Anne Taggart and Angie Wright are predominantly unaccompanied singers, but also play guitar, They first started touring together in 1999, and have appeared at a number of festivals. See their website for more details.
When they arrived, their Roadie, Rob, set up the guitar stands, guitars and music stand, which were later checked by their Artistic Director (Rob - different T-shirt) and also their Feng Sui Consultant (Rob - another different T-shirt!). During the evening they sang a wide variety of songs with plenty of enthusiasm to a select audience. We also had contributions from Pauline, Bernard, Archie, Cath, Brian, Graham and Maggie. Here are a few pictures.

Bram was his usual bubbly self, despite the fact that he was due to drive down to Cornwall immediately after finishing this gig! He gave us a mixture of traditional and contemporary songs, some unaccompanied, some accompanied with guitar, and some with his duet concertina. He'll be back! Here are a few pictures.

See the write-up if you missed it!

We have cast our net further afield to secure the services of two of Newfoundland's finest singers. They have been described as 'a splendid addition to the recorded music of the Maritimes...their own compositions are solidly within the tradition'.
Apart from being fine vocalists, they are excellent multi-instrumentalists. They have extensively toured Canada, the U.S., Europe, Japan and Australia.
Their album 'Wave over Wave' was nominated for the best roots/traditional album for the 1997 East Coast Music Awards.
Don't miss this rare opportunity to see this internationally acclaimed duo, on their only North West date. More info ...and more!

What a treat it was to meet these two! Much of their material was unfamiliar, yet somehow strangely familiar! Fergus is originally from Dublin, but has lived in and around Newfoundland for over thirty years; Jim is a native of Newfoundland. Jim told a couple of hilarious traditional 'tall stories', one of which became more of a tongue twister as it progressed! It was also refreshing that they were happy to sit around and chat with everyone - no aloof 'I'm a superstar' airs and graces. Although their performance would never be described as 'slick', it was certainly warm and well presented, with excellent musicianship. We look forward to their next visit! (photos will follow shortly).

Lynn and Barrie never fail to please their audience! Making another return visit to the Open Door, we are pleased to report that stories of Lynn's 'recent illness' were a complete fabrication, and she is in excellent health. Barrie is practically fully recovered from his recent surgical procedure, and they are now back to full strength!

What a great turnout to wish our Brian (the Pub Prop Man) a long and happy retirement! Apart from our regulars, there were many visitors from far afield, plus Lynn and Barrie Hardman, Stanley Accrington, and many more. We let Brian start and finish the night with some great chorus songs, and he let us eat some of his butties in return!

Dave and Anni haven't been to the Open Door before, but we hope they'll be back! There isn't really anything we can say about them that hasn't already been said dozens of times - but they certainly give a whole new meaning to 'close harmony'!! We all enjoyed having a good old sing!

A rip-roaring evening of hearty chorus singing - a shame Brian missed it... we certainly missed him.

A disappointing turn-out for Ken this evening - it seems the local press got the dates mixed up...
However, he continued undeterred, and gave us a memorable evening! He seemed to enjoy the intimacy of a small audience rather than to 'turn down the enthusiasm' as some performers are wont to do!

Roy was our last guest at the Bull's Head... Sunday July 20th 2003 saw the Open Door Folk Club move to its (albeit temporary) new venue - the Railway and Linnet on Grimshaw Lane, Chadderton.

Tonight's singaround was held in the new venue - the Railway and Linnet, Chadderton!

The 'opening night' was a great success, with more than double our usual crowd! If you weren't there, why not join us...??!!

A perennial favourite, local lad Geoff will be entertaining us as only he can tonight! Our first guest in our new home!!

Alan Reid & Rob van Sante present a seamless fusion of the old and new traditions, featuring self-penned songs and Battlefield Band favourites.
Their show combines the solid DADGAD-tuned guitar accompaniment of Rob, the keyboard and guitar work of Alan and the fine harmony singing of both , ensuring an excellent night's entertainment for all.
Alan has been an ever-present member of Battlefield Band since 1969. The 'Batties' have been pre-eminent in Scottish traditional music for over 30 years. Alan was first to use keyboards as an integral part of a traditional folk band. Rob is a guitarist of exceptional skill and subtlety; he has worked with the likes of Danny Thompson and Tom McConville (who is a guest at Extravaganza 5).
Recently, he has been Battlefield Band's sound engineer for both live and recorded work. He continues to accompany them on all their tours as their 'fifth member'. All these strands come together to make a perfect foil to Alan and his music.

Donal recently released his first album, 'It's About Time', to critical acclaim:
Delivered with a conviction and clarity which matches Christy Moore in his prime... mark as a 'must see' when he plays near you. (Nigel Schofield, Tyke News).

We aim to start around 1:30pm with a singaround (What is a 'Singaround'? Click Here!) each day, and our first guest will appear around 3:00pm. David Jones will once again be introducing our guests as they do two forty minute spots each, with a singaround lead by Bernard in between each spot. See the programme for more details.

The Browns are, in their own quiet way, two of the most active people on the folk scene. It is typical of them that most of this activity has been directed into providing places for people to sing in, researching songs for them to sing, and reviving old customs so that they are returned to their community. In short, they are a powerful resource for folk music wherever they may be. Numbers of people have reason to be grateful to the Browns for their life in folk music. Why not come along to the Open Door and find out why?!

We had a great 'first spot' from Stuart and Co., and were looking forward to the second spot - which didn't happen...

Tonight's singaround was held in the 'new' venue - the Star Inn, Failsworth!

It seems like we've been here before...!!

Sorry for the short notice... unfortunately, as we had a sudden change of venue, we've had to fit in with bookings the pub already had for the room.

SO! Tap The Barrel will be joining us on January 4th 2004 for our New Year's Bash!

George 'El Greko' Papavgeris (website) created such an impression upon everyone at Extravaganza 5 that we just had to bring him back!! ...oh, and it's FREE! (as long as you bring a big present!)