Whilst the memories of your summer folk festivals may feel like a long way off now there is a perfect cure for banishing those winter blues. Cheltenham Folk Festival returns once again in February 2014 with a weekend long celebration of folk music and song. Spread across eight venues, from Cheltenham Town Hall to the Bell Inn, expect Morris dancing, gigs, workshops, a Festival Dance, stalls, a real ale bar and indoor camping!
Now in its 18th year, the Festival continues to bring together some of the best acts currently working on the cccc: Blowzabella who release their new album ‘Strange News’ in December will headline the Friday night Opening Concert, which will also feature O’Hooley & Tidow. Saturday night’s Main Concert features Chris Wood and headliners Blazin’ Fiddles. Sunday night’s Final Concert features The Young’uns and bringing the Festival to a close are headliners Carthy, Hardy, Farrell & Young. There are many more artists performing including James Delarre & Saul Rose, Greg Russell and Ciaran Algar, Alistair Anderson Band, Keith Kendrick and Sylvia Needham, Issy and David Emeny, Siobhan Miller and Aaron Jones and many more.
The Liberty to Choose are also making a special performance showcasing songs from the recently-published landmark collection, The New Penguin Book of English Folk Songs. Under the direction of Brian Peters, three of the best young singers and musicians on the current folk scene – Bella Hardy, James Findlay and Lucy Ward – combine to perform a selection of traditional songs, including several familiar titles in intriguingly different versions.
Cheltenham Town Hall will once again act as the hub of the Festival, hosting the Main Concerts, Kids’ Place, Festival Bars and Café, the Market Place and the Box Office. Just around the corner, the Playhouse Theatre will host more intimate concerts, workshops and daytime singing sessions. The popular Saturday night Festival Dance will be held at The Princess Hall. An assortment of fringe events will take place at various locations throughout the town over the weekend, further details can be found here cheltenhamfolkfestival.co.uk
Festival Director, Jo Heatley, said: ‘The Folk Festival is the first of Cheltenham’s major annual Festivals. The town comes alive with the sounds of folk music, song and dance and we want to get as many people involved as possible by bringing some of the best in local and national folk artists to perform across the town.’
Here’s a little video taster of just some of what’s on offer:
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Tickets for the 18th Cheltenham Folk Festival are on sale now. For more information and to book weekend, day or individual event tickets, contact Cheltenham Town Hall Box Office on 0844 576 2210, boxoffice@cheltenham.gov.uk or visit cheltenhamfolkfestival.co.uk