First, thanks to everyone who came to Brendan Taaffe's workshop on 15 August. It was a fantastic turnout with people coming from as far afield as Angus and, I believe, Aviemore. There are pictures of the event at http://www.flickr.com/photos/muldoonspicnic and even some short video clips at http://www.youtube.com/user/muldoonspicnic.

Welcome to those who have just joined this mailing list, an occasional newsletter with details of singing events hosted by or and connected with Muldoon's Picnic and Shapenote Scotland. Don't forget to keep up us up to date with changes of email address as, we hate to lose touch. If on the other hand you don't want to get these mailings any more, simply mail contact@muldoonspicnic.org.uk with "unsubscribe" in the subject line. So what's coming up?

Next month Muldoon's Picnic are giving a singing workshop in the Cowal Open Studios event at Strachur in Argyll. The workshop will last an hour and a half and cover various harmony styles including shapenote singing, ending by reprising the songs learned in a sort of mini-performance. Websites disagree on the times but I'm assured it's 11.30-1.30pm with a half-hour break for lunch. You can book your place by emailing Cowal Open Studios at info@cowalopenstudios.co.uk or by phoning 01369 860099.
* Sat 26 Sept, 11am-1.30pm
* Strachur Memorial Hall, Strachur, Nr Dunoon, Argyll PA27 8BY
* http://www.cowalopenstudios.co.uk

Then on Sunday 13 September we'll be at the Rotherham Show in, well, Rotherham, specifically Rosehill Victoria Park, rather than the usual venue in the past. It's a set of about 40 minutes as part of a Global Folk Music theme.
* Sunday 13 September, 4.15pm
* Rosehill Victoria Park, Old Warren Vale, Rawmarsh, Rotherham, Northwest S62 7HJ
* http://sn.im/rotherhamshow
* http://sn.im/rotherhamshowprog (2009 Programme, pdf 5.2Mb)

But first, as they say, on Wednesday (26 August) Muldoon's Picnic will be singing a few songs in Edinburgh as part of something called the Cowgate Cartoon Show. Nothing to do with cartoons, but a sort of musical revue or cabaret-style event that first saw the light of day in the Gilded Balloon as part of the 2007 Fringe. It's the quirky creation of Will Pickvance, impresario, improviser and fleet-fingered jazz pianist. I can't be specific about when we'll be on or what we'll sing, it's not that kind of event, but judging by their first night it should be a really enjoyable pick-and-mix sort of evening with an excellent standard of acts, from pianists to poets. Whether you live in Edinburgh or are passing through, why not call by the Underground Cafe in Elder Street, near the bus station, between 7.30 and about 11pm.
* 32-34 Elder Street EH1 3DX, 0131 624 7161
* http://www.myspace.com/cowgatecartoonshow
* http://www.myspace.com/pickvance

In other news, Muldoon's Picnic now have a twitter account for those that like that kind of thing. If a few people sign up and follow us we may even start tweeting.
* http://www.twitter.com/muldoonspicnic

And finally... reports just in indicate that the actor Sean Wilson, formerly of Coronation Street, has set up the Saddleworth Cheese Company. He makes four cheeses, all supposedly named after North of England turns of phrase, and one of them has already won prizes in the "best single crumbly" and "best farmhouse" categories at the Bakewell Show, and another in the prestigious British Cheese Awards no less. It's a style known as single Lancashire crumbly (no offence to elderly unmarried Lancastrians of course) and he calls it Muldoon's Picnic. Do we smell a sponsorship opportunity?
* http://www.saddleworthcheese.co.uk
* http://sn.im/muldooncheese