THE local folk scene is very much male-dominated in the week ahead, and Vin Garbutt is particularly in evidence, with gigs at Reeth’s Memorial Hall tomorrow, with Darlington’s own Gardeloo in support, and at Washington’s Davy Lamp on Saturday.

Songwriter Ewan Carruthers returns from his exile in the US for an appearance at Darlington Arts Centre tonight, and there are local gigs for Ray Storr at Guisborough Rugby Club on Sunday, and on Tuesday for Keith Morrison at Croxdale’s Daleside Arms and Bob Fox at South Causey Inn near Stanley.

Gateshead’s Sage has a treat in store on Sunday night with a visit from the former Byrds leader Roger McGuinn, who will be taking his audience through the kaleidoscope of American music that has provided him with inspiration since his Sixties heyday.

I’ve seen McGuinn in concert several times over the years, and he’s a very entertaining performer. His website, by the way, has developed into a detailed resource for all manner of American folk songs and country music, and is wellworth a google.

Don’t forget also that there’s a night of programmes featuring another Sixties icon, Leonard Cohen, on BBC 4 on Friday night, including film of his recent triumphant London concerts.

There are two other events of note this coming weekend, the nearest to home being a special Summer Solstice Singaround at Darlington’s Britannia on Saturday, hosted by the Darlington Mummers. Meanwhile, I’ll be venturing south to the Beverley Festival, which will be running from Friday evening with a star-studded list of top folk names, including Billy Bragg, Seth Lakeman, Eric Bogle and Canadian band Tanglefoot.

Finally, if you recall my involvement with The Darwin Project earlier this year, a CD recorded at the concert in March is released this week, with Karine Polwart, Chris Wood, Emily Smith Rachael McShane and Stu Hannah amongst those joining me in a selection of the songs we created that week. More details at darwinsongproject.com