There is a real ale beer festival at the Louis Armstrong pub this weekend (Fri - Sun) with many bands playing. There will be a barbeque and 14 real ales. (Lager drinkers tolerated, have no fear!). This is in memory of a local friend to many of us who sadly, and untimely, passed away earlier this year. Details below: -
(Thanks to PaulB for allowing me to post this).
In light of the recent sad loss of Mick Fox, The Louis Armstong in Maison Dieu Road, Dover will be holding a 'Beer & Bands festival' to celebrate his life. Jackie Bowles, landlady of the popular pub said "Mick was an avid blues fan and was a regular at the pub for over 30 years. He often entertained the locals with his wide selection of Harmonicas so in memory of this, throughout the weekend there will be blues and jazz played all day". A wide selection of Kentish real ales will also be on offer, including Goachers, Hopdaemon, Westerham, Gadds and Whitstable Breweries and the barbecue will be alight all day every day.
As well as an open mike session on the Saturday evening some of the music being played during the festival will be provided by Joe Jones who, originally from Wales, has been singing and playing professionally for 25 years. He began his career by playing with Pat Grover's Blues Zero's at The British Blues Scene and was taught to sing by the legendary Chicago soul singer, Romero T.C. Anderson. Since then Joe has made a name for himself in his own right by playing at events such as The Blues Fest of Wales, The British Blues Fest, The Cork Jazz Fest and The Dublin Blues Fest. He then went on to perform all over Europe where he played Bass, Guitar, Banjo and sang lead vocals. The biggest compliment was when he was asked to accompany The Drifters at Romero's funeral where he sang and backed guitar for them. Currently Joe is still very much involved within the local jazz and blues scene of which he injects a strong vein of Rock and Roll and plays a distinctive clean guitar where 'The Twang's the Thang'. Joe Jones will be playing from 3pm at the Louis Armstrong on Saturday 30th August.
Teacher Bert Osborne is a musician of 40 years, who, after being taught guitar by local photographer Eddie Clapson and his brother Kevin went on to play all over Kent and London. Bert turned to teaching 12 years ago and since then has largely concentrated on teaching 11 to 16 year olds where he works at Astor school and by teaching privately. Bert will be accompanied by some of these students, who for many, is their first gig. "They have all been working very hard on this project and are very excited to be playing at the legendary Louis Armstrong" Bert said.
Those performing will be: 'The Psychedelic Monks' which consists of Merlin Mercer, Tom Robson, Charlie Lawson and Alfie Hammond. 'Yer Blues' which includes George and Patrick Holmes, Jake Clapson, Jack Kennett and Jimmy Dawkins. Also making an appearance will be Bridie Douglas, Molly Milne, Jack Daniel and special guests. Performances are from 2pm on Sunday 24th and 31st August
Jazz singer Sheila Collier and her partner clarinettist Lasse Karlsson from Helsingborg, Sweden will be appearing at the Louis Armstrong for the first time. Bassist Trefor Williams has assembled a band for Sheila and they will be playing under the name of 'Sheila's Southern Serenader's'. This isn't quite the first time for Sheila, originally from Manchester. She stopped off at this classic jazz pub once or twice in the 70's with her 'Smoky City Jazz Band'. Sheila and Lasse will have just appeared together at the Glad Jazz Festival in Sweden and they are looking forward to a great session with their new music friends. Sheila's Southern Serenader's will be making their début on Sunday 31st August at 8.30pm.