ON the eve of the launch of a new folk exhibition in the city, Folk at the Maltings is featuring highly-regarded local duo Chuck and Angela Silverman tomorrow night (Friday).

As well as performing themselves, they will be introducing guests who have played a role on the folk scene over the years. Angela is a singer of traditional and contemporary songs and Chuck owns and plays a wide range of stringed instruments including a guitar once owned by singer Sandy Denny and two Appalachian dulcimers formerly owned by Tim Hart, one of which he will be playing in the concert.

Their set will include a couple of songs collected in Chiswell Green.

Among the guests will be Brian Pearson who was a resident at St Albans Folk Club when it met in the Peahen, the Queen’s Hotel and the Goat from 1958 onwards.

Brian was a member of Ewan MacColl’s Critics Group and has written a number of songs including a series to mark the 600th anniversary of the Peasants Revolt in 1981.

Also appearing will be hammer dulcimer player Jan Strapp who performs both solo and in the Coproliters, a ceilidh band. From 2000 to 2012, Jan was organiser of Redbourn Folk Club.

New Roots 2011 finalist Owen Woods who plays melodeon solo and for morris dancing makes up the line-up. He grew up in St Albans and also plays piano in the trio There and Back Again.

The concert starts at 8pm and tickets cost £10 with concessions at £8 for students, children and the unwaged. They can be bought on the door or in advance, by booking online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/ovo, by phone on 0844 870 0887 or in person at St Albans Tourist & Information Centre, Town Hall, Market Place (01727 864511).

For further information see www.stalbansfolkmusic.org.uk or email info@stalbansfolkmusic.org.uk

The concert will take place on Friday, March 1, at 8pm at the Maltings Arts Theatre, The Maltings, St Albans AL1 3HL.

n Folk in Focus: A Century of Folk music and Dance in St Albans and District will be held at the Museum of St Albans in Hatfield Road.