And now for some better news...
Announcing
Announcing
Saturday 20th June 2020
We can't meet in person in the real world, so let's make the most of things and meet via the Virtual World of t'InterWeb via the magic of Zoom.
We will be opening up our very first (and hopefully last if we are honest...!)
Virtual BlokeFest
Starting at 15:00 UK BST and going on for a bit to include:
or something like that. Latest plans & timings click here, but beware, it is only a guideline and likely to vary given the nature of things just now, ie pretty fluid...
Some details still to be finalised but we plan to make this a "Free of Charge to attend bonus event" and we plan to be operating a "Buy us a Pint" pay-what-you-can scheme to cover recompensing the Workshop Leaders for their time and talent.
Pre-registration is essential and open up until 14:00 on 20th June.
Pre-register here
Let us know if you would like to submit a video to take part in the Online Cabaret where we will play a series of performances from various sources appropriate for the audience.
We very much look forward to seeing you all again.
Brotherly Love
The BlokeFest Inner Circle
We will be opening up our very first (and hopefully last if we are honest...!)
Virtual BlokeFest
Starting at 15:00 UK BST and going on for a bit to include:
- Welcome & check-ins
- THREE real-time Workshops
- 3 Breaks when the Zoom meeting will stay open for chats
- Pub Quiz
- Tonsorial Titan Challenge & Best Virtual Background
- BlokeFest Virtual Cabaret
- Final something
- Whisky Club
or something like that. Latest plans & timings click here, but beware, it is only a guideline and likely to vary given the nature of things just now, ie pretty fluid...
Some details still to be finalised but we plan to make this a "Free of Charge to attend bonus event" and we plan to be operating a "Buy us a Pint" pay-what-you-can scheme to cover recompensing the Workshop Leaders for their time and talent.
Pre-registration is essential and open up until 14:00 on 20th June.
Pre-register here
Let us know if you would like to submit a video to take part in the Online Cabaret where we will play a series of performances from various sources appropriate for the audience.
We very much look forward to seeing you all again.
Brotherly Love
The BlokeFest Inner Circle
Previously
We'll be brief...
Because of this Covid 19 business we can't go ahead with this year's BlokeFest as we had planned...
We'll be brief...
Because of this Covid 19 business we can't go ahead with this year's BlokeFest as we had planned...
Now for the longer bit... we've been putting off writing...
Dear Blokes and friends of Blokes
We are sure it will come as no surprise in these extraordinary times that we have sadly had to take the decision to postpone this year’s BlokeFest in June. Given current predictions it is looking unlikely that we will be able to reschedule later this year, but we will consider all options and start planning in hope that we can return in June 2021.
As you can imagine, we haven’t done this lightly, but in view of the recent developments concerning the Covid 19 crisis, like so many other events featuring large gatherings around the world, we have had to face the reality that we simply can’t get together in person right now.
However, being resourceful blokes, we are investigating how we might be able to gather together to celebrate the brotherhood of BlokeSong in some form or other on the anointed weekend. As we write, the likes of The Magnificent AKs, Manchoir, Chaps Choir and their respective choir leaders and other BlokeFest leaders like James Sills are all experimenting with online choirs so we will see if we might still be able to assemble in June after all…
In the meantime, our thoughts go out to the many people impacted more severely by this crisis and if any of you need to ask for a refund we will speak nicely to the Infallible BlokeFest Admin Machine to see if we can credit back your payment as per the arrangements described on the website. Basically email info@blokefest.net & tell us the Account and Sort code and we’ll sort it out. Otherwise consider yourself booked on the list for whatever we can do virtually in 2020 and also having made an advance payment for 2021 which we hope will be all the bigger and better for the wait.
Stay safe and here’s hoping this extraordinary time will be something we can look back on in the months and years to come and sing about, heartily, with a glass in hand of our particular tipple, in harmony with our brothers in song.
Big blokey (suitably socially distanced) hugs to you all
The BlokeFest Inner Circle
Dear Blokes and friends of Blokes
We are sure it will come as no surprise in these extraordinary times that we have sadly had to take the decision to postpone this year’s BlokeFest in June. Given current predictions it is looking unlikely that we will be able to reschedule later this year, but we will consider all options and start planning in hope that we can return in June 2021.
As you can imagine, we haven’t done this lightly, but in view of the recent developments concerning the Covid 19 crisis, like so many other events featuring large gatherings around the world, we have had to face the reality that we simply can’t get together in person right now.
However, being resourceful blokes, we are investigating how we might be able to gather together to celebrate the brotherhood of BlokeSong in some form or other on the anointed weekend. As we write, the likes of The Magnificent AKs, Manchoir, Chaps Choir and their respective choir leaders and other BlokeFest leaders like James Sills are all experimenting with online choirs so we will see if we might still be able to assemble in June after all…
In the meantime, our thoughts go out to the many people impacted more severely by this crisis and if any of you need to ask for a refund we will speak nicely to the Infallible BlokeFest Admin Machine to see if we can credit back your payment as per the arrangements described on the website. Basically email info@blokefest.net & tell us the Account and Sort code and we’ll sort it out. Otherwise consider yourself booked on the list for whatever we can do virtually in 2020 and also having made an advance payment for 2021 which we hope will be all the bigger and better for the wait.
Stay safe and here’s hoping this extraordinary time will be something we can look back on in the months and years to come and sing about, heartily, with a glass in hand of our particular tipple, in harmony with our brothers in song.
Big blokey (suitably socially distanced) hugs to you all
The BlokeFest Inner Circle
We've left the rest of the page, just in case for 2020, or in preparation for 2021
BlokeFest....
Men.Singing.And Stuff
"The best all blokes singing weekend you could imagine"
After another great event in 2019 "Up North"
BlokeFest returns for an astonishing 9th year
"Back at The Bruce"
Friday 19th - Sunday 21st June 2020
where a warm welcome awaits
(as you can see...from our BlokeFest 2016 video)
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About BlokeFest
Over one weekend in June we will be singing like blokes, acting like men and getting to be one of the guys. BlokeFest is a festival by good Blokes for good Blokes, who like singing or think they might if only they could do it in the right way. Our guiding philosophy is that singing is a truly manly activity as long as you sing the right stuff, in the right way, with the right men: Think Shanties not shandies Lumberjack not Timberlake DiY not R’n'B. The plan is simple: We meet at a suitable venue with campsite and the weekend unfolds... |
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What?
Friday Evening We organize a gathering of the Clans of Blokedom with fellas coming from the stronghold of Ashton Keynes in North, North Wiltshire, the dreaming spires of Oxford, the big Smoke of the London, Shanty Men from Ship-shape Bristol, hordes from the North and many other blokes from all points of the compass and beyond. Once gathered we will enjoy some sustenance then suitably nourished and invigorated we begin singing with the first Workshop to get us in the mood for the rest of the weekend. |
The "BlokeFest Big Top"
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Jolly Bar Games in the sunshine as Jenga gets exciting
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Then it is over to the bar for some singing, some bar games, maybe some liquid refreshment, some singing, gathering around the campsite for a natter and bed at a reasonable time - it is a busy day ahead! |
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Saturday
To save you catering you can subscribe to Breakfast Specials at the Blokefest Café or it is D.I.Y. to get yourself roused and nourished for the day ahead. There will be numerous singing workshops throughout the day and learning blokey songs from some well-known singing men. Keeping you going throughout the day we will break for a communal lunch time meal, then some more singing and then a returning favourite from the last couple of years, the "Elective Session", where attendees pick one of the sessions that focus on a particular aspect of singing in smaller group. There will also be some more "CyberSinging" sessions where blokes who have been learning pieces via the internet finally meet in person to consolidate the songs in person. |
BlokeFest 2016 5th Birthday Party
Rainbow Blokes
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A bit more of a sing then we will assemble again for another meal before we congregate for the remarkable moment when we are entertained by the gathered throng with the world famous "BlokeFest Cabaret".
We end the evening with more liquid refreshment and a bit more singing.
We end the evening with more liquid refreshment and a bit more singing.
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Sunday
To get you going there will be Breakfast Specials at the BlokeFest Café or D.I.Y. We have a Sunday Morning Singing Workshop to remember what we learned the day before and then we do some things to encourage healthy pursuits, such as the legendary "Tonsorial Titan Challenge" where we judge who is the fairest hairiest in all the land, and the testosterone engendering "Tug o' War" contest where blokes get suddenly everso politely competitive! We then plan to have our "Class of 2020" photo session with our official BlokeFest PhotographerMeister taking the one BIG BlokeFest photo of everyone resplendent in their BlokeFest T-Shirts. It is now traditional to wear your T-Shirt with pride that announces that you are part of this great bunch of blokes. And we are also seeing if we can organize the return of an Ice Cream Van, and maybe a little something more as well...! And to finish off this year we are planning a BlokeFest Concert! when we have a have a final song or more to entertain ourselves and locals, then break camp and head home. |
The Tug o' War gets exciting
The Class of BlokeFest 2018
Ice cream may happen again
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BlokeFest 2020 Tickets
Registration will open in good time but for now, here is what you got for your ticket money this year.
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Full Weekend Ticket - Big Bloke or Youth Bloke
Two night's camping* + Three catered Meals + Five Workshops Friday night Workshop activities + Friday evening meal + All the other workshops + Saturday Lunch AND Evening Meal + The Saturday Night entertainment including the BlokeFest Cabaret + The Sunday Workshops & events + Sunday Show - FREE Concert - BlokeFest sings songs to all who care to attend Class of 2020 Photo + Final Parting songs |
Saturday Day Only Ticket - Big Bloke or Youth Bloke
All three Saturday workshop sessions + Saturday Lunch & Evening Meal + The evening entertainment |
In case you ready to register...
Click on the button below to get signed up for BlokeFest.
Click on the button below to get signed up for BlokeFest.
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Why?
BlokeFest is the deranged brainchild of The Magnificent AKs, (depicted in some of their manly glory to the right) - they're the Singing Blokes of Ashton Keynes of North, North Wiltshire in the border badlands with Mid South East Gloucestershire. They’ve been singing and performing their own brand of testosterone stoked tomfoolery since 2008 and wanted to share the adventure with other men so dreamed up BlokeFest. Visit their website at themagnificentaks.com to read about their many, many adventures and their 10th anniversary. |
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Who? The Organisers
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Blokes of the Best kind
Since the concept of BlokeFest popped into being we have been very lucky to have had a brilliant set of Blokes beavering away for months in the background to attend to every detail to make the weekend the highlight of the year for so many others.
Since the concept of BlokeFest popped into being we have been very lucky to have had a brilliant set of Blokes beavering away for months in the background to attend to every detail to make the weekend the highlight of the year for so many others.
Who? The Workshop Leaders
At BlokeFest we pride ourselves with being able to get some of the absolute top talent of the Choir Leaders and have helped many nurture their careers with our special "BlokeFest Experience" of harnessing our motley crew into beautiful harmony singing in a ridiculously short time.
2020 is no different, apart from the fact that we can't quite announce all of them just yet (for some very exciting reasons...!).
Further announcements will be revealed very soon(ish) to string out the excitement for you (and us!).
2020 is no different, apart from the fact that we can't quite announce all of them just yet (for some very exciting reasons...!).
Further announcements will be revealed very soon(ish) to string out the excitement for you (and us!).
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Philip Read
Friday Night Bloke Philip really needs no introduction to anyone who has been floating around the #alt.mvc world for the last decade and we are delighted to have him back to lead the Friday night Welcome session with his fantastic sense of humour and deep sense of song. |
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Legend has it Philip was spotted for looking "particularly spooky" at a Spooky Men's Chorale gig in his native Oxford back in the 00s and whisked away to join the rest of them in that blokey circus, and hasn't been home since...! Some of that last sentence may hot be entirely true, but what is undisputable fact is that he is a brilliant chorale group leader with a huge list of wonderful endeavours, from setting up Oxford's magnificent Manchoir, various other local choir groups, the architecturally inspiring Singing Saturdays held in some spectacular Oxford locations, the utterly fab men's singing weekend Singing in the Shed, his new group the highly accomplished group The Rivers, oh and we nearly forgot that he is one of the UK-based members of the utterly inspiring Spooky Men's Chorale and the UK offshoot A Fistful of Spookies. Quite a pedigree!
Whatever he brings along we are sure to be in for a treat - see him in action on our BlokeFest 2016 video.
Whatever he brings along we are sure to be in for a treat - see him in action on our BlokeFest 2016 video.
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Chris Blain
Saturday Bloke Chris has been writing, producing and performing a cappella music for over fifteen years. In 2009 he co-founded Vocal Australia (Australia's hub for contemporary a cappella) and was the organisation’s co-director for three years.
Always the performer, Chris has sung with the Australian Boys Choral Institute, the Vocal Consort, and in various musical theatre projects. He's the musical director of Men In Suits, and the conductor of the With One Voice Melbourne Choir. Chris' all male cappella quintet SUADE have been performing contemporary a cappella for nearly twenty years and have toured locally and internationally. Chris has served as their manager, tour manager, musical director, recording engineer and producer since their formation and has a wealth of knowledge of the artistic, technical and business sides of the industry. He's also worked extensively with MusoMagic, running workshops for indigenous students in the Australian desert, and with Aquinas College, inspiring young men to get involved with singing. His company "Melbourne Singing Events" runs community singing events, connecting people through song in various formats. |
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Special Guest...
Leader #3 TBA Top Bloke #3 He may be a choir leader extraordinaire plus multi-instrumentalists and former member of the much lamented... no..., that would definitely give him away!
You'll just have to wait a little bit longer. ;-) |
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Elective Sessions - you get to chose
A new innovation and MASSIVELY popular at BlokeFest 2015 was the introduction of "Optional Sessions" where the attendees get to chose which session they want to, er, attend, if at all.
The plan is that you will work on a piece or two that you can bond together and maybe showcase in the BlokeFest Cabaret later that evening.
We have a fantastic line up of Elective Session Leaders lined up but are going to string out the excitement and reveal them one by one in the coming weeks.
A new innovation and MASSIVELY popular at BlokeFest 2015 was the introduction of "Optional Sessions" where the attendees get to chose which session they want to, er, attend, if at all.
The plan is that you will work on a piece or two that you can bond together and maybe showcase in the BlokeFest Cabaret later that evening.
We have a fantastic line up of Elective Session Leaders lined up but are going to string out the excitement and reveal them one by one in the coming weeks.
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Elective Leader #1 Roger Jackson
Choir Leader / Performer / Composer / Mandolin Player / BlokeFest Legend 
It is with immense pleasure that we welcome back once again composer, singer, choir leader, guitarist, Bluegrass mandoliner extraordinaire and the general all round BlokeFest Legend that is Roger Jackson.
We have been lucky enough to his presence since the very first BlokeFest when he taught us his very own composition "(Alone in my) Shed" which has been a firm favourite of The Magnificent AKs ever since, only to be surpassed by another "BlokeFest Special", the phenomenal "Man flu". Roger's infectious enthusiasm is ideal to help nurture along whoever turns up to join this unique "for one night only" choir. Find out more about Roger and his various activities at https://sing.co.uk |
Elective Leader #2
Seamas Carey Performer / Composer / Choir Leader / Piano Tuner / Bloke 
Seamas Carey is a performer/composer/choir leader/piano tuner/bloke hailing from Cornwall. Since dropping out of college aged 17 he has toured throughout the UK, Europe and USA with a litany of theatre productions
His own solo work includes; Pagan Pandemonium (Bristol Ol Vic), Seamas Carey Meets His 4 Year Old Self With A Choir (Bristol Old Vic), Music In The Dark (Hall For Cornwall) and Wall Of Context (Newlyn Art Gallery). Seamas conducts Cornwall’s first alternative male voice choir, Men Are Singing, who swap the traditional repertoire about mining and fishing for humorous self penned songs about Cornish identity, growing beards and men’s mental health. Much more at https://seamascareymusic.com/ |
Elective Leader #3 Bruce Knight
Performer / Arranger / Choir Leader / Bloke 
Bruce hails from leafy Warwickshire were he has been working as a community choir leader for two decades.
He regularly leads the basses at the massive Stratford Community Choirs festival, and is a regular teacher at the wonderful Unicorn Village Voice Camp, where he also leads circle dance to a an amazing band. He runs singing workshops around the UK and abroad, and has arranged lots of great songs for acappella. He is passionate about getting folk singing together, and has a soft-spot for the great doo-wop tunes of the late 50s. Doo-wop it with Bruce on Saturday afternoon! More about Bruce at https://naturalvoice.net/practitioner/bruceknight |
CyberSinging is coming back!
Watch BlokeFest legend Roger Jackson talking about CyberSinging for 2019 to get a flavour for what could be in store for CyberSinging in 2020 and more announcements about some changes that we are considering.
Would YOU like to break into the Workshop Leader circuit and maybe run one of this year's CyberSinging Songs? If you would like to propose a piece to learn and help pull the singers together in spare moments on the Friday and Saturday ahead of the Cabaret, then email info@blokefest.net with your ideas and it could be you leading CyberSinging this year!
Would YOU like to break into the Workshop Leader circuit and maybe run one of this year's CyberSinging Songs? If you would like to propose a piece to learn and help pull the singers together in spare moments on the Friday and Saturday ahead of the Cabaret, then email info@blokefest.net with your ideas and it could be you leading CyberSinging this year!
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Where is it? By popular request (by some...), this year we are returning again to darkest mid Wiltshire camping at, and drinking in The Bruce Arms near Pewsey in the heart of Wiltshire. We will be making better use of the bar space to give more room for the singing in the pub as it was a bit of a squash in previous years - but what fabulous sessions. The venue for BlokeFest can be found at The Bruce Arms Easton Road Easton Royal Pewsey Wiltshire SN9 5LR We may also be coordinating a "Cycle to BlokeFest", the place is easily accessible by road and Pewsey has a rail station only a couple of miles from the pub. Phone: 01672 810216 Mobile: 07968 580804 Email: thebrucearms@btconnect.com |
The Bruce Arms at night
Classic old pub sign
Worthy recipient of a CAMRA Blue Plaque
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QUOTE UNQUOTE
“BlokeFest has always been surprisingly good fun but BlokeFest 2016 surpassed all others. It was just brilliant from start to finish. Some great pub singing, amazing workshops, quite stupendous range of talent in the Cabaret and most of all a wonderful relaxed and friendly atmosphere. And to top it all the Concert Party was just such a wonderful example of simple, heartfelt fun - can't wait till the next one, I'm smiling already thinking about it."
A very satisfied BlokeFest 2016 attendee. One of very many!
QUOTE UNQUOTE
"Speak with a man, and he becomes your friend. Sing with a man and he becomes your brother. And we have brothers all over the country."
A rather emotional and very happy BlokeFest 2016 organiser!
(With thanks to Sara Mohr-Pietsch of Radio 3 fame for the original quote)
“BlokeFest has always been surprisingly good fun but BlokeFest 2016 surpassed all others. It was just brilliant from start to finish. Some great pub singing, amazing workshops, quite stupendous range of talent in the Cabaret and most of all a wonderful relaxed and friendly atmosphere. And to top it all the Concert Party was just such a wonderful example of simple, heartfelt fun - can't wait till the next one, I'm smiling already thinking about it."
A very satisfied BlokeFest 2016 attendee. One of very many!
QUOTE UNQUOTE
"Speak with a man, and he becomes your friend. Sing with a man and he becomes your brother. And we have brothers all over the country."
A rather emotional and very happy BlokeFest 2016 organiser!
(With thanks to Sara Mohr-Pietsch of Radio 3 fame for the original quote)
FAQs & OAAQsJust in case you still want to know more...
You can find most of the "Frequently Asked Questions" and "Occasionally Asked Awkward Questions" by clicking here.
You can find most of the "Frequently Asked Questions" and "Occasionally Asked Awkward Questions" by clicking here.
But in case you ready to register...
Click on the button below to get signed up for BlokeFest.
Click on the button below to get signed up for BlokeFest.