THE region’s folk music fans have a tasty week in store, starting tonight with a special concert at Gateshead’s Sage featuring local traditional singer Louisa Joe Killen.

This is the latest in a series of concerts at The Sage, which are proving to be popular, spotlighting leading local acts. Also tonight, Geordie fiddler Tom McConville and guitarist Dave Newey are at Darlington Arts Centre, while the choice on Saturday is between the multi-talented Pete Coe at Washington’s Davy Lamp, and an all-star concert at Sedgefield Cricket Club, featuring Prelude, Judith Haswell, Andy McLaughlin and Dan Hands.

Sunday has local favourite Mike Gardiner at Guisborough Rugby Club for their Burns’ Night celebrations, and then, on Monday, we can pick between singerinstrumentalist Gordon Tyrall at The North Briton, in Aycliffe, and top local act, The John Wrightson Band, at Stockton’s Sun Inn.

Tuesday sees the fine singer Wendy Arrowsmith at Croxdale’s Daleside Arms, and Jim McFarlane at Darlington’s Britannia. Jim is also at Birtley Catholic Club the following night. On Wednesday, there’s also a fine night in store at Gateshead’s Sage with an appearance by the one and only Richard Thompson and his band.

My own admiration for Mr Thompson knows no bounds, and his long association with English folk music was recently recognised when he was awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours’ List.

Meanwhile, as Glasgow’s stupendous Celtic Connections Festival is already up and running, I get news that several English folk festivals are asking for keen young musicians to compete for main concert spots at events later this year. Bristol Festival and Wath Festival in South Yorkshire are both offering places to those judged most worthy, and there are details on their respective websites as to how to apply.