Saturday 25th NOVEMBER 2023

RAFTERS Xtra

Admission: £3.00

Time: 8.00 p.m.

Location: Saint James' Rooms

RAFTERS Xtra is a monthly club (on the 4th Saturday) given over entirely to our band of highly accomplished and talented singers, musicians and wordsmiths …. It’s their night! Come along and play or just come along and listen ….. the choice is yours! The more the merrier!
All the money raised at RAFTERS Xtra will be donated to charity.

Saturday 9th December 2023

MERRY KOOTCHMAS!

Admission: £5.00

Time: 8.00 p.m.

Location: Saint James' Rooms

Raising the Rafters always tries to put on something special for the Winter Solstice and Yuletide, and who better to help us than the amazing four piece band KOOTCH, a band especially popular with our Welsh supporters
They’re bringing their unique take on songs old and new, songs from others and songs of their own - it’s going to be a grea5 night of music. And we’re hoping that local musician SARAH ANNE BUSH might be coming to help us celebrate with some traditional Christmas music as well! Watch this space!

Saturday 13th JANUARY 2024

GARRATT / ATKINSON / HEPPEL

Admission: £5.00

Time: 8.00 p.m.

Location: Saint James' Rooms

Pete Garratt, Ken Atkinson and Geoff Heppel (known by us as “GARRATT ATKINSON & HEPPEL” because it’s like CROSBY STILLS & NASH and sounds cool) did a great club for us a few years ago to raise funds for Bluebell Wood and they’re back to kick off 2024 for us
They are seasoned campaigners - having a long history of bringing folk music to their clubs in the Harthill and Kiveton Park area and we’re delighted to welcome them back! Last time they brought loads of their talented supporters as well …… here’s hoping!

Saturday 27th JANUARY 2024

RAFTERS Xtra

Admission: £3.00

Time: 8.00 p.m.

Location: Saint James' Rooms

RAFTERS Xtra is a monthly club (on the 4th Saturday) given over entirely to our band of highly accomplished and talented singers, musicians and wordsmiths …. It’s their night! Come along and play or just come along and listen ….. the choice is yours! The more the merrier!
All the money raised at RAFTERS Xtra will be donated to charity.

Saturday 10th FEBRUARY 2024

MINT IMPERIALS

Admission: £5.00

Time: 8.00 p.m.

Location: Saint James' Rooms

February sees the return of our old friends MINT IMPERIALS. This three piece band comprising John, Brian and Kathy (a.k.a. Mimsy) bring music of all genres to life with verve and style. They blew us away at their last appearance here at Rafters and we’ve asked them back for more!

Saturday 24th FEBRUARY 2024

RAFTERS Xtra

Admission: £3.00

Time: 8.00 p.m.

Location: Saint James' Rooms

RAFTERS Xtra is a monthly club (on the 4th Saturday) given over entirely to our band of highly accomplished and talented singers, musicians and wordsmiths …. It’s their night! Come along and play or just come along and listen ….. the choice is yours! The more the merrier!
All the money raised at RAFTERS Xtra will be donated to charity.

Saturday 9th MARCH 2024

MONKEYS FIST

Admission: £5.00

Time: 8.00 p.m.

Location: Saint James' Rooms

We can’t get enough of these guys! MONKEYS FIST are a three piece band comprising STEVE FLUDE, COLIN DEVEY and JOHN HORSEY and although we are a well landlocked Folk Club, we can expect a taste of the sea tonight, because Monkeys Fist can definitely give Fishermen’s Friends a run for their money!
Featuring close knit harmonies, guitar and concertina, with a liberal sprinkling of humour, a great evening’s entertainment is guaranteed. They’ve been to Raising the Rafters twice before and each time they leave the audience clamouring for more!

Saturday 23rd MARCH 2024

RAFTERS Xtra

Admission: £3.00

Time: 8.00 p.m.

Location: Saint James' Rooms

RAFTERS Xtra is a monthly club (on the 4th Saturday) given over entirely to our band of highly accomplished and talented singers, musicians and wordsmiths …. It’s their night! Come along and play or just come along and listen ….. the choice is yours! The more the merrier!
All the money raised at RAFTERS Xtra will be donated to charity.

Saturday 13th April 2024

SKINNER AND T’WITCH

Admission: £5.00

Time: 8.00 p.m.

Location: Saint James' Rooms

We love it when someone new comes to Raising the Rafters! Leeds based duo SKINNER AND T’WITCH (aka Steve Skinner and Sandra Twitchett) play….. well, just about everything!
Steve has a background in musical theatre, and has toured the country with musical reviews, while Sandra has a classical training and is a member of Huddersfield Choral Society and with a passion for folk and rock music!
They perform folk music, theatre style songs and even flamenco with a driving rhythm and intense harmonies. It’s going to be a great night, don’t miss this one!

Saturday 27th APRIL 2024

RAFTERS Xtra

Admission: £3.00

Time: 8.00 p.m.

Location: Saint James' Rooms

Another of our Rafters Xtra Singers Night clubs, dedicated to giving a platform to our hugely talented group of musicians, singers and poets ….. and it seems to be just as popular with people who want to just come along and listen and enjoy! All profits on the night donated to charity.

Saturday 4th. MAY 2024

WATH FESTIVAL CONCERT 2024

Admission: To Be Arranged

Time: To Be Arra

Location: Saint James' Rooms

Once again, Raising the Rafters are delighted to be hosting the prestigious Saturday Night Concert as part of the WATH FESTIVAL 2024.
It’s all in the early planning stages at this time …… but watch this space - and Save The Date!

Saturday 11th MAY 2024

COMMON GROUND

Admission: £5.00

Time: 8.00 p.m.

Location: Saint James' Rooms

They’re back!
. The four piece band COMMON GROUND did a fantastic gig in July 2023 and by popular demand involving threats of physical violence to the club organisers if they didn’t get a repeat booking (mostly from the band members themselves), here they are again.
. Common Ground are DAVE DUKE, ANDREW CROTHERS, ANDREW FAWCETT and DAVID GALLAGHER and they perform an eclectic mix of music from …. well, just about everywhere, old and new. Apart from Tierra Del Fuego, they don’t do any music from there. Bit of an omission actually …

Saturday 25th MAY 2024

RAFTERS Xtra

Admission: £3.00

Time: 8.00 p.m.

Location: Saint James' Rooms

Another of our Rafters Xtra Singers Night clubs, dedicated to giving a platform to our hugely talented group of musicians, singers and poets ….. and it seems to be just as popular with people who want to just come along and listen and enjoy! All profits on the night donated to charity.

Saturday 8th June 2024

JAMES HAIGH

Admission: £5.00

Time: 8.00 p.m.

Location: Saint James' Rooms

Anyone who has seen or heard James Haigh play the guitar will never forget the experience! He is a Guitar Hero in the making!
A member of the E.f.d.s.s. Young Persons Folk Ensemble, James has played solo and also with the highly acclaimed band “Don’t Feed the Peacocks” and The James Haigh Trio alongside Benammi Swift and Owen Spafford.
At James’ request, this club will be raising money for WATER AID

Saturday 22nd JUNE 2024

RAFTERS Xtra

Admission: £3.00

Time: 8.00 p.m.

Location: Saint James' Rooms

Another of our Rafters Xtra Singers Night clubs, dedicated to giving a platform to our hugely talented group of musicians, singers and poets ….. and it seems to be just as popular with people who want to just come along and listen and enjoy! All profits on the night donated to charity.

Saturday 13th JULY 2024

POKE o’ SWEDGERS

Admission: £5.00

Time: 8.00.p.m.

Location: Saint James' Rooms

Poke o’Swedgers are a two piece - one guitar and two voices - from the Chesterfield area - They describe themselves as “Purveyors of Hand Crafted Sweet and Savoury Songs ….. which sums them up rather well!
kev McNally and Dave Banks perform songs of their own devising, upbeat and reflective with an added dose of humour. It’s their first time at Rafters and we can’t wait.

Saturday 27th JULY 2024

RAFTERS Xtra

Admission: £3.00

Time: 8.00 p.m.

Location: Saint James' Rooms

Another of our Rafters Xtra Singers Night clubs, dedicated to giving a platform to our hugely talented group of musicians, singers and poets ….. and it seems to be just as popular with people who want to just come along and listen and enjoy! All profits on the night donated to charity.

Saturday 10th AUGUST 2024

NICK DOW

Admission: £5.00

Time: 8.00 p.m.

Location: Saint James' Rooms

(Rescheduled from September 2023)
At long last it’s the long awaited return of Folk Music legend NICK DOW who has spent his life collecting and performing folk songs with the emphasis on traditional music. Illness prevented him from coming in September 2023 but now he’s back …. And we can’t wait. At Nick’s request the club will be raising money for. CANCER RESEARCH U.K.
This is going to be a busy club so advance purchase of tickets is recommended from www.wegottickets.com

Saturday 24th AUGUST 2024

RAFTERS Xtra

Admission: £3.00

Time: 8.00 p.m.

Location: Saint James' Rooms

Another of our Rafters Xtra Singers Night clubs, dedicated to giving a platform to our hugely talented group of musicians, singers and poets ….. and it seems to be just as popular with people who want to just come along and listen and enjoy! All profits on the night donated to charity.

Saturday 14th September 2024

TONI BUNNELL

Admission: £5.00

Time: 8.00 p.m.

Location: Saint James' Rooms

Toni Bunnell is a singer songwriter who has played on the folk circuit in the UK and Germany for many years. She has recorded seven albums of her songs which she accompanies using the guitar, bouzouki, dulcimer, hurdy gurdy and harmonium; plus an album of hurdy gurdy tunes. She has recently produced a book of 100 of her songs, called Across the Years. Toni’s latest album, Tracking the Changes, has received a 4 star review in RNR music magazine: ’These are songs that respect ‘the spirit of people throughout the world’, songs that remind us to ‘move to the future but remember the past’. Tracking the Changes is a living heritage’. Andrew Darlington, RNR Nov/Dec 2023
At her request, the club will be raising funds for “Animals Asia” and Toni’s own charity, York Hedgehog Rescue.

Saturday 28th SEPTEMBER 2024

RAFTERS Xtra

Admission: £3.00

Time: 8.00 p.m.

Location: Saint James' Rooms

Another of our Rafters Xtra Singers Night clubs, dedicated to giving a platform to our hugely talented group of musicians, singers and poets ….. and it seems to be just as popular with people who want to just come along and listen and enjoy! All profits on the night donated to charity.

Saturday 12th OCTOBER 2024

DEN MILLER

Admission: £5.00

Time: 8.00 p.m.

Location: Saint James' Rooms

The multi talented DEN MILLER dropped in us in July 2023 as a floor singer and only performed a couple of his own songs ….. but it was enough to trigger a deluge of emails and messages afterwards to the club organisers with a common theme - BOOK HIM!
Den is one of the wittiest and most talented parody singers around (although he’s good at the serious stuff as well!). He’s cutting a new album at the beginning of 2024 and then touring and is going to end his World Tour at Raising the Rafters! Believe me, it will be worth waiting for!
This is another club where advance booking is recommended through www.wegottickets.com which will save you a few Bob, guarantee you a seat and allow you to walk in the club like you own the place. Sorry, Den’s humour seems to be rubbing off on me!

Saturday 26th OCTOBER 2024

RAFTERS Xtra

Admission: £3.00

Time: 8.00 p.m.

Location: Saint James' Rooms

Another of our Rafters Xtra Singers Night clubs, dedicated to giving a platform to our hugely talented group of musicians, singers and poets ….. and it seems to be just as popular with people who want to just come along and listen and enjoy! All profits on the night donated to charity.

Saturday 9th NOVEMBER 2024

REG MEUROSS IN CONCERT

Admission: £10.00 / £12.00

Time: 8.00 p.m.

Location: Saint James' Rooms

The return to Raising the Rafters of the U.K.’s premier Singer/Songwriter, Reg Meuross.
Reg writes beautifully powerful songs, many of which have become folk music classics - My Name is London Town, England Green and England Grey, For Sophie (This Beautiful day) and Faraway People - to name but a handful of dozens of such songs.
. Woodie Guthrie said that “ …. The purpose of a folk singer is to Comfort the Disturbed and to Distirb the Comfortable….” Reg Meuross does that with consummate skill and beauty.
It’s going to be a busy night so advance booking recommended - tickets available from www.wegottickets.com on and from 1/1/2024 at £10.00 . Entry on the door £12.00

Saturday 23rd NOVEMBER 2024

RAFTERS Xtra

Admission: £3.00

Time: 8.00 p.m.

Location: Saint James' Rooms

Another of our Rafters Xtra Singers Night clubs, dedicated to giving a platform to our hugely talented group of musicians, singers and poets ….. and it seems to be just as popular with people who want to just come along and listen and enjoy! All profits on the night donated to charity.

Saturday 14th DECEMBER 2024

To Be Arranged

Admission: £5.00

Time: 8.00 p.m.

Location: Saint James' Rooms

Hugo and the Team are still working on this one …. Watch this space!