Saturday 9th November 2019

ALAN WOOD / LOU MARRIOTT

Admission: £5.00

Time: 7:00pm

Location: Saint James' Rooms

ALAN WOOD / LOU MARRIOTT
Raising the Rafters is delighted to host a double guest night this month featuring two of South Yorkshire’s folk heavyweights!
ALAN WOOD is a singer, songwriter and playwright who composes both songs and musical plays about the mining industry in his native Barnsley. He was deeply involved in the fundraising campaign to erect a statue in memory of the miners killed in the Oaks Colliery Disaster.
Alan has several albums under his belt and has supported some of the big names in folk, including Jez Lowe, Wiles and Matthew and has bookings at Doncaster and Moira (Leicestershire) Folk Festivals.
Alan will be raising money for Prostate Cancer U.K.

LOU MARRIOTT is celebrating 40 years of public performances this year, and is very well known on the folk circuit for his relaxed style and ability to bring all genres of music to life. He is also a talented songwriter, but is particularly known for his encyclopaedic knowledge of the music of Bob Dylan. For many years a guitar teacher, many musicians in this area have learned their skills from Lou.
Lou will be raising funds for Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

Saturday 14th December 2019

GAELFORCE

Admission: £5.00

Time: 7:00pm

Location: Saint James' Rooms

GAELFORCE
Well, Raising the Rafters-has acquired something of a reputation for hosting storming Christmas folk clubs, and this year is no exception! Batted down the hatches, hold on to your hats, it’s GAELFORCE
Performing a “rocked up” version of Irish traditional music, and music of their own composition, this four piece combo are going to make us rock!
This Celtic rock band were formed initially in the 1990s and have undergone a few personnel changes over the years, but their reputation for exciting interpretations of Celtic music hasn’t changed at all! Come along and get yourself in the mood for Christmas!
Gaelforce will be raising funds for Prostate Cancer U.K.

Saturday 11th January 2020

DOGWOOD ROSE

Admission: £5.00

Time: 7:00pm

Location: Saint James' Rooms

Well, we’re starting the year as we mean to go on with the repeat appearance of Sheffield based trio DOGWOOD ROSE.
We’ve lost count of how many times the Dogwoods have appeared at Rafters but we do remember that every time they have been sensational! With a perfectly balanced combination of powerful vocals, guitars and violin, Dogwood Rose bring to life all genres of music, from charts and contemporary folk through to more traditional folk music- in fact you can be forgiven for thinking that there are far more than three people performing when these guys are in full flight. Check out their previous Rafters’ appearances on YouTube performing “Like a Hurricane” and the beautiful “Blackwaterside”.
Dogwood Rose will be supporting the S6 FOODBANK in Sheffield

Saturday 8th February 2020

BENAMMI SWIFT

Admission: £5.00

Time: 7:00pm

Location: Saint James' Rooms

Benammi Swift is a member of the prestigious E.F.D.S.S. Young Persons Folk Ensemble and, boy, can he play the Melodeon!
In fact seasoned accordion and melodeon players have been known to sit going bright green with envy at the sight and sound of his playing! Whether it’s traditional tunes or ones of his own composition, Benammi will blow you away with his amazing renditions!
Originally from Alfreton in Derbyshire but studying at Leeds College of Music, Benammi is already making a big name for himself on the folk scene - and like many of his young E.F.D.S.S. Contemporaries like James Haigh and Don’t Feed the Peacocks, when you hear him you will agree that the music that we love is safe in his hands!
Benammi has asked to support two charities tonight - Cancer Research U.k. and Marie Curie.

Saturday 14th March 2020

GUEST TO BE CONFIRMED

Admission: £5.00

Time: 7:00pm

Location: Saint James' Rooms

Watch this space for further details of this month’s guest!

Saturday 11th April 2020

BOB CHISWICK

Admission: £5.00

Time: 7:00pm

Location: Saint James' Rooms

Seasoned campaigner Bob Chiswick has been around on the South Yorkshire folk scene for more years than probably any of us would care to remember! The history and music of this area flows in his veins and is beautifully expressed in his music.
With several CDs under his belt and another one planned, Bob marries his musical talent and his songwriting skills with his deep love and understanding of the Don and Dearne valleys to produce memorable music.
Bob is paying a long awaited return visit to Raising the Rafters, having a day off from his day job of helping run the successful and influential Roots Music Club in Doncaster.
Bon has asked that tonight we support Cancer Research UK

Saturday 9th May 2020

REMEMBERING CHRIS MARRIOTT

Admission: £5.00

Time: 7:00pm

Location: Saint James' Rooms

Lou Marriott has been a loyal supporter of Raising the Rafters right back to day one and we were all devastated when his wife Chris died three years ago after a short illness. Her passing left a hole in everyone’s life.
Lou has not let his terrible loss mar his creative talent and great love of music - he has taught guitar to many hundreds of local people, some of whom come to Raising the Rafters. - but once a year it’s time to remember, in celebration rather than in sorrow, what we have all lost. So this month Raising the Rafters is very proud to “Remember Chris Marriott”
So this club belongs to Lou. There will be floor singers and the usual features of Raising the Rafters but the night is given over to remember Chris in music, song and anecdote! It will be a bittersweet night.
All money raised will go to a charity close to the hearts of Lou and Chris.