With only a couple of days to go until Worcester Music Festival 2010 begins, we thought we’d devote this newsletter to telling you just a little about some of the activities that you can enjoy over the weekend…
**Worcester Music Festival – how it works
We have around 230 live performances taking place in 27 venues in the city centre from 7pm on Friday 20th through to 11pm on Sunday 22nd August. Nearly all of these are free entry but a few workshops and a couple of gigs do have a charge on the door.
The Festival Guide contains details of what’s going on where and when, along with a summary of the type of music being played by each band. You can get your copy at any venue, the Tourist Information Centre in Worcester, or the café at Worcester Arts Workshop. Also, do visit the online What’s On guide at www.worcestermusicfestival.co.uk/whatson
Music Festival organisers will be at Worcester Arts Workshop all weekend, and we’re aiming for all day unplugged live music from a series of buskers in the café. If you want to find out what bands are worth seeing, want to pick up a spare gig listing, or just want to sit and have a coffee and a chat – come and say hello! The Arts Workshop is on Sansome Street, (opposite the job centre).
**Poetry, spoken word events at Worcester Music Festival – because it’s not JUST about music!
We are happy to be working with The Phonic Room – Worcester’s new platform for spoken word, providing performance space/time to local (and national) poets, comedians, writers, actors and performance artists of all kinds. They are hosting two events this weekend, and you can view details of the events here:
*The Worcester Music Festival Phonic Room – Poets and stories at Boston Tea Party on Friday 20th August from 7pm until 10pm: www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=104995722891484
*The Phonic Room Free Mic – The Phonic Room, but with a rhythm section… and maybe a few musical treats… Severn View Hotel on Sunday 22nd August from 7pm until 11pm: www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=109876082399361
**Something for Everybody
With so many gigs and fantastic performers playing at the Festival this weekend, we couldn’t possibly recommend any one over the other but for a good cross-section of the music on offer you may wish to check out the following links:
*On Friday 20th August from 7.30pm Worcester Arts Workshop and Lockjaw Records will play host to 3 excellent hardcore bands: www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=144120508950723&ref=ts
*Fedheadz Promotions presents a night of awesome live music with 6 local bands playing at The Pheasant on Friday 20th August from 7.30pm: www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/event.php?eid=122715821108653
*Come along and relax in the company of 5 fabulous female performers at the Art House Café in Crowngate on Saturday 21st August from 7pm until 11pm: www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=129488050425378
*Sunday 22nd August from 4pm sees the Driver Promotions Alldayer at The Firefly, Lowesmoor featuring 9 fab bands: www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=115506521830699&ref=mf
**Families at Worcester Music Festival
Over the weekend there will be several activities suitable for children and young adults. In addition to the events being listed below, many of the venues hosting our performers are open to under 18s up to certain times – please check the listings for more details.
*Ukulele!
Open to all ages is Steven Sproat’s ukulele workshop at the Elgar School of Music. If you don’t own a uke you can borrow one on the day. This workshop costs £30 and runs on Saturday from 10am to 3:30pm. To book your place call Worcester Live 01905 611427.
*Join a Rock Band – no musical experience needed!
Ever dreamed of joining a rock band but never even played an instrument? If you want to try singing, playing guitar / bass or drums then this is the place to be. Worcester School of Rock & Performance will provide all the instruments and coaching, you just need to turn up and have a go. This is open to ages 8 to 18 years and is free. Runs on Saturday from 11am to 2pm at the City Youth Centre, Spring Gardens.
*Singing
On Saturday Helen Russell is running a series of singing sessions suitable for all ages at St Swithun’s Institute. From 2pm to 2:45pm is Helen’s ‘All Stars Singing’ session suitable for children aged 2 and up; from 3pm to 3:45pm there is the ‘Popstars Singing and Dancing’ aimed at older children; and from 5pm to 6pm is the Worcester Music Festival Community Choir – perfect for those who have never sung outside the shower!
Free entry but to guarantee your place please e-mail info@worcestermusicfestival.co.uk
*Rappers and Lyricists open mic session
On Saturday evening there is a Rappers and Lyricists open mic session being held at Boston Tea Party on Broad Street from 8pm to 9pm. This will suit teenagers and upwards. So if you’re an aspiring rapper or lyricist please come along and join in! Free entry.
*Worcester Young Musician’s Showcase
Young musicians from Worcester and beyond will showcase their talents here. There will be a mixture of acoustic performances and band performances. Come along and see the future of music in Worcestershire!
This event is being run in association with Energy Factory and Youthcomm Radio 106.7 FM.
Come and see how good our young local musicians are! This event takes place at the City Youth Centre, Spring Gardens from 3pm to 6pm – entry is free.
So it’s clear from just this email how much great stuff there is going on this weekend… Wherever you end up, don’t forget to take your camera if you want to get involved in the Photo competition (for more info, visit: www.worcestermusicfestival.co.uk/info/photocompetition)
As always, any questions, please email us on info@worcestermusicfestival.co.uk
The Worcester Music Festival Committee x
