GATESHEAD’S Sage is providing us with a brace of treats this week.

Tonight there’s the chance to see the legendary Canadian songstress Buffy ST Marie on a rare visit as part of her current UK tour.

A long-time campaigner for the rights of Native North Americans, she is also the writer of songs as diverse as Universal Soldier, Up Where We Belong, Soldier Blue and the country standard Until It’s Time For You To Go. It’s rivalled only by The Sage’s offering next Wednesday, when the all-star cast of TV’s Transatlantic Sessions take to the stage, with stalwarts like Aly Bain, Phil Cunningham, Eddie Reader, Tim O’Brien and Michael McGoldrick all strutting their stuff.

The local folk clubs have a sparkling set of artist on offer too this week, with Washington’s Backshift heading south to Darlington Arts Centre tonight, the fine young Midlands-based band Isambarde at Washington’s Davy Lamp on Saturday, Scots entertainer Tich Frier bringing some Burns night cheer to Guisborough Rugby Club on Sunday, the same night as my hero Benny Graham will be at Westoe Club in South Shields.

Hertfordshire songster Mike Nicholson rounds out our week at Darlington’s Britannia on Tuesday, by which time I’ll be recovering from the highjinx of Monday night’s BBC Folk Awards. I’ll be bringing you an on-the-spot report of the proceedings in next week’s column. Meanwhile, having Buffy St Marie in the region has reminded me of just how many great Canadian folk singers there have been over the last few decades, and alongside names like Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell and Gordon Lightfoot, I have always ranked The McGarrigle sisters from Montreal very highly. Sadly, Kate McGarrigle passed away last week, leaving us with a fine batch of songs, some memories of great, if somewhat ramshackle concerts and two celebrated song-writing children. I’m a bit sad here at jez@jezlowe.com so call me when you’re coming through town.