Folk at the Royal Oak

The events that take place every Thursday in the well-appointed upstairs room at the Royal Oak, Station Street, Lewes, East Sussex, are intended to encourage the performance of traditional music and song. The events run throughout the year apart from August.

This is not a club as such; there is no membership, rather a number of like-minded people who come together to celebrate and enjoy a range of musical traditions in a convivial, socially conducive atmosphere. Newcomers are made to feel welcome.

Guest artists are booked to appear virtually every week; there are a very few open nights during the year. Within limited financial resources, the organisers try to present artists from a range of musical backgrounds and experiences who are talented and display a love of their chosen music or styles. When guest artists appear, there is a cover charge on the door that reflects the status and fees of the artists. Non-guest nights are run on a free admission basis. All money collected is used to book the best variety of guest artists that can be afforded. The event is not subsidised in any way by commercial sponsorship, arts organisations, or local council grants. The organisers bear the running costs of the venture themselves in the belief that they get more out of it than they put in.