScotRail awards
Newtongrange train station has undergone a transformation this year, thanks to Newtongrange Guerrilla Gardeners, who scooped the Community Project of the Year title.
READ MORE
Scotch liqueur brand takes Christmas to new heights on Edinburgh rooftop bar
Scotch malt whisky cream liqueur brand Magnum, has launched a new winter wonderland experience on the rooftop bar of the iconic Cold Town House in Edinburgh’s Grassmarket.
READ MORE
Garden Centre invites budding indoor gardeners to its stores
Dobbies Garden Centres is kicking off the new year on a green note, offering two free workshops at its Scottish stores this January.
READ MORE
Ticketmaster announces Breakthrough 2025 list
Ticketmaster has unveiled its much-anticipated Breakthrough 2025 list, highlighting the brightest up-and-coming stars set to shape the live music scene in 2025.
READ MORE
Edinburgh Zoo plea for locals to refrain from letting off fireworks at Hogmanay
Residents near the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s (RZSS) Edinburgh Zoo are being asked not to set off fireworks this Hogmanay, following the death of a baby red panda last month.
READ MORE
Blooming Fabulous! The Scottish Garden Festival arrives in 2025!
This family-friendly festival takes place in the spacious and scenic Hamilton Park Racecourse, offering a perfect setting for all ages to enjoy.
READ MORE
Success for first ever Soundhouse Winter Festival
Music fans packed out the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh for Soundhouse’s first ever Winter Festival.
READ MORE
Christmas Day Dining at Duck & Waffle
Celebrate Christmas Day with friends and family at Duck & Waffle Edinburgh, where the magic of Narnia comes to life!
READ MORE
Biffy Clyro, Young Fathers & Callum Beattie among winners at inaugural Scottish Live Music Awards
The Scottish Live Music Awards (SLMA) celebrated the best of Scotland's vibrant live music scene on Thursday night during a prestigious ceremony at Glasgow's Classic Grand Ballroom.
READ MORE
Dogstar Theatre brings Gideon Mack from page to stage
James Robertson's 2006 best-selling novel will be brought to life in early 2025 with a stage adaptation of The Testament of Gideon Mack from Dogstar Theatre Company.
READ MORE
Experience a World of Winter Wonder at Dynamic Earth this December
Dynamic Earth invites families to step into a world of winter wonder, and to experience the magic of the holidays like never before.
READ MORE
Iconic soft drink is hitting the road with the festive truck the nation has been waiting for
The battle of festive cola trucks has already kicked off between Lidl and Coke - but now the country's most iconic soft drink, IRN-BRU, has joined in!
READ MORE
Capital Theatres launches new partnership with The Secret Garden Distillery
Capital Theatres is delighted to celebrate the launch of a new bar partnership with The Secret Garden Distillery, a family-owned luxury distillery based in Edinburgh.
READ MORE
Ring in the New Year at Flight Club Edinburgh with the Ultimate Hogmanay Brunch
Flight Club Edinburgh is celebrating Hogmanay in style with a bottomless brunch to end all bottomless brunches and a gorgeous limited-edition cocktail menu.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links