Eastleigh Summer Festival.
Eastleigh
July 28th - August 3rd

       STOP PRESS!

       Eastleigh Summer Music Festival is set to be a roaring success. Festival
Organiser Peter Chegwyn reports excellent sales for all the shows in the Big Top in Leigh Road Recreation Ground, the two concerts at The Point Arts Centre and the appearance of Jools Holland’s Rhythm & Blues Orchestra in Manor Farm Country Park.
The week kicks off with an audience with the great Dennis Locorriere now
forging a successful solo career. Formerly the front man with Dr Hook, Dennis is playing an acoustic one-man show at The Point to open the week’s attractions on Monday July 29. Over in the Big Top the next day Bob Geldof will be supported by Jamie Moses, guitarist with Loc Pacaminos. Wednesday features The Drifters & Real Abba Gold, Thursday presents The Levellers & Berroguetto, Friday it’s The SAS Band with Paul Young, Leo Sayer, Graham Gouldman of 10cc and many other star names.
The weekend sees The Saw Doctors & Jackie Leven playing on Saturday and everyone’s favourite Rolf Harris bringing his Rock & Rolf Show to the park on Sunday. Meanwhile, Jools and co with guest Sam Brown play over at Manor Farm Country Park on Thursday and Show of Hands headline a night of folk music at The Point on Wednesday.
Afternoon concerts include South American pan pipe sounds from Kausary, Berroguetto from Spain, high energy African bands Zambula and Zuba, plus local rock bands Sounder and Uncle Herb. The free entertainment culminates with jazz and world music on a Sunday Funday on August 3 featuring The New Gateway Jazz Band, Indian drummers The Dhol Blasters and much more. There will also be plenty of free entertainment for kids throughout the festival, plus a Craft Fayre, Food Fayre and licensed bar. Tickets are available via The Point (02380
652333), The Brook in Southampton (02380 555366) or online via
www.eastleighfestival.co.uk or www.ticketweb.co.uk.  (©Peter Ashton 2003)

BIG GREEN GATHERING - JULY 30 - AUGUST 3
       Canford Park Arena near Cheddar in the Mendip Hills is the setting for five days of music, song and dance. There is everything from poetry to theatrical events to childrens entertainment plus concerts from bands like Dorset’s Absolute Darlings. For more information see www.big-green-gathering.com or telepone: 01458 834629. Postal enquiries to Big Green Gathering Co Ltd, PO Box 3423, Glastonbury BA6 9ZN.  (©Peter Ashton 2003)

CAMBRIDGE FOLK FESTIVAL - JULY 31 - AUGUST 3
       ECLECTIC as ever this year’s 39th festival in the Cherry Hinton Hall grounds really explores the boundaries of folk. The best traditional folk artists from the UK and Ireland line up with more contemporary acts. There is every style from Americana, blues, roots, bluegrass, gospel, cajun, zydeco, jazz, world, and klezmer plus acclaimed singer songwriters who are impossible to pigeonhole.
Amongst the names studding a brilliant line up this year are Steve Earle,
The Saw Doctors, Afro Celts, Julian Cope, Eliza Carthy Band, Ron Sexsmith, Shooglenifty, Oi-Va-Voi, Elephant Talk. For a complete list of performers see www.cambridge.gov.uk.
Information is also available via 01223 457245. Tickets via the Box Office on 01223 357851. Cambridge is also the location of a Summer Festival of classical music from July 17 to August 16 - see www.cambridgesummermusic.com.  (©Peter Ashton 2003)

Sidmouth Festival.
Sidmouth
August 1st - 8th

       Devon’s beautiful seaside town has as usual come up with a terrific bill of folk and roots artists from around the world. The event that labels itself “first among festivals” this year includes Lindisfarne, Eliza Carthy, The Kathryn Tickell Band, Last Night’s Fun, Lunasa and Altan among a host of intriguing acts. Eight days of song, music and dance also include guests from around the world including representatives from France, USA, Korea, Russia, Ghana, Poland, India, Spain and Canada.
A season ticket for the whole eight days costs only ?149, ?20 off if
purchased before August 1. Tickets are also available for individual days - see the website www.sidmouthfestival.com for more information and a complete schedule of performers.  (©Peter Ashton 2003)

ROMSEY - BROADLANDS 2003 - AUGUST 2, 9 & 16
       Midsummer open air concerts at Broadlands focus on classical music and pop with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra producing a classical extravaganza on Saturday August 2, One Big Saturday on August 9 featuring a host of chart toppers like Hot Chocolate and The Searchers, with today’s stars Atomic Kitten following on August 16.
Ticket office: 0870 2255163 or 0870 2255164. Tickets also available through BIC Bournemouth, Salisbury City Hall, The Mayflower and Guildford Civic Hall.  (©Peter Ashton 2003)

BOURNEMOUTH MARDI GRAS 2003 - AUGUST 2
       Bournemouth Mardi Gras 2003 is a celebration of diversity reflecting the town’s large gay and lesbian community – the fifth largest in the UK, so they say. Mardi Gras will be one huge summer partyby the seaside on Saturday August 2 with music, cabaret, airground rides, market stalls, food and drink outlets. There will also be a family fun area and sign interpreters.
The venue will be Meyrick Park which is a short walk from Bournemouth town centre (walk up Braidley Road alongside the Town Hall). South West Trains are planning special fare deals for Mardi Gras visitors with transport to the site from Bournemouth Station. Bournemouth’s gay venues are supporting Mardi Gras with special fundraising activities in the run up to August and are all geared up to continue the party when the curtain falls on the main stage. More information is available from Bournemouth Tourist Office.  (©Peter Ashton 2003)

CROPREDY FESTIVAL - AUGUST 7 - 9
       Fairport Convention’s annual music bonanza takes place in the heart of the Oxfordshire countryside. This year’s line-up is better than ever:
Thursday 7 August - Colvin Quarmby, Meet On The Ledge, Trevor Burton Band & Lindisfarne
Friday 8 August - Mark Gillespie, Keith Donnelly, Equation, David Hughes, The Bucket Boys, Blue Tapestry & Procol Harum
Saturday 9 August - Richard Digance, Big Al Hodge & The Mechanics, The Hush, Old Blind Dogs, Albert Lee & Hogans Heroes, Dennis Locorriere & Fairport Convention.
For full details see www.fairportconvention.co.uk  (©Peter Ashton 2003)

BROADSTAIRS FOLK WEEK - AUGUST 8 - 15
       IT might be as far as you can go eastwards without ending up in the sea, but Broadstairs in Kent is well worth a visit for the 38th Folk Week.  It’s expected to attract over 120,000 visitors and the line-up is impressive.  
Alphabetically ranging from Aardvark to Zuba, there is some brilliant entertainment on offer.  Bluehorses stampede in with their twin violin folk-rock sound, Australian roots hero Derrin Nauendorff will be there, as will Paul Young with his Tex-Mex mates Los Pacaminos and multi-insturmentalist Rory McLeod.
So will dozens of other acts ranging from Cajun to traditional Irish to blues and country and more.
  The address is Pierremont Hall, Broadstairs, Kent CT10 1JX.  Tickets via 01843 604080 or see www.broadstairsfolkweek.com.  (©Peter Ashton 2003)

HAMPSHIRE WATER FESTIVAL, WINCHESTER - ABBEY GARDENS - AUGUST 16
       Tower Arts Centre have organised a day of spectacular free outdoor water-related music, theatre and arts events in Abbey Gardens, next to Winchester Guildhall, from 11am to 5pm featuring:
* The sensational Spurting Man!
* Theatre In A Bag performing their latest show
* The 'Water' Beatles (aka The Silver Beatles)
* 11-piece Zimbabwean band Siyaya
* Southampton-based arts collective Aspace
* CircoRumBaBa performing inside a life-size sperm whale!!
* Storyteller Chris Bennett
* Workshops with craft/visual artist Clare Jefferson
* More acts to be confirmed
In addition locally produced ice-cream from the Forest of Bere Dairy will be on sale, a Water Market takes place in the Outer Close of Winchester Cathedral with special food and drink and water-related products including fish, watercress, beer and much more.
For more details on the event ring 01962 845832 (Mon-Fri only).  (©Peter Ashton 2003)

BEAUTIFUL DAYS-ESCOT PARK, DEVON-AUGUST 16& 17
       Headline acts at a new alternative folk roots and reggae festival in East Devon over the weekend of August 16/17 include Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, Oysterband, The Levellers and Senser. It’s called Beautiful Days and it’s happening at Escot Park, near Fairmile, a location of stunning natural beauty Although music is a big feature of the festival there will also be spectacular site art and sculpture, children's activities and workshops, fire sculpture, food and craft stalls, licenced bars and performance artists.
Also appearing: American ska-funkers Fishbone, their 25th anniversary
this year, Wonder Stuff frontman, Miles Hunt who will play an acoustic set, blues veterans The Groundhogs who are celebrating their 40th anniversary this year and are back playing in their original lineup. Ska band The Selecter fronted by Pauline Black will be there, as will Dreadzone, Hybrid, Justin Sullivan of New Model Army, acclaimed singer-songwriter Nick Harper, Grand Drive, Clearlake, and a host of other exciting bands.
Check the festival website www.beautifuldays.org for full details and
updates. Tickets are now on sale - weekend camping tickets are £55 and £35 for children aged 5-12 years. Day Tickets are available for Saturday or Sunday at £27.50, £17.50 for children aged 5-12 years. Children under 5 years are free but you must obtain an under 5’s weekend or day ticket. Tickets are available from WAY AHEAD 0871 22 00 260 or www.wayahead.com, LONDON CALLING for UK tickets and travel 0870 2201111, ON THE FIDDLE 01273 608887, 24-7 TICKETS 0870 70 80 003, SOLO RECORDS, Exeter 01392 425309 or REFORM RECORDS, Exeter 01392 435577.  (©Peter Ashton 2003)

ARUNDEL FESTIVAL - AUGUST 21 - 31
       A ten-day festival highlighting all aspects of culture, including art, dance, theatre and music. Military band, concert bands and an oompah band will be playing classical and popular selections. There’s also plenty of jazz with Acker Bilk and Chris Barber fronting their bands, Carol’s Riverside Jazz Band and the Phoenix Big Band, plus classical music from the Bronte String Quartet and others. Ring 01903 883474 for more details or have a look at www.arundelfesitval.org.uk.  (©Peter Ashton 2003)

READING FESTIVAL - AUGUST 22 -24
       BLUR, LINKIN PARK, WHITE STRIPES, METALLICA ETC - SOLD OUT!

CANTERBURY FAYRE - AUGUST 22 - 24
       A highly attractive site for a festival, the beautiful Mount Ephraim Gardens, Hernhill, near Canterbury and a line-up to drool over. Taking part this year are artists of the calibre of The Inspiral Carpets, Robert Plant, Ian McNabb, Roy Harper, Love with Arthur Lee, Space Ritual, Willard Grant Conspiracy, Jackie Leven, Nick Harper, Le Cod Afrique and many more. Ticket details: Tel: 01494 794887 or online via www.canterburyfayre.com.  (©Peter Ashton 2003)

GREENBELT FESTIVAL, CHELTENHAM RACECOURSE - AUGUST 22 - 25
       Originally started as a Christian festival and still has a strong spiritual
emphasis. There is a terrific music line-up amongst other arts events. Bill
Bragg, The Polyphonic Spree, Aqualung, Kate Rusby, Waterson:Carthy and the brilliant Willard Grant Conspiracy from Boston, Massachusetts are joined by a host of local bands. A weekend pass costs £70 - see www.greenbelt.org.uk for full details.  (©Peter Ashton 2003)

SOUTHSEA FOLK & ROOTS FESTIVAL - AUG 24 - 31
       South Parade Pier is the location for eight days of top folk, roots, blues and dance events. Amongst the names entertaining this year are The Strawbs, Oysterband, Phil Beer Band, Julie Felix, Arlen, Mary Jane and The Pete Harris Band. There are free daytime concerts and ticketed evening concerts between £5 and £10.
Tickets are available online or from The Festival Office, Kylebrack House, 41 Festing Grove, Southsea, Hants, PO45 4BS. A season tickets for all concerts are just £50, a final weekend ticket only £25 - check the website for more details: www.barkingspider.abelgratis.com/festival or telephone 02392 436267 or Mobile: 07970 959793.  (©Peter Ashton 2003)

DEVIZES CARNIVAL STREET FESTIVAL - AUGUST 25
       Plenty of live music will be ringing out around the Wiltshire town including turns by Brasshoppers, Five Furious Fish, 4x4 Bhangra, Siyaya and many more bands.
Information line: 01380 723099. Website www.devizescarnival.co.uk. (©Peter Ashton 2003)

GREAT DORSET STEAM FAIR, TARRANT HINTON -AUGUST 27-31
       As well as steam engines, vintage tractors, fairground organs, heavy horses and trade stands, there is a lot of live music going on during this huge Dorset event which has a long history. Folk, pop, jazz, country and rock music is presented in five marquees over the whole of the festival. Amongst this year’s line-up are The Wurzels, Lady Winwoods Maggot, The Crack, Marmalade (the original 60s outfit), Salisbury Big Band, Torn Apart, The Goats and The Hedge Monkeys. For more information see www.steam-fair.co.uk.  (©Peter Ashton 2003)

WALLINGFORD BUNKFEST 2003 - AUGUST 29 - 31
       Wallingford, near Oxford is the location for a festival with a strong folk line-up. The ubiquitous Show of Hands are joined by Steafan Hannigan's Mahogany Gaspipes, Nancy Kerr & James Fagan, Tanglefoot fromCanada, Alan Burke, The Bismarcks, KTB, Slainte, Circulus, Arlen, Pete Orton, Skyport Ade & Pat Cogswell, Spire, John Thomson & Jonathan Hill, Karl Dallas and Beggars Belief. For more details see www.bunkfest.co.uk.  (©Peter Ashton 2003)

FUNSEEKER SKATEBOARD FEST, BAITER PARK, POOLE - AUGUST 30 & 31
       Includes live music of the punk variety from Cherry Atrium, Dogzuki, The Lillettes, Snub and The Juice.  (©Peter Ashton 2003)

SWANAGE FOLK FESTIVAL - SEPTEMBER 5 - 8
       Set on a hill the festival site at Sandpit Field enjoys a beautiful view over Swanage bay, and the festival itself has a very special atmosphere. Two rising young folk acts do the honours on Friday night - The Bill Jones Trio and Legacy. On Saturday eveningThe Fraser Sisters and Pauline Cato and Tom McConville are the featured artists. For dancers Lucy Lastic will also be playing on Saturday night in the festival marquee.
The New Scorpion Band play on Sunday afternoon, with The Roots Quartet closing the festival in the evening. Food, drink, a crafts fair and other stalls all add to a really relaxing festival. For more info have a look at www.swanagefestival.co.uk. (©Peter Ashton 2003)

BLUES AT THE FORT - FORT PURBROOK, PORTSDOWN HILL , NEAR PORTSMOUTH - SEPTEMBER 19 & 20
       Blues lovers have a late festival to look forward to when the 5th Blues at the Fort Festival takes place late in September . The line-up for the event has just been announced with some top acts including The Blues Band and The Hamsters belting it out as the sun goes down on Portsdown Hill. Formerly the Havant Real Ale Festival, Blues at the Fort 2003 will take place in a huge marquee within the ramparts of the historic fort. A range of real ales from all over the country, hot food and plenty of seating is available to music fans as they soak up some stirring blues. All the proceeds will go to support sporting activities and charities in the area. This year the nominated charities include Langstone Sailability and The Quivers who promote sailing and fencing for the disabled.
The Hamsters, a hard rocking band who specialise in playing the music of Jimi Hendrix headline on Friday night with the Blues Band topping the bill on Saturday. Portsmouth born Paul Jones and his band have been keeping the blues flame burning for over twenty years now with their authentic sound, fronted by Paul’s singing and harmonica playing. Old-style R&B band The Motel Kings, blues and boogie outfit Cryin’ Out Loud and local band Andy Broad’s Rhythm Kings will also play over the two nights.
Tickets can be purchased from Havant Tourist Information Centre via 023 9248 0024. (©Peter Ashton 2003)

SOLENT FOLK FESTIVAL, WOOLSTON COMMUNITY CENTRE, SOUTHAMPTON - SEPTEMBER 20 & 21
       Singarounds and folk guests including Jez Lowe & The Bad Pennies from 11am until late both days. More details to be announced soon. (©Peter Ashton 2003)

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