June 3, 2026
7:30 pm
Free Entry
One of the UK’s high rising songwriters Sarah Yeo, performs material in her own “beautiful voice” (BBC) from Joan’s early career from the first recording, ‘Harvard Square’ and onward through her lengthy journey to date, telling pivotal stories and singing key songs from the Newport Festival days, her years in Nashville, activism around the world, her relationship both on and off the stage with Bob Dylan, and her love of recording just great songs.
The set list takes note of the current political climate and includes self penned songs ‘Diamonds and Rust’, ‘The Winds of the Old Days’, Dylan greats such as ‘Love Is Just A Four Letter Word’, ‘There But For Fortune’, ‘Farewell Angelina’ and the wonderful catalogue from songwriters Stevie Wonder, Phil Ochs, Janis Ian and not forgetting the early Folk covers, ‘The Banks of the Ohio’, ‘House of the Rising Sun’ and many more hits.
Sarah, a recent finalist in the ‘International songwriting competition’, also delves into the Spanish language repertoire Joan loved so much.
Elsie Franklin sings and plays acoustic country-blues, ragtime and jazz on her trusty National resonator. She is a rising talent on the UK blues scene, playing all over the country. Learning from her father (renowned blues guitarist, Adam Franklin) and good friend Steve James, Elsie is often praised for her authentic, yet unique take on early blues and jazz, drawing influence from legendary female blues artists such as Memphis Minnie and Bessie Smith. As well as playing with various jazz accompanists, Elsie has formed her own all-female blues trio based in London with the highly-acclaimed Francesca Nnoka Shaw (double-bass) and Carmen Ruiz Vicente (drums).
“Elsie Franklin is the most natural blues singer I’ve heard in years, her guitar playing is pretty damn good too, uncluttered and tasteful, she really understands the genre – she’s the whole package” – Dave Kelly.