Welcome to MAFEA - Mendip Association of Folk and Entertaining Arts
Launch Event - Show Report
It all happened at Ebborways Farm when the Launch of the MAFEA occurred.
They say that hard work leads to a successful outcome. And so it was over the weekend 18th, 19th and 20th September. The weather gods came to our aid and provided a dry weekend on the Mendip hills. In a field near Priddy, a gathering of members and artists enjoyed one of the best folk weekends imaginable.
Friday evening saw a gathering of singers and musicians who jammed into the late hours Saturday, many took in the delights of the local scenic area and some quietly jammed under a splendid grove of Beeches that formed a backdrop to the site. Saturday evening was the highlight of these magical events, with a superb line-up of some of the best artists available. The main event opened with the lighting of a bonfire at which most of the people joined hands and danced and sang round the fire. Then everyone gathered in the main marquee for the concert which, by unanimous agreement, was the very best you could get anywhere.
Artists and performers stood together and the line-up glittered with talent. Hosting the show, Robin Gray warmed up the stage. Taking the lead, Peter and John of the famous Alhambra Vaudeville act gave us a look back to the old time music hall. This gave us an insight to the talented line-up that followed which, interspersed by Robin was Alan Kennett, Alan o'Toole, Terry Helyar, Jonathan Fryer, Nicola Clark, Peter James, Kate and Peter Abbot. This stupendous and memorable display was rounded off with Alhambra giving a sparkling end in the early hours which left the audience rolling in stitches.
As the organisers, myself and Celia are now convinced we are on the right track with our idea of an artists-run festival which is now programmed for September 17th to 19th 2010.
This one will knock your socks off.
Chris Street
Click here to see photos from the event.
Dates for your Diary
Every Monday evening - C&C Entertainment's regular informal jam session
Join Chris and Celia Street for their regular informal jam session at the Queen Victoria, in the village of Priddy (on the top of the Mendips in Somerset), on Monday evenings. Admission is free and the beer is good!
Petition for Live Music
"Following on from the Early Day Motion in favour of an exemption from licensing for small live music gigs (which is for MPs to sign), there is now a petition to the PM which can be signed by anyone eligible to vote in the UK. The last time such a petition was put up it attracted 80,000 signatures - and was summarily ignored. This one needs at least twice that, so please sign and publicise. It is at http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/livemusicevents/ where the full text can be read."
"Under the Licensing Act, a performance by one musician in a bar, restaurant, school or hospital not licensed for live music could lead to a criminal prosecution of those organising the event. Even a piano may count as a licensable 'entertainment facility'. By contrast, amplified big screen broadcast entertainment is exempt. The government says the Act is necessary to control noise nuisance, crime, disorder and public safety, even though other laws already deal with those risks. Musicians warned the Act would harm small events. About 50% of bars and 75% of restaurants have no live music permission. Obtaining permission for the mildest live music remains costly and time-consuming. In May, the Culture, Media and Sport Committee recommended exemptions for venues up to 200 capacity and for unamplified performance by one or two musicians. The government said no. But those exemptions would restore some fairness in the regulation of live music and encourage grassroots venues."
Related Links
C & C Entertainments - Chris and Celia Street
Queen Victoria, Priddy
The Acoustic Calendar for Wessex
SADFolk - Somerset and Dorset Folk Events Diary
Crediton Folk Weekend