How To Run A Folk Club/Night
 How To Run A Folk Club/Night.
Running a club can be a very rewarding and also at the same time a frustrating experience. It should not be endeavored unless a certain commitment is applied. I talk as one who over many years has organized many clubs, concerts and evenings where Folk Music has been performed.
Who With.
Running a club by committee is fraught with dangers. People have differing ideas as top what the music is all about and rarely agree. In my experience do not go down this road. Run it with a partner, wife, boyfriend, anyone except a committee.
The Premises.
Many pubs, (and that is the ideal place) today, do not have, and have not been designed for our type of entertainment. Pick a venue that is not too new. The acoustics have to be right. No pillars in the way. Ideally separate from the normal clientele. Decide if you are just having a sing-around, or a stage area with booked performers. If you are booking guests a separate room is essential so you can charge admission. Will the Landlord allow candles on tables to improve the atmosphere?
What Night And When.
Choose a night when other clubs in your area do not have anything on. Make it weekly if possible. People know when it is on that way. Some clubs do the third day of a month. This way people have to remember. Make sure everybody knows what time. 8.30 is usual. If you want to start then advertise that the club will begin at 8, people are always late in turning up.
Singers.
Always encourage singers. Everyone started somewhere. Often the most dire of performers blossom out into a class act. Find someone to be the resident compare if you cannot do it yourself. Give singers/performers half an our before your main guest. Give each one three songs. There is no hard and fast rule about this however, if they are good give them longer. I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to bring on home grown talent.
How Much To Charge.
On this subject I am a little rusty. Some Folk entertainers will come for the door money. Others, and let us not forget make a living from it, and require proper payment. Do not go for the top people at first. Shop around and choose local people.
Have a raffle, bottle of wine, folk CD to help raise more funds. I used to sell dairy products for a living. It was quite a joke at our club when I turned up with almost out of date yogurts for the raffle.
Publicity.
Try newsagent’s card windows. Make some posters. Try all the shops, you will be surprised how happy some are to publicize an event. The best form of advertising is by mouth, so go to other clubs and tell everybody.
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