Cuckoo’s Nest Folk Club

About Cuckoo’s Nest Folk Club

Cuckoo’s Nest Folk Club is a non-profit collective located in downtown London, Ontario, on Carling Street. Established in 1974, the organization serves as a hub for folk music enthusiasts, aiming to bring top-level folk and roots music performers to the community while providing inspiration for local music lovers. The club presents a variety of concerts featuring traditional and roots music. Recent and upcoming performances include the band CANTRIP, which features Scottish border pipes, flutes, whistles, bouzouki, fiddle, guitar, and mandolin. The club also hosts acts such as TULUA, a group specializing in traditional Irish music. These events are often presented in cooperation with organizations like Forest City Comhaltas and Sunfest. While the club has a long history of various venues, its current home is the German Canadian Club, where food service is available during concert events. The club was originally founded in 1974 and operated for a decade before entering a long hiatus. It was revived in the summer of 1994 by original founder Alistair Brown along with a group of enthusiasts including John Simmons, Mark Hartwell, Syd Monteith, Bruce Curtis, and Ian Davies. The club describes its approach as being modeled after British folk clubs, focusing on providing a dedicated space for the folk scene. The organization maintains a deep connection to the community, honoring long-time volunteers and performers who have shaped the local music landscape over the decades.