London

Most evenings at Sharps are singers’ nights, meaning anyone is welcome to volunteer to sing, play an instrument, tell a story, and so on. Evenings are run by a rota of MCs who call on the singers and musicians to perform in turn. About once a month a guest artist is booked.

As far as we know, still the only weekly English Folk Music Session in London. Mainly traditional English Dance Tunes in sets with a few songs later on. Free buffet, usually a free drink for participants (Real Ale available). Totally acoustic. Has been known to finish quite late! Buses 177, 180, 188, 199, 286, 386 DLR (Cutty Sark nearly opposite) and Greenwich Mainline Railway station (5 mins. You can park your car outside. ...

The Kalamazoo Klub was started sixteen years ago by two local musicians, Paul Alcantara and Guy Simpson. They had been playing in folk and acoustic clubs in London and the South East for years and decided that North London needed a music venue that would bring top quality, live acoustic artists to the area from all genres of music. The Kalamazoo Klub has, in the years since, attracted some of the most famous names in acoustic music, from Bert Jansch who was the first artist to appear, Martin Carthy, Robin Williamson and John Kirkpatrick through to more diverse artists from the worlds of folk, celtic music, Blues, flamenco, Country and even Chinese classical music. ...

A Blackheath folk club. Acoustic open-mic night every Tuesday at The British Oak, 109 Old Dover Road, London SE3 8SU, featuring a mixture of floorspots and special guests. Starts at 8.30pm. Irish session usually on the second Friday of the month; the Christmas session will be Friday 5th December 2008.

All are welcome, especially singers and poets who sing or read against war, capitalism, exploitation, privatisation, imperialism and globalisation. Admission fee: £3.00.

Cecil Sharp House, the home of the English Folk Dance and Song Society, hosts several folk, Cajun, bluegrass, etc. events.