From: Sidmouth FolkWeek
[info.abm=btinternet.com_at_mail225_dot_atl21_dot_rsgsv_dot_net] on behalf of Sidmouth
FolkWeek [info.abm_at_btinternet_dot_com]
Sent: 29 July 2016 13:01
Subject: And We're Off!
Press release
Sidmouth FolkWeek
29th July - 5th August 2016
Ear to the past, Eye on the future
And We're Off!
The weekend weather is looking great as festival goers gather for the
best summer holiday festival of 2016, as Sidmouth
FolkWeek gets underway (29th July
- 5th Aug).
The hilarious Pam Ayres and folk-rock
legends Steeleye Span kicked off the festival in style
last night at The Ham with their very busy pre-festival concerts, and this
afternoon's Port Isaac's Fisherman's Friends pre-festival
concert at 3.15pm is now down to just a few on-door ticket sales, subject to
availability. The briny crew are back by popular demand!
During the first weekend, there is plenty to keep festival
visitors busy. Evening events at The Ham, the main festival
concert venue, are selling very fast so it's worth booking right now to save
disappointment for some wonderful names, including:
John McCusker Band (Fri) and the amazing Irish traditional
musician Sharon Shannon and her band (Sat). Local heroes
and Festival Patrons Show Of Hands on Sunday
night are now off advance sales, but some on door sales will still be available
on the night, subject to space.
Big nights out at The Bulverton kick off with festival favourites Blackbeard's
Tea Party (Fri), the original acid-crofters Shooglenifty
(Sat); and interceltic dynamos Jamie Smith's Mabon (Sun).
Evenings during the week offer is lots to choose from. Amongst the amazing
concerts at the Ham at 8pm are: the Highland tour de force Blazin'
Fiddles (Mon); Quebecois heroes Le Vent Du Nord (Tues);
firm favourites Oysters 3 (Weds); a rare,
early solo show from Jon Boden (Thurs) and Folk
Award winning The Young' Uns (Fri).
The adrenaline-fuelled roots dance nights continue apace at the Bulverton with
an electro folk party with Monster Ceilidh Band (Mon);
a Scottish party night with Manran and friends (Tues);
the mighty (and fast-selling) Seth Lakeman (Weds); the
high-octane Mad Dog Mcrea (Thurs) and a final night Euro-bal
with Moltenamba (Fri). There is also an amazing array
of afternoon concerts including Northumbrian piper Kathryn
Tickell & Superfolkus, Folk Awards best duo Kathryn
Roberts & Sean Lakeman and extraordinary transatlantic
pairing Martin Simpson & Dom Flemons.
These main headline shows represent just a snapshot of some of the events
taking place throughout the 8-day festival. In total, the festival runs around
700 events in venues throughout the town: from major concert venues to small,
intimate pub sessions, ceilidhs, folk dance, an amazing Children's Festival,
storytelling, dance displays, processions, workshops?and beyond.
The
streets, seafront and venues of Sidmouth are already bursting with colour and
festive atmosphere as music, dance and song and happy festival visitors fill
the town. New developments along the Esplanade mean that dance and music have
even more dedicated spaces at Bedford and York steps, with programmed spots and
the opportunity to perform acoustically.
Head down for a wonderful week of fun and musical adventure.
BOOK
NOW! www.sidmouthfolkweek.co.uk
Box Office 01395 577952
End
Notes for editors:
Headliners include: SHARON SHANNON AND BAND, SHOW OF HANDS with
MIRANDA SYKES, OYSTERS 3, SETH LAKEMAN, JON BODEN, SHOOGLENIFTY, WIZZ JONES,
ROBIN DRANSFIELD, LE VENT DU NORD, THE JOHN McCUSKER BAND (25TH ANNIVERSARY
CELEBRATION), BLAZIN' FIDDLES, MARTIN SIMPSON & DOM FLEMONS, KATHRYN
TICKELL & SUPERFOLKUS, LYNCHED, NANCY KERR & JAMES FAGAN, JAMIE SMITH'S
MABON, RICCARDO TESI & BANDITALIANA, THE WATERSHED BAND featuring PHILLIP
HENRY & HANNAH MARTIN, KATHRYN ROBERTS & SEAN LAKEMAN and many more.
Sidmouth FolkWeek is a unique week-long
seaside celebration of music, dance and song taking place in the charming East
Devon regency coastal resort - a must in every festival goer's annual diary.
There has been a folk festival in Sidmouth in the first week of August every
year since 1955 attracting tens of thousands of visitors to over 700 diverse
events with broad ?something for everyone' appeal. With an ear to the past and
an eye on the future, the festival features established stars and emerging
talent; major concerts and small intimate sessions; ceilidhs, folk dancing and
lively roots parties; storytelling; fun family entertainment and youth-centred
sessions; hands-on workshops and spectacular dance displays; the best in South
West crafts and the tastiest of local food and drink. The town's streets
and venues burst with festive atmosphere and colour as holidaymakers and
festival goers join together in the friendliest music-based holiday of the
summer.