Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, East Yorkshire’s Beverley Folk Festival – 21st to 23rd June – offers a weekend of music, poetry, film and real ale-fuelled japes in one of the country’s most picturesque market towns. Like Cambridge Rock and Indietracks, all ages are welcome, with plenty of activities on offer for families and musos alike. Acts confirmed this year incclude the likes of The Proclaimers, Show of Hands and Oysterband.
With a burgeoning roster traversing the spectrum from traditional folk, to psychedelia, and back again, Beverley has hosted a variety of artists such as Bellowhead, Billy Bragg, the Buzzcocks, and York’s own Blackbeard’s Tea Party. Boasting a considerable reputation for showcasing fresh young talent, the Area 2 Youth Programme – developed by organiser Jim Molyneux – gives up and coming hopefuls a chance to earn their stripes in front of a live audience; “you can’t really find that opportunity at many other festivals, Beverley uniquely provides that…”
Something else take your fancy? Beverley town centre will be filled with dance teams mixing traditional and contemporary styles, dazzling with their array of colour and technique. Children will never be short of things to do: on-site open mic sessions, arts and crafts, face-painting and lessons on music and instruments from around the globe are but a handful of highlights.
There are plenty of opportunities to get involved too, with workshops for singing, dancing and instrument tuition; alternatively, why not volunteer as a festival steward, contribute to the smooth-running of the weekend and make visitors’ experiences all the more memorable?
For full details on this year and previous festivals, visit the website: www.beverleyfestival.com
