Congratulations to Ayr Phoenix Folk Club who has been nominated in Club of the Year in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2024. Vote for Ayr Phoenix Folk Club now!. It’s going to be another great night at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards on Saturday 30th November in Inverness Leisure. Why not join us for a brilliant night of music and awards. Buy a ticket here.
We asked Graham of Ayr Phoenix Folk Club the following questions.
Tell us about yourself
IN 2015, AYR FOLKY, PAT LAPPIN HAD THE IDEA OF REVIVING AN AYR FOLK CLUB AFTER THE ORIGINAL 30 YEAR CLUB STOPPED IN THE LATE 90’S. THE NAME PHOENIX REFLECTS THIS. AN INTENTION FROM THE BEGINNING WAS TO SEEK TO CREATE A COMMUNITY IDENTITY AND INVOLVEMENT THROUGH FOLK MUSIC IN AYR. THIS INCLUDES WORKING WITH OTHER LOCAL FOLK ORGANISATIONS ACROSS AYRSHIRE.
THERE ARE MONTHLY CLUB NIGHTS, FIRST TUESDAYS, WITH A VARIETY OF GUESTS BOTH ESTABLISHED AND UP & COMING. 40% OF THE CLUB NIGHT IS DEDICATED TO FLOOR SINGERS ON THE PRINCIPLE OF INVOLVING OUR SUPPORTERS. THREE VENUES HAVE BEEN USED TO DATE TWO OF WHICH ARE ORIGINAL CLUB VENUES. THE CURRENT VENUE IS THE LAST ONE USED BY THE ORIGINAL CLUB. TWO CLUB NIGHTS PER YEAR ARE ALL FLOOR SPOTS AND A LOCAL UKELELE GROUP WITH FREE ENTRY.
A CLUB CD WAS PRODUCED WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF ALASTAIR MCDONALD CONTAINING TRACKS FROM OUR LOCAL SUPPORTERS. THERE IS A PLAN TO REISSUE THIS ALONGSIDE A 1973 LP RECORDING FROM THE ORIGINAL CLUB.
OCCASIONAL AND OPPORTUNISTIC MID MONTH CLUB NIGHTS; BURNS SPECIALS JANUARY ‘24 & ’25.
WE HOST A SATURDAY AFTERNOON SINGAROUND SESSION EVERY WEEK, OPEN TO ALL, AN OPEN SESSION.
WE SUPPORT FUNDRAISING FOR BELLEISLE CONSERVATORY WITH A MONTHLY SUNDAY OPEN SINGAROUND SESSION.
THE CLUB IS ASSOCIATED WITH A WEEKLY FOLK MUSIC PROGRAMME ON A LOCAL RADIO STATION – AYR PHOENIX FOLK ON UWSRADIO THURSDAYS 5 – 7, REPEAT TUESDAYS 5 – 7. THERE IS A WEEKLY ‘PHOENIX FOLK’ SLOT ON COMMUNITY RADIO IN MELBOURNE.
THE CLUB HAS PROVIDED SUPPORT, PARTICIPATION AND COLLABORATION WITH LOCAL EVENTS; FRESH AYR FOLK FEST; AYR FLOWER SHOW; BELLEISLE MUSIC DAY. WE OFFER VISITS TO LOCAL CARE ESTABLISHMENTS TO PROVIDE ENTERTAINMENT.
THE CLUB PRODUCED A UKRAINE REFUGEE BENEFIT CONCERT AT AYR GAIETY THEATRE IN JULY 2022 TO RAISE FUNDS FOR LOCAL REFUGEES; THE THEATRE AND ALL INVOLVED FREELY DONATED THEIR TIME AND EXPERTISE. IT WAS A SELL OUT.
AYR PHOENIX, ONLY 9 YEARS ESTABLISHED, CAN JUSTIFIABLY CLAIM TO PROVIDE A SOLID FOLK MUSIC PRESENCE IN AYRSHIRE WHILE ALSO BECOMING INVOLVED IN A RANGE OF COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES.
Why are you involved in Scottish music?
APFC OFFERS A RANGE OF ACTIVITIES FROM CLUB GUEST NIGHTS TO SESSIONS ALONG WITH PARTICIPATION IN ANNUAL FESTIVALS AND EVENTS.
Any particular career highlights?
THERE ARE SEVERAL – THE RANGE OF GUESTS ATTRACTED TO PERFORM AT THE CLUB ALONG WITH GREAT CONTRIBUTIONS FROM OUR LOYAL FLOOR SINGERS; THE PRODUCTION OF A CD; THE UKRAINE COMNCERT; GREAT SESSIONS AND THE COLLABORATION WITH OTHER ORGANISATIONS; COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT.
What are your plans for the future?
APFC WILL CONTINUE TO SEEK A SOLID COMMUNITY BASE AND CONTRIBUTION TO LOCAL MUSIC AND EVENTS.
Ayr Phoenix Folk Club Social Media
Website: http://www.ayrphoenix.co.uk/
Facebook: Ayr Phoenix Folk Club
Twitter: @
Instagram: @
YouTube: @
TikTok: @
The 2024 MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards are on the 30th November 2024 in Inverness Leisure Centre! You will be able to watch it live in person (buy a ticket here). Watch it live in the UK at 9pm (GMT) on BBC ALBA and and around the world here. Bands performing on Saturday 30th November include Julie Fowlis, Skipinnish, Laura Wilkie and Ian Carr, Highland Young Musicians and Arc Fiddlers, An Dannsa Dub, BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Award winner 2024 Calum McIlroy and more!
If you would like to support Hands Up for Trad in their work with Scottish trad music and musicians why not become a friend of Hands Up for Trad. In addition to our high profile events like the Scots Trad Music Awards, we also deliver a less well known, education programme for young people from 8yrs right through to young adults at the start of their careers. Read more here.
