D AYS of folk singers performing in knitted jumpers and with their fingers in their ears appear to be a thing of the past. Well, in Whitstable, anyway.

Whitstable Folk Nights are playing host to Zoe Muth and her band The High Rollers from Seattle at the Royal Native Oyster Stores this Saturday.

And New Orleans jazz and blues singer Meschya Lake and her band The Little Big Horns, including tuba, clarinet, guitar, stand-up bass and Lindy Hop dancers, are booked for Saturday, February 11.

Club organiser Johnny Fewings said: "We have a broad definition of what is right for folk nights. To be honest we don't really agonise over what is folk anymore.

"The tag line on our logo is Folk, Blues and Beyond which I guess pretty much sums it up.

"We have recently had American and Canadian country artists such as Po' Girl, Mary Gauthier, Devon Sproule, Eilen Jewel and we have had English acoustic musicians such as John Renbourn, Robin Williamson, Michael Chapman and Wizz Jones.

"The club is run as non-profit making and all of the organisers are volunteers. This is what allows us to bring such high profile acts to the town."

He added: "Both Zoe Muth and Meschya Lake are headlining at this year's Celtic Connections Festival in Glasgow. We are very fortunate to be able to tempt them here while they are in the UK."

The club meets upstairs at the Royal Native Oyster Stores.

Zoe Muth, Royal Native Oyster Stores, Whitstable, Saturday, January 28. 8pm. Tickets cost £12 from Rock Bottom Records in Harbour Street, www.wegottickets.com or call 07895 683567. Visit www.whitstablefolk.co.uk for details. Meschya Lake, Saturday February 11, Tickets £12.