This is Kent
11:26 - 05-March-2010
MORRIS dancers are laundering their hankies, Clarence the dragon is firing up and the Hooden Horses are polishing their hoofs.
It can mean only one thing, summer’s coming and season tickets for the 45th Broadstairs Folk Week are now on sale.
The festival of music, Morris mayhem and madcap events that energises the town every August will see more than 600 performers flood in.
All the festival favourites like the Torchlight Procession, the free Hobby Horse Club at the bandstand and free music in pubs and cafes throughout the town will be there.
This year’s programme at the concert marquee in Pierremont Park promises a line-up including winners and nominees from the BBC Folk awards 2010.
Nominated for best live act and hot from his role as Captain Hook in the Marlowe’s panto, Adrian Edmonson brings his band The Bad Shepherds with their folk take on punk classics such as The Clash, The Sex Pistols and Talking Heads.
Also playing will be BBC’s nominee for best original song in the Best Traditional Track category Martin Simpson.
Charlie Dore and the Hula Valley Orchestra, famous for her hit Pilot of the Airwaves, will open the festival.
According to artistic director, Kim Headley, there’s good news for young performers following now that organisers have “given a few tweaks” to the children’s programme.
She said: “Shooting Roots will run folk workshops for two ages, there will be a chance to form a Junior Morris side, Mick Scott’s workshops will be a sort of Recycled Marching band meets the X Factor and favourites like toddlers’ singalong, story time and English country dancing will all be back.”
Last year’s Folk Week was reviewed by independent consultants paid for by the Arts Council and Kent council.
It was compared with 200 festivals nationwide, including Brighton and Edinburgh, Salisbury. Broadstairs Folk Week was found to raise 10 per cent more of its own income than any other festivals surveyed, highlighting the major contribution from volunteers.
Festival director Jo Tuffs said: “I am so pleased the findings were overall so positive. Obviously Folk Week has challenges to face like any other event that is held in a town.
This document has helped us to focus on the important issues and will inspire confidence in our supporters.”
Broadstairs Folk Week runs from Friday, August 6 to Friday, August 13. The full programme will be available in late June. information and season tickets (with discounts for Thanet residents) are available now at www.broadstairsfolkweek.org.uk or call 01843 604080.